Systems and methods for handling air and/or flushing fluids in a fluid circuit
First Claim
1. A connector comprising a body constructed for coupling to a fluid source, a first fluid passage in the body, a second fluid passage in the body that does not communicate with the first fluid passage, a first assembly communicating with the first fluid passage and including a first fitting to releasably couple the first fluid passage to an outlet of a fluid circuit and to convey fluid only through the first fluid passage, and a second assembly communicating only with the second fluid passage and including a second fitting to releasably couple the second fluid passage to an inlet of the fluid circuit, whereby fluid can be circulated through the fluid source in a loop that includes the fluid circuit to collect in the fluid source air residing in the fluid circuit.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods handle air and rinsing fluid during fluid processing. The systems and methods eliminate air from a fluid processing system prior to, during, and after use. The systems and methods provide a connector assembly for establishing fluid flow from a fluid source. The connector assembly has discrete first and second passages that prevent communication between the fluid in first passage and the fluid in the second passage. Prior to system use, the connector assembly may be utilized in a priming function to remove residual air from a fluid circuit prior to use. The connector assembly may also be utilized after use to perform a rinse-back function. The rinse-back function serves to remove residual fluid from the system after use. The connector assembly can comprise two, single lumen connectors or one connector with two lumens.
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Citations
89 Claims
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1. A connector comprising
a body constructed for coupling to a fluid source, a first fluid passage in the body, a second fluid passage in the body that does not communicate with the first fluid passage, a first assembly communicating with the first fluid passage and including a first fitting to releasably couple the first fluid passage to an outlet of a fluid circuit and to convey fluid only through the first fluid passage, and a second assembly communicating only with the second fluid passage and including a second fitting to releasably couple the second fluid passage to an inlet of the fluid circuit, whereby fluid can be circulated through the fluid source in a loop that includes the fluid circuit to collect in the fluid source air residing in the fluid circuit.
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11. A fluid processing system comprising
a fluid circuit including an inlet and an outlet, and a connector assembly constructed for coupling to a fluid source, the connector assembly including a first fluid passage coupled to the outlet of the fluid circuit and a second fluid passage that does not communicate with the first fluid passage and is coupled to the inlet of the fluid circuit, whereby fluid can be circulated by the connector assembly through the fluid source in a loop that includes the fluid circuit to collect in the fluid source air residing in the fluid circuit.
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29. A fluid processing apparatus comprising
a fluid container, and a connector assembly coupled to the fluid container, the connector assembly including a first fluid passage releasably coupled by a luer connector to an outlet of a fluid circuit and a second fluid passage that does not communicate with the first fluid passage and releasably coupled by a luer connector to a inlet of the fluid circuit, whereby fluid can be circulated by the connector assembly through the fluid container in a loop that includes the fluid circuit to collect in the fluid source air residing in the fluid circuit.
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37. A fluid processing system comprising
a fluid circuit including an inlet and an outlet, and a connector comprising a body constructed for coupling to a fluid source, a first fluid passage in the body coupled to the outlet of the fluid circuit, and a second fluid passage in the body that does not communicate with the first fluid passage and coupled to the inlet of the fluid circuit. whereby fluid can be circulated through the fluid source in a loop that includes the fluid circuit to collect in the fluid source air residing in the fluid circuit.
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66. A method for priming a fluid circuit comprising the steps of
coupling a connector assembly to a fluid reservoir, the connector assembly comprising a first fluid passage and a second fluid passage, circulating fluid in the fluid circuit through the fluid reservoir by conveying fluid into an inlet of the fluid circuit from the reservoir through the second fluid passage while conveying fluid from an outlet of the fluid circuit into the reservoir through the first fluid passage, and during the circulation step, accumulating air residing in the fluid circuit in the fluid reservoir, thereby removing air from the fluid circuit.
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87. A method for priming and flushing a fluid circuit comprising the steps of
providing a connector assembly comprising a first fluid passage releasably coupled to an outlet of the fluid circuit and a second fluid passage releasably coupled to an inlet of the fluid circuit, coupling the connector assembly to a fluid reservoir, priming the fluid circuit through the fluid reservoir by conveying fluid into the inlet of the fluid circuit from the reservoir through the second fluid passage while conveying fluid from the outlet of the fluid circuit into the reservoir through the first fluid passage, after the priming step, releasing the coupling between the connector assembly and the inlet and outlet of the fluid circuit while keeping the connector assembly coupled to the fluid reservoir, processing a selected fluid using the fluid circuit, after the processing step, coupling the inlet of the fluid circuit to the second fluid passage, and rinsing residue of the selected fluid from the fluid circuit by conveying fluid into the inlet of the fluid circuit from the reservoir through the second fluid passage, while conveying the selected fluid residue from the outlet of the fluid circuit in a path that bypasses the reservoir.
Specification