AIR TRAP FOR A MEDICAL INFUSION DEVICE
First Claim
1. An air trap for a blood circuit in a dialysis unit, comprising:
- a blood inlet supply line;
a blood outlet supply line; and
a container having an approximately spherical internal wall, an inlet at a top end of the container connected to the blood inlet supply line, and an outlet at a bottom end of the container connected to the blood outlet supply line, the inlet being offset from a vertical axis of the approximately spherical internal wall such that blood entering the container through the inlet is directed to flow in around the approximately spherical wall in a spiral-like path;
wherein when blood is supplied to the container via the blood inlet supply line and blood in the container is removed from the container via the blood outlet supply line, air in the blood entering the container remains in the container.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An air trap for a blood circuit and method for removing air from blood in a dialysis unit. The air trap may include a blood inlet supply line, a blood outlet supply line, and a container having an approximately spherical internal wall, an inlet at a top end of the container connected to the blood inlet supply line, and an outlet at a bottom end of the container connected to the blood outlet supply line. The inlet may be offset from a vertical axis of the approximately spherical internal wall such that blood entering the container is directed to flow in a spiral-like path. The inlet port may be arranged to introduce blood into the container in a direction that is approximately tangential to the approximately spherical inner wall of the container and/or in a direction that is approximately perpendicular to the vertical axis of the container.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. An air trap for a blood circuit in a dialysis unit, comprising:
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a blood inlet supply line; a blood outlet supply line; and a container having an approximately spherical internal wall, an inlet at a top end of the container connected to the blood inlet supply line, and an outlet at a bottom end of the container connected to the blood outlet supply line, the inlet being offset from a vertical axis of the approximately spherical internal wall such that blood entering the container through the inlet is directed to flow in around the approximately spherical wall in a spiral-like path; wherein when blood is supplied to the container via the blood inlet supply line and blood in the container is removed from the container via the blood outlet supply line, air in the blood entering the container remains in the container. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for removing air from a flow of blood in a dialysis unit, comprising:
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introducing blood into an upper portion of an approximately spherical container; causing the blood to flow in a spiral-like path in the container; and removing the blood from a lower portion of the approximately spherical container. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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16. An air trap for a blood circuit in a dialysis unit, comprising:
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a blood inlet supply line; a blood outlet supply line; a container having an approximately spherical internal wall, an inlet at a top end of the container connected to the blood inlet supply line, and an outlet at a bottom end of the container connected to the blood outlet supply line, the inlet being offset from a vertical axis of the approximately spherical internal wall such that blood entering the container through the inlet is directed to flow in around the approximately spherical wall in a spiral-like path; and a self-sealing port located at a top of the container, the self-sealing port having an inner surface that is approximately flush with the internal wall of the container at the top of the container, wherein when blood is supplied to the container via the blood inlet supply line and blood in the container is removed from the container via the blood outlet supply line, air in the blood entering the container remains in the container, and wherein any air in the container is substantially completely removed by introducing liquid into the container via the blood outlet supply line and removing liquid from the container via the blood inlet supply line. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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Specification