DEGASSING MODULE FOR A CONTROLLED COMPLIANT FLOW PATH
First Claim
1. A degassing module, comprising:
- a flow-through first chamber having a hydrophobic vent membrane having an exterior and interior side forming a portion of the flow-through chamber wherein the hydrophobic vent membrane is positioned at a higher elevation on the flow-through chamber than a fluid outlet wherein fluid flows through the flow-through chamber in a downward direction relative to the hydrophobic vent membrane;
the flow-through chamber having a cross sectional area configured to provide for a downward flow velocity of the fluid to be less than an upward rise velocity of a smallest bubble to be removed from the fluid.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A degassing module for removal of air and other gases during operation of a medical therapy device that delivers any one of hemodialysis, hemodiafiltration and hemofiltration. The degassing module has a flow-through first chamber that has a hydrophobic vent membrane that has an exterior and interior side forming a portion of the flow-through chamber. The hydrophobic vent membrane is positioned at a higher elevation on the flow-through chamber than a fluid outlet. Fluid flows through the flow-through chamber in a downward direction relative to the hydrophobic vent membrane. A flow-through chamber has a cross sectional area configured to provide for a downward flow velocity of the fluid to be less than the upward rise velocity of a smallest bubble to be removed from the fluid.
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Citations
56 Claims
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1. A degassing module, comprising:
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a flow-through first chamber having a hydrophobic vent membrane having an exterior and interior side forming a portion of the flow-through chamber wherein the hydrophobic vent membrane is positioned at a higher elevation on the flow-through chamber than a fluid outlet wherein fluid flows through the flow-through chamber in a downward direction relative to the hydrophobic vent membrane; the flow-through chamber having a cross sectional area configured to provide for a downward flow velocity of the fluid to be less than an upward rise velocity of a smallest bubble to be removed from the fluid. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 45, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56)
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20. A system for controlling fluid movement between a subject and an extracorporeal flow path, comprising:
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a controlled compliant flow loop, said controlled compliant flow loop selectively metering in and metering out fluid from the flow loop; an extracorporeal flow path in fluid communication with a subject wherein the controlled compliant flow path and the extracorporeal flow path are in fluid communication across a semipermeable membrane; and a degassing module.
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36. A method for degassing a system, comprising the step of:
removing dissolved gas from fluid in a controlled compliant flow path with a degassing module. - View Dependent Claims (44)
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46. A de-aeration flow path for removing dissolved gases, comprising:
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a reservoir in fluid communication with the de-aeration flow path; one or more pumps in fluid communication with the de-aeration flow path wherein the de-aeration flow path is in fluid communication with a controlled compliant flow loop for preparing fluids required for a therapy session; wherein the fluids prepared include any one of a dialysate, a filtrate, a physiologically compatible priming solution, a physiologically compatible solution to provide a bolus of fluid to a subject receiving treatment, a physiologically compatible solution for returning blood from an extracorporeal flow path to a subject; wherein the flow loop modifies water into any one of a solution for priming the system, a physiologically compatible solution for contacting blood, and a solution for blood rinse back to a subject, said controlled compliant flow loop having a means for selectively metering in and metering out fluid from the dialysate flow path.
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Specification