Apparatus for degassing hemodialysis liquid

• US 4,325,715 A
• Filed: 03/24/1976
• Issued: 04/20/1982
• Est. Priority Date: 03/24/1976
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Charles J. Filz, Donald B. Bowman, James G. Osborn
• Original Assignee: Charles J. Filz, Donald B. Bowman, James G. Osborn
• Inventors: Osborn, James G., Filz, Charles J., Bowman, Donald B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Spitzer, Robert H.
• Application Number:
  US05/669,903
• Time in Patent Office: 2,218 Days
• Field of Search: 55/16, 55/36, 55/158, 55/150, 210/22 A, 210/321 B, 210/433 M, 210/500 M, 210/DIG. 5
• US Class Current: 96/6
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/1658 Degasification
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 19/0031 by filtration

Abstract

A coil of hydrophobic tubing is wrapped around the side wall of an inner chamber. The gas-containing hemodialysis liquid is delivered into the inner chamber through one end thereof and flows out from the inner chamber into one end of the hydrophobic tubing through an opening at the opposite end of the inner chamber. It then flows through the tubing back towards the first end of the inner chamber, generally countercurrent to flow through the inner chamber. Gases are released from the liquid through the hydrophobic material into an annular chamber surrounding the tubing.

Claims

1. Apparatus for removing gases from a hemodialysis liquid prior to introduction of such liquid into a hemodialyzer, comprising:

first wall means forming an inner fluid chamber having an inlet for receiving said gas-containing hemodialysis liquid;

second wall means forming, in conjunction with said first wall means, an outer fluid chamber surrounding said inner fluid chamber;

an enlongated length of tubing coiled around said first wall means, with one end of said tubing being in fluid receiving communication with said inner fluid chamber, said tubing being formed from a filter material that is not wetted by liquid and includes pores which normally remain open for passage of gas;

outlet means for degassed hemodialysis liquid connected to the second end of said tubing; and

a gas outlet leading outwardly from said outer chamber, for exhausting released gases therefrom.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising vacuum means connected to said gas outlet for facilitating gas passage through the wall of said tubing into the outer chamber.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the inlet for said inner fluid chamber is at one end thereof and the end of the tubing in fluid receiving communication with said inner fluid chamber is connected to the opposite end of said inner chamber, so that flow through said coil is generally countercurrent to flow through said inner chamber.