Apparatus for preventing the entry of air into an artificial organ
First Claim
1. A separator for removing gas from a liquid flow before the liquid flow passes into and through an artificial organ and for returning removed gas back into the liquid flow after the liquid flow has passed from an inlet to an outlet of the artificial organ, comprising inflow channel means (20) for coupling to an inlet of the artificial organ;
- outflow channel means (27) for coupling to an outlet of the artificial organ, said outflow channel means (27) being positioned over and adjacent to the inflow channel means (20) in its operative position;
common wall means (30) joining the inflow channel means (20) and the outflow channel means (27), said common wall means comprising flow resistance means (25) having a low flow impedance for gases and high flow impedance for liquids, said flow resistance means (25) being connectable in parallel to the artificial organ, whereby gases may pass directly from inflowing liquid back into liquid flowing out of the aritificial organ, thereby passing the artificial organ, said inflow channel means (20) being connectable in series with each other through the artificial organ for generating a pressure drop in said outflow channel means (27) relative to said inflow channel means (20) by liquid flowing out of the artificial organ and through the outflow channel means (27), said pressure drop supporting the withdrawal of gas through said flow resistance means (25) to prevent the entry of gas into an artificial organ.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Air or gas is prevented from entering into the exchange zone of an artificial organ such as an artificial kidney, dialyzer, or hemofilter. For this purpose a separating path is arranged in parallel with the artificial organ or with the exchange zone or other operative portion of the artificial organ between the liquid inflow and outflow conduits. This parallel path is provided with a high flow resistance for the liquid and with a low flow resistance for the air. Such differential flow resistance may, for example, be accomplished by apertures, gas permeable materials, and eddy chambers. The gas separating path is incorporated as an integral part of the artificial organ or as an integral part of the liquid inflow and outflow conduits. According to several embodiments, an enlargement is provided in the separating path or conduit in which the liquid may "rise and dwell" to enhance air separation before the liquid flows into the operative portion of the artificial organ.
79 Citations
11 Claims
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1. A separator for removing gas from a liquid flow before the liquid flow passes into and through an artificial organ and for returning removed gas back into the liquid flow after the liquid flow has passed from an inlet to an outlet of the artificial organ, comprising inflow channel means (20) for coupling to an inlet of the artificial organ;
- outflow channel means (27) for coupling to an outlet of the artificial organ, said outflow channel means (27) being positioned over and adjacent to the inflow channel means (20) in its operative position;
common wall means (30) joining the inflow channel means (20) and the outflow channel means (27), said common wall means comprising flow resistance means (25) having a low flow impedance for gases and high flow impedance for liquids, said flow resistance means (25) being connectable in parallel to the artificial organ, whereby gases may pass directly from inflowing liquid back into liquid flowing out of the aritificial organ, thereby passing the artificial organ, said inflow channel means (20) being connectable in series with each other through the artificial organ for generating a pressure drop in said outflow channel means (27) relative to said inflow channel means (20) by liquid flowing out of the artificial organ and through the outflow channel means (27), said pressure drop supporting the withdrawal of gas through said flow resistance means (25) to prevent the entry of gas into an artificial organ. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
- outflow channel means (27) for coupling to an outlet of the artificial organ, said outflow channel means (27) being positioned over and adjacent to the inflow channel means (20) in its operative position;
Specification