Top flow bubble trap apparatus
First Claim
1. An apparatus for trapping bubbles in blood flowing in a circuit, said apparatus comprising:
- an elongated, substantially vertical housing defining a primary chamber having an upper open end, the housing including an open upper housing end and a lower housing end;
a cap attached to the upper housing end to cover the upper open end of the primary chamber, the cap having an inlet port formed therein for introduction of blood into the apparatus;
an elongated inlet tube extending from the inlet port into the primary chamber for introduction of blood into the primary chamber, the tube having a tip from which the blood is directed into the primary chamber;
a diverter positioned within the primary chamber, the diverter comprising;
an annular collar attaching the diverter to the housing;
a container of a predetermined shape defining a secondary chamber of the primary chamber, the container having a circumferential rim and a container base, the inlet tube being centrally positioned within the container adjacent to the container base to introduce blood into the secondary chamber, the blood first entering and filling the secondary chamber and then reaching the container rim; and
a connector attaching the container to the collar and defining one or more interconnector gaps to allow blood reaching the container rim to flow from the secondary chamber down through the primary chamber and to allow bubbles in the blood to rise and collect above the blood in the secondary chamber; and
an exit port formed in the lower housing end for removal of blood from the chamber and return of the blood to the circuit.
7 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for trapping bubbles in blood flowing in a circuit, such as blood in an extracorporeal circuit, is provided. The apparatus includes a housing which defines a substantially vertical chamber. Blood is introduced into the chamber through an inlet tube extending downwardly into the chamber and is removed from the chamber at an exit port near the lower end of the housing. A diverter having a container base and rim is positioned within the chamber. Blood is introduced near the container base. The blood is redirected upward upon contact with the container base and is then redirected downward over the rim. The redirection of blood flow provides an opportunity for bubbles in the blood to separate from the blood in the chamber and also helps prevent stagnation of blood in the chamber which might otherwise lead to clotting and separation of the blood. Blood is introduced into a chamber of the apparatus in a generally downward direction below the level of blood already present in the chamber. The blood is then directed in a generally upward direction, after which it is redirected in a generally downward direction. The reversal of blood flow provides an opportunity for bubbles in the blood to separate from the blood. Thereafter the blood and bubbles are collected.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. An apparatus for trapping bubbles in blood flowing in a circuit, said apparatus comprising:
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an elongated, substantially vertical housing defining a primary chamber having an upper open end, the housing including an open upper housing end and a lower housing end; a cap attached to the upper housing end to cover the upper open end of the primary chamber, the cap having an inlet port formed therein for introduction of blood into the apparatus; an elongated inlet tube extending from the inlet port into the primary chamber for introduction of blood into the primary chamber, the tube having a tip from which the blood is directed into the primary chamber; a diverter positioned within the primary chamber, the diverter comprising; an annular collar attaching the diverter to the housing; a container of a predetermined shape defining a secondary chamber of the primary chamber, the container having a circumferential rim and a container base, the inlet tube being centrally positioned within the container adjacent to the container base to introduce blood into the secondary chamber, the blood first entering and filling the secondary chamber and then reaching the container rim; and a connector attaching the container to the collar and defining one or more interconnector gaps to allow blood reaching the container rim to flow from the secondary chamber down through the primary chamber and to allow bubbles in the blood to rise and collect above the blood in the secondary chamber; and an exit port formed in the lower housing end for removal of blood from the chamber and return of the blood to the circuit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An apparatus for trapping bubbles in blood flowing in a circuit, said apparatus comprising:
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a housing having a hollow interior which extends between an upper housing end and a lower housing end, the hollow interior including a primary chamber; an elongated inlet tube having a lower tip at an end thereof extending downward into the hollow interior of the housing; a diverter having an upper peripheral rim and a lower container base, the diverter positioned within the hollow interior at a predetermined position at which the lower tip of the inlet tube is intermediate the peripheral rim and the container base, the diverter further defining a secondary chamber; the inlet tube introducing blood into the secondary chamber in a downward direction, the container base directing the downward flowing blood upward upon contact of blood with the container base, the peripheral rim providing a flow path from the secondary chamber into the primary chamber, the reversal of the blood at the container base and the flow path between the secondary and primary chambers providing an opportunity for bubbles in the blood to separate from the blood; and an exit port formed in the housing near the lower housing end for removal of the blood from the primary chamber after separation of bubbles from the blood. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification