Fluid gas removal drip chamber
First Claim
1. A fluid gas removal chamber for parenteral administration of fluids, comprising:
- a housing having an enclosed top end, and an outlet with an opening therethrough for discharge of fluid, said housing defining an interior chamber for receiving and collecting fluid;
means for delivering fluid to said chamber;
barrier means, disposed adjacent the top end and extending into said chamber, for establishing a vertically dimensioned hydrophobic barrier that will pass air from said chamber, without passing fluid; and
vent means, in fluid communication with said barrier means, for venting air passed through the hydrophobic barrier of said barrier means.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A fluid gas removal drip chamber for use for parenteral administration of fluids is disclosed. The drip chamber has a hydrophobic barrier which extends into the interior of the drip chamber. The hydrophobic barrier preferably comprises at least a portion of a three-dimensional surface. In one embodiment, an inlet port allows fluid to enter the drip chamber from the top so that the fluid falls through an air space formed in the top of the drip chamber. By shaping the inlet port so that droplets of fluid are formed, a health care professional can monitor the fluid drip rate. In another embodiment, the hydrophobic barrier is configured so that little or no air space exists at the top of the drip chamber. The drip chamber includes means for venting air that is separated from the fluid within the chamber and, at the same time, preventing air from entering the chamber through the venting means. For certain applications, the drip chamber is provided with a hydrophilic filter for filtering the fluid prior to exiting the drip chamber.
98 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A fluid gas removal chamber for parenteral administration of fluids, comprising:
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a housing having an enclosed top end, and an outlet with an opening therethrough for discharge of fluid, said housing defining an interior chamber for receiving and collecting fluid; means for delivering fluid to said chamber; barrier means, disposed adjacent the top end and extending into said chamber, for establishing a vertically dimensioned hydrophobic barrier that will pass air from said chamber, without passing fluid; and vent means, in fluid communication with said barrier means, for venting air passed through the hydrophobic barrier of said barrier means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A fluid gas removal chamber for parenteral administration of fluids, comprising:
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a housing having an enclosed top end, and an outlet with an opening therethrough for discharge of fluid, said housing defining an interior chamber for receiving and collecting fluid; means for delivering fluid to said chamber; barrier means, disposed adjacent the top end and extending into said chamber, for establishing an elongate hydrophobic barrier that will pass air from said chamber, without passing fluid; vent means, in fluid communication with said barrier means, for venting air passed through the hydrophobic barrier of said barrier means; and means, in fluid communication with the vent means, for preventing air from entering the chamber through the vent means. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A fluid gas removal chamber for parenteral administration of fluids, comprising:
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a housing having an enclosed top end, and an outlet with an opening therethrough for discharge of fluid, said housing defining an interior chamber for receiving and collecting fluid; a cap enclosing the top end of the housing and having a first passageway and a second passageway formed therethrough; means for delivering fluid to said chamber through the first passageway formed in the cap; barrier means, in fluid communication with the second passageway formed in the cap and extending into said chamber, for establishing an elongate hydrophobic barrier that will pass air from said chamber, without passing fluid; vent means, in fluid communication with said barrier means, for venting air passed through the hydrophobic barrier of said barrier means; and means, in fluid communication with the barrier means, for preventing air from entering the chamber through the vent means. - View Dependent Claims (22)
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Specification