Apparatus and process for conditioning organic fluid

• US 6,802,892 B2
• Filed: 03/16/2001
• Issued: 10/12/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/16/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Vasogen Ireland Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Vasogen Ireland Ltd.
• Inventors: Worona, Taras, Newman, Duncan Arthur, Moore, Paul George Andrew
• Primary Examiner(s): SMITH, DUANE
• Application Number:
  US09/811,260
• Publication Number:
  US 20010054356A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,306 Days
• Field of Search: 604/4.01, 604/6.08, 604/6.09, 604/4, 604/405, 604/406, 210/188, 553/852, 962/23, 962/24, 961/56, 961/55, 962/04, 952/41, 95/8, 952/60, 95/1
• US Class Current: 96/156
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 3/002 Compounding apparatus specially for enteral or parenteral nutritive solutions bottling liquids B67C
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/0281 Apparatus for treatment of blood or blood constituents prior to transfusion, e.g. washing, filtering or thawing
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3626 Gas bubble detectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3681 by irradiation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3683 using photoactive agents
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3687 Chemical treatment A61M1/3675 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/369 Temperature treatment
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/0216 Ozone
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/123 with incorporated reservoirs
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/368 by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. IR waves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/75 with filters

Abstract

An apparatus for condition of an organic fluid for subsequent us in a medical procedure includes a cabinet having a secure environment and a door providing the only access to the environment. An input system is provided for transporting an organic fluid charge from a source to the cabinet and a container is removably contained in the secure environment and coupled to the charge input system to receive the charge. Stressors are coupled to the cabinet and positioned for operation to create a conditioned charge in the container. An output system is coupled to the container and includes a receiver for the conditioned charge. The receiver, which may be a syringe, includes a sensor to detect when gas bubbles have been eliminated from the receiver.

Claims

1. An apparatus for conditioning a organic fluid for subsequent use in a medical procedure, the apparatus comprising:

a cabinet having a secure environment for conditioning of a organic fluid;

an input system for transporting a organic fluid charge from a source to the cabinet;

a container removably contained in the secure environment and coupled to the input system to receive the charge;

stressors coupled to the cabinet and positioned for operation to create a conditioned charge in the container;

an output system coupled to the container and including a receiver for the conditioned charge;

an apparatus sensing when gas bubbles are eliminated from the receiver including a sensor arranged for sensing when gas bubbles have been eliminated from the receiver; and

wherein the receiver comprises;

a syringe having a syringe outlet and a syringe operator;

an actuator for moving the syringe operator; and

a tubing connected to the syringe outlet.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sensor is positioned adjacent the tubing for sensing when gas bubbles have been eliminated from the tubing.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sensor includes a transmitter positioned on one side of the tubing and a receiver positioned on an opposite side of the tubing.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the sensor is an ultrasonic sensor.

5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein a sealing mechanism for sealing the tubing is positioned between the sensor and the syringe outlet for sealing the tubing after the gas bubbles have been eliminated.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the sealing mechanism is a heat sealing device.

7. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the ultrasonic sensor and the actuator are controlled by a control system to advance the syringe operator until the ultrasonic sensor indicates that the gas bubbles have been removed from the tubing.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a mechanical knocker arranged to impact the syringe to increase the speed at which gas bubbles are dissipated from a fluid in the syringe.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the mechanical knocker includes an impact member positioned on one side of the syringe and a spring positioned on an opposite side of the syringe.