Active air removal from an extracorporeal blood circuit

• US 7,335,334 B2
• Filed: 12/22/2003
• Issued: 02/26/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/14/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Stringham, Mark D., Carpenter, Walter L., Olsen, Robert W., Dickey, John B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Zalukaeva; Tatyana
• Assistant Examiner(s): Deak; Leslie R.
• Application Number:
  US10/743,599
• Publication Number:
  US 20040220509A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,527 Days
• Field of Search: 604 401- 501, 604/6.09, 604/6.1, 604/6.11, 604 614- 616, 604/7, 604 65- 67, 604/27, 604/30, 604/80, 604/264, 604/45, 422 44- 45, 210/645, 210/416.1, 210/500.21, 210/739, 210/746, 248/689, 248/122.1, 248/674, 248/676, 261/DIG.28
• US Class Current: 422/45
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/1698 Blood oxygenators with or without heat-exchangers intracorporal A61M1/1678; manufacturing of membranes therefor B01D67/00; semi-permeable membranes for separation processes characterised by their properties B01D69/00; semi-permeable membranes characterised by their material B01D71/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/32 Oxygenators without membranes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3606 Arrangements for blood-volume reduction of extra-corporeal circuits
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3621 Extra-corporeal blood circuits single-needle circuits A61M1/30
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3623 Means for actively controlling temperature of blood
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3626 Gas bubble detectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3627 Degassing devices; Buffer reservoirs; Drip chambers; Blood filters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3666 Cardiac or cardiopulmonary bypass, e.g. heart-lung machines
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3667 with assisted venous return
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3379 Masses, volumes, levels of fluids in reservoirs, flow rates
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/50 with microprocessors or computers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/502 User interfaces, e.g. screens or keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/505 Touch-screens; Virtual keyboard or keypads; Virtual buttons; Soft keys; Mouse touches
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8206 battery-operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2209/08 Supports for equipment
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2209/082 Mounting brackets, arm supports for equipment
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/113 in other functional devices, e.g. dialysers or heart-lung machines
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/232 Centrifugal pumps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/38 Blood oxygenation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/849 Disposable parts
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/853 : the valve being formed by a flexible tube element which is clamped for restricting the flow
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/892 : Active valves, i.e. actuated by an external force
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 261/28 : Blood oxygenators

Abstract

A disposable, integrated extracorporeal blood circuit employed during cardiopulmonary bypass surgery performs gas exchange, heat transfer, and microemboli filtering functions in a way as to conserve volume, to reduce setup and change out times, to eliminate a venous blood reservoir, and to substantially reduce blood-air interface. Blood from the patient or prime solution is routed through an air removal device that is equipped with air sensors for detection of air. An active air removal controller removes detected air from blood in the air removal device. A disposable circuit support module is used to mount the components of the disposable, integrated extracorporeal blood circuit in close proximity and in a desirable spatial relationship to optimize priming and use of the disposable, integrated extracorporeal blood circuit. A reusable circuit holder supports the disposable circuit support module in relation to a prime solution source, the active air removal controller and other components.

Claims

1. An active air removal (AAR) system for purging air from an integrated extracorporeal blood circuit providing extracorporeal oxygenation of a patient'"'"'s blood during cardiopulmonary bypass surgery adapted to be performed on a patient in the presence of a perfusionist, the AAR system comprising:

an air removal device incorporated in the extracorporeal blood circuit, the air removal device comprising;

an air removal device housing enclosing a chamber;

an air removal device purge port through the housing to the chamber;

an air sensor supported by the air removal device housing in relation to the chamber adapted to provide an air sensor signal indicative of the presence of fluid or air in the air removal device housing;

an air removal device purge line coupled to the air removal device purge port and extending to a purge line connector adapted to be coupled to a vacuum source to apply suction to the air removal device purge port to draw air therefrom;

an AAR controller having a purge valve adapted to receive a portion of the purge line and AAR controller circuitry to open or close the purge line, the AAR controller circuitry further comprising;

purge valve operating means for opening the purge valve in response to an air sensor signal indicative of the presence of air in the air removal device housing to allow air sensed in the air removal device to be purged through the purge line by the suction of the vacuum source;

error state determining means for monitoring operations and conditions of the AAR system and determining an error state of the AAR system;

alerting means for alerting the perfusionist of the error state; and

further wherein the AAR controller further comprises a mechanical release button interconnected with the purge valve adapted to enable manual opening of the purge valve by the perfusionist.

2. The AAR system of claim 1, wherein:

the AAR controller further comprises a backup battery for providing operating power to the AAR controller circuitry;

the error state determining means determines if the backup battery is providing adequate operating power; and

the alerting means issues a backup battery error alert if the backup battery is not providing adequate operating power.

3. The AAR system of claim 1, wherein:

the alerting means formulates alert message signals; and

the AAR controller further comprises a display screen that the alert messages are applied to for displaying messages readable by the perfusionist.

4. An active air removal (AAR) system for purging air from an integrated extracorporeal blood circuit providing extracorporeal oxygenation of a patient'"'"'s blood during cardiopulmonary bypass surgery adapted to be performed on a patient in the presence of a perfusionist, the AAR system comprising:

an air removal device incorporated in the extracorporeal blood circuit, the air removal device comprising;

an air removal device housing enclosing a chamber;

an air removal device purge port through the housing to the chamber;

an air sensor supported by the air removal device housing in relation to the chamber adapted to provide an air sensor signal indicative of the presence of fluid or air in the air removal device housing;

an air removal device purge line coupled to the air removal device purge port and extending to a purge line connector adapted to be coupled to a vacuum source to apply suction to the air removal device purge port to draw air therefrom;

an AAR controller having a purge valve adapted to receive a portion of the purge line and AAR controller circuitry to open or close the purge line, the AAR controller circuitry further comprising;

purge valve operating means for opening the purge valve in response to an air sensor signal indicative of the presence of air in the air removal device housing to allow air sensed in the air removal device to be purged through the purge line by the suction of the vacuum source;

error state determining means for monitoring operations and conditions of the AAR system and determining an error state of the AAR system;

alerting means for alerting the perfusionist of the error state;

wherein;

the AAR controller further comprises a fluid in line (FIL) sensor arranged with respect to the purge valve adapted to receive a portion of the purge line to provide a FIL sensor signal to the AAR controller circuitry;

the error determining means determines if the FIL sensor signal indicates the presence of fluid in the purge line;

the alerting means issues an alert that fluid is present in the purge line when the error determining means determines that the FIL sensor signal indicates the presence of fluid in the purge line;

wherein the purge valve operating means is inhibited from opening the purge valve in response the air sensor signal indicative of the presence of air in the air removal device housing when the FIL sensor signal is determined to be indicative of fluid in the purge line; and

wherein the AAR controller further comprises a mechanical release button interconnected with the purge valve adapted to enable manual opening of the purge valve by the perfusionist when the purge valve is closed in response to the FIL sensor signal indicative of fluid in the purge line.

5. An active air removal (AAR) system for purging air from an integrated extracorporeal blood circuit providing extracorporeal oxygenation of a patient'"'"'s blood during cardiopulmonary bypass surgery adapted to be performed on a patient in the presence of a perfusionist, the AAR system comprising:

an air removal device incorporated in the extracorporeal blood circuit, the air removal device comprising;

an air removal device housing enclosing a chamber;

an air removal device purge port through the housing to the chamber;

an air sensor supported by the air removal device housing in relation to the chamber adapted to provide an air sensor signal indicative of the presence of fluid or air in the air removal device housing;

an air removal device purge line coupled to the air removal device purge port and extending to a purge line connector adapted to be coupled to a vacuum source to apply suction to the air removal device purge port to draw air therefrom;

an AAR controller having a purge valve adapted to receive a portion of the purge line and AAR controller circuitry to open or close the purge line, the AAR controller circuitry further comprising;

purge valve operating means for opening the purge valve in response to an air sensor signal indicative of the presence of air in the air removal device housing to allow air sensed in the air removal device to be purged through the purge line by the suction of the vacuum source;

error state determining means for monitoring operations and conditions of the AAR system and determining an error state of the AAR system;

alerting means for alerting the perfusionist of the error state; and

wherein;

the AAR controller further comprises a vacuum sensor arranged with respect to the purge line to provide a vacuum signal to the AAR controller circuitry indicative of vacuum in the purge line;

the error state determining means determines if the sensed vacuum exceeds a minimum vacuum; and

the alerting means issues an alert if the sensed vacuum does not exceed the minimum vacuum.

6. An active air removal (AAR) system for purging air from an integrated extracorporeal blood circuit providing extracorporeal oxygenation of a patient'"'"'s blood during cardiopulmonary bypass surgery adapted to be performed on a patient in the presence of a perfusionist, the AAR system comprising:

an air removal device incorporated in the extracorporeal blood circuit, the air removal device comprising;

an air removal device housing enclosing a chamber;

an air removal device purge port through the housing to the chamber;

an air sensor supported by the air removal device housing in relation to the chamber adapted to provide an air sensor signal indicative of the presence of fluid or air in the air removal device housing;

an air removal device purge line coupled to the air removal device purge port and extending to a purge line connector adapted to be coupled to a vacuum source to apply suction to the air removal device purge port to draw air therefrom;

an AAR controller having a purge valve adapted to receive a portion of the purge line and AAR controller circuitry to open or close the purge line, the AAR controller circuitry further comprising;

purge valve operating means for opening the purge valve in response to an air sensor signal indicative of the presence of air in the air removal device housing to allow air sensed in the air removal device to be purged through the purge line by the suction of the vacuum source;

error state determining means for monitoring operations and conditions of the AAR system and determining an error state of the AAR system;

alerting means for alerting the perfusionist of the error state; and

wherein;

the AAR controller has an air sensor cable connector;

an air removal device cable extends from the air sensor to a cable terminal coupled to the air sensor cable connector;

the error state determining means comprises an electrical continuity checking circuit of the AAR controller circuitry coupled to the air sensor cable connector that provides a continuity signal indicative of continuity of the connection of the air removal device cable between the air sensor and the air sensor cable connector; and

the alerting means issues an air removal device cable error alert if the continuity signal is not provided.

7. An active air removal (AAR) system for purging air from an integrated extracorporeal blood circuit providing extracorporeal oxygenation of a patient'"'"'s blood during cardiopulmonary bypass surgery adapted to be performed on a patient in the presence of a perfusionist, the AAR system comprising:

an air removal device incorporated in the extracorporeal blood circuit, the air removal device comprising;

an air removal device housing enclosing a chamber;

an air removal device purge port through the housing to the chamber;

an air sensor supported by the air removal device housing in relation to the chamber adapted to provide an air sensor signal indicative of the presence of fluid or air in the air removal device housing;

an air removal device purge line coupled to the air removal device purge port and extending to a purge line connector adapted to be coupled to a vacuum source to apply suction to the air removal device purge port to draw air therefrom;

an AAR controller having a purge valve adapted to receive a portion of the purge line and AAR controller circuitry to open or close the purge line, the AAR controller circuitry further comprising;

purge valve operating means for opening the purge valve in response to an air sensor signal indicative of the presence of air in the air removal device housing to allow air sensed in the air removal device to be purged through the purge line by the suction of the vacuum source;

error state determining means for monitoring operations and conditions of the AAR system and determining an error state of the AAR system;

alerting means for alerting the perfusionist of the error state;

wherein;

the purge valve comprises a pinch valve having a valve slot receiving the portion of the purge line and a pinch rod adapted to be moved between a purge valve closed position extending into the slot to compress the purge line and a purge valve open position retracted out of the slot;

the purge valve operating means is coupled to the pinch rod to move the pinch rod between the purge valve closed position and the purge valve open position; and

wherein;

the error state determining means comprises;

at least one pinch rod position sensor providing a pinch rod position signal indicative of the actual position of the pinch rod; and

means responsive to the pinch rod position signal for determining a position error state of the purge valve or the purge valve operating means when the pinch rod position signal does not confirm that the pinch rod is in a purge valve open position or a purge valve closed position dictated by the purge valve operating means; and

the alerting means issues a pinch rod position error alert in responsive to the determined position error state.

8. An active air removal (AAR) system for purging air from an integrated extracorporeal blood circuit providing extracorporeal oxygenation of a patient'"'"'s blood during cardiopulmonary bypass surgery adapted to be performed on a patient in the presence of a perfusionist, the AAR system comprising:

an air removal device incorporated in the extracorporeal blood circuit, the air removal device comprising;

an air removal device housing enclosing a chamber;

an air removal device purge port through the housing to the chamber;

an air sensor supported by the air removal device housing in relation to the chamber adapted to provide an air sensor signal indicative of the presence of fluid or air in the air removal device housing;

an air removal device purge line coupled to the air removal device purge port and extending to a purge line connector adapted to be coupled to a vacuum source to apply suction to the air removal device purge port to draw air therefrom;

an AAR controller having a purge valve adapted to receive a portion of the purge line and AAR controller circuitry to open or close the purge line, the AAR controller circuitry further comprising;

purge valve operating means for opening the purge valve in response to an air sensor signal indicative of the presence of air in the air removal device housing to allow air sensed in the air removal device to be purged through the purge line by the suction of the vacuum source;

error state determining means for monitoring operations and conditions of the AAR system and determining an error state of the AAR system;

alerting means for alerting the perfusionist of the error state; and

wherein;

the error state determining means comprises;

at least one purge valve state sensor providing a purge state signal indicative of the actual open or closed state of the purge valve;

means responsive to the purge valve state signal for determining an error state of the purge valve or the purge valve operating means when the purge valve state signal does not confirm that the purge valve is in a commanded one of the purge valve open position and the purge valve closed position dictated by the purge valve operating means; and

the alerting means issues a purge valve error alert in responsive to the determined position error state.

9. An active air removal (AAR) system for purging air from an integrated extracorporeal blood circuit providing extracorporeal oxygenation of a patient'"'"'s blood during cardiopulmonary bypass surgery adapted to be performed on a patient in the presence of a perfusionist, the AAR system comprising:

an air removal device incorporated in the extracorporeal blood circuit, the air removal device comprising;

an air removal device housing enclosing a chamber;

an air removal device purge port through the housing to the chamber;

an air sensor supported by the air removal device housing in relation to the chamber adapted to provide an air sensor signal indicative of the presence of fluid or air in the air removal device housing;

an air removal device purge line coupled to the air removal device purge port and extending to a purge line connector adapted to be coupled to a vacuum source to apply suction to the air removal device purge port to draw air therefrom;

an AAR controller having a purge valve adapted to receive a portion of the purge line and AAR controller circuitry to open or close the purge line, the AAR controller circuitry further comprising;

purge valve operating means for opening the purge valve in response to an air sensor signal indicative of the presence of air in the air removal device housing to allow air sensed in the air removal device to be purged through the purge line by the suction of the vacuum source;

error state determining means for monitoring operations and conditions of the AAR system and determining an error state of the AAR system;

alerting means for alerting the perfusionist of the error state; and

wherein;

the AAR controller further comprises a power supply adapted to be coupled to electrical mains power for providing operating power to the AAR controller circuitry and purge valve operating means;

the error state determining means determines if the power supply is providing adequate operating power; and

the alerting means issues a power supply error alert if the power supply is not providing adequate operating power.

10. The AAR system of claim 9, wherein the power supply comprises redundant power supply circuits and means for selecting an operable power supply circuit.

11. The AAR system of claim 10, wherein:

the AAR controller further comprises a backup battery for providing operating power to the AAR controller circuitry;

the error state determining means determines if the backup battery is providing adequate operating power; and

the alerting means issues a backup battery error alert if the backup battery is not providing adequate operating power.

12. The AAR system of claim 9, wherein:

the AAR controller further comprises a backup battery for providing operating power to the AAR controller circuitry; and

the AAR controller circuitry is powered by the backup battery when the error state determining means determines that the power supply is not providing adequate operating power.

13. The AAR system of claim 12, wherein:

the purge valve operating means is disabled when the AAR controller circuitry is powered by the backup battery; and

the AAR controller further comprises a mechanical release button interconnected with the purge valve adapted to enable manual opening of the purge valve by the perfusionist.

14. The AAR system of claim 12, wherein the alerting means issues a backup battery alert if the AAR controller circuitry is powered by the backup battery.

15. An active air removal (AAR) system for purging air from an integrated extracorporeal blood circuit providing extracorporeal oxygenation of a patient'"'"'s blood during cardiopulmonary bypass surgery adapted to be performed on a patient in the presence of a perfusionist, the AAR system comprising:

an air removal device incorporated in the extracorporeal blood circuit, the air removal device comprising;

an air removal device housing enclosing a chamber;

an air removal device purge port through the housing to the chamber;

an air sensor supported by the air removal device housing in relation to the chamber adapted to provide an air sensor signal indicative of the presence of fluid or air in the air removal device housing;

an air removal device purge line coupled to the air removal device purge port and extending to a purge line connector adapted to be coupled to a vacuum source to apply suction to the air removal device purge port to draw air therefrom;

an AAR controller having a purge valve adapted to receive a portion of the purge line and AAR controller circuitry to open or close the purge line, the AAR controller circuitry further comprising;

purge valve operating means for opening the purge valve in response to an air sensor signal indicative of the presence of air in the air removal device housing to allow air sensed in the air removal device to be purged through the purge line by the suction of the vacuum source;

error state determining means for monitoring operations and conditions of the AAR system and determining an error state of the AAR system;

alerting means for alerting the perfusionist of the error state; and

wherein;

the alerting means formulates alert sound signals; and

the AAR controller further comprises at least one sound emitter that emits audible alert sounds in response to the alert sound signals that can be heard by the perfusionist.

16. An active air removal (AAR) system for purging air from an integrated extracorporeal blood circuit providing extracorporeal oxygenation of a patient'"'"'s blood during cardiopulmonary bypass surgery adapted to be performed on a patient in the presence of a perfusionist, the AAR system comprising:

an air removal device incorporated in the extracorporeal blood circuit, the air removal device comprising;

an air removal device housing enclosing a chamber;

an air removal device purge port through the housing to the chamber;

an air sensor supported by the air removal device housing in relation to the chamber adapted to provide an air sensor signal indicative of the presence of fluid or air in the air removal device housing;

an air removal device purge line coupled to the air removal device purge port and extending to a purge line connector adapted to be coupled to a vacuum source to apply suction to the air removal device purge port to draw air therefrom;

an AAR controller having a purge valve adapted to receive a portion of the purge line and AAR controller circuitry to open or close the purge line, the AAR controller circuitry further comprising;

purge valve operating means for opening the purge valve in response to an air sensor signal indicative of the presence of air in the air removal device housing to allow air sensed in the air removal device to be purged through the purge line by the suction of the vacuum source;

error state determining means for monitoring operations and conditions of the AAR system and determining an error state of the AAR system;

alerting means for alerting the perfusionist of the error state; and

wherein;

the alerting means formulates alert light signals; and

the AAR controller further comprises at least one light emitter that emits visual light in response to the alert light signals that can be seen by the perfusionist.

17. A method of operating an active air removal (AAR) system to purge air from an integrated extracorporeal blood circuit providing extracorporeal oxygenation of a patient'"'"'s blood during cardiopulmonary bypass surgery adapted to be performed in the presence of a perfusionist on a patient in an operating room, the method comprising:

providing an air removal device incorporated in the extracorporeal blood circuit, the air removal device comprising;

an air removal device housing enclosing a chamber;

an air removal device purge port through the housing to the chamber;

an air sensor supported by the air removal device housing; and

an air removal device purge line coupled to the air removal device purge port extending to a purge line connector adapted to be coupled to a vacuum source to apply suction to the air removal device purge port to draw air therefrom;

locating a portion of the air removal purge line extending through a purge valve of an AAR controller, the purge valve movable between a purge valve open position and a purge valve closed position;

applying operating power to the air sensor to generate an air sensor signal indicative of the absence or presence of air in the air removal device housing;

opening the puree valve in response to an air sensor signal indicative of the presence of air in the air removal device housing to allow air sensed in the air removal device to be purged through the purge line by the suction of the vacuum source;

monitoring operations or conditions of the AAR system;

determining an error state of the monitored operations or conditions of the AAR system;

issuing an alert to alert the perfusionist of the error state; and

further wherein the AAR controller further comprises a mechanical release button interconnected with the purge valve adapted to enable manual opening of the purge valve by the perfusionist.

18. The purging method of claim 17, wherein:

the AAR controller further comprises AAR controller circuitry and a backup battery for providing operating power to the AAR controller circuitry;

the determining step comprises determining if the backup battery is providing adequate operating power; and

the alert issuing step comprises issuing a backup battery error alert if the backup battery is not providing adequate operating power.

19. The purging method of claim 17, wherein:

the AAR controller further comprises a backup battery for providing operating power to the AAR controller circuitry;

the determining step comprises determining if the backup battery is providing adequate operating power; and

the alert issuing step comprises issuing a backup battery error alert if the backup battery is not providing adequate operating power.

20. The purging method of claim 17, wherein the alert issuing step comprises:

formulating alert message signals related to the determined error state; and

displaying alert messages readable by the perfusionist on a display screen.

21. A method of operating an active air removal (AAR) system to purge air from an integrated extracorporeal blood circuit providing extracorporeal oxygenation of a patient'"'"'s blood during cardiopulmonary bypass surgery adapted to be performed in the presence of a perfusionist on a patient in an operating room, the method comprising:

providing an air removal device incorporated in the extracorporeal blood circuit, the air removal device comprising;

an air removal device housing enclosing a chamber;

an air removal device purge port through the housing to the chamber;

an air sensor supported by the air removal device housing; and

an air removal device purge line coupled to the air removal device purge port extending to a purge line connector adapted to be coupled to a vacuum source to apply suction to the air removal device purge port to draw air therefrom;

locating a portion of the air removal purge line extending through a purge valve of an AAR controller, the purge valve movable between a purge valve open position and a purge valve closed position;

applying operating power to the air sensor to generate an air sensor signal indicative of the absence or presence of air in the air removal device housing;

opening the purge valve in response to an air sensor signal indicative of the presence of air in the air removal device housing to allow air sensed in the air removal device to be purged through the purge line by the suction of the vacuum source;

monitoring operations or conditions of the AAR system;

determining an error state of the monitored operations or conditions of the AAR system;

issuing an alert to alert the perfusionist of the error state; and

wherein the AAR controller further comprises a fluid in line (FIL) sensor arranged with respect to the purge valve, and further comprising;

locating a further portion of the purge line through the FIL sensor; and

powering the FIL sensor to develop a FIL sensor signal indicative of the absence or presence of fluid in the purge line, and wherein;

the error state determining step comprises determining if the FIL sensor signal indicates the presence of fluid in the purge line.

22. The purging method of claim 21, further comprising inhibiting the opening of the purge valve when the FIL sensor signal is determined to be indicative of fluid in the purge line.

23. The purging method of claim 22, wherein the AAR controller further comprises a mechanical release button interconnected with the purge valve adapted to enable manual opening of the purge valve by the perfusionist.

24. A method of operating an active air removal (AAR) system to purge air from an integrated extracorporeal blood circuit providing extracorporeal oxygenation of a patient'"'"'s blood during cardiopulmonary bypass surgery adapted to be performed in the presence of a perfusionist on a patient in an operating room, the method comprising:

providing an air removal device incorporated in the extracorporeal blood circuit, the air removal device comprising;

an air removal device housing enclosing a chamber;

an air removal device purge port through the housing to the chamber;

an air sensor supported by the air removal device housing; and

an air removal device purge line coupled to the air removal device purge port extending to a purge line connector adapted to be coupled to a vacuum source to apply suction to the air removal device purge port to draw air therefrom;

locating a portion of the air removal purge line extending through a purge valve of an AAR controller, the purge valve movable between a purge valve open position and a purge valve closed position;

applying operating power to the air sensor to generate an air sensor signal indicative of the absence or presence of air in the air removal device housing;

opening the purge valve in response to an air sensor signal indicative of the presence of air in the air removal device housing to allow air sensed in the air removal device to be purged through the purge line by the suction of the vacuum source;

monitoring operations or conditions of the AAR system;

determining an error state of the monitored operations or conditions of the AAR system;

issuing an alert to alert the perfusionist of the error state; and

wherein;

the AAR controller further comprises a vacuum sensor arranged with respect to the purge line to provide a vacuum signal indicative of vacuum in the purge line;

the error state determining step determines if the sensed vacuum exceeds a minimum vacuum; and

the alert issuing step issues an alert if the sensed vacuum does not exceed the minimum vacuum.

25. A method of operating an active air removal (AAR) system to purge air from an integrated extracorporeal blood circuit providing extracorporeal oxygenation of a patient'"'"'s blood during cardiopulmonary bypass surgery adapted to be performed in the presence of a perfusionist on a patient in an operating room, the method comprising:

providing an air removal device incorporated in the extracorporeal blood circuit, the air removal device comprising;

an air removal device housing enclosing a chamber;

an air removal device purge port through the housing to the chamber;

an air sensor supported by the air removal device housing; and

an air removal device purge line coupled to the air removal device purge port extending to a purge line connector adapted to be coupled to a vacuum source to apply suction to the air removal device purge port to draw air therefrom;

locating a portion of the air removal purge line extending through a purge valve of an AAR controller, the purge valve movable between a purge valve open position and a purge valve closed position;

applying operating power to the air sensor to generate an air sensor signal indicative of the absence or presence of air in the air removal device housing;

opening the purge valve in response to an air sensor signal indicative of the presence of air in the air removal device housing to allow air sensed in the air removal device to be purged through the purge line by the suction of the vacuum source;

monitoring operations or conditions of the AAR system;

determining an error state of the monitored operations or conditions of the AAR system;

issuing an alert to alert the perfusionist of the error state; and

further comprising;

connecting an air sensor cable between the AAR controller and the air sensor; and

wherein;

the determining step determines if electrical continuity is present in the connection of the air sensor cable between the AAR controller and the air sensor; and

the alert issuing step issues an air removal device cable error alert if electrical continuity is not determined.

26. A method of operating an active air removal (AAR) system to purge air from an integrated extracorporeal blood circuit providing extracorporeal oxygenation of a patient'"'"'s blood during cardiopulmonary bypass surgery adapted to be performed in the presence of a perfusionist on a patient in an operating room, the method comprising:

providing an air removal device incorporated in the extracorporeal blood circuit, the air removal device comprising;

an air removal device housing enclosing a chamber;

an air removal device purge port through the housing to the chamber;

an air sensor supported by the air removal device housing; and

an air removal device purge line coupled to the air removal device purge port extending to a purge line connector adapted to be coupled to a vacuum source to apply suction to the air removal device purge port to draw air therefrom;

locating a portion of the air removal purge line extending through a purge valve of an AAR controller, the purge valve movable between a purge valve open position and a purge valve closed position;

applying operating power to the air sensor to generate an air sensor signal indicative of the absence or presence of air in the air removal device housing;

opening the purge valve in response to an air sensor signal indicative of the presence of air in the air removal device housing to allow air sensed in the air removal device to be purged through the purge line by the suction of the vacuum source;

monitoring operations or conditions of the AAR system;

determining an error state of the monitored operations or conditions of the AAR system;

issuing an alert to alert the perfusionist of the error state;

wherein the purge valve comprises a pinch valve having a valve slot receiving the portion of the purge line and a pinch rod adapted to be moved between a purge valve closed position extending into the slot to compress the purge line and a purge valve open position retracted out of the slot;

the purge valve opening step comprises moving the pinch rod from the purge valve closed position to the purge valve open position and

wherein;

the error state determining step comprises;

commanding the pinch rod to move into one of the pinch valve open and closed positions;

sensing the pinch rod position and providing a pinch rod position signal indicative of the actual position of the pinch rod; and

determining a position error state of the purge valve when the pinch rod position signal does not confirm that the pinch rod is in the commanded purge valve open or purge valve closed position; and

the alert issuing step comprises issuing a pinch rod position error alert in response to the determined position error state.

27. A method of operating an active air removal (AAR) system to purge air from an integrated extracorporeal blood circuit providing extracorporeal oxygenation of a patient'"'"'s blood during cardiopulmonary bypass surgery adapted to be performed in the presence of a perfusionist on a patient in an operating room, the method comprising:

providing an air removal device incorporated in the extracorporeal blood circuit, the air removal device comprising;

an air removal device housing enclosing a chamber;

an air removal device purge port through the housing to the chamber;

an air sensor supported by the air removal device housing; and

an air removal device purge line coupled to the air removal device purge port extending to a purge line connector adapted to be coupled to a vacuum source to apply suction to the air removal device purge port to draw air therefrom;

locating a portion of the air removal purge line extending through a purge valve of an AAR controller, the purge valve movable between a purge valve open position and a purge valve closed position;

applying operating power to the air sensor to generate an air sensor signal indicative of the absence or presence of air in the air removal device housing;

opening the purge valve in response to an air sensor signal indicative of the presence of air in the air removal device housing to allow air sensed in the air removal device to be purged through the purge line by the suction of the vacuum source;

monitoring operations or conditions of the AAR system;

determining an error state of the monitored operations or conditions of the AAR system;

issuing an alert to alert the perfusionist of the error state; and

wherein;

the error state determining step comprises;

commanding the purge valve to move into one of the purge valve open and closed positions;

sensing the purge valve position and providing a purge valve position signal indicative of the actual position of the purge valve; and

determining a position error state of the purge valve or the purge valve operating means when the sensed purge valve position signal does not confirm that the purge valve is in the commanded purge valve open position or purge valve closed position; and

the alert issuing step comprises issuing a purge valve error alert in responsive to the determined position error state.

28. A method of operating an active air removal (AAR) system to purge air from an integrated extracorporeal blood circuit providing extracorporeal oxygenation of a patient'"'"'s blood during cardiopulmonary bypass surgery adapted to be performed in the presence of a perfusionist on a patient in an operating room, the method comprising:

providing an air removal device incorporated in the extracorporeal blood circuit, the air removal device comprising;

an air removal device housing enclosing a chamber;

an air removal device purge port through the housing to the chamber;

an air sensor supported by the air removal device housing; and

an air removal device purge line coupled to the air removal device purge port extending to a purge line connector adapted to be coupled to a vacuum source to apply suction to the air removal device purge port to draw air therefrom;

locating a portion of the air removal purge line extending through a purge valve of an AAR controller, the purge valve movable between a purge valve open position and a purge valve closed position;

applying operating power to the air sensor to generate an air sensor signal indicative of the absence or presence of air in the air removal device housing;

opening the purge valve in response to an air sensor signal indicative of the presence of air in the air removal device housing to allow air sensed in the air removal device to be purged through the purge line by the suction of the vacuum source;

monitoring operations or conditions of the AAR system;

determining an error state of the monitored operations or conditions of the AAR system;

issuing an alert to alert the perfusionist of the error state; and

wherein;

the AAR controller further comprises AAR controller circuitry and a power supply adapted to be coupled to electrical mains power for providing operating power to the AAR controller circuitry;

the determining step comprises determining if the power supply is providing adequate operating power; and

the alert issuing step comprises issuing a power supply error alert if the power supply is not providing adequate operating power.

29. The purging method of claim 28, wherein the power supply comprises redundant power supply circuits, and further comprising:

selecting an operable power supply circuit to provide operating power to the AAR controller.

30. The purging method of claim 28, wherein the AAR controller further comprises a backup battery for providing operating power to the AAR controller circuitry, and further comprising:

powering the AAR controller circuitry by power from the backup battery when the determining step determines that the power supply is not providing adequate operating power.

31. The purging method of claim 28, wherein the alert issuing step comprises issuing a backup battery alert if the AAR controller circuitry is powered by the backup battery.

32. The purging method of claim 31, further comprising:

inhibiting the step of opening the purge valve in response to an air sensor signal indicative of the presence of air in the air removal device housing when the AAR controller circuitry is powered by the backup battery; and

wherein;

the AAR controller further comprises a mechanical release button interconnected with the purge valve adapted to enable manual opening of the purge valve by the perfusionist.

33. A method of operating an active air removal (AAR) system to purge air from an integrated extracorporeal blood circuit providing extracorporeal oxygenation of a patient'"'"'s blood during cardiopulmonary bypass surgery adapted to be performed in the presence of a perfusionist on a patient in an operating room, the method comprising:

providing an air removal device incorporated in the extracorporeal blood circuit, the air removal device comprising;

an air removal device housing enclosing a chamber;

an air removal device purge port through the housing to the chamber;

an air sensor supported by the air removal device housing; and

an air removal device purge line coupled to the air removal device purge port extending to a purge line connector adapted to be coupled to a vacuum source to apply suction to the air removal device purge port to draw air therefrom;

locating a portion of the air removal purge line extending through a purge valve of an AAR controller, the purge valve movable between a purge valve open position and a purge valve closed position;

applying operating power to the air sensor to generate an air sensor signal indicative of the absence or presence of air in the air removal device housing;

opening the purge valve in response to an air sensor signal indicative of the presence of air in the air removal device housing to allow air sensed in the air removal device to be purged through the purge line by the suction of the vacuum source;

monitoring operations or conditions of the AAR system;

determining an error state of the monitored operations or conditions of the AAR system;

issuing an alert to alert the perfusionist of the error state; and

wherein the alert issuing step comprises;

formulating alert sound signals related to the determined error state; and

applying the formulated alert sound signals to a sound emitter that emits audible alert sounds that can be heard by the perfusionist.

34. A method of operating an active air removal (AAR) system to purge air from an integrated extracorporeal blood circuit providing extracorporeal oxygenation of a patient'"'"'s blood during cardiopulmonary bypass surgery adapted to be performed in the presence of a perfusionist on a patient in an operating room, the method comprising:

providing an air removal device incorporated in the extracorporeal blood circuit, the air removal device comprising;

an air removal device housing enclosing a chamber;

an air removal device purge port through the housing to the chamber;

an air sensor supported by the air removal device housing; and

an air removal device purge line coupled to the air removal device purge port extending to a purge line connector adapted to be coupled to a vacuum source to apply suction to the air removal device purge port to draw air therefrom;

locating a portion of the air removal purge line extending through a purge valve of an AAR controller, the purge valve movable between a purge valve open position and a purge valve closed position;

applying operating power to the air sensor to generate an air sensor signal indicative of the absence or presence of air in the air removal device housing;

opening the purge valve in response to an air sensor signal indicative of the presence of air in the air removal device housing to allow air sensed in the air removal device to be purged through the purge line by the suction of the vacuum source;

monitoring operations or conditions of the AAR system;

determining an error state of the monitored operations or conditions of the AAR system;

issuing an alert to alert the perfusionist of the error state; and

wherein the alert issuing step comprises;

formulating alert light signals related to the determined error state; and

applying the formulated alert light signals to at least one light emitter that emits visual light in response to the alert light signals that can be seen by the perfusionist.

35. A method of operating an active air removal (AAR) system to purge air from an integrated extracorporeal blood circuit providing extracorporeal oxygenation of a patient'"'"'s blood during cardiopulmonary bypass surgery adapted to be performed in the presence of a perfusionist on a patient in an operating room, the operating method comprising:

providing an air removal device incorporated in the extracorporeal blood circuit, the air removal device comprising;

an air removal device housing enclosing a chamber;

an air removal device purge port through the housing to the chamber;

an air sensor supported by the air removal device housing adapted to provide an air sensor signal indicative of air in the air removal device housing;

an air removal device purge line coupled to the air removal device purge port and extending to a purge line connector adapted to be coupled to a vacuum source to apply suction to the air removal device purge port to draw air therefrom;

providing an active air removal AAR controller operating under the control of an AAR operating algorithm;

locating a portion of the air removal purge line extending through a purge valve of the AAR controller, the purge valve movable between a purge valve open position and a purge valve closed position;

coupling the air sensor with the AAR controller;

monitoring operations or conditions of the AAR system;

determining an error state of the monitored operations or conditions of the AAR system;

automatically moving of the purge valve from the closed position to the open position in an absence of a determined error state and when the air sensor signal is indicative of air in the air removal device housing to allow air sensed in the air removal device to be purged through the purge line by the suction of the vacuum source; and

wherein the AAR controller operating system is powered by a power supply adapted to be coupled to mains power or by a backup battery, and further comprising;

determining if the power supply is operative and capable of supplying operating power to the AAR controller operating system;

determining if the backup battery is present and capable of supplying operating power to the AAR controller operating system; and

supplying operating power from the backup battery to the AAR controller operating system when the power supply is determined to be inoperative or incapable of supplying operating power to the AAR controller operating system and the backup battery is determined to be present and capable of supplying operating power to the AAR controller operating system.

36. The method of claim 35, further comprising alerting the perfusionist of the determined power state.

37. The operating method of claim 35, wherein the AAR controller further comprises a mechanical release button interconnected with the purge valve adapted to enable manual opening of the purge valve by the perfusionist.

38. The operating method of claim 35, further comprising disabling the automatic movement of the purge valve from the closed position to the open position when the air sensor signal is indicative of air in the air removal device housing if the power supply is determined to be inoperative or incapable of supplying operating power to the AAR controller operating system.

39. The operating method of claim 38, wherein the AAR controller further comprises a mechanical release button interconnected with the purge valve adapted to enable manual opening of the purge valve by the perfusionist.

40. The operating method of claim 35, wherein:

the purge valve comprises a pinch valve having a valve slot receiving the portion of the purge line and a pinch rod adapted to be moved between a purge valve closed position extending into the slot to compress the purge line and a purge valve open position retracted out of the slot; and

the purge valve opening step comprises moving the pinch rod from the purge valve closed position to the purge valve open position.

41. The operating method of claim 40, wherein the error state determining step comprises determining a pinch valve error state of the pinch valve.

42. The operating method of claim 41, wherein the pinch valve error state determining step comprises:

commanding the pinch rod to move into one of the pinch valve open and closed positions;

sensing the pinch rod position and providing a pinch rod position signal indicative of the actual position of the pinch rod; and

determining a position error state of the purge valve when the pinch rod position signal does not confirm that the pinch rod is in the commanded pinch valve open or purge valve closed position.

43. A method of operating an active air removal (AAR) system to purge air from an integrated extracorporeal blood circuit providing extracorporeal oxygenation of a patient'"'"'s blood during cardiopulmonary bypass surgery adapted to be performed in the presence of a perfusionist on a patient in an operating room, the operating method comprising:

providing an air removal device incorporated in the extracorporeal blood circuit, the air removal device comprising;

an air removal device housing enclosing a chamber;

an air removal device purge port through the housing to the chamber;

an air sensor supported by the air removal device housing adapted to provide an air sensor signal indicative of air in the air removal device housing;

an air removal device purge line coupled to the air removal device purge port and extending to a purge line connector adapted to be coupled to a vacuum source to apply suction to the air removal device purge port to draw air therefrom;

providing an active air removal AAR controller operating under the control of an AAR operating algorithm;

locating a portion of the air removal purge line extending through a purge valve of the AAR controller, the purge valve movable between a purge valve open position and a purge valve closed position;

coupling the air sensor with the AAR controller;

monitoring operations or conditions of the AAR system;

determining an error state of the monitored operations or conditions of the AAR system;

automatically moving of the purge valve from the closed position to the open position in an absence of a determined error state and when the air sensor signal is indicative of air in the air removal device housing to allow air sensed in the air removal device to be purged through the purge line by the suction of the vacuum source;

further comprising alerting the perfusionist of the determined error state; and

wherein the error state determining step comprises determining the presence of fluid in the purge line.

44. A method of operating an active air removal (AAR) system to purge air from an integrated extracorporeal blood circuit providing extracorporeal oxygenation of a patient'"'"'s blood during cardiopulmonary bypass surgery adapted to be performed in the presence of a perfusionist on a patient in an operating room, the operating method comprising:

providing an air removal device incorporated in the extracorporeal blood circuit, the air removal device comprising;

an air removal device housing enclosing a chamber;

an air removal device purge port through the housing to the chamber;

an air sensor supported by the air removal device housing adapted to provide an air sensor signal indicative of air in the air removal device housing;

an air removal device purge line coupled to the air removal device purge port and extending to a purge line connector adapted to be coupled to a vacuum source to apply suction to the air removal device purge port to draw air therefrom;

providing an active air removal AAR controller operating under the control of an AAR operating algorithm;

locating a portion of the air removal purge line extending through a purge valve of the AAR controller, the purge valve movable between a purge valve open position and a purge valve closed position;

coupling the air sensor with the AAR controller;

monitoring operations or conditions of the AAR system;

determining an error state of the monitored operations or conditions of the AAR system;

automatically moving of the purge valve from the closed position to the open position in an absence of a determined error state and when the air sensor signal is indicative of air in the air removal device housing to allow air sensed in the air removal device to be purged through the purge line by the suction of the vacuum source; and

wherein the AAR controller further comprises a fluid in line (FIL) sensor arranged with respect to the purge valve, and further comprising;

locating a further portion of the purge line through the FIL sensor; and

powering the FIL sensor to develop a FIL sensor signal indicative of the absence or presence of fluid in the purge line, and wherein;

the error state determining step comprises determining the presence of fluid in the purge line from the FIL sensor signal.

45. A method of operating an active air removal (AAR) system to purge air from an integrated extracorporeal blood circuit providing extracorporeal oxygenation of a patient'"'"'s blood during cardiopulmonary bypass surgery adapted to be performed in the presence of a perfusionist on a patient in an operating room, the operating method comprising:

providing an air removal device incorporated in the extracorporeal blood circuit, the air removal device comprising;

an air removal device housing enclosing a chamber;

an air removal device purge port through the housing to the chamber;

an air sensor supported by the air removal device housing adapted to provide an air sensor signal indicative of air in the air removal device housing;

an air removal device purge line coupled to the air removal device purge port and extending to a purge line connector adapted to be coupled to a vacuum source to apply suction to the air removal device purge port to draw air therefrom;

providing an active air removal AAR controller operating under the control of an AAR operating algorithm;

locating a portion of the air removal purge line extending through a purge valve of the AAR controller, the purge valve movable between a purge valve open position and a purge valve closed position;

coupling the air sensor with the AAR controller;

monitoring operations or conditions of the AAR system;

determining an error state of the monitored operations or conditions of the AAR system;

automatically moving of the purge valve from the closed position to the open position in an absence of a determined error state and when the air sensor signal is indicative of air in the air removal device housing to allow air sensed in the air removal device to be purged through the purge line by the suction of the vacuum source; and

wherein the error state determining step comprises determining the presence of fluid in the purge line.

46. The operating method of claim 45, wherein the AAR controller further comprises a mechanical release button interconnected with the purge valve adapted to enable manual opening of the purge valve by the perfusionist.

47. A method of operating an active air removal (AAR) system to purge air from an integrated extracorporeal blood circuit providing extracorporeal oxygenation of a patient'"'"'s blood during cardiopulmonary bypass surgery adapted to be performed in the presence of a perfusionist on a patient in an operating room, the operating method comprising:

providing an air removal device incorporated in the extracorporeal blood circuit, the air removal device comprising;

an air removal device housing enclosing a chamber;

an air removal device purge port through the housing to the chamber;

an air sensor supported by the air removal device housing adapted to provide an air sensor signal indicative of air in the air removal device housing;

an air removal device purge line coupled to the air removal device purge port and extending to a purge line connector adapted to be coupled to a vacuum source to apply suction to the air removal device purge port to draw air therefrom;

providing an active air removal AAR controller operating under the control of an AAR operating algorithm;

locating a portion of the air removal purge line extending through a purge valve of the AAR controller, the purge valve movable between a purge valve open position and a purge valve closed position;

coupling the air sensor with the AAR controller;

monitoring operations or conditions of the AAR system;

determining an error state of the monitored operations or conditions of the AAR system;

automatically moving of the purge valve from the closed position to the open position in an absence of a determined error state and when the air sensor signal is indicative of air in the air removal device housing to allow air sensed in the air removal device to be purged through the purge line by the suction of the vacuum source; and

further comprising;

connecting an air sensor cable between the AAR controller and the air sensor; and

wherein the determining step determines if electrical continuity is present in the connection of the air sensor cable between the AAR controller and the air sensor.

48. A method of operating an active air removal (AAR) system to purge air from an integrated extracorporeal blood circuit providing extracorporeal oxygenation of a patient'"'"'s blood during cardiopulmonary bypass surgery adapted to be performed in the presence of a perfusionist on a patient in an operating room, the operating method comprising:

providing an air removal device incorporated in the extracorporeal blood circuit, the air removal device comprising;

an air removal device housing enclosing a chamber;

an air removal device purge port through the housing to the chamber;

an air sensor supported by the air removal device housing adapted to provide an air sensor signal indicative of air in the air removal device housing;

an air removal device purge line coupled to the air removal device purge port and extending to a purge line connector adapted to be coupled to a vacuum source to apply suction to the air removal device purge port to draw air therefrom;

providing an active air removal AAR controller operating under the control of an AAR operating algorithm;

locating a portion of the air removal purge line extending through a purge valve of the AAR controller, the purge valve movable between a purge valve open position and a purge valve closed position;

coupling the air sensor with the AAR controller;

monitoring operations or conditions of the AAR system;

determining an error state of the monitored operations or conditions of the AAR system;

automatically moving of the purge valve from the closed position to the open position in an absence of a determined error state and when the air sensor signal is indicative of air in the air removal device housing to allow air sensed in the air removal device to be purged through the purge line by the suction of the vacuum source; and

wherein the error state determining step comprises determining an error state of the air sensor.

49. A method of operating an active air removal (AAR) system to purge air from an integrated extracorporeal blood circuit providing extracorporeal oxygenation of a patient'"'"'s blood during cardiopulmonary bypass surgery adapted to be performed in the presence of a perfusionist on a patient in an operating room, the operating method comprising:

providing an air removal device incorporated in the extracorporeal blood circuit, the air removal device comprising;

an air removal device housing enclosing a chamber;

an air removal device purge port through the housing to the chamber;

an air sensor supported by the air removal device housing adapted to provide an air sensor signal indicative of air in the air removal device housing;

an air removal device purge line coupled to the air removal device purge port and extending to a purge line connector adapted to be coupled to a vacuum source to apply suction to the air removal device purge port to draw air therefrom;

providing an active air removal AAR controller operating under the control of an AAR operating algorithm;

locating a portion of the air removal purge line extending through a purge valve of the AAR controller, the purge valve movable between a purge valve open position and a purge valve closed position;

coupling the air sensor with the AAR controller;

monitoring operations or conditions of the AAR system;

determining an error state of the monitored operations or conditions of the AAR system;

automatically moving of the purge valve from the closed position to the open position in an absence of a determined error state and when the air sensor signal is indicative of air in the air removal device housing to allow air sensed in the air removal device to be purged through the purge line by the suction of the vacuum source; and

wherein the error state determining step comprises determining a low vacuum condition.

50. A method of operating an active air removal (AAR) system to purge air from an integrated extracorporeal blood circuit providing extracorporeal oxygenation of a patient'"'"'s blood during cardiopulmonary bypass surgery adapted to be performed in the presence of a perfusionist on a patient in an operating room, the operating method comprising:

providing an air removal device incorporated in the extracorporeal blood circuit, the air removal device comprising;

an air removal device housing enclosing a chamber;

an air removal device purge port through the housing to the chamber;

an air sensor supported by the air removal device housing adapted to provide an air sensor signal indicative of air in the air removal device housing;

an air removal device purge line coupled to the air removal device purge port and extending to a purge line connector adapted to be coupled to a vacuum source to apply suction to the air removal device purge port to draw air therefrom;

providing an active air removal AAR controller operating under the control of an AAR operating algorithm;

locating a portion of the air removal purge line extending through a purge valve of the AAR controller, the purge valve movable between a purge valve open position and a purge valve closed position;

coupling the air sensor with the AAR controller;

monitoring operations or conditions of the AAR system;

determining an error state of the monitored operations or conditions of the AAR system;

automatically moving of the purge valve from the closed position to the open position in an absence of a determined error state and when the air sensor signal is indicative of air in the air removal device housing to allow air sensed in the air removal device to be purged through the purge line by the suction of the vacuum source; and

wherein;

the AAR controller further comprises a vacuum sensor arranged with respect to the purge line to provide a vacuum signal indicative of vacuum in the purge line;

the error state determining step determines a low vacuum error state if the sensed vacuum falls below a minimum vacuum.

51. A method of operating an active air removal (AAR) system to purge air from an integrated extracorporeal blood circuit providing extracorporeal oxygenation of a patient'"'"'s blood during cardiopulmonary bypass surgery adapted to be performed in the presence of a perfusionist on a patient in an operating room, the operating method comprising:

providing an air removal device incorporated in the extracorporeal blood circuit, the air removal device comprising;

an air removal device housing enclosing a chamber;

an air removal device purge port through the housing to the chamber;

an air sensor supported by the air removal device housing adapted to provide an air sensor signal indicative of air in the air removal device housing;

an air removal device purge line coupled to the air removal device purge port and extending to a purge line connector adapted to be coupled to a vacuum source to apply suction to the air removal device purge port to draw air therefrom;

providing an active air removal AAR controller operating under the control of an AAR operating algorithm;

locating a portion of the air removal purge line extending through a purge valve of the AAR controller, the purge valve movable between a purge valve open position and a purge valve closed position;

coupling the air sensor with the AAR controller;

monitoring operations or conditions of the AAR system;

determining an error state of the monitored operations or conditions of the AAR system;

automatically moving of the purge valve from the closed position to the open position in an absence of a determined error state and when the air sensor signal is indicative of air in the air removal device housing to allow air sensed in the air removal device to be purged through the purge line by the suction of the vacuum source; and

wherein the error state determining step comprises determining a purge valve error state of the purge valve.

52. The operating method of claim 51, wherein the purge valve error state determining step comprises:

commanding the purge valve to move into one of the purge valve open and closed positions;

sensing the purge valve position and providing a purge valve position signal indicative of the actual position of the purge valve; and

determining a position error state of the purge valve or the purge valve operating means when the sensed purge valve position signal does not confirm that the purge valve is in the commanded purge valve open position or purge valve closed position.

53. A method of operating an active air removal (AAR) system to purge air from an integrated extracorporeal blood circuit providing extracorporeal oxygenation of a patient'"'"'s blood during cardiopulmonary bypass surgery adapted to be performed in the presence of a perfusionist on a patient in an operating room, the operating method comprising:

providing an air removal device incorporated in the extracorporeal blood circuit, the air removal device comprising;

an air removal device housing enclosing a chamber;

an air removal device purge port through the housing to the chamber;

an air sensor supported by the air removal device housing adapted to provide an air sensor signal indicative of air in the air removal device housing;

an air removal device purge line coupled to the air removal device purge port and extending to a purge line connector adapted to be coupled to a vacuum source to apply suction to the air removal device purge port to draw air therefrom;

providing an active air removal AAR controller operating under the control of an AAR operating algorithm;

locating a portion of the air removal purge line extending through a purge valve of the AAR controller, the purge valve movable between a purge valve open position and a purge valve closed position;

coupling the air sensor with the AAR controller;

monitoring operations or conditions of the AAR system;

determining an error state of the monitored operations or conditions of the AAR system;

automatically moving of the purge valve from the closed position to the open position in an absence of a determined error state and when the air sensor signal is indicative of air in the air removal device housing to allow air sensed in the air removal device to be purged through the purge line by the suction of the vacuum source; and

wherein;

the AAR controller further comprises a vacuum sensor arranged with respect to the purge line to provide a vacuum signal indicative of vacuum in the purge line when the purge valve is closed; and

the error state determining step comprises determining if the sensed vacuum exceeds a minimum vacuum.