Bubble trap for high flow rate infusion

• US 7,803,217 B2
• Filed: 04/24/2007
• Issued: 09/28/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/24/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: Arizant Healthcare Inc. (3M Company)
• Inventors: McGregor, Andrew J., Hansen, Gary L., Arnold, Randall C., Bieberich, Mark T., Miller, Christopher A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hopkins; Robert A
• Application Number:
  US11/789,752
• Publication Number:
  US 20080269679A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,253 Days
• Field of Search: 952/60, 952/61, 962/04, 604/122
• US Class Current: 95/261
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00106 ultrasonic
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 7/0085 Devices for generating hot or cold treatment fluids
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3653 by Joule effect, i.e. electric resistance
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2206/11 Laminar flow
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1413 Modular systems comprising interconnecting elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/36 with means for eliminating or preventing injection or infusion of air into body dialysis systems, blood oxygenators A61M1/14; haemofiltration equipment A61M1/34; automatic tube cut-off A61M39/281
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/385 using hydrophobic filters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/445 the media being heated in the reservoir, e.g. warming bloodbags
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 19/0031 by filtration
• CPC Class Codes: F28F 3/12 Elements constructed in the shape of a hollow panel, e.g. with channels F28D1/02, F28D1/03 take precedence

Abstract

A bubble trap for separating and collecting air and bubbles from a high flow rate stream of infusate includes multiple flow chambers to collect air, a sensor support mounted to one of the chambers, an air vent disposed in one of the chambers, and a valve in fluid communication with the chambers to control the flow of infusate therethrough.

Claims

1. A method for removing air from a stream of infusate using a multi-chambered apparatus, comprising:

receiving a stream of infusate;

reducing the flow rate of the stream of infusate by expanding the stream into a first chamber;

cascading the stream of infusate from the first chamber into a second chamber;

circulating the infusate in the second chamber;

forming infusate circulating in the second chamber into a laminar stream of infusate in a third chamber;

forming an output stream of infusate from the laminar flow of infusate in a fourth chamber;

providing the output stream to an outlet through a valve;

collecting air from the infusate in at least the first, second, and third chambers;

venting the air from the apparatus;

sensing the fluid contents of the apparatus; and

,

closing the valve if air is sensed;

otherwise opening the valve.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein venting the air from the apparatus includes venting air from the third chamber.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein sensing the fluid contents includes sensing the fluid contents at a first level in the third chamber and at a second level in the third chamber below the first level, and closing the valve if air is sensed at the first and second levels.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein sensing the fluid contents includes sensing the fluid contents at a first level in the third chamber and at a second level in the third chamber below the first level, and:

if the valve is open and air is sensed at the first and second levels, closing the valve;

if the valve is closed and infusate is sensed at the first and the second level, opening the valve;

if the valve is closed, and air is sensed at the second but not at the first level, waiting for a period of time and then opening the valve;

or, if the valve is closed, and air is sensed at the second level and infusate is sensed at the first level, opening the valve.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein venting the air from the apparatus includes venting air from the third chamber.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein venting the air from the apparatus includes venting air from a fifth chamber through which infusate does not flow.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the valve is a first valve, further including providing the air to the fifth chamber through a second valve.

8. The method of claim 7, further including;

opening the second valve when the first valve is open and air is sensed at a first level below the fifth chamber; and

opening the second valve and closing the first valve when air is sensed at a second level below the first level.