High flow rate infusion unit and heat exchanger
First Claim
1. A method for operating an infusion unit with heating plates in combination with a fluid container having a laminar flow path and a housing attached to the fluid container, the housing containing a bubble trap and a valve, the bubble trap in fluid communication with the laminar flow path and the valve in fluid communication with the bubble trap to provide warmed infusate at a high flow rate, comprising:
- providing a signal indicating that the fluid container is seated in the infusion unit;
providing a flow of pressurized infusate to the laminar flow path from a source of infusate in response to the signal indicating that the fluid container is seated in the infusion unit;
fanning the flow of infusate into a laminar sheet of infusate in the laminar flow path;
heating infusate in the laminar flow path by conduction from the heating plates;
conducting warmed pressurized infusate from the laminar flow path to the bubble trap and through the valve;
sensing fluid in the bubble trap with a sensor positioned at a first location adjacent the housing; and
an actuator closing the valve if the sensor senses air in the bubble trap;
otherwise,the actuator opening the valve if the sensor senses infusate in the bubble trap.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A high flow rate infusion unit includes a heating unit with opposing, electrically-operated heating plates that contact a heat exchanger to heat infusate flowing therethrough. Pressure infusers on the infusion unit are operable to provide infusate at a high flow rate. A flat, elongate heat exchanger has a laminar fluid flow path receivable between the heating plates to which heat is conducted by contact with the heating plates. A bubble trap and a valve are disposed within the heat exchanger. The bubble trap collects bubbles and vents air from infusate exiting the fluid flow path, and the valve shuts off the flow of infusate if the volume of air in the bubble trap exceeds a predefined limit.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. A method for operating an infusion unit with heating plates in combination with a fluid container having a laminar flow path and a housing attached to the fluid container, the housing containing a bubble trap and a valve, the bubble trap in fluid communication with the laminar flow path and the valve in fluid communication with the bubble trap to provide warmed infusate at a high flow rate, comprising:
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providing a signal indicating that the fluid container is seated in the infusion unit; providing a flow of pressurized infusate to the laminar flow path from a source of infusate in response to the signal indicating that the fluid container is seated in the infusion unit; fanning the flow of infusate into a laminar sheet of infusate in the laminar flow path; heating infusate in the laminar flow path by conduction from the heating plates; conducting warmed pressurized infusate from the laminar flow path to the bubble trap and through the valve; sensing fluid in the bubble trap with a sensor positioned at a first location adjacent the housing; and an actuator closing the valve if the sensor senses air in the bubble trap;
otherwise,the actuator opening the valve if the sensor senses infusate in the bubble trap. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification