Bubble trap for high flow rate infusion

• US 8,241,409 B2
• Filed: 07/29/2010
• Issued: 08/14/2012
• 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: Arnold, Randall C., Bieberich, Mark T., Hansen, Gary L., McGregor, Andrew J., Miller, Christopher A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hopkins, Robert A
• Application Number:
  US12/804,823
• Publication Number:
  US 20100300293A1
• Time in Patent Office: 747 Days
• Field of Search: 962/04, 952/61, 604/122
• US Class Current: 96/204
• 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. An apparatus for eliminating air from a stream of fluid, comprising:

a housing, containing;

a first, upwardly directed, flow section with an upwardly expanding flow path and a downwardly curved flow section in fluid communication with the upwardly expanding flow section;

an input in a lower portion of the upwardly expanding flow path;

a second, widened flow section in fluid communication with the downwardly curved flow section;

a third flow section defining a laminar fluid flow path in fluid communication with the second flow section;

a fourth flow section, positioned below the first, second, and third flow sections and in fluid communication with the third flow section;

an output;

a valve acting between the fourth flow section and the output;

air vent means for venting air collected in the housing; and

,

at least one sensor coupler mounted to an outside surface of the housing.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the air vent means includes an air vent opening through the housing to the third flow section, and the at least one sensor coupler includes first and second sensor couplers defining first and second fluid sensing levels in the third flow section, the first fluid sensing level traversing a lower portion of the air vent, the second fluid sensing level positioned below the first fluid sensing level and above the fourth flow section.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, the air vent including a vent chamber in the housing, a hydrophobic membrane in the third chamber means, covering the vent chamber, and a check valve seated on the housing and acting between the vent chamber and ambient atmosphere outside the housing.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

an air vent chamber;

a valve between the air vent chamber and the third flow section; and

the air vent means including an air vent in the air vent chamber.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, the air vent including a vent chamber in the housing at the air vent chamber, a hydrophobic membrane in the air vent chamber, covering the vent chamber, and a check valve seated on the housing and acting between the vent chamber and ambient atmosphere outside the housing.

6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the at least one sensor coupler includes first and second sensor couplers defining first and second fluid sensing levels in the third flow section, the second fluid sensing level positioned below the first fluid sensing level and above the fourth flow section.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, the air vent including a vent chamber in the housing at the air vent chamber, a hydrophobic membrane in the air vent chamber, covering the vent chamber, and a check valve seated on the housing and acting between the vent chamber and ambient atmosphere outside the housing.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the at least one sensor coupler further includes a third sensor coupler defining a third fluid sensing level in the third flow section, between the first and second fluid sensing levels.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the housing includes two complementarily-shaped pieces joined together over ends of fluid container rails.

10. The apparatus of Claim 9 in which the housing and the fluid container rails form a generally quadrilateral frame for a pouch.

11. The apparatus of claim 9 in which at least one fluid container rail has a straw like construction with a central passageway that opens through an end of the fluid container rail positioned in the housing and a slot near an opposing end, wherein the slot opens through a surface of the fluid container rail.

12. The apparatus of claim 9 in which at least one fluid container rail has a central passageway that opens into an outlet through a slot and runs from the slot through an end of the fluid container rail positioned in the housing, wherein the central passageway is in fluid communication with the first flow section.