Gas release devices for extracorporeal fluid circuits and related methods
First Claim
1. A gas release device for removing gas from a bodily liquid in extracorporeal circuitry, the gas release device comprising:
- an elongate vertical portion;
a flared portion extending outwardly from the elongate vertical portion;
an inlet port for delivering a bodily liquid into the gas release device; and
an outlet port for evacuating the bodily liquid from the gas release device,wherein the inlet port is positioned below the elongate vertical portion and the outlet port is positioned below the flared portion such that bodily liquid traveling from the inlet port toward the outlet port is forced around the flared portion to cause gas bubbles in the bodily liquid to be re-circulated back toward the inlet port, and the elongate vertical portion has a height sufficient to maintain an interface between a first liquid in the gas release device and a second liquid in the gas release device when the first and second liquids are miscible and the second liquid is flowing through the gas release device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In one aspect, a gas release device for removing gas from a bodily liquid in extracorporeal circuitry is described. The device includes an elongate vertical portion and a flared portion that extends outwardly from the elongate vertical portion. The device also includes an inlet port for delivering a bodily liquid into the device, and an outlet port for evacuating the bodily liquid from the device. The inlet port is positioned below the elongate vertical portion and the outlet port is positioned below the flared portion such that bodily liquid traveling from the inlet toward the outlet is forced around the flared portion to cause air bubbles in the bodily liquid to be re-circulated back toward the inlet port.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A gas release device for removing gas from a bodily liquid in extracorporeal circuitry, the gas release device comprising:
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an elongate vertical portion; a flared portion extending outwardly from the elongate vertical portion; an inlet port for delivering a bodily liquid into the gas release device; and an outlet port for evacuating the bodily liquid from the gas release device, wherein the inlet port is positioned below the elongate vertical portion and the outlet port is positioned below the flared portion such that bodily liquid traveling from the inlet port toward the outlet port is forced around the flared portion to cause gas bubbles in the bodily liquid to be re-circulated back toward the inlet port, and the elongate vertical portion has a height sufficient to maintain an interface between a first liquid in the gas release device and a second liquid in the gas release device when the first and second liquids are miscible and the second liquid is flowing through the gas release device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method of removing gas from blood in extracorporeal circuitry, comprising:
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passing a blood-compatible component through an inlet port of a gas release device, thereby filling the gas release device so that substantially no gas remains in the gas release device;
thenpassing blood through the inlet port and into an elongate vertical portion of the gas release device until upward motion of the blood is impeded by gravity, thereby forming a liquid-liquid interface between the blood-compatible component and the blood; and passing the blood along a flared portion of the gas release device toward an outlet port such that gas bubbles in the blood are directed back toward the inlet port to be released through the elongate vertical portion. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A gas release device for removing gas from a bodily liquid in extracorporeal circuitry, the gas release device comprising:
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a main body that defines an elongate vertical portion and a flared portion extending outwardly from the elongate vertical portion; and a two port cap that defines an inlet port for delivering a bodily liquid into the gas release device and an outlet port for evacuating the bodily liquid from the gas release device, wherein the inlet port is positioned below the elongate vertical portion and the outlet port is positioned below the flared portion such that bodily liquid traveling from the inlet port toward the outlet port is forced around the flared portion to cause gas bubbles in the bodily liquid to be re-circulated back toward the inlet port. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26)
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Specification