Debubbler
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A device for removal of gas from a liquid being delivered to a patient through a medical fluid infusion line, the device comprising:
- a) a housing having an internal surface, an internal degassing chamber in the housing, a vacuum chamber in the housing, an inlet port for receiving liquid from the medical fluid infusion line for flow into the internal degassing chamber, an outlet port for discharging the liquid from the degassing chamber, and a vent in communication with the degassing chamber for passing gas from the degassing chamber to the vacuum chamber;
b) a plurality of hollow fiber membranes in the internal degassing chamber for removing gas from the liquid, wherein removed gas is in gas flow communication with the vent; and
c) a mechanical source of vacuum in the housing containing the hollow fiber membranes, the mechanical source of vacuum being movably mounted in the vacuum chamber and entirely in the housing and in gas flow communication with the vent for withdrawing gas from the internal degassing chamber to the vacuum chamber so that the device is self-contained and adapted for use without connection to an external source of vacuum,wherein the mechanical source of the vacuum comprises a piston having a length about equal to the distance between the inlet port and the outlet port, the piston being biased away from the vent by a spring.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A device for removal of a gas from a liquid in a medical infusion line has a housing containing a plurality of hollow fiber membranes. Preferably liquid passes on the exterior of the membranes and gas bubbles in the liquid pass into the lumens of the hollow fiber membranes. This is for removal by a vacuum. The device can include its own vacuum chamber. When the device has its own vacuum chamber, it can include a warning system to alert a user to replace the device when the provided vacuum is no longer sufficient.
-
Citations
15 Claims
-
1. A device for removal of gas from a liquid being delivered to a patient through a medical fluid infusion line, the device comprising:
-
a) a housing having an internal surface, an internal degassing chamber in the housing, a vacuum chamber in the housing, an inlet port for receiving liquid from the medical fluid infusion line for flow into the internal degassing chamber, an outlet port for discharging the liquid from the degassing chamber, and a vent in communication with the degassing chamber for passing gas from the degassing chamber to the vacuum chamber; b) a plurality of hollow fiber membranes in the internal degassing chamber for removing gas from the liquid, wherein removed gas is in gas flow communication with the vent; and c) a mechanical source of vacuum in the housing containing the hollow fiber membranes, the mechanical source of vacuum being movably mounted in the vacuum chamber and entirely in the housing and in gas flow communication with the vent for withdrawing gas from the internal degassing chamber to the vacuum chamber so that the device is self-contained and adapted for use without connection to an external source of vacuum, wherein the mechanical source of the vacuum comprises a piston having a length about equal to the distance between the inlet port and the outlet port, the piston being biased away from the vent by a spring. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
-
-
15. A device suitable for removal of gas from a liquid being delivered to a patient through a medical fluid infusion line, the device comprising:
-
a) a housing having an internal surface, an internal degassing chamber in the housing, a vacuum chamber in the housing, an inlet port for receiving liquid from the medical fluid infusion line for flow into the internal degassing chamber, an outlet port for discharging the liquid from the degassing chamber, a vent in communication with the degassing chamber for passing gas from the degassing chamber to the vacuum chamber, and a vacuum connection in communication with the degassing chamber; b) a plurality of hollow fiber membranes in the internal degassing chamber for removing gas from the liquid, wherein removed gas is in gas flow communication with the vent and the vacuum connection; and c) a mechanical source of vacuum completely in the housing and comprising a piston movably mounted in the vacuum chamber and a spring biasing the piston away from the vent, the spring and piston being in gas flow communication with the vent for withdrawing gas from the internal degassing chamber so that the device is self-contained and adapted for use without connection to an external source of vacuum; d) wherein the vacuum connection can be attached to the external source of vacuum so the device can be used both with the external source of vacuum and without the external source of vacuum; and e) a cap for optionally closing the vacuum connection.
-
Specification