Degassing module for a controlled compliant flow path
First Claim
1. A degassing module, comprising:
- a flow-through first chamber having a hydrophobic vent membrane having an exterior and interior side forming a portion of the flow-through chamber wherein the hydrophobic vent membrane is positioned at a higher elevation on the flow-through chamber than a fluid outlet wherein fluid flows through the flow-through chamber in a downward direction relative to the hydrophobic vent membrane;
the flow-through chamber having a cross sectional area configured to provide for a downward flow velocity of the fluid to be less than an upward rise velocity of a smallest bubble to be removed from the fluid;
a vent control valve, wherein the vent control valve is operable to permit or allow gas to enter or exit the first chamber via the hydrophobic vent membrane fluidly connectable to a vacuum means applied to an exterior side of the degassing module to selectively draw dissolved gas from the fluid or to remove gas bubbles from the fluid.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A degassing module for removal of air and other gases during operation of a medical therapy device that delivers any one of hemodialysis, hemodiafiltration and hemofiltration. The degassing module has a flow-through first chamber that has a hydrophobic vent membrane that has an exterior and interior side forming a portion of the flow-through chamber. The hydrophobic vent membrane is positioned at a higher elevation on the flow-through chamber than a fluid outlet. Fluid flows through the flow-through chamber in a downward direction relative to the hydrophobic vent membrane. A flow-through chamber has a cross sectional area configured to provide for a downward flow velocity of the fluid to be less than the upward rise velocity of a smallest bubble to be removed from the fluid.
49 Citations
52 Claims
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1. A degassing module, comprising:
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a flow-through first chamber having a hydrophobic vent membrane having an exterior and interior side forming a portion of the flow-through chamber wherein the hydrophobic vent membrane is positioned at a higher elevation on the flow-through chamber than a fluid outlet wherein fluid flows through the flow-through chamber in a downward direction relative to the hydrophobic vent membrane; the flow-through chamber having a cross sectional area configured to provide for a downward flow velocity of the fluid to be less than an upward rise velocity of a smallest bubble to be removed from the fluid; a vent control valve, wherein the vent control valve is operable to permit or allow gas to enter or exit the first chamber via the hydrophobic vent membrane fluidly connectable to a vacuum means applied to an exterior side of the degassing module to selectively draw dissolved gas from the fluid or to remove gas bubbles from the fluid. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52)
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Specification