Manual/auto-prime air eliminator
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A vent system for an infusion drip chamber, comprising:
- an automatic air eliminator communicating with an interior and an exterior of said infusion drip chamber and capable of automatically venting air from said infusion drip chamber in a substantially continuous manner;
a mechanical air eliminator communicating with said interior and said exterior of said infusion drip chamber and capable of mechanically venting air from said infusion drip chamber at discrete time intervals, said mechanical air eliminator comprising;
a conduit capable of fitting in a port of said infusion drip chamber;
a plunger chamber formed in said conduit;
a plunger movable in said plunger chamber;
a biasing device operative to maintain said plunger in a normally closed position; and
at least one vent opening in said plunger chamber and communicating with said exterior of said infusion drip chamber, with said at least one vent opening being spaced apart from said plunger when said plunger is in said normally closed position;
wherein said plunger is capable of being displaced by a positive air pressure in said drip chamber until said at least one vent opening communicates with said interior of said infusion drip chamber and vents said infusion drip chamber.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A vent system for an infusion drip chamber is provided according to the invention. The vent system includes an automatic air eliminator communicating with an interior and an exterior of the infusion drip chamber. The automatic air eliminator is capable of automatically venting air from the infusion drip chamber in a substantially continuous manner. The vent system further includes a mechanical air eliminator communicating with the interior and the exterior of the infusion drip chamber. The manual air eliminator is capable of mechanically venting air from the infusion drip chamber at discrete time intervals.
5 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A vent system for an infusion drip chamber, comprising:
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an automatic air eliminator communicating with an interior and an exterior of said infusion drip chamber and capable of automatically venting air from said infusion drip chamber in a substantially continuous manner;
a mechanical air eliminator communicating with said interior and said exterior of said infusion drip chamber and capable of mechanically venting air from said infusion drip chamber at discrete time intervals, said mechanical air eliminator comprising;
a conduit capable of fitting in a port of said infusion drip chamber;
a plunger chamber formed in said conduit;
a plunger movable in said plunger chamber;
a biasing device operative to maintain said plunger in a normally closed position; and
at least one vent opening in said plunger chamber and communicating with said exterior of said infusion drip chamber, with said at least one vent opening being spaced apart from said plunger when said plunger is in said normally closed position;
wherein said plunger is capable of being displaced by a positive air pressure in said drip chamber until said at least one vent opening communicates with said interior of said infusion drip chamber and vents said infusion drip chamber. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An air venting method for an infusion drip chamber, comprising the steps of:
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providing an automatic air eliminator capable of substantially, automatically and continuously venting said air; and
providing a mechanical air eliminator capable of mechanically venting said air at discrete time intervals, said mechanical air eliminator comprising;
a conduit capable of fitting in a port of said infusion drip chamber;
a plunger chamber formed in said conduit;
a plunger movable in said plunger chamber;
a biasing device operative to maintain said plunger in a normally closed position; and
at least one vent opening in said plunger chamber and communicating with said exterior of said infusion drip chamber, with said at least one vent opening being spaced apart from said plunger when said plunger is in said normally closed position;
wherein said plunger is capable of being displaced by a positive air pressure in said drip chamber until said at least one vent opening communicates with said interior of said infusion drip chamber and vents said infusion drip chamber. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification