Abstract: A blood filter (1) has a small priming volume and a high ability of trapping and removing the air bubbles. The blood filter (1) according to the present invention includes a housing (5) accommodating a blood inlet (8), a blood outlet (9), an air bubble outlet (14), and a filter element (3) disposed in the housing (5). The blood inlet (8) is preferably disposed in the vicinity of a bottom surface (7) of the housing. The housing (5) includes a spiral chamber (10) defined between an inner wall (5b) and an outer wall (5a) of the housing (5) and a center chamber (11) defined within the inner wall (5b). The spiral chamber (10) extends in a helix shape to surround the center chamber (11). Due to such a structure, even when air bubbles are introduced to the blood filter (1) through the blood inlet (8), the air bubbles are effectively separated from the blood in the spiral chamber (10). The blood filter having such a spiral chamber (10) is unlikely influenced by the blood flow rate and the amount of air bubbles.

Abstract: A design and method of operation are disclosed for a fluid control conduit of a blood reservoir. The venous blood inflow conduit includes a fluid control nozzle and a base. When assembled together the nozzle and base form a trap feature which prevents reflux of air or other gas upwardly into the nozzle of the conduit. As a result, during use of the reservoir the conduit normally runs full of venous blood and turbulence of the blood is prevented. In addition, the conduit also functions to divert the downward flowing venous blood in the nozzle into the base at an optimum fluid velocity to overcome the buoyancy effect of air or gas bubbles within the blood.

Abstract: A design and method of operation are disclosed for a fluid control conduit of a blood reservoir. The venous blood inflow conduit includes a fluid control nozzle and a base. When assembled together, the nozzle and base form a trap feature which prevents reflux of air or other gas upwardly into the nozzle of the conduit. As a result, during use of the reservoir the conduit normally runs full of venous blood and turbulence of the blood is prevented. In addition, the conduit also functions to divert the downward flowing venous blood in the nozzle into the base at an optimum fluid velocity to overcome the buoyancy effect of air or gas bubbles within the blood.