Abstract: A feeding set adaptor and related system for delivering solutions utilize a feeding set adaptor which engages a pump engaging portion of an infusion set and the feeding set adaptor structure to provide monitoring portions for detecting pressures within the infusion set, a sample cell for determining the presence of air within an infusion set, and an anti-freeflow device for selectively preventing freeflow through the infusion set. The feeding set adaptor is configured for mounting on an infusion pump which moves solution through the infusion set for delivery to a patient.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for preventing air embolisms during surgical procedures which involves providing a fluid source in communication with an aperture extending into an anatomical cavity such that fluid may be delivered into the cavity when a condition of negative pressure exists in the cavity, thereby preventing the introduction of air into the cavity.

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.

Abstract: The present invention provides a coupling device for attaching a sleeve (40) to a surgical aspirator tip (10) that allows airflow between the external environment and the interior of the sleeve (40). The coupling device includes a male member (26) attached to the tip (10) and a female member (42) formed in the proximal end of the sleeve (40). The male member (26) includes at least one longitudinal groove (100). When the male member (26) is received into the female member (42), at least one venting channel (80) is defined between at least one longitudinal groove of the male member (26) and the inner surface of the female member (42). Venting channel (80) permits airflow between the external environment and the interior of the sleeve (40).

Abstract: Method and apparatus for preventing air embolisms during surgical procedures which involves providing a fluid source in communication with an aperture extending into an anatomical cavity such that fluid may be delivered into the cavity when a condition of negative pressure exists in the cavity, thereby preventing the introduction of air into the cavity.

Abstract: A catheter assembly for conveying fluid from a fluid source to an anatomical site. A connector portion couples the catheter assembly to the fluid source. The catheter assembly comprises an elongated tube having an open proximal end engaging the connector portion and a closed distal end for inserting into the anatomical site. The elongated tube defines a central lumen and a plurality of apertures in an infusion section thereof to convey the fluid from the central lumen to the anatomical site. An air elimination device is coupled to the elongated tube between the connector portion and the infusion section. Seals are placed between the air elimination device and the elongated tube to prevent air from entering the central lumen of the elongated tube distally of the air elimination device and blocking fluid flow through the plurality of apertures into the anatomical site.

Abstract: One of the most significant safety concerns in the automation of extracorporeal blood treatments such as dialysis is the risk of blood leakage. Such systems draw blood at such a high rate that a loss of integrity in the blood circuit can be catastrophic. The most reliable leak detection method known is the detection of infiltrated air in a blood line, but this only works in blood lines under negative pressure. According to the invention, a leak detector for return lines is provided by periodically generating a negative pressure, which may be brief or at a 50% duty cycle, in the blood return line to draw air into it and thereby reveal the leaks using an air sensor. Although the return line is ordinarily under positive pressure, during the negative pressure cycle, the blood return line draws air through any leaks or disconnects. If air is detected, the system is shut down and an alarm generated.

Abstract: Both the number and the size of microair bubbles in a bloodstream are accurately determined optically, independently of oxygen saturation, by monitoring the intensity of light transmission in the 800-850 nm range through the bloodstream and indicating the count and amplitude range of peaks in the monitored intensity.

Abstract: A syringe for injecting a fluid, such as a contrast medium for radiological diagnostic imaging, is enhanced by hydrophilic treatment of interior surfaces of the syringe, reducing air bubble attachment to the syringe. Air bubbles that do form or that are drawn into the syringe fail to attach to, or readily release from, the interior surface and can be expelled prior to being used on a patient.

Abstract: A syringe having an air release assembly slidingly clamped to a syringe barrel, the air release assembly having a lower portion with a slider valve insert and an upper portion with a rearward facing chamber. The syringe barrel has an opening at the juncture of the barrel and a front wall and the air release assembly upper and lower portions define an opening. Forward movement of the air release assembly closes the barrel opening and prepares the syringe for fluid filling and fluid ejection. Rearward movement of the air release assembly aligns the barrel opening with the air release assembly opening so that slight plunger pressure ejects barrel liquid trapped air bubbles to an outside environment.

Abstract: A plunger is provided for a syringe that includes a pressure relief mechanism that exhausts any fluid trapped in the chamber between sealing flanges carried by the plunger when the plunger is advanced to dispense fluid from the syringe. The contact pressure between the barrel-contacting surface of the rearmost sealing flange nearest the access opening of the syringe barrel is weakened relative to the contact pressure provided by the barrel-contacting surface of the sealing flange that isolates the fluid within the barrel. The contact pressure of the rearmost sealing flange may be lessened by either reducing its radial diameter relative to the radial diameter of the other sealing flange, removing an underlying portion of the plunger, or configuring the rearmost sealing flange as deflectable sealing lip.

Abstract: A method of dispensing a hazardous pharmaceutical comprising the steps of: connecting a source of flushing fluid to a first port of a fluid delivery set; connecting a pressurizing unit of a powered injector system (including a powered injector and the pressurizing unit) to a second port of the fluid delivery set; purging air from the fluid delivery set; and, after purging air from the fluid delivery set, connecting a third port of the fluid delivery set to a source of the hazardous pharmaceutical. The fluid delivery set can, for example, include a valve system or assembly to control flow of fluid through the fluid delivery set.

Abstract: Personal injector for liquid medicine comprises a housing 1 provided with needle-mounting part 11, medicine container holder 12 and connecting port 13 to a personal computer; plunger 2 arranged in housing 1; electric motor 3 for driving plunger 2; limit switch 4 for limiting the forward movement of plunger 2; starting point sensor 5 for detecting return of plunger 2 to the starting point; and substrate 6 having display 61 and mode-select switch 62 mounted thereon. The plunger 2 is movable between the starting point and forward limit point. Limit switch 4 is arranged at the forward limit point. When limit switch 4 is turned on, motor 3 drives plunger 2 in reverse to move it to the starting point thereof.

Abstract: A dual port syringe has an upper port for connection to a fluid reservoir and a lower port for delivery of the medical fluid under pressure to a patient. A first valve is connected between the fluid reservoir and the upper port, and second valve is connected between the lower port and the patient. During a fill operation, a piston is moved within the syringe to drawn fluid from the reservoir into the syringe through the upper port. During injection operation, the piston moves in an opposite direction to force fluid out of the syringe through the lower port.

Abstract: A syringe system requires a decreased vertical travel for sealing during a lyophilization process and therefore provides for increased utilization of space in a lyophilization chamber. The syringe system is provided with a sterility maintenance sleeve including a stopper affixed thereto for sealingly engaging the syringe barrel to define a drug chamber. The sterility maintenance sleeve is provided with a venting passage to permit egress of vapor from the drug chamber during lyophilization. A plug cap cooperating with the sterility maintenance sleeve includes an occluding tip which is adapted to occupy the venting passage and seal the drug chamber after lyophilization. The plug cap is provided with a support structure in the form of flexible fins for supporting the plug cap in a venting position in which the occluding tip is removed from the venting passage to permit egress of drug solution vapor from the drug chamber during lyophilization.

Abstract: An infusion pump system comprises one or more infusion pump units and a stationary receptor system.

Abstract: A surgical system having a cassette with an aspirant collection chamber and an aspiration vent line that draws fluid from the aspirant collection chamber. The pressure within the collection chamber is maintained near ambient so that when the aspiration vent line is open, fluid flows from the collection chamber and into the aspiration line. Such a system does not require a second source of irrigation fluid, minimizes pressure surges into the irrigation fluid line and does not affect the fluidic performance of the aspiration system. In addition, various vent pressures can be achieved by varying the vertical position of the reservoir relative to the aspiration line.

Abstract: An improved displacement-type syringe has a housing, a substantially fixed seal, a solid or closed-tip plunger, an internal passageway formed between the housing and the plunger, and at least two ports on the housing with at least one port located at each end of the passageway for the passage of fluids and the elimination of gas. The syringe may be mounted in apparatus over a wide range of fixed inclination angles and remain substantially impervious to gas accumulation.

Abstract: An I.V. bag is connected to a drip chamber, then to a conventional tube clamp and a regulating tube containing a wick or other material that breaks surface tension of the liquid in the tube, which flows into a bubble separator that forces any remaining entrained air through one or more hydrophobic gas permeable membranes, and then into the patient. A downstream check valve adjacent to the bubble separator prevents back flow into or through the bubble separator. An upstream check valve adjacent to the bubble separator prevents air from being drawn into the bubble separator through its gas permeable hydrophobic membrane. A vent placed adjacent to the tube clamp isolates any pressure drop above the vent, allowing a pressure head to develop in the regulating tube, which insures a constant flow of I.V. liquid into the patient regardless of downstream or upstream hydraulic conditions.

Abstract: A flow through bubble trap for fluid flow lines comprises a chamber-defining wall and a flow inlet/outlet tube at least substantially extending through the chamber and open at opposed tube ends to respectively define an inlet and an outlet of the bubble trap. The tube defines a flow inlet port and a flow outlet port within the chamber interior. A flow blocking partition closes the bore of the tube between the flow inlet and outlet ports. Additionally, the chamber defining wall carries a retaining-sealing member for removable, sealing connection with a tube connector of a fluid flow line. The retaining-sealing member is free of fluid flow connection with the interior of the chamber defined by the wall, and thus serves as a seal for connectors on tube ends of a set carrying the bubble trap. Also, the chamber defining wall has a bottom wall that defines a third port.

Abstract: A system and a method for detecting the presence of air bubbles in an intravenous (IV) line supplying a medicinal liquid to a patient. An air bubble sensor includes an ultrasonic transmitter acoustically coupled to an ultrasonic receiver to detect the presence of a gas (e.g., air) in a portion of a tube comprising the IV line. The transmitter and receiver are mounted on pivoting transducers that are disposed on opposite sides of the tube. A spring biases the transducers inwardly toward each other so that the transmitter and receiver contact opposite sides of the tubing. This assembly automatically accommodates different sizes of tubing and tubing of a relatively wide range of stiffness. The tube is connected to a disposable pumping cassette that is engaged in a pump chassis on which the transducers are pivotally mounted.

Abstract: An extracorporeal, flow-through bubble trap for blood lines having improved capabilities at high flow rates and with smaller bubbles. The bubble trap comprises a chamber-defining wall, plus a blood inlet and a blood outlet, each extending through the wall to communicate with the interior of the chamber. The blood outlet connects with the chamber interior adjacent the bottom thereof. The chamber interior has a height that is less than 1.6 times the longest horizontal dimension of the chamber interior. As a result of this, blood flow in the bubble trap chamber is substantially horizontal.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for preventing the development of an air embolism in an animal during and after a cardiovascular surgical procedure. Also provided is a device that can accurately control the pressure and/or flow of gas into the heart cavity and related blood vessels.

Abstract: A drip chamber for a medical fluid delivery system includes a housing having an inlet port and an outlet port, and defining a chamber between the inlet and outlet ports, the housing configured to channel medical fluid in a flow path from the inlet port through the chamber and to the outlet port. The inlet port includes a tubular member that extends into the chamber and redirects the path of the medical fluid against a side wall of the housing to reduce the velocity of the medical fluid and minimize formation of air bubbles in the medical fluid.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for detecting excessive air in a liquid flow-through tube. The apparatus includes an ultrasonic transmitter for transmitting ultrasonic signals and an ultrasonic receiver for receiving ultrasonic signals. The ultrasonic transmitter and ultrasonic receiver are separated by the IV tube. The apparatus further provides circuit means for generating at least two transmitting signals to actuate the ultrasonic transmitter and circuit means for detecting received signals. Means are provided for determining whether the received signal is indicative of air or liquid in the IV tube. The apparatus further relies on logarithmic detection of air in fluids rather than linear detection which provides a larger safety factor in prediction of air embolus.

Abstract: A flow through bubble trap comprises a chamber-defining wall having a flow inlet/outlet tube extending through the chamber and open at opposed tube ends. The tube has its bore closed with a partition, with ports in the side wall communicating with the chamber interior on opposite sides of the partition and adjacent to the bottom wall of the chamber.

Abstract: An I.V. bag is connected to a drip chamber, then to a conventional tube clamp and a regulating tube containing a wick or other material that breaks surface tension of the liquid in the tube, which flows into a bubble separator that forces any remaining entrained air through one or more hydrophobic gas permeable membranes, and then into the patient. A check valve near the patient prevents back flow. A vent placed adjacent to the tube clamp isolates any pressure drop above the vent, allowing a pressure head to develop in the regulating tube, which insures a constant flow of I.V. liquid into the patient regardless of downstream or upstream hydraulic conditions.

Abstract: A flow through bubble trap for fluid flow lines comprises a chamber having a substantially flat, lateral side, a first port tube, and a second, opposed port tube. A flow directing baffle system is positioned in the chamber to direct incoming fluid from one of the port tubes into a first, lateral flow direction to allow substantially horizontal fluid flow circulation in the chamber. Fluid flow from the circulating fluid in the chamber enters into the other of the port tubes in a lateral flow direction that is generally the same as the first lateral flow direction, while the baffle system prevents direct flow between the first and second port tubes. The chamber is adaptable to fit with a large variety of conventional dialysis machines and the like, having multi-purpose supplemental access ports, for a simplification of the number of codes necessary for product distribution.

Abstract: A blood filter is disclosed which actively removes unwanted particles from the blood without using passive elements such as a cartridge. The blood filter includes a housing having a blood inlet area for receiving blood to be filtered, a blood outlet area for providing filtered blood to a patient, and a blood return area for returning blood having unwanted particles to a reservoir. A plurality of independent blood paths extend from the inlet area to the outlet area of the housing for separate flows of blood therethrough. An array of detectors is placed adjacent the exterior of each blood path for detecting unwanted particles in the blood flowing therethrough. An array of valves is placed in operable relationship with the blood paths to close selected ones of the blood paths when unwanted particles are detected. Blood return conduits open to divert the particle-containing blood to a reservoir. Several arrays of detectors and valve combinations may be provided for redundancy.

Abstract: A flow through bubble trap for fluid flow lines comprises a chamber having a substantially flat, lateral side, a first port tube, and a second, opposed port tube. A flow directing baffle system is positioned in the chamber to direct incoming fluid from one of the port tubes into a first, lateral flow direction to allow substantially horizontal fluid flow circulation in the chamber. Fluid flow from the circulating fluid in the chamber enters into the other of the port tubes in a lateral flow direction that is generally the same as the first lateral flow direction, while the baffle system prevents direct flow between the first and second port tubes. The chamber is adaptable to fit with a large variety of conventional dialysis machines and the like, having multi-purpose supplemental access ports, for a simplification of the number of codes necessary for product distribution.

Abstract: An air elimination system is provided for an intravenous fluid delivery system for intravenous injection of fluid into a patient. An air-detection apparatus is disposed in an intravenous fluid line. At the top end of the line is attached a chamber where air may be separated from the fluid. The separation chamber may be a drip chamber, a metering chamber or the intravenous supply. When air is detected, a valve or valves are switched, so that the intravenous fluid is prevented from flowing to the patient, and so that, when a pump is turned on, the fluid is pumped to the separation chamber. In a preferred embodiment, the volume of pump's fluid capacity is greater than the volume of the fluid capacity of the intravenous line between the pump and the separation chamber so that the pump can force air back up the intravenous line all the way to the separation chamber.

Abstract: A syringe assembly specifically designed to dispense high viscosity material. The syringe assembly includes a syringe barrel into which the high viscosity material is placed. A piston assembly is introduced into the syringe barrel. The piston assembly creates a seal against the interior of the syringe barrel that is impervious to the high viscosity material but is not impervious to the passage of air. Consequently, as the piston assembly is advanced into the syringe barrel, any trapped air is permitted to exit the syringe barrel without passing through the high viscosity material. The piston assembly also contains a shaped piston head that stresses the high viscosity material as it is displaced through the syringe barrel. By stressing the high viscosity material in the syringe barrel before it is dispensed, air bubbles and gaps contained within the material can be greatly reduced.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for detecting excessive air in a liquid flow-through tube. The apparatus includes an ultrasonic transmitter for transmitting ultrasonic signals and an ultrasonic receiver for receiving ultrasonic signals. The ultrasonic transmitter and ultrasonic receiver are separated by the IV tube. The apparatus further provides circuit means for generating at least two transmitting signals to actuate the ultrasonic transmitter and circuit means for detecting received signals. Means are provided for determining whether the received signal is indicative of air or liquid in the IV tube. The apparatus further relies on logarithmic detection of air in fluids rather than linear detection which provides a larger safety factor in prediction of air embolus.

Abstract: A position-independent fluid trap for separating at least a portion of a first fluid of a first density entrained within a flow stream of a second fluid of a second density flowing through a fluid circuit. The trap is connectable within the fluid circuit to a first length of tubing defining an inlet line and to a second length of tubing defining an outlet line, and includes a housing enclosing an interior chamber having a geometric extent of a given volumetric capacity. An inlet port is provided to open in fluid communication with the interior chamber and to be couplable to the inlet line. An outlet tube is provided to extend from a proximal end couplable to the outlet line to a distal end disposed within the housing and opening in fluid communication with the interior chamber. Within the interior chamber, the first and second fluid are separated at an interface into a first and second fluid component according to the relative densities thereof.

Abstract: A radially vented flashback chamber and plug assembly includes a plug seated in the proximal end of a flashback chamber. In one embodiment of this invention, the flashback chamber has an open proximal end and the plug has a closed proximal end, an open distal end, a lumen extending proximally from the open distal end, and a radially extending passageway located distal of the closed proximal end in communication with the lumen. A porous material is inserted into the lumen at the juncture between the lumen and the radially extending passageway to prevent blood leakage from the flashback chamber. One or more rings are located around the periphery of the plug proximal of the radially extending passageway to create a fluid tight seal between the flashback chamber and the barrel in which the flashback chamber is housed.

Abstract: A system and method is provided which substantially eliminates the effect of air entrapped in tubing for delivering a liquid from a container. The inner diameter of the tubing is selected such that the gravitational force of the liquid from the container is greater than the surface tension of the liquid. A release agent may be used as a coating layer on the interior wall in addition to or alternatively from an expanded diameter.

Abstract: A combined cardiotomy and venous blood reservoir according to a preferred embodiment of the invention provides a separate in-flow path for both cardiotomy fluid and for venous blood, and includes a cardiotomy fluid filter element also serving as an initial de-foamer. The cardiotomy fluid is de-foamed, filtered, and again de-foamed. The venous blood is de-foamed, and then both fluids are combined for flow from the reservoir. The filter area provided for cardiotomy fluid is advantageously separated from the area of a final de-foamer element. Thus, both the cardiotomy fluid and venous blood may flow through this final de-foamer element simultaneously along separate flow paths. The reservoir design provides greater freedom in selecting adequate filter area for the cardiotomy fluid, while allowing the selection of effective de-foamer element areas in order to achieve acceptable flow rates for both cardiotomy fluid and for venous blood under various conditions of operation for the reservoir.

Abstract: A fluid gas removal drip chamber for use for parenteral administration of fluids is disclosed. The drip chamber has a hydrophobic barrier which extends into the interior of the drip chamber. The hydrophobic barrier preferably comprises at least a portion of a three-dimensional surface. In one embodiment, an inlet port allows fluid to enter the drip chamber from the top so that the fluid falls through an air space formed in the top of the drip chamber. By shaping the inlet port so that droplets of fluid are formed, a health care professional can monitor the fluid drip rate. In another embodiment, the hydrophobic barrier is configured so that little or no air space exists at the top of the drip chamber. The drip chamber includes means for venting air that is separated from the fluid within the chamber and, at the same time, preventing air from entering the chamber through the venting means.

Abstract: A method is provided for priming a hollow fiber oxygenator which is integrated with a hollow tube heat exchanger. A closed priming circuit is created between a cardiosurgery reservoir, the combined hollow fiber oxygenator and heat exchanger and a vacuum source. Vacuum pressure is applied to the closed priming circuit to evacuate the residual air from the circuit. Priming solution is released from the cardiosurgery reservoir and fills the evacuated closed priming circuit.

Abstract: An air elimination system is provided for an intravenous fluid delivery system for intravenous injection of fluid into a patient. An air-detection apparatus 5 is disposed in an intravenous fluid line 3. At the top end of the line 3 is attached a chamber 1, 2, 12 where air may be separated from the fluid. The separation chamber may be a drip chamber 12, a metering chamber 2 or the intravenous supply 1. When air is detected, a valve 11 or valves 7, 9 are switched, so that the intravenous fluid is prevented from flowing to the patient, and so that, when a pump 4 is turned on, the fluid is pumped to the separation chamber 1, 2, 12. In a preferred embodiment, the volume of pump's fluid capacity is greater than the volume of the fluid capacity of the intravenous line 31 between the pump 4 and the separation chamber 1, 2, 12, so that the pump can force air back up the intravenous line all the way to the separation chamber.

Abstract: A gas exchange device (100) with an extracorporeal blood circuit (102) in which a blood pump (110) is connected, with a CO.sub.2 exchange unit (112), and an oxygenator (128), whereby the gas exchange unit (112, 128) is in each case divided by a hydrophilic, water-wet membrane (114, 130) into a blood chamber (116, 132) and a gassing chamber (118, 134) which is under positive transmembrane pressure.

Abstract: An apparatus for trapping bubbles in blood flowing in a circuit, such as blood in an extracorporeal circuit, is provided. The apparatus includes a housing which defines a substantially vertical chamber. Blood is introduced into the chamber through an inlet tube extending downwardly into the chamber and is removed from the chamber at an exit port near the lower end of the housing. A diverter having a container base and rim is positioned within the chamber. Blood is introduced near the container base. The blood is redirected upward upon contact with the container base and is then redirected downward over the rim. The redirection of blood flow provides an opportunity for bubbles in the blood to separate from the blood in the chamber and also helps prevent stagnation of blood in the chamber which might otherwise lead to clotting and separation of the blood.Blood is introduced into a chamber of the apparatus in a generally downward direction below the level of blood already present in the chamber.

Abstract: An air elimination device for removing air or gas bubbles from aqueous liquids flowing through an intravenous delivery system. The device comprises a housing having an interior chamber, an inlet passage, an outlet passage, and one or more vent openings. The inlet passage delivers the liquid into the interior chamber. The outlet passage delivers the liquid from the interior chamber. A hydrophobic membrane is attached to the housing and positioned over the vent openings. The hydrophobic membrane allows gas bubbles in the aqueous liquid that enter the interior chamber of the housing to pass through the vent openings while preventing the liquid from passing through the vent openings. The outlet passage comprises a stem which extends inwardly into the interior chamber and terminates in an interior end.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for preventing the retrograde movement of a prescribed fluid away from a patient during use of an air eliminating filter in intravenous therapy. Such retrograde fluid movement is prevented by employing at least one vented valve assembly to prevent the displacement of air into a proximal chamber of an air eliminating filter.

Abstract: An infusion system with an air-in-line sensor is provided with improved apparatus and method for quickly and easily clearing small quantities of undissolved gas such as air from the sensor detection field. The infusion system includes an infusion pump having control components responsive to the air-in-line sensor to activate an alarm and/or to cease pump operation when undissolved gas is detected. A "clear air" key or switch is provided on the pump for actuation by medical personnel to operate the pump in a manner delivering a small pulse of the infusion liquid to move a small detected quantity of gas past the air-in-line sensor. The system can be adapted for actuation of the "clear air" key up to a selected number of times, while monitoring and accumulating the total fluid quantity delivered to a patient.

Abstract: A cardioplegia delivery device and method of use for delivering warm or cold cardioplegia fluid to the heart of a patient. The delivery device includes an air chamber having a housing with an integral pressure relief valve for diversion of cardioplegia fluid if the fluid pressure within the housing exceeds a predetermined pressure. The air chamber includes a membrane and one-way valve located near the top of the housing for removal of air from the cardioplegia fluid. The delivery device may include an integral heat exchanger for controlling the temperature of the cardioplegia fluid.

Abstract: This invention introduces a new unit for suctioning, injection and disposing of different fluids into and from the body of a human being by a special syringe which has a system that allows a fewer buttons or three way stop cocks to be used. This unit will be smaller than similar units and easier to be handled, and will allow a better observation of the intra-cardiac pressure of the patient to be done as well. Also this unit allows a push buttons to be used instead of use of three-way stop cock to avoid rotational motion of hands which some people do not like it.

Abstract: An air ejection system usable with a pressure vessel for a pumping segment for fluid flow and for incorporation into a fluid delivery system. The air ejection system includes a vane positioned directly in the fluid flow path to redirect flow into the pressure vessel to wash out air bubbles that may accumulate there. In one aspect, the vane is shaped to provide a redirected flow to wash the entire internal area of the pressure vessel. In another aspect, the vane is shaped so that when the pressure vessel is loaded by a pressure sensor, the redirected flow path has a uniform cross-sectional area throughout its entire length.

Abstract: An apparatus for trapping bubbles in blood flowing in a circuit, such as an extracorporeal circuit, includes a housing which defines a substantially vertical chamber having an upper subchamber and a lower subchamber. Blood flowing in a substantially downward direction is introduced into the upper subchamber chamber through a delivery port in a direction substantially transverse to a longitudinal axis of the upper subchamber. A substantially frustoconical deflector is positioned in the chamber opposite and spaced apart from the delivery port. The deflector deflects at least a portion of the blood into the upper subchamber above the deflector. Thereafter, the blood is removed from the chamber out an exit port of the chamber. The deflection and redirection of blood within the chamber provide an opportunity for gases in the blood to separate from the blood in the chamber and also helps prevent stagnation of blood in the chamber which might lead to clotting of the blood.

Abstract: An automatic flow regulator for use in a liquid management system is provided, as well as a method for its use. More particularly, a flow regulator and a method for its use are provided which can effectively regulate the flow of liquid in, e.g., an intravenous application. The flow regulator further provides de-bubbling features. For example, a deflector such as a dripdish and an air barrier are provided which serve to reduce the amount of bubbles in a liquid reservoir, greatly enhancing patient safety. The liquid may advantageously be an imaging liquid such as contrast.