Method and apparatus for degassing liquids

Claim 1

An improved degassing apparatus for use with artificial kidney machines for obtaining gas-free dialysis liquid for use in said artificial kidney machines, said degassing apparatus comprising: housing means defining a hollow interior; a generally cylindrical degassing member mounted in said housing and cooperating therewith to divide said interior into the outer and inner chambers, said degassing member having outer and inner surfaces each defining a wall of said outer and inner chambers respectively; means for supplying a liquid containing entrained and dissolved air to said outer chamber for exposure to the outer surface of said degassing member, and for passage through said degassing member only into said inner chamber; said degassing member being constructed of finely entwined porous epoxy resin having physical properties and density sufficient to cause the entrained and dissolved air in the liquid to coalesce near the outer surface of the degassing member as the result of the passage of said liquid only through said degassing member; and vent means including a float valve in said housing means for discharge of air from said outer chamber, said float valve being disposed to prevent escape of liquid through said vent means; said housing defining a passageway for discharge of degassed liquid from said inner chamber.