Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
51 words
A method of oxygenating blood comprising the steps of: injecting oxygen-rich gas into liquid blood to form a blood-gas mixture having bubbles therein; causing said mixture to follow a generally downward path from the point of mixing until oxygenation has been substantially completed; and defoaming said mixture to remove bubbles therefrom.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
51 words
A method of oxygenating blood comprising the steps of: injecting oxygen-rich gas into liquid blood to form a blood-gas mixture having bubbles therein; causing said mixture to follow a generally downward path from the point of mixing until oxygenation has been substantially completed; and defoaming said mixture to remove bubbles therefrom.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1 wherein substantial rotational movement is imparted to at least a portion of said bubbles, said rotation being sufficient to effectively increase the amount of oxygenation of the blood.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said mixture is caused to flow with a substantial absence of reverse flow.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said mixture is subjected to a heat exchange step.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 4 wherein said heat exchange comprises a filming heat exchange.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein, immediately after formation of said mixture, secondary flow is induced in said mixture.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 wherein, prior to formation of said mixture, the flow direction of the incoming liquid blood is substantially perpendicular to the direction of said downward flow.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the bubbles are caused to change shape from spherical to elongated ellipsoidal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 8 including the step of causing the shape of said ellipsoidal bubbles to change back to a spherical shape.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said downward flow of said mixture comprises a combination of vertically downward flow and helically downward flow.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
73 words
A method of oxygenating blood comprising the steps of: injecting oxygen-rich gas into liquid blood to form a blood-gas mixture having bubbles therein; causing said mixture to enter the upper end of a downwardly extending blood-oxygen mixing chamber; causing said mixture to follow a generally downward path from the point of mixing until oxygenation has been substantially completed; defoaming said mixture to remove bubbles therefrom; and removing oxygenated, liquid blood from said chamber.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
73 words
A method of oxygenating blood comprising the steps of: injecting oxygen-rich gas into liquid blood to form a blood-gas mixture having bubbles therein; causing said mixture to enter the upper end of a downwardly extending blood-oxygen mixing chamber; causing said mixture to follow a generally downward path from the point of mixing until oxygenation has been substantially completed; defoaming said mixture to remove bubbles therefrom; and removing oxygenated, liquid blood from said chamber.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 11 wherein substantial rotational movement is imparted to at least a portion of said bubbles, said rotation being sufficient to effectively increase the amount of oxygenation of the blood.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said mixture is caused to flow with a substantial absence of reverse flow.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said mixture is subjected to a heat exchange step.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 14 wherein said heat exchange comprises a filming heat exchange.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 11 wherein, immediately after formation of said mixture, secondary flow is induced in said mixture.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 11 wherein, prior to formation of said mixture, the flow direction of the incoming liquid blood is substantially perpendicular to the direction of said downward flow.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 11 wherein at least a portion of the bubbles are caused to change shape from spherical to elongated ellipsoidal.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 18 including the step of causing the shape of said ellipsoidal bubbles to change back to a spherical shape.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said downward flow of said mixture comprises a combination of vertically downward flow and helically downward flow.