Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
226 words
A method of operating fluid flow transfer apparatus, said method comprising providing a fluid flow transfer device, an arterial chamber, and a venous chamber, an inlet of said fluid flow transfer device being connected to an outlet of said arterial chamber, an outlet of said fluid flow transfer device being lower than said inlet of said transfer device and being connected to an inlet to said venous chamber, said arterial chamber having an inlet entering said arterial chamber at a position higher than said arterial chamber outlet, said venous chamber inlet entering said venous chamber at a position higher than an outlet of said venous chamber, and priming a blood flow path of said apparatus by pumping sterile priming solution through said venous chamber, fluid flow transfer device and arterial chamber in the opposite direction from normal operation of said apparatus, namely into said outlet of said venous chamber, whereby said sterile solution rises in said venous chamber to the level of the entrance of said venous chamber inlet, flows upward through said fluid flow transfer device, removing air bubbles in it, and into said arterial chamber, rising in said arterial chamber to the level of the entrance of said arterial chamber inlet, whereby the initial liquid levels and amounts of air in said arterial and venous chambers are automatically fixed at predetermined levels and amounts.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
226 words
A method of operating fluid flow transfer apparatus, said method comprising providing a fluid flow transfer device, an arterial chamber, and a venous chamber, an inlet of said fluid flow transfer device being connected to an outlet of said arterial chamber, an outlet of said fluid flow transfer device being lower than said inlet of said transfer device and being connected to an inlet to said venous chamber, said arterial chamber having an inlet entering said arterial chamber at a position higher than said arterial chamber outlet, said venous chamber inlet entering said venous chamber at a position higher than an outlet of said venous chamber, and priming a blood flow path of said apparatus by pumping sterile priming solution through said venous chamber, fluid flow transfer device and arterial chamber in the opposite direction from normal operation of said apparatus, namely into said outlet of said venous chamber, whereby said sterile solution rises in said venous chamber to the level of the entrance of said venous chamber inlet, flows upward through said fluid flow transfer device, removing air bubbles in it, and into said arterial chamber, rising in said arterial chamber to the level of the entrance of said arterial chamber inlet, whereby the initial liquid levels and amounts of air in said arterial and venous chambers are automatically fixed at predetermined levels and amounts.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
62 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising connecting the inlet of said arterial chamber to a patient, pumping in the direction opposite to that during said priming until said sterile solution in said apparatus has been replaced by blood, connecting the outlet of said venous chamber to said patient and continuing pumping in the same direction to cause transfer in said device.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 2 further comprising sensing the pressure in said arterial and venous chambers during said continuing pumping.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
59 words
The method of claim 3 further comprising connecting said inlet of said arterial chamber to a sterile solution, pumping to return blood to said patient, disconnecting said patient, turning said device and arterial and venous chambers upside down, and pumping disinfecting solution through said venous chamber outlet and through all regions in the blood flow path of said apparatus.