US4900308A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Gas elimination device
Assignee: Smiths Medical ASD Inc
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Filing: 1988-08-23
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Granted: 1990-02-13
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Expires: 2008-08-23
Abstract
Abstract An air elimination device includes a plenum arranged to cause a reduction in flow velocity of a physiological fluid whereby air bubbles form and rise to the top of the plenum. A hydrophobic membrane covers the top of the plenum, and the pressure in the fluid is greater than that which is required to drive the released air through the membrane and into the atmosphere. The air which collects at the top of the plenum forms a protective surface on the bottom of the hydrophobic membrane to prevent its being clogged by cellular materials. A support stand engages the air eliminator to hold it in the desired orientation whereby the air bubbles form at the top of the plenum.
Inventors
- 👤 Wesley H. Verkaart
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 04:16
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M5/00; A61M5/36; A61M2205/00; A61M2205/75; A61M2205/7536
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
158 words
Apparatus for eliminating a gas from a cellular fluid comprising plenum means and mounting means, said plenum means comprising means for separating said gas from said cellular fluid, said means for separating consisting of a chamber for producing a vertical flow rate in a fluid flowing therethrough adequate to release said gas in the form of bubbles which rise to the top of said chamber when said chamber is vertical, said chamber having a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet below said fluid inlet, and a hydrophobic membrane above said fluid inlet when said chamber is in an operational orientation for freely receiving said bubbles and for passing said gas of said bubbles directly to the atmosphere through said membrane while preventing passage of said fluid, and wherein said mounting means comprises means for engaging support means for supporting said plenum only when said chamber is substantially vertical and for preventing rotating of said chamber about a horizontal axis.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
158 words
Apparatus for eliminating a gas from a cellular fluid comprising plenum means and mounting means, said plenum means comprising means for separating said gas from said cellular fluid, said means for separating consisting of a chamber for producing a vertical flow rate in a fluid flowing therethrough adequate to release said gas in the form of bubbles which rise to the top of said chamber when said chamber is vertical, said chamber having a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet below said fluid inlet, and a hydrophobic membrane above said fluid inlet when said chamber is in an operational orientation for freely receiving said bubbles and for passing said gas of said bubbles directly to the atmosphere through said membrane while preventing passage of said fluid, and wherein said mounting means comprises means for engaging support means for supporting said plenum only when said chamber is substantially vertical and for preventing rotating of said chamber about a horizontal axis.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said plenum comprises a hollow cylinder and said membrane means comprises a hydrophobic material extending completely across said cylinder.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 further comprising valve means in communication with said membrane means for venting gas from said plenum passed by said membrane means to the atmosphere and for preventing a flow of air from the atmosphere through said membrane.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said hollow cylinder has an inside diameter of about 0.500 inches, said inlet and outlet have inside diameters of about 0.155 inches, and said cylinder has a length of at least 4 inches.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 further comprising filter means for removing particulates from said fluid.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 further comprising said support means for supporting said plenum means, said support means comprising means for cooperating with said means for engaging for orienting said chamber substantially vertical.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said support means comprises means for holding a container of a physiological fluid a predetermined minimum distance above said plenum means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said predetermined minimum distance is the distance which will provide a pressure head adequate to force said gas through said membrane.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said support means engages said mounting means only when said hydrophobic filter is above said inlet.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said support means comprises a vertical stud, and said means for engaging comprises a recess.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said mounting means is designed to engage said support means only when said hydrophobic filter is above said inlet.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
132 words
A method for eliminating gas from a physiological fluid comprising providing an orientation-dependent means for separating said gas from said fluid, said means for separating comprising chamber means having a hydrophobic membrane at one end, an outlet at an opposite end and an inlet between said membrane and said outlet for allowing said gas to flow upwardly through said fluid only when said chamber means is vertical and means for engaging a support means for supporting said chamber means only when said chamber means is vertical and for preventing rotation of said chamber means about a horizontal axis, providing said means for supporting said chamber means only when said chamber is vertical, and attaching said chamber means to said means for supporting in an orientation wherein said membrane is above said inlet.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
132 words
A method for eliminating gas from a physiological fluid comprising providing an orientation-dependent means for separating said gas from said fluid, said means for separating comprising chamber means having a hydrophobic membrane at one end, an outlet at an opposite end and an inlet between said membrane and said outlet for allowing said gas to flow upwardly through said fluid only when said chamber means is vertical and means for engaging a support means for supporting said chamber means only when said chamber means is vertical and for preventing rotation of said chamber means about a horizontal axis, providing said means for supporting said chamber means only when said chamber is vertical, and attaching said chamber means to said means for supporting in an orientation wherein said membrane is above said inlet.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
57 words
A method according to claim 12 wherein said means for supporting further comprises means for holding a container of physiological fluid a predetermined minimum distance above said means for separating and further comprising the steps of attaching a said container to said means for holding and placing said container in fluid communication with said means for separating.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
149 words
In combination, gas eliminator means for separating a gas from a fluid and support means for supporting said gas eliminator means, said gas eliminator means comprising plenum means and mounting means, said plenum means consisting of a chamber for producing a vertical flow rate in a fluid flowing therethrough adequate to release said gas in the form of bubbles which rise to the top of said chamber when said chamber is substantially vertical, said chamber having a hydrophobic membrane at one end of said chamber, an outlet at an opposite end of said chamber, and an inlet between said membrane and said outlet, said hydrophobic membrane being for freely receiving said bubbles and for passing said gas directly to the atmosphere, said support means securely engaging and supporting said gas eliminator only when said chamber is substantially vertical and preventing rotation of said gas eliminator about a horizontal axis.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
149 words
In combination, gas eliminator means for separating a gas from a fluid and support means for supporting said gas eliminator means, said gas eliminator means comprising plenum means and mounting means, said plenum means consisting of a chamber for producing a vertical flow rate in a fluid flowing therethrough adequate to release said gas in the form of bubbles which rise to the top of said chamber when said chamber is substantially vertical, said chamber having a hydrophobic membrane at one end of said chamber, an outlet at an opposite end of said chamber, and an inlet between said membrane and said outlet, said hydrophobic membrane being for freely receiving said bubbles and for passing said gas directly to the atmosphere, said support means securely engaging and supporting said gas eliminator only when said chamber is substantially vertical and preventing rotation of said gas eliminator about a horizontal axis.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
40 words
A combination according to claim 14 wherein said support means comprises means for holding a container of a physiological fluid above said chamber by a sufficient distance to create a pressure head adequate to force said gas through said membrane.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-02-12 | 1993-08-14 | 1994-02-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-02-12 | 1997-08-14 | 1998-02-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-02-12 | 2001-08-14 | 2002-02-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |