US5882325A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrostatic blood defoamer for heart-lung machine
Assignee: Medtronic Inc
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Filing: 1997-07-28
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Granted: 1999-03-16
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Expires: 2017-07-28
Abstract
Abstract In a heart-lung machine, blood is defoamed without the use of defoaming chemicals by passing blood between parallel insulated electrodes whose electric field orients the blood protein molecules to break up the foam bubbles. The blood then passes into the venous reservoir through a bubble screen which traps any remaining bubbles.
Inventors
- 👤 Sean D. Plunkett
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 05:57
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M1/00; A61M1/36; A61M1/3621; A61M1/3627; A61M1/14; A61M1/32; A61M1/322; A61M1/3666; A61M1/3667
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
102 words
A defoaming blood reservoir for a heart-lung machine, comprising: a) a body; b) a cover on said body; c) a bubble screen disposed in said body and cooperating with said cover to form an enclosed foaming chamber having a blood inlet and a bubble screen through which the blood exits said chamber; d) an electrode structure disposed in said defoaming chamber, said electrode structure including a pair of biocompatibly insulated electrodes connected to a direct current voltage source; e) said electrodes being so arranged that blood entering said chamber passes between said electrodes and is defoamed thereby prior to exiting said chamber.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
102 words
A defoaming blood reservoir for a heart-lung machine, comprising: a) a body; b) a cover on said body; c) a bubble screen disposed in said body and cooperating with said cover to form an enclosed foaming chamber having a blood inlet and a bubble screen through which the blood exits said chamber; d) an electrode structure disposed in said defoaming chamber, said electrode structure including a pair of biocompatibly insulated electrodes connected to a direct current voltage source; e) said electrodes being so arranged that blood entering said chamber passes between said electrodes and is defoamed thereby prior to exiting said chamber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1, in which said electrode structure includes a plurality of parallel, interleaved electrodes of alternating polarity.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 1, in which the voltage gradient between said electrodes is substantially 10 4 V/cm.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-03-15 | 2002-09-14 | 2003-03-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-03-15 | 2006-09-14 | 2007-03-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-03-15 | 2010-09-14 | 2011-03-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |