Manual/auto-prime air eliminator

Abstract

A vent system for an infusion drip chamber is provided according to the invention. The vent system includes an automatic air eliminator communicating with an interior and an exterior of the infusion drip chamber. The automatic air eliminator is capable of automatically venting air from the infusion drip chamber in a substantially continuous manner. The vent system further includes a mechanical air eliminator communicating with the interior and the exterior of the infusion drip chamber. The manual air eliminator is capable of mechanically venting air from the infusion drip chamber at discrete time intervals.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A vent system for an infusion drip chamber, comprising: 
 an automatic air eliminator communicating with an interior and an exterior of said infusion drip chamber and capable of automatically venting air from said infusion drip chamber in a substantially continuous manner;    a mechanical air eliminator communicating with said interior and said exterior of said infusion drip chamber and capable of mechanically venting air from said infusion drip chamber at discrete time intervals.    
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said mechanical air eliminator and said automatic air eliminator are capable of simultaneously eliminating air from said infusion drip chamber.  
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said mechanical venting occurs independently of said automatic venting.  
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said mechanical venting occurs after said automatic venting.  
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said mechanical air eliminator and said automatic air eliminator are capable of being used in combination to increase an air venting rate.  
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said automatic air eliminator includes a hydrophobic element and wherein said mechanical air eliminator is capable of eliminating air from said infusion drip chamber even when said hydrophobic element of said automatic air eliminator is wetted.  
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , with said automatic air eliminator further comprising: 
 a body including a body air passage, said body air passage communicates with said interior of said infusion drip chamber;    a hydrophobic element capable of allowing air to pass through and capable of blocking fluid;    a receptacle chamber capable of receiving said hydrophobic element; and    a cap including a cap air passage and capable of fitting in said receptacle chamber and retaining said hydrophobic element;    wherein said cap air passage communicates with said exterior of said infusion drip chamber and is substantially aligned with said body air passage when said cap is in position at least partially in said receptacle chamber and wherein vented air must pass through said hydrophobic element.    
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein said cap is retained in said receptacle chamber by a friction fit.  
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein said cap is retained in said receptacle chamber by a snap fit.  
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein said cap air passage is substantially coaxial with said body air passage when said cap is in position at least partially in said receptacle chamber.  
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , with said mechanical air eliminator further comprising: 
 a deformable conduit capable of fitting in a port of said infusion drip chamber; and    a manually deformable ball positioned in said conduit and of a size to normally substantially seal said conduit;    wherein when said ball is deformed, air is allowed to pass around said ball and vent through said conduit.    
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , with said mechanical air eliminator further comprising: 
 a conduit capable of fitting in a port of said infusion drip chamber;    a plunger chamber formed in said conduit;    a plunger movable in said plunger chamber;    a biasing device operative to maintain said plunger in a normally closed position; and    at least one vent opening in said plunger chamber and communicating with said exterior of said infusion drip chamber, with said at least one vent opening being spaced apart from said plunger when said plunger is in said normally closed position;    wherein said plunger is capable of being displaced by a positive air pressure in said drip chamber until said at least one vent opening communicates with said interior of said infusion drip chamber and vents said infusion drip chamber.    
     
     
         13 . An air venting method for an infusion drip chamber, comprising the steps of: 
 providing an automatic air eliminator capable of substantially, automatically and continuously venting said air; and    providing a mechanical air eliminator capable of mechanically venting said air at discrete time intervals.    
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said mechanical air eliminator is capable of being manually manipulated to vent said air when a hydrophobic element of said automatic air eliminator is wetted.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said mechanical venting occurs after said automatic venting.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said mechanical venting occurs simultaneously with said automatic venting.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said mechanical venting occurs independently of said automatic venting.