Gas Removal Systems and Methods

Abstract

An air removal device for an intravenous fluid system includes a housing with an inlet for fluid communication with a fluid source, a fluid outlet for fluid communication with a blood vessel of a patient, and an air outlet. The air removal device further includes a disrupting element disposed within the housing in a flow path between the inlet and the fluid outlet, and an air chamber in fluid communication with the air outlet. The disrupting element includes a protrusion extending across the flow path. The flow path includes a first cross-sectional flow area at the inlet, and a second cross-sectional flow area at the protrusion. The second cross-sectional flow area is smaller than the first cross-sectional flow area.

1 . An air removal device, the device comprising:
 a housing comprising:
 an inlet for fluid communication with a fluid source; 
 a fluid outlet for fluid communication with a patient; and 
 an air outlet; 
   a disrupting element disposed within the housing in a flow path of the fluid and further comprising a main body extending in the direction of the flow path, the flow path comprising a third cross-sectional flow area at the main body, and wherein the third cross-sectional flow area is greater than the second cross-sectional flow area and smaller than the first cross-sectional flow area; and   an air chamber in fluid communication with the air outlet.   
     
     
         2 - 3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . The air removal device of  claim 1 , wherein the disrupting element comprises a plurality of protrusions spaced along the main body. 
     
     
         5 . The air removal device of  claim 1 , wherein the disrupting element extends through the air outlet into the air chamber. 
     
     
         6 . The air removal device of  claim 1 , wherein the air outlet and the air chamber are positioned upstream from the fluid outlet. 
     
     
         7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . An air removal device, the device comprising:
 a housing comprising:
 an inlet for fluid communication with a fluid source; 
 a fluid outlet for fluid communication with a patient; and 
 an air outlet; 
   a disrupting element disposed within the housing in a flow path of the fluid and further comprising a main body extending in the direction of the flow path, the flow path comprising a third cross-sectional flow area at the main body, and wherein the third cross-sectional flow area is greater than the second cross-sectional flow area and smaller than the first cross-sectional flow area; and   an air chamber in fluid communication with the air outlet;   wherein the air chamber comprises a variable internal volume; and   wherein the air chamber comprises a flexible sidewall, a collapsible accordion sidewall, or a flexible bladder.   
     
     
         9 - 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . A method of claim  18 , removing air from a fluid in an intravenous fluid system, the method comprising:
 providing an intravenous fluid system, the fluid system comprising:
 an inlet; 
 an outlet; 
 a passage through which a fluid may pass from the inlet to the outlet; and 
 an air removal device disposed in a flow path of the fluid; 
 wherein the flow path of the fluid is substantially linear between the inlet and the outlet, and wherein the air removal device is configured to remove air from the fluid; and wherein the air removal device further comprises an air chamber, 
   connecting the air removal device to the fluid system allowing it to remove air from the fluid system.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the intravenous fluid system also comprises a cassette disposed between the air removal device and the outlet, the cassette configured to interface with the fluid system.