Gas removal apparatus and related methods

Abstract

An apparatus having an outer wall that encompasses an interior chamber that holds a predetermined volume of fluid and gas where the gas rises to one end of the interior chamber and the fluid flows to the other end of the interior chamber. The apparatus also has an inlet port that allows for fluid to ingress into the interior chamber and an outlet port that allows for fluid to egress out of the interior chamber.

1 : An apparatus consisting of:
 an outer area, wherein the outer area encompasses an interior chamber, the interior chamber having a top and bottom area of the chamber and the interior chamber being empty and free of any diffuser, and capable of   holding a volume of fluid and gas, wherein the gas rises to one end of the interior chamber, and wherein the fluid flows to the other end of the interior chamber;   an inlet port, wherein the inlet port allows for fluid to ingress into the interior chamber; and   an outlet port, wherein the outlet port allows for fluid to egress out of the interior chamber;   wherein the inlet port is located at a distance closer to the bottom area of the chamber than the top portion of the chamber.   
     
     
         2 - 4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 : The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the inlet port is at an angle that is less than perpendicular and greater than parallel to the outer area. 
     
     
         6 : The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus further comprises a valve to remove the gas from the interior chamber and to allow for more liquid to ingress into the interior chamber through the inlet port. 
     
     
         7 : The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is oriented at least 14 degrees from the horizontal plane. 
     
     
         8 : The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the outlet port is located on the outer area and aligned along a center axis. 
     
     
         9 : The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the valve is a one-way valve. 
     
     
         10 : The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the valve is closed to trap the gas until opened to allow for the gas to egress from the interior chamber. 
     
     
         11 : The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the valve is a Luer-activated valve. 
     
     
         12 : An apparatus consisting of:
 an outer area, wherein the outer area encompasses an interior chamber, the interior chamber having a top and bottom wall of the chamber and;   an interior chamber being empty and free of any diffuser;   an inlet port, wherein the inlet port is attached to the outer area at an angle from the outer area;   an outlet port on one end of the outer area; and   a valve on the opposite end of the outer area as the outlet port, wherein the valve and the outlet port are on opposite ends of the outer area and are aligned along a center axis;   wherein the inlet port is located at a distance closer to the bottom area of the chamber than the top area of the chamber.   
     
     
         13 : The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the inlet port is at an angle of about 35 degrees. 
     
     
         14 : The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the inlet port is at an angle that is greater than 10 degrees but less than or equal to 90 degrees to the outer area. 
     
     
         15 : The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the valve is a Luer-activated valve and wherein the valve is closed to trap air or gas inside the interior chamber. 
     
     
         16 : The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the apparatus is oriented at least 14 degrees from the horizontal plane. 
     
     
         17 : An apparatus consisting of:
 an outer area, wherein the outer area encompasses an interior chamber, the interior chamber having a top and bottom area of the chamber and the interior chamber being empty and free of any diffuser;   an inlet port, wherein the inlet port is attached to the outer area at a degree that is less than perpendicular and greater than parallel to the outer area;   an outlet port on one end of the outer area;   a valve on the opposite end of the outer area as the outlet port, wherein the valve and the outlet port are on opposite ends of the outer area and are aligned along a center axis, and wherein the valve is closed to trap air or gas inside the interior chamber; and   A tubing clip that is attached to the outer area, wherein the tubing clip can hold a tube of at least 2 mm in diameter;   wherein the inlet port is located at a distance closer to the bottom area of the chamber than the top area of the chamber.   
     
     
         18 : The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the valve is a Luer-activated valve. 
     
     
         19 : The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein an object is inserted into the valve to remove the air or gas from the interior chamber and to allow for more liquid to ingress into the interior chamber through the inlet port. 
     
     
         20 : The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the apparatus is oriented at least 14 degrees from the horizontal plane.