Apparatus and methods for intravenous gas elimination

Abstract

A gas elimination apparatus and a method for use in an intravenous delivery system are provided. The apparatus includes a fluid inlet coupling a fluid flow into a liquid chamber, a fluid outlet protruding into the liquid chamber, and a flow diversion member proximal to the fluid outlet. The flow diversion member configured to block a direct flow between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet. The apparatus includes a membrane separating a portion of the liquid chamber from an outer chamber and a gas venting valve fluidically coupling the outer chamber with the atmosphere. The flow diversion member may be mechanically supported by at least one strut or elongate member extending along a flow direction into the liquid chamber.

1 .- 40 . (canceled) 
     
     
         41 . An apparatus for use in an intravenous delivery system, comprising:
 a fluid inlet coupling a fluid flow into a liquid chamber;   a fluid outlet protruding into the liquid chamber;   a flow diversion member proximal to the fluid outlet, the flow diversion member configured to block a direct flow between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet;   a membrane comprising a wall concentrically disposed around the liquid chamber from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet and separating the liquid chamber from an outer chamber, the membrane configured to allow a gas to pass from the liquid chamber to the outer chamber; and   an end wall perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the liquid chamber, the end wall being impermeable to the fluid flow and to the gas.   
     
     
         42 . The apparatus of  claim 41 , wherein the flow diversion member comprises an ellipsoidal shape longitudinally disposed along the flow direction. 
     
     
         43 . The apparatus of  claim 41 , wherein the flow diversion member comprises an umbrella shape having a convex portion disposed towards the fluid inlet. 
     
     
         44 . The apparatus of  claim 41 , wherein the flow diversion member comprises a conical shape having an apex disposed towards the fluid inlet. 
     
     
         45 . The apparatus of  claim 41 , wherein the flow diversion member comprises a pyramidal shape having an apex disposed towards the fluid inlet. 
     
     
         46 . The apparatus of  claim 41 , further comprising a strut connecting the flow diversion member to a support cage. 
     
     
         47 . The apparatus of  claim 46 , further comprising a support disposed at an end of the strut, wherein the support connects the strut to the support cage. 
     
     
         48 . The apparatus of  claim 41 , further comprising an outer wall concentrically disposed around the outer chamber, the outer wall configured to be impermeable to the fluid flow and to the gas. 
     
     
         49 . The apparatus of  claim 48 , further comprising a gas venting valve fluidically coupling the outer chamber with an atmosphere. 
     
     
         50 . The apparatus of  claim 49 , wherein the outer wall comprises a fence around the gas venting valve, the fence configured to prevent an external object from exerting pressure on the valve. 
     
     
         51 . The apparatus of  claim 41 , wherein the flow diversion member is mechanically supported by an elongate member extending along a flow direction into the liquid chamber. 
     
     
         52 . The apparatus of  claim 51 , wherein the elongate member is supported by one of the fluid inlet or the fluid outlet. 
     
     
         53 . A system, comprising:
 a container including an intravenous liquid;   a mechanism to provide a pressure to move the intravenous liquid through a fluid line to a patient; and   a gas elimination apparatus fluidically coupled with the fluid line, and configured to remove gas bubbles from the intravenous liquid, wherein the gas elimination apparatus comprises:
 a fluid inlet coupling a fluid flow into a liquid chamber; 
 a fluid outlet protruding into the liquid chamber; 
 a flow diversion member proximal to the fluid outlet, the flow diversion member configured to block a direct flow between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet; 
 a membrane comprising a wall concentrically disposed around the liquid chamber from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet and separating the liquid chamber from an outer chamber, the membrane configured to allow a gas to pass from the liquid chamber to the outer chamber; 
 a first end wall perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the liquid chamber and disposed at a first end of the concentric membrane wall; and 
 a second end wall perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the liquid chamber and disposed at a second end of the concentric membrane wall, the first end wall and the second end wall each being impermeable to the fluid flow and to the gas. 
   
     
     
         54 . The system of  claim 53 , further comprising a strut connecting the flow diversion member to a support cage. 
     
     
         55 . The system of  claim 54 , further comprising a support disposed at an end of the strut, wherein the support connects the strut to the support cage. 
     
     
         56 . The system of  claim 53 , wherein the flow diversion member in the gas elimination apparatus is selected from the group consisting of an ellipsoidal shape longitudinally disposed along the flow direction, an umbrella shape having a convex portion disposed towards the fluid inlet, a conical shape having an apex disposed towards the fluid inlet, and a pyramidal shape having an apex disposed towards the fluid inlet. 
     
     
         57 . The system of  claim 53 , further comprising a gas venting valve fluidically coupling the outer chamber with an atmosphere. 
     
     
         58 . The system of  claim 57 , further comprising an outer wall concentrically disposed around the outer chamber, the outer wall configured to be impermeable to the fluid flow and to the gas. 
     
     
         59 . The system of  claim 58 , wherein the outer wall comprises a fence around the gas venting valve, the fence configured to prevent an external object from exerting pressure on the valve. 
     
     
         60 . The system of  claim 53 , wherein the mechanism to provide a pressure comprises one of a pump, or a frame to place the container at a higher elevation relative to the patient.