Fluid and air handling in blood and dialysis circuits

US8444587B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignees

• Baxter International Inc. · US
• Baxter Healthcare SA · CH

Inventors

• Thomas D. Kelly · Portland, US
• Marc Steven Minkus · Bannockburn, US
• Angelito A. Bernardo · River Forest, US
• William P. Burns · Channahon, US
• Robert W. Childers · Holiday, US
• Shincy J. Maliekkal · Glenview, US
• Matthew R. Muller · Lindenhurst, US
• Justin Rohde · Des Plaines, US
• Michael E. Hogard · Land O' Lakes, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 24, 2008
• Grant date: May 21, 2013
• Expiry date: Mar 4, 2032

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T137/0402
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

An air purging method includes: (a) detecting a low fluid level in a blood circuit indicating a high amount of air in the blood circuit; (b) stopping a blood pump; (c) closing a venous patient line; (d) opening a blood circuit air vent valve and a drain valve; and (e) running the blood pump to meter air through the air vent valve and the drain valve to a drain.