# US 10,869,972 B2 · Gas removal systems and methods > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,869,972 B2 - Document ID: US10869972B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/168,297 - Filed: 2018-10-23 - Published: 2019-02-21 - Granted: 2020-12-22 - Earliest claimed: 2018-10-23 - Assignees: Ailnh, LLC - Applicants: Norton Herrick; David Saloff; Richard Green - Inventors: Norton Herrick; David Saloff; Richard Green - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10869972B2 ## CPC - A61M 5/36: with means for eliminating or preventing injection or infusion of air into body (dialysis systems, blood oxygenators A61M1/14; haemofiltration equipment A61M1/34; {automatic tube cut-off A61M39/281}) - A61M 5/14: Infusion devices, e.g. infusing by gravity; Blood infusion; Accessories therefor - A61M 5/142: Pressure infusion, e.g. using pumps - A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)} ## 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. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An air removal device for an intravenous fluid system, comprising: a housing comprising: 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; a disrupting element disposed within the housing in a flow path of the fluid, wherein the flow path of the fluid is substantially linear between the inlet and the fluid outlet and wherein the disrupting element comprises a protrusion extending across the flow path; and an air chamber in fluid communication with the air outlet; wherein the disrupting element further comprises 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. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The air removal device of claim 1, wherein the disrupting element comprises a plurality of protrusions spaced along the main body. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The air removal device of claim 1, wherein the disrupting element extends through the air outlet into the air chamber. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The air removal device of claim 1, wherein the air outlet and the air chamber are positioned upstream from the fluid outlet. ### Claim 5 An air removal device for an intravenous fluid system, the device comprising: a housing comprising: 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; a disrupting element disposed within the housing in a flow path of the fluid, wherein the flow path of the fluid is substantially linear between the inlet and the fluid outlet and wherein the disrupting element comprises a protrusion extending across the flow path; and an air chamber in fluid communication with the air outlet; wherein the disrupting element further comprises 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; 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. ### Claim 6 A method of removing air from a fluid in an intravenous fluid system, the method comprising: providing an intravenous fluid system for use with a fluid bag, 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 passively remove air from the fluid; and wherein the air removal device further comprises an air chamber comprising a variable internal volume inserting the inlet into the fluid bag such that the passage is in fluid communication with the interior of the fluid bag; preventing the flow of fluid through the passage with the clamping device; increasing the internal volume of the air chamber; and releasing the clamp to allow fluid to flow through the passage such that the air removal device removes air from the fluid. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6, wherein the intravenous fluid system comprises a cassette disposed between the air removal device and the outlet, the cassette configured to interface with the pump.