Dampening element for fluid management system

A fluid management system, comprising:

• a fluid pump capable of generating a pulsatile flow of fluid;
• a fluid pathway for transporting the pulsatile flow of fluid from a fluid source through the fluid pump to a medical device;
• a dampening element in fluid communication with the fluid pathway, the dampening element comprising a first barrel and a second barrel each having a first end with a port in fluid communication with the fluid pathway and an opposing second end, the dampening element being responsive to pressure fluctuations of the pulsatile fluid flow to actively dampen the pressure fluctuations and smoothen the pulsatile fluid flow;
• and
• a fluid flow sensor disposed along the fluid pathway between the dampening element and the medical device to measure a flow rate of the pulsatile fluid flow in both flow directions of the fluid pathway;
• wherein the first barrel includes a first movable seal member disposed within the first barrel, a first biasing member disposed within the first barrel and engaged with the first movable seal member, and a first cap secured to the second end of the first barrel, wherein the first biasing member is disposed between the first movable seal member and the first cap, the first barrel being configured to dampen the pressure fluctuations in a distal direction of the fluid pathway;
• wherein the second barrel includes a second movable seal member disposed within the second barrel, a second biasing member disposed within the second barrel and engaged with the second movable seal member, and a second cap secured to the second end of the second barrel, wherein the second biasing member is disposed between the second movable seal member and the first end of the second barrel, the second barrel being configured to dampen the pressure fluctuations in a proximal direction of the fluid pathway;
• wherein the first barrel and the second barrel are both positioned between the fluid pump and the fluid flow sensor.