Biological fluid filtration systems and methods
OwnerBryan Blickhan, Anthony Oleszkiewiczinventors
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Abstract
Biological fluid filtration systems and methods are provided for the treatment of air within the system. A filtration system includes a pre-filter container joined to an expandable post-filter container by a filter line having a filter. The post-filter container includes a volume restriction that limits its expansion upon receipt of a filtered fluid. In use, a fluid is transferred from the pre-filter container, through the filter line and the filter, to the post-filter container. The volume restriction limits the expansion of the post-filter container during filtration, which increases the pressure within the post-filter container, thereby improving removal of air from the post-filter container.
Claims55
A biological fluid filtration system comprising:
- a pre-filter container adapted to contain a biological fluid;
- a filter for filtering the biological fluid;
- an expandable post-filter container adapted to contain a filtered biological fluid;
- a filter inlet flow path extending between the pre-filter container and a filter inlet;
- a filter outlet flow path extending between the post-filter container and a filter outlet;
- and
- a volume restriction cooperatively associated with the post-filter container for limiting the expansion of the post-filter container upon receipt of a biological fluid therein.
A method of filtering a biological fluid, comprising:
- flowing a biological fluid from a pre-filter container, through a filter, and into an expandable post-filter container;
- and
- restraining the expansion of the post-filter container upon receipt of biological fluid therein.
A method of filtering a biological fluid, comprising:
- providing a biological fluid filtration system having
- a pre-filter container adapted to contain a biological fluid,
- a filter for filtering the biological fluid,
- an expandable post-filter container adapted to contain a filtered biological fluid,
- a filter inlet flow path extending between the pre-filter container and a filter inlet, and
- a filter outlet flow path extending between the post-filter container and a filter outlet;
- suspending the pre-filter container containing a biological fluid at a higher vertical elevation than the filter and the post-filter container;
- allowing biological fluid to flow through the filter and into the post-filter container;
- restraining the expansion of the post-filter container upon receipt of biological fluid therein
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.