Flexible filter disposed within flexible conductor

In an IV delivery system a device in which a flexible tubular filter membrane is disposed within a flexible IV conductor tubing which includes a vent, said conductor tubing capable of being formed into a bend of less than one inch radius without collapsing the wall of said flexible tubing and with said tubing having a wall of sufficient thickness and composition so as to prevent collapse when the conductor tubing is empty, this device including:

• (a) a length of flexible conductor tubing having a substantially constant configuration;
• (b) a length of flexible tubular filter membrane which is bacteria retentive and sized so that the outer diameter of said tubular filter membrane is smaller than the inner diameter of said IV conductor tubing and with the IV conductor tubing enclosing said tubular filter membrane, and between this tubular filter and IV conductor tubing there is sufficient space for fluid flow, said flexible tubular filter membrane being hydrophilic so as to pass fluid absent the passage of air or gas;
• (c) a second filter providing vent means and of hydrophobic material and operatively connected to that space between the flexible tubular filter and the interior of the flexible connector tubing, this second filter and vent means secured in a housing so as to protect this second filter from penetration damage and dislocation, location, this second filter disposed so that air or gas from said space between the IV conductor and the inner flexible filter is required to pass only through said second hydrophobic filter;
• (d) a closure means at one end of the flexible tubular filter membrane and configured and disposed to exclude fluid flow from the tubular conductor tubing to the interior of the flexible tubular filter membrane except through the sidewall portion of said filter membrane;
• (e) a closure connector at the other end of this flexible tubular filter membrane, this closure connection providing a fluid flow path from the interior of the flexible tubular filter membrane to external means, and
• (f) a tubular conductor associated with said connector, with said connector having means providing a tubular connecting portion which is tightly connected to said tubular filter membrane and with said connecting portion being attached so as to inhibit any fluid flow through transverse portions of the filter membrane at said connecting portion.

A body fluid drainage device in which a flexible tubular filter membrane is disposed within a flexible conductor tubing, said conductor tubing capable of being formed into a bend of less than two-inch radius without collapsing the wall of said flexible tubing and with said tubing having a wall of sufficient thickness and composition so as to prevent collapse when the conductor tubing is empty, this device including:

• (a) a length of flexible conductor tubing having a substantially constant configuration;
• (b) a length of flexible tubular filter membrane in which the filter is bacteria retentive and sized so that the outer diameter of said tubular filter membrane is smaller than the inner diameter of the conductor tubing and with the conductor tubing enclosing said tubular filter membrane, and between this tubular filter and conductor tubing there is sufficient space for fluid flow, said flexible tubular filter membrane being hydrophilic so as to pass fluid absent the passage of air or gas;
• (c) a second filter providing vent means and of hydrophobic material and operatively connected to that space between the flexible tubular filter and the interior of the flexible connector tubing, this second filter and vent means secured in a housing so as to protect this second filter from penetration damage and dislocation, this second filter disposed so that air or gas from said space between the IV conductor and the inner flexible filter is required to pass only through said second hydrophobic filter;
• (d) a closure means at one end of the flexible tubular filter membrane and configured and disposed to exclude fluid flow from the tubular conductor tubing to the interior of the flexible tubular filter membrane except through the sidewall portion of said filter membrane;
• (e) a closure connector at the other end of this flexible tubular filter membrane, this closure connection providing a fluid flow path from the interior of the flexible tubular filter membrane to external means, and
• (f) a tubular conductor associated with said connector, with said connector having means providing a tubular connecting portion which is connected tightly to said tubular filter membrane and with said connecting portion being attached so as to inhibit any fluid flow through transverse portions of the filter membrane at said connecting portion.