Intravenous fluid delivery system with air elimination

An air elimination system, for an intravenous fluid delivery system for intravenous injection of fluid into a patient, comprising:

• an intravenous line;
• separation means for permitting the separation of air from the fluid;
• air-detection means, disposed in the intravenous line, for detecting air in the fluid, and emitting a fault-condition signal;
• a return line connecting the separation means to a point in the intravenous line downstream of the air-detection means;
• valve means, disposed in the intravenous line and return line, for permitting (i) flow through the return line or (ii) to the patient;
• pump means for urging fluid through the return line upon activation;
• and
• control means, in communication with the air-detection means, for (i) setting the valve means to permit flow through the return line and activating the pump means, so as to move air and fluid from the air-detection means to the separation means, in response to a fault-condition signal, and otherwise (ii) setting the valve means to permit flow to the patient.