Bubble-free connector for liquid carrying tubing

A system for connecting two blood carrying tubes, including means for permitting escape of an air bubble therefrom, to prevent an embolism in the blood stream, the system comprising:

• a first tube having an axis, a lumen therethrough, an open end, and a bubble elimination port formed in a wall of said first tube axially displaced from the open end of said first tube and in fluid communication with the lumen of said first tube;
• a second tube having a lumen therethrough and an open end;
• means for connecting the first and second tubes in a first position, with the open ends of the first and second tubes forming a fluid-tight connection, whereby the lumen of said first tube and the lumen of said second tube form a continuous fluid circuit, and the bubble elimination port is open to the continuous fluid circuit to permit escape of said air bubble from the continuous fluid circuit;
• and
• means for connecting the first and second tubes in a second position, so that the lumen of said first tube and the lumen of said second tube form a continuous fluid-tight circuit, and the bubble elimination port is closed by said second tube.