Integrated blood handling system having active gas removal system and methods of use

Apparatus for oxygenating and pumping blood comprising:

• a venous line;
• an arterial line;
• and
• a blood circuit coupled between the venous line and the arterial line, the blood circuit comprising a gas removal system, a pump and an oxygenator coupled together in a fixed, predetermined arrangement, wherein the pump is coupled in fluid communication between the oxygenator and the gas removal system to induce a negative pressure in the gas removal system and the venous line;
• and
• wherein the gas removal system is coupled to the venous line and comprises:
• a housing having a gas collection plenum and a gas removal port,
• a sensor disposed on the housing to monitor a level of gas or blood in the gas collection plenum;
• a suction line coupled to the gas removal port;
• a valve operatively associated with the suction line;
• a microprocessor-based controller coupled to the sensor to continuously monitor the level of gas or blood in the gas collection plenum, the controller programmed to selectively actuate the valve to remove gas accumulated in the gas collection plenum;
• and
• a control panel coupled to the controller, the control panel configured to accept input commands that control operation of the gas removal system.