Apparatus and method for removing gasses from a liquid

A medical device for removing gas from a liquid to be delivered to a patient, the device comprising:

• a housing defining a chamber including a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet;
• a filter structure disposed within the chamber, the filter structure comprising:
• a first gas permeable membrane layer including an inner surface and an outer surface;
• a gas permeable spacer layer;
• a second gas permeable membrane layer including an inner surface and an outer surface;
• and a liquid permeable spacer layer;
• the first and second membrane layers being connected and defining an inner gas collection space between the inner surfaces of the first and second membrane layers, and defining a liquid flow space separated from the gas collection space by at least one of the membrane layers;
• the gas permeable spacer layer being disposed within the gas collection space, and the liquid permeable spacer layer being disposed within the liquid flow space;
• a gas outlet in fluid communication with the gas collection space;
• a first liquid path conduit within the chamber and in fluid communication with the liquid inlet and the liquid outlet, the gas filter structure being disposed within the first liquid path conduit;
• a second liquid path conduit within the chamber and in fluid communication with the liquid inlet and the liquid outlet;
• and
• a valve assembly configured to allow for the flow of liquid from the liquid inlet to the liquid outlet through the first liquid path conduit while preventing the flow of liquid from the liquid inlet to the liquid outlet through the second liquid path conduit, and the valve assembly further configured to allow for the flow of liquid from the liquid outlet to the liquid inlet through the second liquid path conduit while preventing the flow of liquid from the liquid outlet to the liquid inlet through the first liquid path conduit.

A medical device for removing gas from a liquid to be delivered to a patient, the device comprising:

• a housing defining a chamber including a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet;
• a filter structure disposed within the chamber, the filter structure comprising a first gas permeable membrane layer spaced apart from a second gas permeable membrane layer, both layers including an inner surface, an outer surface, and an outer periphery, the first and second layers connected to each other along at least a portion of the outer peripheries and defining a gas collection space between the inner surfaces of the first and second layers, and defining a liquid flow space along at least a portion of the outer surface of one or both of the first and second layers;
• a gas outlet in fluid communication with the gas collection space;
• a first liquid path conduit within the chamber and in fluid communication with the liquid inlet and the liquid outlet, the gas filter structure being disposed within the first liquid path conduit;
• a second liquid path conduit within the chamber and in fluid communication with the liquid inlet and the liquid outlet;
• and
• a valve assembly configured to allow for the flow of liquid from the liquid inlet to the liquid outlet through the first liquid path conduit while preventing the flow of liquid from the liquid inlet to the liquid outlet through the second liquid path conduit, and the valve assembly further configured to allow for the flow of liquid from the liquid outlet to the liquid inlet through the second liquid path conduit while preventing the flow of liquid from the liquid outlet to the liquid inlet through the first liquid path conduit.

A medical fluid delivery system for use in delivering a liquid to a patient, the system comprising:

• a fluid delivery manifold including a manifold body defining a fluid delivery lumen, the manifold including one or more liquid inlet ports and one or more liquid outlet ports in selective fluid communication with the fluid delivery lumen;
• and
• a device for removing gas from the liquid, the device being configured to be connected to at least one of the ports of the manifold, the device including a housing defining a chamber including a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet;
• a gas filter structure disposed within the chamber, the filter structure comprising a first gas permeable membrane layer spaced from a second gas permeable membrane layer, the first and second layers defining a gas collection space between the first and second layers, and defining a liquid flow space separated from the gas collection space by at least one of the membrane layers;
• a gas outlet in fluid communication with the gas collection space;
• a first liquid path conduit within the chamber and in fluid communication with the liquid inlet and the liquid outlet, the gas filter structure being disposed within the first liquid path conduit;
• a second liquid path conduit within the chamber and in fluid communication with the liquid inlet and the liquid outlet;
• and
• a valve assembly configured to allow for the flow of liquid from the liquid inlet to the liquid outlet through the first liquid path conduit while preventing the flow of liquid from the liquid inlet to the liquid outlet through the second liquid path conduit, and the valve assembly further configured to allow for the flow of liquid from the liquid outlet to the liquid inlet through the second liquid path conduit while preventing the flow of liquid from the liquid outlet to the liquid inlet through the first liquid path conduit.

A method for removing gasses from a liquid to be delivered to a patient, the method comprising:

• providing a medical device for removing gas from the liquid, the device comprising:
• a housing defining a chamber including a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet;
• a gas filter structure disposed within the chamber, the filter structure comprising a first gas permeable membrane layer spaced from a second gas permeable membrane layer, the first and second layers defining a gas collection space between the first and second layers, and defining a liquid flow space separated from the gas collection space by at least one of the membrane layers;
• a gas outlet in fluid communication with the gas collection space;
• a first liquid path conduit within the chamber and in fluid communication with the liquid inlet and the liquid outlet, the gas filter structure being disposed within the first liquid path conduit;
• a second liquid path conduit within the chamber and in fluid communication with the liquid inlet and the liquid outlet;
• and
• a valve assembly configured to allow for the flow of liquid from the liquid inlet to the liquid outlet through the first liquid path conduit while preventing the flow of liquid from the liquid inlet to the liquid outlet through the second liquid path conduit, and the valve assembly further configured to allow for the flow of liquid from the liquid outlet to the liquid inlet through the second liquid path conduit while preventing the flow of liquid from the liquid outlet to the liquid inlet through the first liquid path conduit;
• introducing liquid into the chamber through the liquid inlet such that the liquid flows into the liquid flow space;
• and
• moving the liquid from within the liquid flow space and through the liquid outlet.

A manifold for use in delivering a liquid to a patient, the manifold comprising:

• a manifold body defining a fluid delivery lumen, the manifold body including a plurality of liquid inlet ports in fluid communication with the lumen and one or more liquid outlet ports, the manifold body also including a gas filter structure disposed within the fluid delivery lumen, the gas filter structure comprising:
• a first gas permeable membrane layer and a second gas permeable membrane layer, the first and second layers forming a gas collection space between the first and second layers, and defining a liquid flow space separated from the gas collection space by at least one of the membrane layers;
• and
• a gas outlet in fluid communication with the gas collection space.

A manifold for use in delivering a liquid to a patient, the manifold comprising:

• a manifold body defining a fluid delivery lumen having an inner surface, the manifold body including a plurality of liquid inlet ports in fluid communication with the lumen and one or more liquid outlet ports, the manifold body also including a gas filter structure disposed within the fluid delivery lumen, the gas filter structure comprising:
• a plurality of hollow tubular members made of a gas permeable membrane material disposed within the lumen, each of the tubular members having a first end and a second end;
• a first liquid tight seal between the first end of each of the tubular members and the interior surface of the lumen;
• a second liquid tight seal between the second end of each of the tubular members and the interior surface of the lumen, wherein a gas collection space is defined by the first and second liquid tight seals;
• and
• a gas outlet in fluid communication with the gas collection space.

A medical device for removing gas from a liquid to be delivered to a patient, the device comprising:

• a housing defining a chamber defining an inner surface and including a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet;
• a gas filter structure disposed within the chamber, the filter structure comprising:
• a plurality of hollow tubular members made of a gas permeable membrane material disposed within the chamber, each of the tubular members having a first end and a second end;
• a first liquid tight seal between the first end of each of the tubular members and the interior surface of the chamber;
• a second liquid tight seal between the second end of each of the tubular members and the interior surface of the chamber, wherein a gas collection space is defined by the first and second liquid tight seals;
• a gas outlet port extending through the housing;
• and
• a conduit extending within the housing, the conduit connecting and in fluid communication with the gas collection space and the gas outlet, wherein the conduit comprises a tubular member extending within the chamber, the tubular member defining a lumen that provides fluid communication between the gas collection space and the gas outlet.

A medical device for removing gas from a liquid to be delivered to a patient, the device comprising:

• a housing defining a chamber defining an inner surface and including a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet;
• a gas filter structure disposed within the chamber, the filter structure comprising:
• a plurality of hollow tubular members made of a gas permeable membrane material disposed within the chamber, each of the tubular members having a first end and a second end;
• a first liquid tight seal between the first end of each of the tubular members and the interior surface of the chamber;
• and
• a second liquid tight seal between the second end of each of the tubular members and the interior surface of the chamber, wherein a gas collection space is defined by the first and second liquid tight seals;
• a gas outlet in fluid communication with the gas collection space;
• and
• a vacuum creating structure attached to the housing and in fluid communication with the gas outlet, wherein the vacuum creating structure is permanently mounted onto or of uniform construction with the housing and defines a lumen in fluid communication with the gas outlet.

A medical device for removing gas from a liquid to be delivered to a patient, the device comprising:

• a housing defining a chamber defining an inner surface and including a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet;
• a first liquid path conduit within the chamber and in fluid communication with the liquid inlet and the liquid outlet, the first liquid path conduit defining a lumen having an inner surface;
• a second liquid path conduit within the chamber and in fluid communication with the liquid inlet and the liquid outlet;
• a valve assembly configured to allow for the flow of liquid from the liquid inlet to the liquid outlet through the first liquid path conduit while preventing the flow of liquid from the liquid inlet to the liquid outlet through the second liquid path conduit, and the valve assembly further configured to allow for the flow of liquid from the liquid outlet to the liquid inlet through the second liquid path conduit while preventing the flow of liquid from the liquid outlet to the liquid inlet through the first liquid path conduit;
• and
• a gas filter structure disposed within the first liquid path conduit, the filter structure comprising:
• a plurality of hollow tubular members made of a gas permeable membrane material disposed within the lumen, each of the tubular members having a first end and a second end;
• a first liquid tight seal between the first end of each of the tubular members and the inner surface of the lumen;
• a second liquid tight seal between the second end of each of the tubular members and the inner surface of the lumen, wherein a gas collection space is defined by the first and second liquid tight seals;
• and
• a gas outlet in fluid communication with the gas collection space.