초록 ▼

A reservoir-and filter system for receiving fluid and for removing impurities from fluid is provided in an embodiment of the invention. The system includes a housing with at least two cavities; a first cavity with at least one unfiltered-fluid inlet and a second cavity with at least one filtrate out

A reservoir-and filter system for receiving fluid and for removing impurities from fluid is provided in an embodiment of the invention. The system includes a housing with at least two cavities; a first cavity with at least one unfiltered-fluid inlet and a second cavity with at least one filtrate outlet. In this embodiment, a filter member is disposed so as to separate the cavities. In addition, a filtering trap is disposed so as to directly accept fluid as it enters the first cavity, filter it, and minimize clogging of the filter member. A coarse filter shroud providing a funnel shape at the opening of a cup-shaped trap is included in a preferred embodiment. In an embodiment, at least one gas outlet adaptable for connection to a vacuum source is associated with the second cavity. A method for removing impurities from blood within an extracorporeal circuit is also provided in a further embodiment.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [16.]16. A method for removing impurities from blood within an extracorporeal circuit, the method comprising:placing a reservoir-and-filter system in the circuit between an unfiltered blood source and a location maintained at lowered pressure, the reservoir-and-filter system c

[ What is claimed is:] [16.]16. A method for removing impurities from blood within an extracorporeal circuit, the method comprising:placing a reservoir-and-filter system in the circuit between an unfiltered blood source and a location maintained at lowered pressure, the reservoir-and-filter system comprising:a housing, defining a plurality of cavities, the housing having at least one unfiltered-fluid inlet in fluid communication with a first cavity, and having at least one filtrate outlet in fluid communication with a second cavity;a filter member disposed within the housing so as to separate the first cavity from the second cavity, wherein the member retains a portion of the impurities while permitting impeded fluid communication between the first and second cavities; anda filtering trap, the trap comprising a side and defining a trap volume, the trap disposed within the first cavity proximal to the at least one unfiltered-fluid inlet and oriented so as to accept blood, the trap permitting impeded fluid communication through the side, wherein a gap is provided around the top for permitting relatively unimpeded overflow of blood from the trap volume into the remainder of the first cavity;introducing blood to the circuit; andcollecting filtrate from the filtrate outlet.