Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
216 words
An apparatus for measuring the flow rate of and for releasing entrapped air bubbles in a blood stream which has been extracted temporarily from a patient for extracorporeal treatment comprising a closed container having an inlet opening and an outlet opening therein so that the blood stream can flow therethrough, a vertically disposed partition means for dividing the container into two chambers, respective ones of which are in direct communication with each of the openings to thereby form inlet and outlet chambers, first opening means in said partition means above the level of said inlet opening and said outlet opening said first opening means being of a smaller cross-section than the inlet opening so that blood accumulates in said inlet chamber to a depth at which said first opening is sufficiently below the surface of the blood in the inlet chamber that increased pressure equalizes the blood flow rate through said first opening means thereby controlling the flow of the blood stream therethrough from said inlet chamber to said outlet chamber so that the height of blood in said inlet chamber is a function of the blood flow rate, and second opening means in said partition means adjacent the top thereof for equalizing the air pressure in said closed container between said inlet and outlet chambers.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
216 words
An apparatus for measuring the flow rate of and for releasing entrapped air bubbles in a blood stream which has been extracted temporarily from a patient for extracorporeal treatment comprising a closed container having an inlet opening and an outlet opening therein so that the blood stream can flow therethrough, a vertically disposed partition means for dividing the container into two chambers, respective ones of which are in direct communication with each of the openings to thereby form inlet and outlet chambers, first opening means in said partition means above the level of said inlet opening and said outlet opening said first opening means being of a smaller cross-section than the inlet opening so that blood accumulates in said inlet chamber to a depth at which said first opening is sufficiently below the surface of the blood in the inlet chamber that increased pressure equalizes the blood flow rate through said first opening means thereby controlling the flow of the blood stream therethrough from said inlet chamber to said outlet chamber so that the height of blood in said inlet chamber is a function of the blood flow rate, and second opening means in said partition means adjacent the top thereof for equalizing the air pressure in said closed container between said inlet and outlet chambers.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first opening means directs the blood stream down from said inlet chamber to said outlet chamber.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the horizontal cross-sectional area of the outlet chamber is larger than the horizontal cross-sectional area of the inlet chamber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the inlet opening is in the bottom of the container so that inflowing blood is directed vertically upwardly in the inlet chamber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the outlet opening is in the bottom of the container.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said partition means comprises a top section and a bottom section horizontally spaced and vertically overlapping and said first opening means is the opening formed by the separation of said top and bottom wall sections.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said bottom section is horizontally spaced towards said inlet opening and said top section is horizontally spaced towards said outlet opening.