Patent ID: 7927302
Filing Date: 2011-04-19
Classification: A61B,A61F,A61M,B01D,F28F

Abstract:
1. A method for operating an infusion unit with heating plates in combination with a fluid container having a laminar flow path and a housing attached to the fluid container, the housing containing a bubble trap and a valve, the bubble trap in fluid communication with the laminar flow path and the valve in fluid communication with the bubble trap to provide warmed infusate at a high flow rate, comprising: providing a signal indicating that the fluid container is seated in the infusion unit; providing a flow of pressurized infusate to the laminar flow path from a source of infusate in response to the signal indicating that the fluid container is seated in the infusion unit; fanning the flow of infusate into a laminar sheet of infusate in the laminar flow path; heating infusate in the laminar flow path by conduction from the heating plates; conducting warmed pressurized infusate from the laminar flow path to the bubble trap and through the valve; sensing fluid in the bubble trap with a sensor positioned at a first location adjacent the housing; and an actuator closing the valve if the sensor senses air in the bubble trap; otherwise, the actuator opening the valve if the sensor senses infusate in the bubble trap.