Patent ID: 6287270
Filing Date: 2001-09-11
Classification: A61M,G01N

Abstract:
A combined blood reservoir which comprises:a) a first reservoir for receiving and containing venous blood;b) a second reservoir for receiving and containing cardiotomy blood;c) the first and second reservoirs being in fluid communication such that either reservoir can overflow into the other, the first reservoir being separated from the second reservoir by a partition, andd) a passageway which allows a gas to communicate between the reservoirs, wherein such communication can occur even when one reservoir is overflowing into the other;wherein the passageway is moveable between a lower position and an upper position, the passageway being such that when it is moved into the lower position, its lower end sealingly mates with an aperture in the partition to provide fluid communication between the first and second reservoirs through the passageway, and when it is moved into the upper position, it allows fluid communication between the first and second reservoirs through the aperture.