Patent ID: 6106504
Filing Date: 2000-08-22
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
A drip chamber for a medical fluid delivery system, whereby fluid enters the drip chamber in one of a high velocity mode and a lower velocity, drip mode, the drip chamber comprising:a housing having a side wall, an inlet port, and an outlet port, and defining a chamber between the inlet and outlet ports; anda tubular member extending into the chamber from the inlet port and having a first end in flow communication with the inlet port and a second, closed end opposite the first end, the tubular member positioned so that fluid flowing into the inlet port flows through the tubular member, the tubular member comprising a peripheral wall with at least one hole therethrough proximate the second, closed end, the second, closed end re-directing the fluid through the at least one hole so that, in the high velocity mode, and the fluid impinges against the side wall to minimize formation of air bubbles in the fluid collected in the chamber, the second, closed end re-directing the fluid in the drip mode flowing from the tubular member to a pool of fluid in the chamber without contacting the side wall, wherein the housing is substantially cylindrical with a constant diameter along its entire length, at least a portion of the length of the cylindrical housing is flexible.