Patent ID: 6524267
Filing Date: 2003-02-25
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
A method for extracorporeal oxygenation of a patient's blood during cardiopulmonary bypass surgery, the method comprising:receiving venous blood from a patient into a venous line; drawing venous blood through an air filter connected to the venous line with a first vacuum generated by a blood pump, the air filter comprising an air chamber; diverting air entering the air filter into the air chamber; sensing air in the air chamber; pulling a second vacuum, greater than the first vacuum, to draw air from the air chamber only when air is sensed in the air chamber; pumping blood exiting the air filter through the blood pump and through a blood oxygenator to oxygenate the blood; and returning the blood oxygenated by the blood oxygenator to an arterial system of the patient.