Patent ID: 6596235
Filing Date: 2003-07-22
Classification: A61M,B01F

Abstract:
A method for a bubble-free delivery of a gas-enriched fluid to a patient, the(a) determining an effective diameter of a lumen that provides a bubble-free delivery of a gas-enriched fluid to a patient based on a predetermined flow rate of the gas-enriched fluid through the lumen and a target partial pressure of the gas in the gas-enriched fluid to be delivered to the patient; (b) selecting a delivery system comprising a generally tubular elongated member and having a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and a longitudinal axis, having a first lumen with the effective diameter, the first lumen extending from the proximal end portion to the distal end portion, having a second lumen formed along a peripheral wall of the member extending along at least the distal end portion of the member, and having a plurality of holes formed in the peripheral wall of the member opposite the second lumen and extending to the first lumen, the plurality of holes being located in the distal end portion of the member, each of the plurality of holes having a throughway axis, each throughway axis being generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the member and being circumferentially offset from each adjacent throughway axis; and (c) using the selected delivery system to deliver gas-enriched fluid to the patient.