Patent ID: 6537495
Filing Date: 2003-03-25
Classification: A61M,Y10S

Abstract:
A vacuum assisted venous reservoir, comprising:a rigid, sealed housing, said housing being sealed such that a relative vacuum can be maintained between the interior and the exterior of the housing; a flexible, blood impermeable reservoir positioned within the interior of the housing; an inlet port in communication with the interior of the reservoir; a venous blood conduit attached to the inlet port and in communication with the interior of the reservoir, the venous blood conduit passing through a first sealed opening in the housing and being connected to a source of venous blood such that venous blood can pass from the source of venous blood to the interior of the reservoir; a vacuum conduit extending through a second sealed opening in the housing, the vacuum conduit being in communication with a source of vacuum and the interior of the housing such that vacuum pressure can be applied to the interior of the housing; a pressure regulator in communication with the vacuum conduit and vacuum source for regulating the vacuum pressure in the interior of the housing; a second vacuum conduit extending through a third sealed opening in the housing and in communication with a source of vacuum and the interior of the reservoir such that vacuum pressure can be applied to the interior of the reservoir; and a second pressure regulator in communication with the second conduit and the second vacuum source for regulating the vacuum pressure in the interior of the reservoir.