Patent ID: 8235943
Filing Date: 2012-08-07
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
1. An apparatus adapted for removing air from the proximal end of an introducer sheath comprising: a shell, wherein the interior volume of the shell defines an axially elongate chamber having a centerline; a fluid pump operable to remove fluid from the interior volume of the shell; a gas vent or gas outlet port located near a central axis of the chamber; a catheter inlet port located near a periphery of said chamber, said catheter inlet port in fluid communication with the chamber and further comprising a hemostasis valve; a catheter outlet port located near a periphery of said chamber, said catheter outlet port in fluid communication with the chamber; a gas separation chamber in fluid communication with the gas vent; and a liquid return line operable to route liquid fluid from the gas separation chamber through the fluid pump and back into the chamber; wherein the catheter inlet port is axially, concentrically, aligned with the catheter outlet port so that a second catheter inserted therethrough is guided from the catheter inlet port into the catheter outlet port; and wherein the shell, the gas vent, the gas separation chamber, the fluid pump, the liquid return line, the catheter inlet port, the catheter outlet port, the electrical power source, and all interconnections are integrated into a single module.