Patent ID: 6972000

Claim:
A vent system for an infusion drip chamber, comprising: an automatic air eliminator communicating with an interior and an exterior of said infusion drip chamber, a passageway positioned between said interior and said exterior, said interior for containing fluids, said automatic air eliminator positioned between said interior and said exterior, said automatic air eliminator being capable of automatically venting air from said infusion drip chamber in a substantially continuous manner, said automatic air eliminator positioned in said passageway for preventing other fluids from passing from said interior to said exterior; a mechanical air eliminator communicating with said interior and said exterior of said infusion drip chamber and capable of mechanically venting air from said infusion drip chamber at discrete time intervals, said mechanical air eliminator comprising: a conduit capable of fitting in a port of said infusion drip chamber; a plunger chamber formed in said conduit; a plunger movable in said plunger chamber; a biasing device operative to maintain said plunger in a normally closed position; and at least one vent opening in said plunger chamber and communicating with said exterior of said infusion drip chamber, with said at least one vent opening being spaced apart from said plunger when said plunger is in said normally closed position; wherein said plunger is capable of being displaced by a positive air pressure in said drip chamber until said at least one vent opening communicates with said interior of said infusion drip chamber and vents said infusion drip chamber.