BLOOD FILTER HAVING A SENSOR FOR ACTIVE GAS REMOVAL AND METHODS OF USE

摘要

Apparatus and methods for removing gas from a blood handling system. A filter apparatus (40) for monitoring and removing gas is provided comprising of a gas removal/blood filter (46), a sensor (45) to sense the presence of gas, and a valve (36) operably coupled to the sensor to evacuate gas from the apparatus when the sensor detects an accumulation of gas. When used with a previously known blood handling system, the present filter apparatus facilitates priming and the addition of additional blood handling elements during operation of the blood handling system.