| 摘要 |
The present invention is an outlet connector (12) configuration for an oxygenator (2)that prevents excessively high positive or negative pressure from forming in the oxygenator (2) and helps to minimize the possibility of misidentifying the outlet connector (12). The outlet connector (12) is hollow and substantially cylindrically tubular in shape so that a hollow inner conduit (22) is formed. The outlet connector (12) is in fluid communication with the outlet manifold (10) of an oxygenator (2) through the inner conduit (22). In one embodiment, the outlet connector (12) has an elongated hole (28) extending through the tubular material of the outlet connector (12) into the hollow inner conduit (22) formed therein. The elongated hole (28) is preferably large enough to be felt by the fingers of the person connecting tubing to the outlet connector (12). The elongated hole (28)is preferably arrow shaped with the arrow pointing in the direction of fluid flow out of the outlet manifold (10). In an alternate embodiment, the outlet connector (12) has a channel (36) formed in outer surface (16) of the outlet connector (12). The channel (36) extends from the distal end (40) of outlet connector (12) opposite the point of connection of the outlet connector (12) to the oxygenator (2) towards the oxygenator (2). The channel (36) does not extend entirely through the tubular material making up the wall of the outlet connector (12) but instead extends into the wall material from the exterior surface (16) only a fraction of the thickness of the wall material. |
