Intravenous Tubing Air Extraction Add-On to Avoid Air Embolism in Patients

Passively Removes Air Bubbles from Intravenous Tubing Before They Reach the Patient

This device is an add-on intravenous (IV) tubing line used to collect air bubbles potentially found in IV tubing. The global estimated value for the IV tubing sets and accessories market is at $1.7 billion in 2021. Air bubbles, called air embolisms, conveyed into a patient during an intravenous procedure can be fatal, particularly to the most vulnerable patients such as premature infants. Currently, healthcare providers are using sensors found in IV pumps to detect air bubbles. If the sensor detects bubbles, the IV pump stops all liquid flow and sounds an alarm. Responding personnel manually remove the bubbles by flicking and tapping the IV tubing to move the bubbles back up to the device away from the patient. This method is rudimentary and not always successful. Researchers at the University of Florida have developed an addition to existing IV pump systems to extract air bubbles more efficiently. The addition of this device to pump systems eliminates the need for manual air removal out of an IV line and the loud alarm that sounds when the sensor detects an air bubble. Additionally, since the air no longer has to be removed manually, liquid flow through the IV never stops.

Proof of Concept Video

Application

Efficient mechanism to remove air bubbles out of IV tubing using an air extraction device

Advantages

• Filters out air bubbles before they reach the patient, preventing potential air embolisms
• A simple, inexpensive add-on to existing IV pump systems, providing an easy-to-use, affordable solution
• Removes air from IV tubing without interrupting the fluid flow, eliminating the need for alarms and manual removal of air bubbles

Technology

This air extraction device is an add-on to current IV pump systems. It consists of a chamber, a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, a top portion of the chamber, a branch tube, and a ball in the chamber. The fluid inlet carries fluid from the IV tubing to the chamber, and the outlet carries fluid from the chamber to the IV tubing flowing to the patient. The branch tube, raised to allow air extraction, connects to the top portion of the chamber and receives any air from the fluid into the chamber. The ball in the chamber is buoyant relative to the fluid. It will rise with the fluid influx and block the branch tubing but will lower when air enters the chamber, allowing the air to leave. The chamber is flexible and can be squeezed and released to discharge airlocks in the IV tubing leading up to the chamber.