Ultrasonic treatment process

United States Patent m

Vago

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US005665141A [ii] Patent Number: 5,665,141 [45] Date of Patent: Sep. 9, 1997

[54] ULTRASONIC TREATMENT PROCESS
[75] Inventor: Robert E. Vago, Bettendorf, Iowa
[73] Assignee: Arjo Hospital Equipment AB, Sweden

[21] Appl. No.: 584,774
[22] Filed: Jan. 11,1996

Related U.S. Application Data

[62] Division of Ser. No. 180,676, Jan. 13, 1994, abandoned, which is a division of Ser. No. 967,670, Oct 28,1992, Pat No. 5,305,737, which is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 753,008, Aug. 23, 1991, Pat. No. 5,178,134, which is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 726,948, Jul. 8,1991, abandoned, which is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 322,128, Mar. 10,1989, Pat No. 5,048,520, which is a continuationin-part of Ser. No. 175,936, Mar. 30,1988, Pat No. 4,942, 868.

[51] Int CI.6 B01D 19/00

[52] U.S. CI 95/30; 55/279; 95/262;

96/175; 96/220; 128/660.03; 422/20; 601/2;

601/4; 604/22

[58] Field of Search 95/29, 30, 262;

96/175, 197, 220; 422/20; 601/2-4, 167; 604/22; 128/660.03; 55/279; 134/26-30

[56] References Cited

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A method of degassing utilizing a degassing faucet having a first portion which includes a liquid inlet with a first crosssectional area and a liquid outlet with a second crosssectional area smaller than the first cross-sectional area, the liquid outlet being disposed adjacent a conduit portion having a cross-sectional area larger than the second crosssectional area and the degassing faucet having a second portion with an impact surface. The method includes the steps of (1) causing a liquid to flow from the liquid inlet to the liquid outlet with a velocity which increases as the liquid flows from the liquid inlet to the liquid outlet; (2) causing the liquid to pass from the liquid outlet to the conduit portion to create a pressure decrease in the liquid with respect to the atmosphere; (3) impacting the liquid against the impact surface while the pressure decrease is present in the liquid to cause the liquid to be degassed; and (4) accumulating the degassed liquid in a tub positioned underneath the degassing faucet and being sized to facilitate the ultrasonic treatment of a human patient.

10 Claims, 6 Drawing Sheets

Page 2

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