The venous reservoir accommodates variations in the total volume of blood circulating in the extracorporeal circuit during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). It is connected between the patient and the arterial pump and serves as a compliance chamber. Venous drainage by gravity alone provides an inadequate...http://www.google.de/patents/US6337049?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US6337049 - Soft shell venous reservoir
