In one aspect, a gas release device for removing gas from a bodily liquid in extracorporeal circuitry is described. The device includes an elongate vertical portion and a flared portion that extends outwardly from the elongate vertical portion. The device also includes an inlet port for delivering a bodily liquid into the device, and an outlet port for evacuating the bodily liquid from the device. The inlet port is positioned below the elongate vertical portion and the outlet port is positioned below the flared portion such that bodily liquid traveling from the inlet toward the outlet is forced around the flared portion to cause air bubbles in the bodily liquid to be re-circulated back toward the inlet port.
