U.S. patent application number 10/824877 was filed with the patent office on 2004-10-21 for medical tubing pump.
This patent application is currently assigned to Richard Wolf GmbH. Invention is credited to Wehrheim, Frank.
Application Number | 20040208764 10/824877 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 7981552 |
Filed Date | 2004-10-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040208764 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wehrheim, Frank |
October 21, 2004 |
Medical tubing pump
Abstract
A medical tubing pump has a pump wheel (6) and two tubing
insertion locations (20, 22) in which a pump tubing may be inserted
in a manner such that it wraps around the pump wheel (6). The pump
wheel (6) is surrounded around its entire circumference at its
front side by a stationary protective ring (12) for covering the
pump tubing.
Inventors: |
Wehrheim, Frank;
(Pfungstadt, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
AKIN GUMP STRAUSS HAUER & FELD L.L.P.
ONE COMMERCE SQUARE
2005 MARKET STREET, SUITE 2200
PHILADELPHIA
PA
19103-7013
US
|
Assignee: |
Richard Wolf GmbH
|
Family ID: |
7981552 |
Appl. No.: |
10/824877 |
Filed: |
April 15, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
417/477.9 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61M 60/40 20210101;
A61M 60/268 20210101; F04B 43/1253 20130101; A61M 60/279
20210101 |
Class at
Publication: |
417/477.9 |
International
Class: |
F04B 043/08 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 17, 2003 |
DE |
203 06 163.2 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A medical tubing pump comprising a pump wheel (6) having a
circumference and a front side perpendicular to the wheel axis, two
tubing insertion locations (20, 22) for insertion of a pump tubing
such that the tubing wraps around the pump wheel (6), and a
stationary protective ring (12) surrounding the entire
circumference of the pump wheel (6) at the front side of the wheel
for covering the inserted pump tubing.
2. The medical tubing pump according to claim 1, wherein the
protective ring (12) directly borders the pump wheel (6) without
contact over the entire circumference of the pump wheel (6).
3. The medical tubing pump according to claim 1, wherein the
protective ring (12) extends essentially flush to the front side of
the pump wheel (6).
4. The medical tubing pump according to claim 1, wherein the
protective ring comprises a front plate which covers the front side
of the pump wheel (6) and extends radially outwardly beyond the
circumference of the pump wheel (6).
5. The medical tubing pump according to claim 1, wherein the
protective ring (12) forms a sub-assembly with the tube insertion
locations (20, 22).
6. The medical tubing pump according to claim 5, wherein the
protective ring (12) is formed as one piece with the tubing
insertion locations (20, 22).
7. The medical tubing pump according to claim 6, wherein the one
piece is made of plastic.
8. The medical tubing pump according to claim 1, wherein the
protective ring (12) is part of a cage (10) surrounding the pump
wheel.
9. The medical tubing pump according to claim 8, wherein the cage
(10) comprises a rear ring (16) which circumferentially surrounds
the pump wheel (6) and bears on a front plate (2) of a pump
housing, and wherein the rear ring (16) is spaced from the
protective ring (12) by an amount at least equal to a diameter of
the pump tubing to be inserted.
10. The medical tubing pump according to claim 9, wherein the
spacing between the protective ring (12) and the rear ring (16)
forms a gap (18) for accommodating the pump tubing, wherein the gap
(18) extends along a section of the wheel circumference and the gap
is continuous in a radial direction of the rings from the wheel
circumference to outside the cage.
11. The medical tubing pump according to claim 9, wherein the
protective ring (12) and the rear ring (16) of the cage (10) are
connected to one another in a region of the tubing insertion
locations (20, 22).
12. The medical tubing pump according to claim 1, wherein at least
one tubing insertion location (20) comprises a receptacle for a
sensor system.
13. The medical tubing pump according to claim 1, wherein the
protective ring (12) has a radial extension which is at least equal
to a diameter of the pump tubing.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates to a medical tubing pump or flexible
tube pump.
[0002] Such tubing pumps or tubing roller pumps are used in medical
technology in order to supply and lead away various fluids to
and/or from a patient. These pumps comprise a pump wheel on whose
circumference cams or rollers are arranged. A pump tubing is
wrapped around the pump wheel so that the tubing is squeezed in an
orbital manner by way of the cams or rollers on rotating the pump
wheel, whereby a fluid is transported further into the inside of
the pump tubing. Such tubing pumps are designed as open or closed
tubing pumps.
[0003] In the closed design the pump wheel is arranged below a
cover so that the pump wheel and the applied tubing are arranged
inside a housing. With these pumps it is ensured that operation is
only possible if the cover is closed, so that the danger of damage
to the pump wheel is ruled out. However, the construction of these
tubing pumps is more expensive, and the insertion of the pump
tubing is more complicated than with the openly designed tubing
pumps.
[0004] In the open pumps the pump wheel is provided outside the
housing, for example on the front plate of the pump housing.
Furthermore, two tubing insertion locations in which the pump
tubing is fixed are provided laterally of the pump wheel, such that
the tubing is wrapped around the pump wheel over an angular range
of essentially 180.degree.. This arrangement has the particular
disadvantage that if the pump tubing has been incorrectly inserted,
there exists a danger of injury to the extent that fingers may get
caught or squeezed between the pump tubing and the pump wheel.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] It is an object of the invention to provide an improved
medical tubing pump or medical flexible tube pump, which offers
adequate protection from damage or injury, even with an open
design. A medical tubing pump achieves this object with a pump
wheel having a circumference and a front side perpendicular to the
wheel axis, two tubing insertion locations for insertion of a pump
tubing such that the tubing wraps around the pump wheel, and a
stationary protective ring for covering the inserted pump tubing,
the protective ring surrounding the entire circumference of the
pump wheel at the front side of the wheel.
[0006] The medical tubing pump according to the invention comprises
a pump wheel and two tubing insertion locations into which a pump
tubing or flexible pump tube may be applied in a manner such that
it is wrapped around the pump wheel. Here, the pump insertion
locations are arranged in a known manner laterally of the pump, so
that a pump tubing fixed in the tubing insertion locations may wrap
around the pump wheel over an angular range of about 180.degree..
The pump wheel in a known manner may comprise rollers or cams,
which on rotation squeeze the tubing for conveying a fluid.
[0007] In the tubing pump according to the invention, a protective
ring is provided for protection from injury. The ring surrounds the
pump wheel along its entire circumference. Here, the protective
ring is arranged essentially in the plane of the front side or
outer side of the pump wheel. With a tubing pump designed in an
open manner, a gap thus arises between the protective ring and the
pump housing into which the pump tubing is inserted. The pump
tubing is thereby covered to the outside by the protective ring, so
that any catching or squeezing between the tubing and pump wheel
may be prevented. The protective ring extends on the circumference
of the pump wheel radially outwardly from the pump wheel and thus
essentially forms a radial extension of the front surface of the
pump wheel. At the same time, the protective ring is designed in a
stationary manner, i.e. it does not rotate together with the pump
wheel.
[0008] The protective ring is preferably rigidly attached to the
pump housing. The protective ring covers the regions in which there
exists the danger of snagging, namely the regions between the
rotating pump wheel and the stationary pump tubing fixed in the
tubing insertion locations. There exists no danger of pinching
between the protective ring and the pump tubing since these are
both stationary, so that no relative movement between the
protective ring and the pump tubing takes place.
[0009] Preferably the protective ring directly borders on the pump
wheel over its entire circumference without contact. This means
that the gap between the stationary protective ring and the
rotating pump wheel is designed as narrow as possible, so that any
pinching between the pump wheel and the protective ring becomes
impossible.
[0010] The protective ring preferably extends essentially flush to
the front side of the pump wheel. This means that the surface of
the protective ring lies in one plane with the surface of the outer
side or front side of the pump wheel, so that an even front surface
is created. The even design of the pump wheel and the protective
ring prevents a snagging or jamming of objects on the moving pump
wheel.
[0011] A front plate, which covers the front side of the pump wheel
and extends radially outwardly beyond the circumference of the pump
wheel, preferably forms the protective ring. Here, the front plate
is arranged in front of the pump wheel, spaced from the front or
outer end face of the pump wheel, so that the pump wheel may rotate
without contact below the front plate. The distance between the
front plate and the end face of the pump wheel is kept as small as
possible, so that it is not possible for the pump tubing to jam
between the pump wheel and the front plate. The front plate extends
radially beyond the circumference of the pump wheel, so that the
front plate at least partially covers an inserted pump tubing.
[0012] Here, at least the region of the pump tubing in contact with
the pump wheel is covered, so that the danger of a snagging of
objects or body parts between the pump tubing and the pump wheel is
prevented. This embodiment, where the protective ring, i.e., that
part extending radially outwardly beyond the circumference of the
pump wheel, is part of a continuous front plate, has the advantage
that no components whatsoever lie open, so that a danger of injury
is reduced. However, the lateral regions of the pump wheel below
the front plate remain open, so that the pump tubing may be
inserted without problem without any type of covering having to be
opened
[0013] The protective ring and the tubing insertion locations
preferably form a sub-assembly. This means that the tubing
insertion locations together with the protective ring are made
available as one component, which may, for example, be attached to
the front plate of a pump housing. In this manner the number of
required components may be reduced and the assembly simplified.
[0014] It is further preferred that the protective ring or front
plate be formed as one piece with the tubing insertion locations,
the one piece preferably being made of plastic. Such a component
may, for example, be manufactured very inexpensively as an
injection-molded part. Suitable recesses are formed in this
one-piece component, which serve as tubing insertion locations. The
component further comprises a circular through opening, whose
surrounding material forms the protective ring. The pump wheel
engages into the through opening when the protective ring is
assembled.
[0015] The protective ring is preferably part of a cage surrounding
the pump wheel. This cage surrounds the entire circumferential
region of the pump wheel and thus serves as a protection from
injuries, for example on account of snagging on the moving parts,
i.e., the pump wheel.
[0016] The cage preferably comprises a rear ring, which
circumferentially surrounds the pump wheel and bears on a front
plate of a pump housing. The rear ring is spaced from the
protective ring by an amount equal to or larger than the diameter
of the pump tubing to be accommodated. This arrangement permits the
pump tubing to be inserted between the protective ring and the rear
ring, so that the tubing may be fixed or positioned by these two
rings. Furthermore, by way of the protective ring and the rear
ring, the gap arising between the pump tubing and the rotating pump
wheel is covered, so that a snagging between the moving and
stationary parts is not possible in this region.
[0017] Preferably, a gap, which is continuous in the radial
direction, is formed between the protective ring and the rear ring
in a circumferential section designed for accommodating a pump
tubing. This means that, in the region where the pump tubing is
wrapped around the pump wheel, the space between the protective
ring and the rear ring and facing the pump wheel, is formed in an
open manner, so that the pump tubing in this region may come into
contact with the rollers or cams on the pump wheel. In this region
no connections whatsoever are provided between the protective ring
and the rear ring, so that the pump wheel may come into contact
with the pump tubing over this entire circumferential section.
Furthermore, the gap between the protective ring and the rear ring,
in which gap the pump tubing is inserted, is designed to be open
over the circumferential region between the pump insertion
locations of the cage, so that the pump tubing may be inserted
easily from the outside without components having to be opened or
removed.
[0018] The protective ring and the rear ring of the cage are
usefully connected to one another in the region of the tubing
insertion locations. In this manner a one-part, preferably a
one-piece component consisting of the protective ring, the rear
ring and the tubing insertion locations, is created. This one-part
component may be easily attached to a pump housing, in particular
the front plate of a pump housing. In the region of the tubing
insertion locations the protective ring and the rear ring may be
connected to one another without the insertion of the pump tubing
being hindered. In this manner, in the remaining circumferential
region where the pump tubing is to wrap around the pump wheel, a
gap may be formed which is continuous in the radial direction and
which is open to the outside for accommodating the pump tubing.
[0019] According to a particular embodiment, at least one tubing
insertion location comprises a receiver for a sensor system. Thus,
in the region of at least one tubing insertion location an enlarged
receiver or recess may be formed into which a pressure chamber of a
pressure sensor may be applied. Here, the pressure chamber is
preferably fixed in the recess with a non-positive or positive fit
by way of clamping or locking. This permits a simple assembly and
fixation of the pressure chamber or a sensor system.
[0020] The protective ring preferably has a radial extension which
corresponds at least to the diameter of the pump tubing. In this
way, it is ensured that the pump tubing is largely covered by the
protective ring. In particular, the gap arising between the
stationary pump tubing and the rotating pump wheel is completely
covered by the protective ring, so that there is no longer any
danger of injury in this region.
[0021] The above described arrangement of a protective ring permits
an improved guiding and fixation of the pump tubing on the pump
wheel. At the same time, the protective ring covers the regions in
which there exists an increased danger of injury, so that a safe
operation of the tubing pump according to the invention is
possible.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed
description of the invention, will be better understood when read
in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of
illustrating the invention, there are shown in the drawings
embodiments which are presently preferred. It should be understood,
however, that the invention is not limited to the precise
arrangements and instrumentalities shown. In the drawings:
[0023] FIG. 1 is a schematic front perspective view of the front
plate of a pump housing having a protective ring according to the
invention;
[0024] FIG. 2 is a front side perspective view of a protective cage
according to one embodiment of the invention; and
[0025] FIG. 3 is a front side perspective view of a protective cage
according to a second embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0026] FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of the front plate
2 of a pump housing. A drive unit 4 is arranged on the rear side of
the front plate 2, i.e. inside the pump housing (not shown here).
The drive unit 4 comprises, for example, an electric motor with
associated gear means. The pump wheel 6 is arranged on the front
side of the front plate 2. The pump wheel 6 is driven in rotation
by the drive unit 4. Individual rollers 8 are arranged at the
circumference of the pump wheel 6, which in the present case is
designed as a roller wheel. On rotation of the pump wheel 6, the
rollers 8 run in a known manner over an inserted pump tubing (not
shown here) and thus create a pumping effect in the tubing.
[0027] According to one embodiment of the invention, the pump wheel
6 is surrounded by a protective cage 10. The protective cage 10 at
its front side, i.e. at its side facing away from the front plate
2, comprises a protective ring 12, which circumferentially
surrounds the pump wheel at its front or end face. Here, the front
surface of the cage 10 and of the protective ring 12 essentially
forms a plane with the front surface of the pump wheel 6. The
circumferential gap 14 between the pump wheel 6 and the protective
ring 12 is formed as narrowly as possible, so that no objects or
body parts may snag or catch in the gap 14 between the rotatable
pump wheel 6 and the stationary protective ring 12.
[0028] The cage 10 further comprises a rear ring 16, which
circumferentially surrounds the pump wheel 6 at its side facing the
front plate. The protective ring 12 and the rear ring 16 are
arranged spaced from one another in a direction normal to the front
plate 2, so that a gap 18 is formed between the protective ring 12
and the rear ring 16. The gap 18 is formed to be open at the
circumference of the pump wheel 6, so that pump tubing (not shown
here) may be inserted from the outside. Here, the gap 18 is formed
as a radially continuous opening over a circumferential region of
180.degree., in which pump tubing may be wrapped around the pump
wheel 6. This means that in this region no connection whatsoever is
provided between the rear ring 16 and the protective ring 12, so
that in this region pump tubing may come into contact with the pump
wheel 6 over the complete circumferential section thereof.
Furthermore, the gap 18, proceeding from the region of the tubing
wrap on the circumference of the pump wheel, extends tangentially
up to the tubing insertion locations 20 and 22.
[0029] The tubing insertion locations 20 and 22 are designed as
receivers or recesses as a single piece in the cage 10. The tubing
insertion location 20 is designed as a receiver for a sensor
system, for example in the form of a pressure chamber. The tube
insertion location 20 is open at the front, i.e. on the front side
of the cage 10, whereby this opening is in connection with the gap
18, so that the cage is open on the entire circumference of the
pump wheel 6 for accommodating a pump tubing.
[0030] With the cage 10 according to the invention, the insertion
of the pump tubing (not shown in the Figures) into the tubing pump
is effected in a manner such that the pump tubing with its pressure
chamber is inserted from the front into the first tubing insertion
location 20, i.e. in a direction normal to the front plate 2,
whereby the tubing with its pressure chamber is fixed in the tubing
insertion location 20 with a non-positive or positive fit.
Projections are formed in the tubing insertion location behind
which the pressure chamber connected to the tubing engages, so that
a force transmission in the longitudinal direction of the pump
tubing is possible. The pump tubing is subsequently pushed further
into the gap 18 and fixed at the second tubing insertion location
22. For this purpose, a suitable fastening element is formed on the
pump tubing, and this element engages into the tubing insertion
location 22, so that the pump tubing is fixed between the tubing
insertion locations 20 and 22 under tension, in a manner such that
it wraps around the pump wheel 6 in the gap 18.
[0031] The region between the stationary pump tubing and the
rotating pump wheel 6, which entails a high risk of injury, is
covered in a protective manner by the protective ring 12. The rear
ring 16 covers the region between the front plate 2 and the pump
tubing so that the danger of injury is minimized at this location
too. The protective ring 12 and the rear ring 16 simultaneously
serve for guiding the pump tubing which wraps around the pump wheel
6, so that any incorrect insertion of the pump tubing and the
danger of damage or injury which this entails are ruled out to a
great extent. As a entire then, a safe operation of a tubing pump
designed in an open manner is ensured by way of the cage 10.
[0032] FIG. 2 shows a perspective detailed view of the cage 10.
Proceeding from the region of the cage 10 in which the tubing
insertion locations or tubing position locations 20 and 22 are
formed, the protective ring 12 and the rear ring 16 extend parallel
to and spaced from one another. The protective ring 12 and the rear
ring 16 enclose a recess in the form of a circular through hole 24,
which is designed for accommodating the pump wheel 6. The
continuous gap 18, which is open to the hole 24 and to the outside,
runs between the rear ring 16 and the protective ring 12. The
opening of gap 18 to the outside extends into the tubing insertion
location 22.
[0033] The tubing insertion location 20 comprises a groove, which
is open toward the front surface and is connected to the gap 18.
The outwardly directed openings of the groove of the tubing
insertion location 20 and of the gap 18 are thus arranged offset by
90.degree. to one another. The continuous opening of the gap 18
permits a simple insertion of a pump tubing from the
circumferential side of the pump wheel 6 without any type of
element having to be opened or removed. The cage 10 shown in FIG. 2
is, as shown in FIG. 1, fixedly connected, i.e., in a rotationally
fixed manner, to the front plate 2, so that the cage 10 rigidly
holds an inserted pump tubing on the front plate 2 while the pump
wheel 6 rotates relative to the inserted pump tubing.
[0034] FIG. 3 shows a perspective detailed view of the cage 10
according to a second embodiment of the invention. Unlike the
embodiment shown in FIG. 2 according to the second embodiment the
front side of cage 10 is completely closed, so that the pump wheel
6 is completely covered by the front side of cage 10.
[0035] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that
changes could be made to the embodiments described above without
departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is
understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the
particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover
modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention
as defined by the appended claims.
* * * * *