U.S. patent application number 13/514490 was filed with the patent office on 2012-11-22 for peristaltic pump devices, methods, and systems.
This patent application is currently assigned to The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York. Invention is credited to Edward F. Leonard, Keith McCord, Ilan K. Reich.
Application Number | 20120294742 13/514490 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44145897 |
Filed Date | 2012-11-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120294742 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Reich; Ilan K. ; et
al. |
November 22, 2012 |
PERISTALTIC PUMP DEVICES, METHODS, AND SYSTEMS
Abstract
A peristaltic pump with a removable pump race module has guiding
channels for receiving at least a portion of a flexible
fluid-carrying tubing and an adjusting device for displacing a
flexible inner portion of the removable pump race module to change
the compression on the fluid-carrying tubing. The arrangement of
the various elements makes it particularly suitable in
configurations where compactness and convenience are important
considerations.
Inventors: |
Reich; Ilan K.; (New York,
NY) ; McCord; Keith; (Florissant, MO) ;
Leonard; Edward F.; (Bronxville, NY) |
Assignee: |
The Trustees of Columbia University
in the City of New York
New York
NY
|
Family ID: |
44145897 |
Appl. No.: |
13/514490 |
Filed: |
December 8, 2010 |
PCT Filed: |
December 8, 2010 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US2010/059509 |
371 Date: |
August 3, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61267782 |
Dec 8, 2009 |
|
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|
61289070 |
Dec 22, 2009 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
417/474 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F04B 43/1292
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
417/474 |
International
Class: |
F04B 43/08 20060101
F04B043/08 |
Claims
1. A peristaltic pump, comprising: a base member supporting a
rotating roller carriage and a drive connected to the roller
carriage to rotate it with respect to the base; a pump race member
shaped to arch over the roller carriage; the pump race member
forming U-shape with extenders that meet at a bowl, the extenders
curving in parallel around the roller carriage, with one extender
having a race surface that faces the roller carriage and the other
extender being fixedly attached to the base; an adjustment member
configured to adjust a distance between the extenders thereby to
vary a force applied to tubing laid between the race surface and
the roller carriage.
2. The pump as claimed in claim 1, wherein the adjustment member is
further configured to contact an upper surface of the extender
having a race surface that faces the roller carriage.
3. The pump as claimed in claim 2, wherein the extender having the
race surface that faces the roller carriage is shaped so as to
permit contact with the adjustment member.
4. The pump as claimed in claim 3, wherein the extender includes a
metal surface portion configured to relieve pressure exerted by the
adjustment member on its upper surface.
5. The pump as claimed in claim 1, wherein the adjustment member
includes an adjuster screw inserted into a threaded liner, the
adjustment member being configured such that the force is exerted
on the surface of the extender by the movement of the adjuster
screw.
6. A pumping device having a rotary portion to compel a movement of
a fluid by peristaltic compression of a tubing containing the
fluid, the pumping device comprising: a base member; a roller
carriage having a central axis of rotation, adapted to be mounted
on said base member and to make an occludable contact with the
tubing; and a pump race module attachable to said base member by
screws so as to generally surround said roller carriage, said pump
race module having a flexible curved wall section with a
cylindrical pump race surface thereon; a portion of said tubing
being held and supported by the pump race module so that the tubing
extends along said cylindrical pump race surface and forms at least
two parallel pumping tubing portions connecting to at least four
inflow and outflow tubing portions that are held by clips so that
they extend away from the pump race module in a parallel array
which is parallel to axes of the screws.
7. A peristaltic pump for propelling a fluid, comprising: a support
assembly; a motor device having a drive shaft and connected to said
support assembly, the drive shaft adapted for rotation about a
longitudinal axis; a fluid-carrying flexible tube; a rotation
assembly mounted on said drive shaft to be carried by the driving
member for movement in a circular path during rotation of the drive
shaft about the longitudinal axis, the rotating assembly including
a plurality of circumferentially spaced rollers for selective
engagement of the rollers with the fluid-carrying flexible tube so
that the rollers selectively compress and occlude said tube during
rotation; and a pump race module removably mounted on the support
assembly using securing means so that the pump race module
substantially encloses the rotation assembly, the pump race module
including a flexible curved member, an inner surface of the
flexible curved member configured to receive at least a portion of
the fluid-carrying tube; wherein the pump race module further
includes fastening means to hold a fluid input portion and a fluid
output portion of the fluid-carrying tube so that, when in place,
the input and output fluid portions face substantially in the same
direction when viewed from the top as the securing means and are
parallel with the securing means.
8. A pumping device having a rotary portion to compel a movement of
a fluid by peristaltic compression of a tubing containing the
fluid, the pumping device comprising: a base member; a roller
carriage mounted on the base member and adapted to make an
occludable contact with the tubing; and a removable pump race
module including a flexible curved section, the pump race module
being configured to be attached to said base member so as to
generally surround said roller carriage and to define a passageway
between said flexible curved section and the roller carriage, the
tubing being positioned in said passageway; wherein the pump race
module further includes an adjusting member to adjust compression
of the tubing against the roller carriage by pressing a surface the
flexible curved section toward the roller carriage.
9. The device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the casing member
further includes a second curved section positioned
circumferentially with the flexible curved section, the adjusting
member having a first end portion attached to the second curved
section and a second end portion adjacent to the flexible curved
section so that moving the first end portion generates a
displacement of the flexible curved section relative to the second
curved section.
10. The device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the adjusting member
is a top screw, and the displacement of the flexible curved section
is done by turning the top screw.
11. The device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the flexible curved
section is shaped so as to accommodate contact with the top screw
without damage to the surface of the flexible curved section.
12. The device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the flexible curved
section includes a metal portion to relieve pressure exerted on its
surface by the top screw.
13. A method of removing a fluid-carrying tube from a peristaltic
pump, comprising: detaching a removable pump race module from a
base member, the base member supporting a roller carriage adapted
to rotate around a central axis and configured to occludably
contact a portion of the fluid-carrying tube extending along an
inner portion of the pump race module, the pump race module being
positioned to surround the roller carriage; and removing the
fluid-carrying tube from the detached pump race module.
14. The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the detaching of the
removable pump race module includes removing a securing member used
to attach the pump race module to the base member.
15. The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the removing of the
fluid carrying tube includes holding the tubes as a bundle and
pulling them away from the pump.
16. A method for adjusting flow of a fluid in a fluid-carrying tube
of a peristaltic pump, the method comprising: adjusting a height of
a passageway formed between an inner curved flexible portion of a
pump race module and a rotor device configured to compress and
occlude the fluid-carrying tube resting in the passageway; wherein
the adjusting includes displacing the inner curved flexible portion
of the pump race module using an adjusting member; and wherein the
adjusting member includes a first end portion attached to a second
curved portion partially surrounding the inner curved flexible
portion of the pump race module, and a second end portion adjacent
to the inner curved flexible portion so that moving the first end
portion generates a displacement of the inner curved portion
relative to the second curved portion.
17. The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein the adjusting member
includes a top screw inserted into an opening having a threaded
liner, and the adjusting is done by turning the screw head.
18. A removable pump race module to be attached to a base member of
a pump having a rotating device which compels the movement of a
fluid by peristaltic compression of a flexible tubing containing
the fluid, the pump race module comprising: a curved member
including an outer curved portion partially surrounding an inner
curved portion, one end of the inner curved portion being connected
to the outer curved portion, and another end of the inner curved
portion being free; at least one connecting member for attaching
the pump race module to the base member so that the pump race
module generally encloses the rotating device; and an adjusting
device for adjusting a compression of the flexible tubing
containing the fluid by displacing the inner curved portion of the
pump race module relative to the outer curved portion.
19. The removable pump race module as claimed in claim 18, wherein
the adjusting device has a first end portion connected to the first
curved portion and a second end portion in contact with a surface
of the inner curved portion.
20. The removable pump race module as claimed in claim 19, wherein
the adjusting device is a top screw positioned adjacent to the free
end of the inner curved portion.
21. A removable pump race module to be attached to a base member of
a pump having a rotating device which compels the movement of a
fluid by peristaltic compression of a flexible tubing containing
the fluid, the pump race module comprising: a curved member of
polymer including an outer curved portion partially surrounding an
inner curved portion, one end portion of the inner curved portion
being fixed and another end portion of the inner curved portion
being free when the outer curved portion is secured to the base
member, the inner curved portion including at least one channel
defining a circular path therealong configured to receive at least
a portion of the flexible tubing containing the fluid; at least one
fastening member for attaching the pump race module to the base
member so that the pump race module generally encloses the rotating
device; securing means to fasten a fluid input portion and a fluid
output portion of the flexible tubing to the pump race module so
that the fluid input portion and the fluid output portions are
substantially parallel with the fastening member; and an adjusting
device for adjusting a compression of the flexible tubing
containing the fluid by displacing the inner curved portion of the
pump race module relative to the outer curved portion, the
adjusting device positioned adjacent to the free end of the inner
curved portion; the curved member and flexible tubing being
enclosed in a sterile package and forming a consumable component of
a blood treatment system.
22. A tubing set for a blood treatment system, comprising: a tubing
support with clips and a curved surface forming a pump race, the
tubing support having tubes wrapped therearound and held by the
clips and further configured to attach to a pump having a roller
carriage such that the tubes are compressed between the roller
carriage and the pump race when the tubing support is attached to
the pump; the tubing support and tubes being wrapped in a sterile
package and being sterile therewithin.
23. A blood treatment system, comprising: a tubing support with
clips and a curved surface forming a pump race, the tubing support
having tubes wrapped therearound and held by the clips and further
configured to attach to a pump having a roller carriage such that
the tubes are compressed between the roller carriage and the pump
race when the tubing support is attached to the pump; the tubing
support and tubes being wrapped in a sterile package and being
sterile therewithin; a blood treatment machine with a portion
having an enclosure housing the pump, the enclosure having an
access, the access having opposing sides whose size is
substantially the size of the tubing support such that the support
and tubes thereattached just fit the opposing sides.
24. The system of claim 23, wherein the enclosure houses components
of a portable blood treatment machine.
25. The system of claim 23 or 24, wherein tubing support is
attachable to the support by connecting screws having respective
axes that are parallel, the tubing support having an adjustment
screw for adjusting pressure of the pump race against the tubes,
the adjustment screw having an axis that is parallel to the
respective axes of the connecting screws.
26. The system of claim 25, wherein the adjustment and connecting
screw axes are perpendicular to a line joining the opposing
sides.
27. The system of claim 25, wherein the adjustment and connecting
screw axes are accessible through the access.
28. The system of claim 25, wherein the access is an opening and
the adjustment and connecting screw axes are perpendicular to a
plane defined by the opening.
29. A pumping device having a rotary portion to compel a movement
of a fluid by peristaltic compression of a tubing containing the
fluid, the pumping device comprising: a base member; a roller
assembly having a central axis of rotation, adapted to be mounted
on said base member and to make an occludable contact with the
tubing; and a casing module attachable to said base member by
screws so as to generally surround said roller assembly, said
casing module having a flexible curved wall section including at
least one guiding channel defining a cylindrical surface
therealong; wherein a portion of said tubing is held and supported
by the casing module so that the tubing extends along said at least
one guiding channel such that the tubing and casing module form an
integral unit with the tubing extending generally parallel and away
from the casing module and parallel to the screws.
30. A peristaltic pump for propelling a fluid, comprising: a
support assembly; a motor device having a drive shaft and connected
to said support assembly, the drive shaft adapted for rotation
about a longitudinal axis; a fluid-carrying flexible tube; a
rotation assembly mounted on said drive shaft to be carried by the
driving member for movement in a circular path during rotation of
the drive shaft about the longitudinal axis, the rotating assembly
including a plurality of circumferentially spaced rollers for
selective engagement of the rollers with the fluid-carrying
flexible tube so that the rollers selectively compress and occlude
said tube during rotation; and a housing module removably mounted
on the support assembly using securing means so that the housing
module substantially encloses the rotation assembly, the housing
module including a flexible curved member, an inner surface of the
flexible curved member configured to receive at least a portion of
the fluid-carrying tube; wherein the housing module further
includes fastening means to hold a fluid input portion and a fluid
output portion of the fluid-carrying tube so that when in place,
the input and output fluid portions face substantially in the same
direction when viewed from the top as the securing means and are
parallel with the securing means.
31. A pumping device having a rotary portion to compel a movement
of a fluid by peristaltic compression of a tubing containing the
fluid, the pumping device comprising: a base member; a roller
assembly mounted on the base member and adapted to make an
occludable contact with the tubing; and a removable casing module
including a flexible curved section, the casing module being
configured to be attached to said base member so as to generally
surround said roller assembly and to define a passageway between
said flexible curved section and the roller assembly, the tubing
being positioned in said passageway; wherein the casing module
further includes an adjusting member to adjust compression of the
tubing against the roller assembly by pressing a surface the
flexible curved section toward the roller assembly.
32. The device as claimed in claim 31, wherein the casing member
further includes a second curved section positioned
circumferentially with the flexible curved section, the adjusting
member having a first end portion attached to the second curved
section and a second end portion adjacent to the flexible curved
section so that moving the first end portion generates a
displacement of the flexible curved section relative to the second
curved section.
33. The device as claimed in claim 32, wherein the adjusting member
is a top screw, and the displacement of the flexible curved section
is done by turning the top screw.
34. A method of removing a fluid-carrying tube from a peristaltic
pump, comprising: detaching a removable casing module from a base
member, the base member supporting a roller assembly adapted to
rotate around a central axis and configured to occludably contact a
portion of the fluid-carrying tube extending along an inner portion
of the casing module, the casing module being positioned to
surround the roller assembly; and removing the fluid-carrying tube
from the detached casing module.
35. The method as claimed in claim 34, wherein the detaching of the
removable casing module includes removing a securing member used to
attach the casing module to the base member.
36. A method for adjusting flow of a fluid in a fluid-carrying tube
of a peristaltic pump, the method comprising: adjusting a height of
a passageway formed between an inner curved flexible portion of a
casing module and a rotor device configured to compress and occlude
the fluid-carrying tube resting in the passageway; wherein the
adjusting includes displacing the inner curved flexible portion of
the casing module using an adjusting member; and wherein the
adjusting member includes a first end portion attached to a second
curved portion partially surrounding the inner curved flexible
portion of the casing module, and a second end portion adjacent to
the inner curved flexible portion so that moving the first end
portion generates a displacement of the inner curved portion
relative to the second curved portion.
37. A removable housing module to be attached to a base member of a
pumping arrangement having a rotating device which compels the
movement of a fluid by peristaltic compression of a flexible tubing
containing the fluid, the housing module comprising: a curved
member including an outer curved portion partially surrounding an
inner curved portion, one end of the inner curved portion being
connected to the outer curved portion, and another end of the inner
curved portion being free; at least one connecting member for
attaching the housing module to the base member so that the housing
module generally encloses the rotating device; and an adjusting
device for adjusting a compression of the flexible tubing
containing the fluid by displacing the inner curved portion of the
housing module relative to the outer curved portion.
38. The removable housing module as claimed in claim 39, wherein
the adjusting device has one end portion connected to the first
curved portion and a second end portion in contact with a surface
of the inner curved portion.
39. The removable housing module as claimed in claim 38, wherein
the adjusting device is a top screw positioned adjacent to the free
end of the inner curved portion.
40. A removable housing module to be attached to a base member of a
pumping arrangement having a rotating device which compels the
movement of a fluid by peristaltic compression of a flexible tubing
containing the fluid, the housing module comprising: a curved
member including an outer curved portion partially surrounding an
inner curved portion, one end portion of the inner curved portion
being fixed and another end portion of the inner curved portion
being free, the inner curved portion including at least one channel
defining a circular path therealong configured to receive at least
a portion of the flexible tubing containing the fluid; at least one
fastening member for attaching the housing module to the base
member so that the housing module generally encloses the rotating
device; securing means to fasten a fluid input portion and a fluid
output portion of the flexible tubing to the housing module so that
the fluid input portion and the fluid output portions are
substantially parallel with the fastening member; and an adjusting
device for adjusting a compression of the flexible tubing
containing the fluid by displacing the inner curved portion of the
housing module relative to the outer curved portion, the adjusting
device positioned adjacent to the free end of the inner curved
portion.
41. A removable pump race module to be attached to a base member of
a pump having a rotating device which compels the movement of a
fluid by peristaltic compression of a flexible tubing containing
the fluid, the pump race module comprising: a curved member of
polymer including an outer curved portion partially surrounding an
inner curved portion, one end portion of the inner curved portion
being fixed and another end portion of the inner curved portion
being free when the outer curved portion is secured to the base
member, the inner curved portion including at least one channel
defining a circular path therealong configured to receive at least
a portion of the flexible tubing containing the fluid; at least one
fastening member for attaching the pump race module to the base
member so that the pump race module generally encloses the rotating
device; securing means to fasten a fluid input portion and a fluid
output portion of the flexible tubing to the pump race module so
that the fluid input portion and the fluid output portions are
substantially parallel with the fastening member; and an adjusting
device for adjusting a compression of the flexible tubing
containing the fluid by displacing the inner curved portion of the
pump race module relative to the outer curved portion, the
adjusting device positioned adjacent to the free end of the inner
curved portion.
42. The module as claimed in claim 41, wherein the adjusting device
includes a first end portion connected to the outer curved portion
and a second end portion in contact with a surface of the inner
curved portion.
43. The module as claimed in claim 42, wherein the adjusting device
is a top screw positioned adjacent to the free end of the inner
curved portion.
44. The module as claimed in claim 43, wherein the curved member
and flexible tubing being enclosed in a sterile package and forming
a consumable component of a blood treatment system.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is an International Application, which
claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/289,070,
filed on Dec. 22, 2009, and U.S. Provisional Application No.
61/267,782, filed on Dec. 8, 2009, the contents of which are
incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
FIELD OF ENDEAVOR
[0002] The disclosed embodiments relate generally to a pump to pump
fluids, and more particularly to a peristaltic pumping devices,
methods, and systems that have favorable properties in many
applications, particularly in applications for a compact and/or
portable devices.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Peristaltic pumps are used for transferring various fluids
including gases, viscous liquids, and mixed phase fluids such as
gas/liquid and solid/liquid combinations, in various applications
where sanitary conditions apply and where the fluid-carrying tubing
has to be changed frequently. Peristaltic pumps are common in many
different fields such as the medical, pharmaceutical, chemical, and
environmental industries, as well as other fields where the purity
of the fluid during transmission needs to be maintained. A
peristaltic pump typically includes a rotary assembly (rollers)
which compels the movement of a fluid by peristaltic compression of
the resilient tubes containing the fluid against a rigid surface of
the pump known as the pump occlusion. The intersection between the
rollers and the occlusion region is known as the operating area of
the pump. In operation, the rotating rollers exert pressure on the
flexible tubing to propel the fluid, and the negative pressure
formed when the tubing returns to its normal position sucks the
fluid from a fluid source and forces the fluid to travel
continuously through the tubing.
[0004] One of the advantages of using a peristaltic pump is that
only the tube contacts the fluid preventing the fluid from
contacting other parts of the pump preventing contamination of the
fluid by the pump and vice versa. One of the issues with
peristaltic pumps is the need for replacing the tubing, either for
sterility reasons, because of wear, or other reasons. Additionally,
peristaltic pumps may provide a mechanism for regulating the
pinching force of the rollers exerted on the tubing. The
environment of compact and light weight devices and systems creates
a need for improvements in the design of peristaltic pumps that
provides advantages in terms of usability, reliability, and
addresses the other requirements of peristaltic pumps such as
maintenance and regulation such as those mentioned above.
SUMMARY
[0005] A peristaltic pump with a removable pump race module has
guiding channels for receiving at least a portion of a flexible
fluid-carrying tubing and an adjusting device for displacing a
flexible inner portion of the removable pump race module to change
the compression on the fluid-carrying tubing. The arrangement of
the various elements makes it particularly suitable in
configurations where compactness and convenience are important
considerations.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an assembled and
closed pump according to an embodiment of the disclosed subject
matter.
[0007] FIG. 2 is a projection of a pump according to an embodiment
of the disclosed subject matter.
[0008] FIG. 3 is a top projection of a pump according to an
embodiment of the disclosed subject matter.
[0009] FIG. 4 is a projection of section A-A of FIG. 3.
[0010] FIG. 5 is a bottom projection of a pump according to an
embodiment of the disclosed subject matter.
[0011] FIG. 6 is a projection of section A-A of FIG. 5.
[0012] FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a pump according
to an embodiment of the disclosed subject matter.
[0013] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of peristaltic pump components
including base, roller carriage, and motor drive according to an
embodiment of the disclosed subject matter.
[0014] FIG. 9 is a ghost projection of a pump according to an
embodiment of the disclosed subject matter.
[0015] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the assembly of
FIG. 8.
[0016] FIG. 11 shows the motor and drive shaft and base of the
pump.
[0017] FIG. 12 is a perspective view the roller carriage.
[0018] FIG. 13 is a ghost end projection of the roller
carriage.
[0019] FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of a roller
carriage.
[0020] FIG. 15A is an exploded front perspective view a pump race
module.
[0021] FIG. 15B is a figurative view of a pump race module with
tubing installed thereon showing how tubes bend 180 degrees from
one side and around a race portion and back 180 degrees so that the
incoming and outgoing flow lines are parallel according to an
embodiment of the disclosed subject matter.
[0022] FIG. 16 is a side ghost projection showing a the pump race
module.
[0023] FIG. 17 is a projection of section A-A of FIG. 16.
[0024] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a distal plate that
supports the drive shaft.
[0025] FIG. 19 is an end view of the distal plate.
[0026] FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a tubing set with a
preinstalled pump race module shown in an application according to
an embodiment of the disclosed subject matter.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0027] FIGS. 1-19 show a peristaltic pump 100 with a motor drive 30
and a removable outer pump race module 10 surrounding a roller
carriage 50 (visible in FIGS. 7 and 8) to define an enclosed
pumping tube channel 60 (shown in FIG. 7). Both the pump race
module 10 and the motor drive 30 are mounted on a support base 20.
A distal end plate 40 provided with screws 41 for attachment to the
support base 20. The outer pump race module 10 has at least one
pump race arch 16 (shown in FIG. 15A) that partially surrounds a
roller carriage 50 (shown in FIG. 7) positioned in the working area
70 of the pump so that the outer pump race module 10 together with
the support base 20 and the distal end plate 40 effectively enclose
the working area 70 of the pump.
[0028] The removable pump race module 10 can be securely mounted on
the support base 20 using any suitable fasteners 11, such as,
bolts, screws, cap screws, rivets, etc, inserted in corresponding
support guides 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the support
guides 12 help to ensure alignment of the race module 10 with
respect to the base 20, however a broad mating surface on race
module 10 that adjoins a mating surface on the base 20 could be
used for this purpose as well as other mechanisms. The pump race
module 10 can also be provided with a pump race force adjuster 13,
which may include an adjusting screw 13B that can be moved
precisely in a threaded liner 13A bonded to the pump race module
10. The adjusting screw 13B exerts a force to separate a race
portion 16B and support portion 16A of the pump race arch 16
thereby opening and closing the gap 10G in the pump race module 10.
Since the support portion 16A is fixed relative to the pump and
roller carriage 50, this adjustment determines the force applied by
the pump race surface 17 of the pump race portion 16B against the
tubing and compensated by the pump roller carriage 50.
[0029] The pump race force adjuster 13 is shows also in FIGS.
15A-17. The pump race module 10 may be of poly ethylene,
polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, or any suitable polymer or may be
of metal. Preferably, the pump race module 10 is a relatively
inexpensive part that can be provided preassembled with tubing as a
disposable component or one that can be used a limited number of
times before replacement. See FIG. 20 and description below of a
tubing set 200 with preinstalled tubing 201 and a pump race module
216.
[0030] FIG. 7 shows the peristaltic pump 100 with a removable pump
race module 10, a motor drive 30, a support base 20, distal end
plate 40 and a roller carriage 50. The support base 20 positions a
bearing 42 that rotatably supports a drive shaft 31 of the motor
drive 30. The motor drive 30, which may be a gear motor, can be
secured to distal end plate 22 of the support base 20 by any
suitable securement such as mounting screws 23 that secure a motor
housing 32 of the motor drive 30 (see FIG. 11).
[0031] The drive shaft 31 rotates a pump roller carriage 50 with an
array of equidistant and circumferentially spaced compression
rollers 52. Each of the compression rollers 52 rotate about
respective shafts 53 which are rotatably secured at respective ends
thereof to rotor end plates 51. The rotor end plates 51 are
configured to engage a flat 31A of the drive shaft 31 so that they
are rotated by the motor 30 (see FIGS. 12-14). The rotation of the
drive shaft 31 drives the compression rollers 52, which selectively
compress a fluid-carrying tube 60 (see FIG. 15B) so as to effect
peristaltic pumping.
[0032] FIGS. 8-10 and FIGS. 18-19 show the pump 100 with the pump
race module 10 removed. The roller carriage 50 is secured at one
end to the mounting plate 22 of the support base 20, and at the
other end to the end plate 40. The drive shaft 31 is attached to
the end plate 40 via bearing 42, which may be a journal bearing
such as one of porous metal such as sintered bronze or aluminum
that retains a lubricant. The end plate 40 can also be securely
fastened to the support base 20 using fasteners such as screws
41.
[0033] The removable pump race module 10 is shown in FIGS. 15A-17.
FIG. 15B is a figurative section view of a pump race module 10
including the fluid-carrying tubing 60 showing how tubes bend 180
degrees from one side and around a race portion and back 180
degrees so that the incoming and outgoing flow lines are parallel.
The integrated removable pump race module 10 has: the pump race
arch 16 which generally surrounds a roller carriage 50 and is
positioned above the roller carriage 50 so as define an adjustable
space between the pump race surface 17 of the pump race arch 16 and
the upper surface of the rollers 52; two support guides 12 through
which the fasteners 11 (e.g., fastening screws) can be inserted for
mounting the removable pump race module 10 to the support base 20;
and a plurality of holding clips 14 in flanges 14A to securely hold
the input end portion 60a and the output end portion 60b of the
fluid-carrying tubing 60. The input and output portions 60a and 60b
of the fluid-carrying tubing 60 are held by the holding clips 14 so
that they are arranged parallel to each other with the support
guides 12 while the working portion 60c of the fluid-carrying
tubing 60 is installed between the pump race surface 17 of the pump
race arch 16 and the rollers 52 and in which fluid-containing tubes
are held.
[0034] Removal of the fluid tubing from the peristaltic pump is
easily accomplished by detaching the pump race module 10 from the
support base 20 (by unscrewing the fasteners 11, for example) and
holding the parallel tubes as a bundle and pulling them away from
the pump in a direction radial with respect to the roller carriage
50. This arrangement allows one to conveniently handle the pump
race module and tubes even if the pump 100 is placed in a recess or
relatively inaccessible location or environment. Also, the
fasteners 11 and pump race force adjuster 13 are accessible from
the same side as the tubes are routed which allows for the pump
race module 10 and tubes to be replaced conveniently and easily.
Also adjustment of the pump race is made easier. This is
illustrated in FIG. 20 discussed next.
[0035] FIG. 20 illustrates a tubing set 200 with a pump race module
216 and tubes 204 and 206 which bend as shown at 212 and 232
forming an arched portion 234 which follows the shape of pump race
module 216. The tubes 204 and 206 are held by clips as discussed
above and indicated here for example at 252. All of the tubing
portions 204, 206, 228, and 230 extend away from the pump race
module 216 parallel to the axes 224 of fasteners 222 and adjusting
screw (13B) axis 226. With the illustrated arrangement, a tubing
set 200 can be conveniently installed in a confined space such
defined by an opening 214 in an enclosure 208 of a processing
system. The tube portions 204, 206, 228, and 230 can extend through
an available access (e.g., opening 214) through which the fasteners
222 and the pump race force adjuster 218 (similar to pump race
force adjuster 13) may be accessed. The pump 100 and roller
carriage 50 would be located in a position such that insertion of
the assembly 200 as illustrated by arrow 252 would allow the pump
race module 216 to engage it.
[0036] Referring again also to FIGS. 15A-17 the fasteners 11, the
pump race force adjuster 13 and the input and output end portions
60a and 60b of the tubing 60 facing in the same direction (when
looking at it from the top) allows for easy attachment and removal
of the pump race module 10 as well as easy removal and replacement
of the fluid-carrying tubing 60. The tubing 60 can be easily
removed from the pump race module 10 by holding the tubing 60 as a
bundle. The assembly 200 can be preconfigured with the pump race
module and the tubing held in the clips, pre-sterilized and
contained in a sterile package 260.
[0037] The arcuate portion 16 of the pump race module 10 has a
first curved (arcuate, U-shaped) upper portion 16A with a second
curved (arcuate, U-shaped) lower portion 16B, the lower portion 16B
has the pump race surface 17, which faces the roller carriage 50.
The pump race surface 17 functions as a pump race against which the
tubing 60 is selectively compressed by the rollers 52 on roller
carriage 50. The pump race surface 17 of the second curved portion
16B also includes guiding channels 18 to receive and hold in place
at least a working portion 60c of the fluid-carrying tubing 60.
[0038] The first and second curved portions 16A and 16B are joined
at a flexible portion 19 so as to leave the second end portion 19A
of the second curved portion 16B floating. This permits flexible
movement of the lower curved portion 16B away and toward the
rollers 52 of the roller carriage 50 so that the gap 10G varies
thereby moving the lower curved portion 16B toward and away from
the rollers 52 responsively to the adjuster screw 13B.
[0039] The upper curved portion 16A also includes an opening 15 in
which the threaded liner 13A is fixedly inserted and into which the
adjuster screw 13B is threaded. The adjuster screw 13B makes
contact with an upper surface of the curved portion 16B. The lower
curved portion 16B is shaped so as to accommodate contact with the
adjuster screw 13B without being damaged and may have a metal
surface to relieve the pressure exerted by the adjuster screw
13B.
[0040] By exerting pressure on the contact surface of the lower
curved portion 16B, the lower curved portion 16B can be moved away
from the upper curved portion 16A--which increases the size of a
gap 10G--and closer to the roller carriage 50. By moving the lower
curved portion 16B closer to the roller carriage 50, the
fluid-carrying tubing 60 positioned in the guiding channels 18 is
further compressed. When the pressure on the contact surface of the
lower curved portion 16B is released, the curved portion 16B moves
back to its original position, releasing compression on the
fluid-carrying tubing 60. Changing compression on the tubes 60
incorporating the fluid effectively controls the fluid pressure and
fluid flow in the tubing 60. The pump race force adjuster 13 can
include, for example, a threaded liner 13A with adjusting screw 13B
so that the fluid pressure and fluid flow is controlled by turning
the screw head.
[0041] While the preferred forms of the disclosed subject matter
have been disclosed, it will be apparent to those skilled in the
art that various changes and modifications may be made that will
achieve some of the advantages of the disclosed subject matter
without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosed
subject matter. It will be apparent to those reasonably skilled in
the art that other components performing the same function may be
suitably substituted. Although specific embodiments of the
disclosed subject matter have been described, various
modifications, alterations, alternative constructions, and
equivalents are also encompassed within the scope of the disclosed
subject matter.
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