Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02559620 2003-12-22
I
CONTAINER WITH TUBE HOLDER
FIELD OF THE LNVENTION
The invention relates to a peristaltic pump head for pumping fluids, and to a
tube holder
for use with a peristaltic pump head.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A large number of applications require the pumping of fluids. Standard pumps
result in
the fluid coming into contact with the pumping apparatus, thereby risking
contaminaiaon
of the fluid. Peristaltic pumps operate by occluding a tube containing the
fluid, so that
the fluid only comes into contact with the interior of the tube, and not the
pumping head
or other pumping components.
One problem faced with conventional peristaltic pumps is maintaining the tube
in a
desired position within the tube race; as if the tube moves with movement of
the pumping
head, the fluid will not be pumped efficiently.
Another issue with conventional peristaltic pumps is maintaining correct
alignriZent
between the pump head and the tube in the raceway, and maintaining the desired
pressure
on the tube for consistent fluid pumping.
.It is an object of at least a preferred embodiment of the present invention
to provide a
peristaltic pump head and/or tube holder which address at keast one of the
issues outlined
above and/or which at least provides the public with a useful choice.
SI:~MARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided
a tube holder
for use with a peristaltic pump, the tube holder including:
CA 02559620 2003-12-22
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a housing having a recess for receipt of a pump rotor, a tube race for receipt
of a tube
around the recess and having a first race part around one part of the recess
and a second
race part around another part of the recess, a first Tube inlet into the first
race part and a
first tube outlet from the first race part, a second tube inlet into the
second race part and a
second tube outlet from the second race part;
the tube being insertable in the tube race by movement in a substantially
orthogonal
direction relative to the tube race so that it extends in through the first
tube inlet, around
the first race part, out through the first tube outlet, in through the second
tube inlet,
around the second race part, and out through the second tube outlet.
The first tube outlet and second tube inlet are suitably configured such that
the tube can
exit the housing between the first outlet and second inlet.
The first tube outlet and second tube inlet may be in communication with a
recess or
groove which is separate to the tube race, but which is located within the
housing.
The housing advantageously includes a lip or projection between the first
outlet and the
second inlet, behind which the tube can be located to maintain the tube in
position within
the tube race.
The recess may be tapered for receipt of a tapered pump rotor. Preferably,
each tube race
part is defined by a channel or groove extending inwardly from a respective
tube inlet and
tube outlet. The grooves suitably extend part way around the recess.
Preferably, the
recess provides surfaces against which the tube is occluded to pump fluid
therethrough in
use.
The tube holder may be a one-piece article.
The tube holder may be provided in combination with a pump head having a
tapered rotor
which is received in the recess of the tube holder, such that actuation of the
pump head
causes fluid to be pumped through a tube in the tube holder by occlusion of
the tube.
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The tube is suitably resiliently flexible so that it returns substantially to
its original shape
following occlusion, to thereby suck fluid through the tube.
Preferably, the rotor is axially biased towards its tapered end, such that the
pump rotor
and tube race are self adjusting, to maintain a desired pressure on a tube in
the tube race
during pumping. The rotor may be axially biased by a compression spring.
The pump head preferably includes a stop to limit the axial movement of the
rotor
relative to the housing. The stop is suitably in the form of an annular lip on
the rotor.
Preferably, the pump head includes a transmission mechanism to transmit motive
power
from a power source to the rotor, and the base of the tapered rotor includes a
plurality of
gear teeth which engage with a gear of the transmission mechanism, with the
gear teeth
of the rotor and the teeth of the gear of the transmission mechanism of
sufficient length to
remain engaged during axial movement of the rotor. The gear teeth of the rotor
are
suitably elongate and longer than the teeth of the gear.
Part of the rotor may be substantially conical or frustoconical, and
advantageously has a
plurality of rollers rotatably mounted thereon which are configured to occlude
the tube in
use. The rollers are suitably substantially frustoconical in configuration,
with their
tapered ends du~ected towards tile tapered end of the rotor. The rollers are
suitably
mounted for rotation with axes which taper toward the tapered end of the
rotor.
The rotor preferably includes a main body part and a head part, with the
rollers mounted
for rotation in a recess or recesses between the main body part and the head
part.
The tube holder and pump head may be fully separable from an operable
configuration in
which the rotor is located in- the recess of the tube holder and configured to
pump fluid
through a tube to a loading configuration in which the tube may be loaded into
the tube
race.
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In aecordanoe with a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided
a method
of loading a tube into a tube holder including:
providing a tube holder having a housing having a recess for receipt of a pump
rotor, a
tube raoe for receipt of a tube around the recess and having a first race part
around one
part of the recess and a second race part axound another part of the recess, a
fast tube
inlet into the first race part and a first tube outlet from the first race
part, a seoond tube
inlet into the seCOnd race part and a second tube outlet from the second race
part;
prorrid~ng a tube; and ' ~ ,
moving the tubc in a substantially orthogonal direction relative to the tube
race such that
it.cxtends in through the first tube inlet, around the frrst race part, out
through the first
tube outlet, in through the second tube inlet, around the second race part,
and out through
the secohd tube outlet.
1$. The.tube holder nnay be as outlined in the fiz'st aspect above,
'The tune holder preferably includes a retainer which is in the form of a
projection or lip
between the first outlet and tine second inlet, and the method may further
include pulling
the installed tube .in a direction away from the projection or lip so that the
tube is
Zt) maiWaille4 In position wiltliii the tttha tnt;e with y,u-t of the hxbc
loeatod bchirid tho
projection or lip.
The method suitably includes bringing the tube holder into engagement with a
pump head
to provide the eombin.~.:ie.~. ;,f a !mss ~~Ia=r s.~ta.a.p~p.h~d,,.ltrd .sn,
that.Jha mtoC.ia.
25 located in the recess in the tube holder.
The cornbinaticn may be as outlined above.
Itt accordance with. a third aspect of the present invention, there is
provided the
30 CD111~LT1atIOn, of a peristaltic pump head having a tapered pump
rotor.which is rotstable
about an axis of rotation, and a tube holder having a recess for receipt of
the tapered end
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of the rotor, the tube holder having a tube race configured for receipt of a
tube for
pumping of a fluid by movement of the rotor, the tube race including a
plurality of
separate race parts around the recess defined by a plurality of apertures or
recesses such
that the tube can exit and re-enter the tube race
5
The tube is preferably insertable into the tube race without separating the
tube holder
from the pump head.
Preferably, the tube holder and pump head are movable from an operable
configuration in
which the rotor is located in the recess of the tube holder and configured to
pump fluid
through a tube to a loading configuration in which the tube may be loaded into
the tube
race. Advantageously, the tube holder and pump head are fully separable.
In a preferred embodiment, the tube holder has a housing, a first tube race
part around
one part of the recess defned by a first tube inlet aperture and a first tube
outlet aperture,
and a second tube race part around another part of the recess defined by a
second tube
inlet aperture and a second tube outlet aperture, such that riiovement of a
tube threaded
therethrough in the axial direction of the rotor is minimised or prevented by
the apertures.
The tube holder may be as outlined in the first aspect above.
The tube is suitably resiliently flexible so that it returns substantially to
its original shape
following occlusion, to thereby suck fluid through the tube.
The rotor is suitably axially biased towards its tapered end, such that the
pump rotor and
tube race are self adjusting, to maintain a desired pressure on a tube in the
tube race
during pumping.
Preferably, the rotor is axially biased by a compression spring.
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The pump head preferably includes a stop to limit the axial movement of the
rotor
relative to the housing. The stop is suitably in the form of an annular Iip on
the rotor.
The pump head preferably includes a transmission mechanism to transmit motive
power
from a power source to the rotor, and the base of the tapered rotor preferably
includes a
plurality of gear teeth which engage with a gear of the transmission
mechanism, with the
gear teeth of the rotor and the teeth of the gear of the transmission
mechanism of
sufficient length to remain engaged during axial movement of the rotor. The
gear teeth of
the rotor are suitably elongate and longer than the teeth of the gear.
Preferably, the tapered part of the rotor is substantially conical or
frustoconical, and has a
plurality of rollers rotatably mounted thereon which are configured to occlude
the tube in
use.
The rollers are suitably substantially frustoconical in configuration, with
their tapered
ends directed towards the tapered end of the rotor. The rollers may be mounted
for
rotation with axes which taper toward the tapered end of the rotor.
Preferably, the rotor includes a main body part and a head part, with the
rollers mounted
for rotation iil a r ecess or recesses between the main body part and the head
part.
In accordance with a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided
a peristaltic
pump head, including:
a housing;
a transnussion mechanism for transmitting motive force from a drive mechanism
to a
rotor, and including a gear with a plurality of teeth;
a tapered pump rotor mounted for rotation about an axis of rotation within the
housing
and which is axially biased towards its tapered end, the base of the tapered
pump rotor
including gear teeth which engage with the teeth of the gear of the
transmission
mechanism, wherein the gear teeth of the rotor and the teeth of thegear of the
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transmission mechanism are of sufflCient .length to remain engaged during
axis!
movement of the rotor relative to the housing.
The gear teeth of the ro#or are suitably elongate and longer than the teeth of
the gear.
Preferably, the transmission mechanism includes a plurality of gears.
The rotor array be axially biased by a compression spring.
The putttp head preferably includes a stop to limit the axial movement of the
rotor
relative to the hoe~,ittg, The stop may be in the form of an annular lip on
the retor.
itt accprdaace with a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided
a kit of.par#s
for assembling a peristaltic pump head assembly, including:
t 5 a tutor and a housing having~~t~ and second housing parts and confi~zred
for receipt of
' the rotor; which rotor may bye assembled with the houslrsg with at Least
part of the rotor
exposed from the hoe~lng for engagement with a tube, by snapping the hou_srng
parts
together such that the pump heard assembly can be assembled without the ~ of
' adhesives or separate fasteners.
Advaritageotisty, the rotor is pt'ovided in ldt form, and includes a main body
part, a head
part and ax least one roller, which rotor may be assembled by snapping the
main body part
and head pit togEther to sandwich the mller(s) thetebetween.
Preferably, the rotor is tapered and is mountable for mtsdon about an axis of
rotation
within the fwusing and to be axially biased towards its tapered end, and
wherein the rotor
includes a stop to limit the' axial movement df the rcstor relative to the
housing when
assembled.
~ The kit may include a oompression spring to axially bias the tutor relative
to the housing.
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A base of the tapered rotor preferably includes gear teeth, and the kit
includes a gear with
a plurality of teeth to transmit motive force from a drive mechanism to the
rotor, the gear
teeth of the rotor and the teeth of the gear being of sufficient length to
remain engaged
during axial movement of the rotor relative to the housing once assembled.
All components are preferably made of a plastics material. Alternatively, all
components
other than the spring may be made of a plastics material.
In accordance with a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided
a flexible
container having a reservoir for holding fluid and including a tube holder
directly
connected to the flexible container, the tube holder having a tube race around
a tapered
aperture or recess configured for receipt of a tapered rotor of a peristaltic
pump head, and
a tube connector configured for connection to a resiliently flexible tube and
in fluid
communication with the reservoir, which tube holder can be brought into'
operable
connection with the pump head to occlude fluid through a tube connected to the
tube
connector and extending around the tube race to dispense fluid from the
container.
The container preferably includes a resiliently flexible tube connected to the
.tube
connector and extending around the tube race.
In accordance with a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a flexible
contauier having a reservoir for holding fluid and including a tube holder
directly
connected to the flexible container, the tube holder having a tube race around
a tapered
aperture or recess configured for receipt of a tapered rotor of a peristaltic
pump head, and
a resiliently flexible tube in fluid communication with the reservoir and
extending around
the tube race, so that the tube holder can be brought into operable connection
with the
pump head to occlude fluid through the tube extending around the tube race.
The flexible container. of the sixth or seventh aspect may include a plurality
of reservoirs
sealed from one another, and the tube holder may include a corresponding
number of tube
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races so that the contents of the reservoirs can be independently dispensed
via respective
tubes. . . . .
. Preferably, the tube races) has/have a first sacs. part around one part of
the recess and a .
seoottd race part arot.~nd another part of the recess, a first tube inlet into
the first, race part
and a first td6e outlet from the fiist race part, a second tube 'inlet into
the second race part
and a second tube outlet from the second race part; the respective tube being
insertable in
the respective tube race by movement in a direction suhstantiaLfy orthogarral
to the tube
racC ao that It extends in through the first tuba inlet, around the first race
part, out through
x 0 the first tube outlet, in through the second tube inlet, around fhe second
race parts and out
through the second tube outlet.
The tube holder preferably includes a Iip or projection between the first
oudct(s) and
second inlet(s), behind which the respective tube can.be located to maintain
the tube in
position within tf~e tube race.
The container preferably includes a neck portion and two separate reservoir
pvrdons in a
Y-canftguration.
The tube balder tray include at least one mounting-boss which is located in an
aperture in
a,neok of the container. '
An aperture may extend through the moemting boss(as) and into a spigots) which
comprise(s) the tube connector to which a respective tube is connected, ~suah
fhat tubes)
is/at~ in fluid communication with a respective roscrvoir.
In accordance with an eighth $spect of the present invention, there is
provided a container
holding at Least one fluid for dispensing by a peristaltic pump, the
'container including a
plurality of discrete rrtagnetio, or magnetisable areas in predetermined
positions 'an the
container to identify the container, which megnetic or magneftsable areas
(once magnetised)
are canftgured for detection by a pump assembly having a plurality of sensors
in
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predetermined positions corresponding to the positions of the magnetic or
magnetisable
areas.
The may be of the type outlined in the sixth or seventh aspects above, and the
magnetic
S or magnetisable areas may be Iocated.on the tube holder.
The plurality of magnetic areas may be provided by magnets. Alternatively, the
plurality
of magnetisable areas may be provided by one or more strips of material,
discrete parts)
of which can been magnetised. As another alternative, the plurality of
magnetisable areas
10 may be provided by a plurality of items of a material which has no magnetic
properties
until magnetised.
The container may be in combination with a pump assembly including a plurality
of
sensors in predetermined positions corresponding to the positions of the
magnetic or
magnetisable areas, the sensors configured to sense whether the corresponding
positions
are magnetic or magnetised when the container is in close proximity or contact
with the
pump assembly.
There may be a greater number of sensors than there are magnetic or magnetised
areas on
the container.
The pump assembly may further include a microprocessor and a memory, which
microprocessor is configured to determine from the sensors the numbers and
positions of
the magnetic or magnetised areas, and to then access the memory to determine
the
substances) in the container. The microprocessor may be configured to activate
a
software routine associated with the substances) of the container if the
number and
position of the magnetic or magnetised areas corresponds to a value stored in
the
memory. The software routine preferably determines when pumps) of the pump
assembly should be actuated, for how long, and in which combination.
The sensors may be Hall Effect sensors.
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The invention consists in the foregoing and also envisages constructions of
which the
following gives examples only.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF TAE DRAWINGS
Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described by way of
example
only with reference to the accompanying figures in which:
Figure 1 is an overhead perspective view of a preferred embodiment peristaltic
pump
head in combination with a tube holder;
Figure 2 is a plan view of the pump head and tube holder of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a side sectional view of the pump head and tube holder along line
3-3 of
Figure 2, in a pumping configuration;
Figure 4 is an overhead perspective sectional view of the pump head and tube
holder
along line 3-3 of Figure 2, before the tube holder is moved into the pumping
configuration;
Figure 5 is a side sectional view of the pump head along line 3-3 of Figure 2,
with the
tube holder removed;
Figure 6 is an overhead perspective view of a first preferred embodiment tube
holder for
use with the pump head of Figure 1;
Figure 7 is an underside perspective view of the tube holder of Figure 6;
Figure 8 is an exploded overhead perspective view of the tube holder of Figure
6;
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Figure 9 is an exploded underside perspective view of the tube holder of
Figure 6;
Figure 10 is an overhead perspective view of a second preferred embodiment
tube holder
for use with the pump head of Figure l;
Figure 11 is an underside perspective view of the tube holder of Figure 10;
Figure 12 is a plan view of the tube holder of Figure 10;
Figure 13 is an underside view of the tube holder of Figure 10;
Figure 14 is an overhead perspective view of a pump assembly including three
pump
heads of Figures 1 to 4;
Figure 15 is au overhead perspective view of a preferred embodiment tube
holder for use
with the pump assembly of Figure 14;
Figure 16 is a perspective view of a sachet which will be connected to the
tube holder of
Figure 15;
Figure 17 is an overhead perspective view of the tube holder of Figure 15
connected to a
flexible container in the form of a sachet;
Figure 18 is an overhead perspective view of the tube holder of Figure 17,
with tubes fed
around the tube holding portions;
Figure 19 is an overhead perspective detail view showing the interconnection
between
one of the tubes and the sachet;
Figure 20-shows-the sachet-and tube holder of Figure 19 being-brought-into-
connectiori-
with the pump assembly of Figure 14;
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Figure 21 shows the sachet and tube holder ofFigure 19 connected to the pump
assembly
of Figure 14;
Figure 22 shows the sachet and tube holder of Figure 1?, including magnets
forming a
coding system; and
Figure 23 schematically shows a pump assembly configured to read the coding
system of
the tube Bolder of Figure~22.
10'
DETAILED DESC~IPTTpN OF pI2EFERRED FURMS
With reference to Figure 1, the peristaltic pump assembly has a maiw housing I
carrying a
rotor 3, which is received in a tube holder 105. The peristaltic pump head
pumps fluid
I5. through a tube maintained in the tube holder 105, by the rotor compressing
the tube and
pushing fluid therethrough, this-pmcess known as occlusion. Two alternative
preferred
tube holders will be described below with reference to Figures 6-13..
As can be seen more clearly from the sectional views of Figure 3 and 4, the
preferred
20 rotor 3 is tapeied and more particularly is substantially conical in
configuration, with its
tapered end extending upwardly from the housing 1. The rotor 3 has a main body
part 7
and a head part 9 interconnected with' the main body part, which head part .9
is moturted
for rotation an a boss 11 extending upwardly within the housing. As can be
seen most
clearly in Figure 3, in side profile the head part 9 has a curved upper
surface to enhance
25 movement itito the tube bolder I05 when the components are brought
together,
The boss I 1 defines the axis of rotation of the rotor 3, and .is
substantially cylindrical or
tubular and configured for receipt of a pusher I3. The head of the pusher 13
is biased
against tire underside of the~head part 9 of the rotor by a biasing device 15,
which is most
30 preferably a compression spring coiled around ~a shaft of the pusher. The
biasing device
biases the rotor 3 towards its tapered head end,. and therefore towards the
tuba holder
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14
105 in the assembled configuration. A clearance is provided between the base
of the
pusher 13 and the base of the boss 1 l, and also between the base of the main
body part 7
and the base of the housing 1. This enables the rotor 3 to move downwardly
relative to
the housing which allows it to automatically adjust within the tube holder as
will be
S described.
A recess is provided in the rotor between the head part 9 and the main body
part 7 for
receipt of a number of rollers 17. In the preferred embodiment, three rollers
are provided
in an equally spaced configuration around the central axis of the rotor.
However, it will
be appreciated that the number of rollers can be varied as desired. The
rollers 17 are
substantially frustoconical in configuration, and are mounted for rotation on
mounting
members 19 which extend between the rotor main body part 7 and the head part
9. A
corresponding number of inverted conical recesses 21 are provided in the main
body part
7 of the rotor, for receipt of the enlarged conical bases 23 of the respective
mounting
I S members. Smaller recesses 25 are provided in the~underside of the head
part 9 for receipt
of the upper ends of the mounting members.
A stop, which in the embodiment shown is an annular Iip 26, extends outwardly
from the
main body part 7 of the rotor, which defines the upper limit of travel of the
rotor 3 within
the housing 1. When the rotor is not in contact with the tube holder, the
spring 15 will
bias the rotor upwardly until the lip 26 engages the underside of the upper
part of the
housing 1 as shown in Figure 5. When the tube race 5, 105 is brought into
contact with
the rotor (as will be described below) that will push the rotor downwardly
against the bias
of the spring, so the lip 26 no longer engages against the housing 1.
During assembly of the rotor 3, the mounting members 19 and rollers 17 are
mounted on
the rotor main body part 7, and the head part 9 is attached to the main body
part 7 to
maintain the rollers in position in. the rotor. The mounting members 19 define
the aXes-of
rotation of the rollers 17 on the rotor, and it can be seen that these axes
taper towards the
head part 9 of the rotor. -The included angles between the axes~cambe varied
if desired.
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IS
A connector in the form of a pair of fingers 27 extend from the base of the
head part 9
and are receivable in the central aperture of the main body part 7, so that
the rotor can
snap together, thereby sandwiching the mounting members 19 and the rollers 17
for
rotation between the main body part 7 and the head part 9. The assembled rotor
can then
be inserted on the pusher 13 and spring within the boss 11, and the upper and
Iower
housing 1 parts can be snapped together. Accordingly, the entire assembly of
the housing
1, rotor 3 and gears 55, 57 can be assembled without the use of any bolts,
screws or
adhesives. It is further preferred that the engagement between the tube holder
5, l OS and
rotor is achieved without any fasteners, so the entire assembly of the pump
head and tube
I0 holder does not require the use of adhesives or separate fasteners.
A transmission mechanism generally indicated by reference numeral 51 is also
provided
in the housing for transmitting motive force to the rotor. In the embodiment
shown, the
outer perimeter of the main body part of the rotor includes a plurality of
sprocket teeth
53. The teeth 53 are engaged with teeth on an intermediate gear .55, which in
turn are
engaged with the teeth of a drive gear 57. The sprocket teeth 53 around the
base of the
main body part are elongate and of sufficient length that they remain in
engagement with
the teeth of the intermediate gear SS throughout the range of axial movement
of the rotor
within the housing 1. An aperture 59 is provided in the housing 1 and is
aligned with the
axis of rotation of the drive gear. A shaft can extend through the aperture 59
and engage
the centre of the drive gear 57 to operably connect the drive gear to an
electric motor (not
shown) or similar. As shown in Figure 4, coaxial apertures are provided in the
housing 1
above and below the drive gear 57, so that the shaft could enter the housing
either above
or below as desired. Similarly, the housing could be inverted so that a shaft
below the
housing engages the drive gear 57 from the upper aperture (orientation
relative to the
drawing) if desired.
The relative numbers of teeth on the gears could be selected to provided a
desired up-
speed or down-speed of the rotor relative to the input speed as desired. More
or less
gears~could lie used.- Alternatively, an alternative transmission such as
pulleys and bands
CA 02559620 2003-12-22
16
or gears and chains could be used. An electric servo motor could be positioned
within the
housing 1 rather than, or in addition to, using a transmission mechanism.
All of the components are most preferably made of a suitable polymer plastic
material,
S such as acetyl, ABS or similar. Such a configuration is advantageous as it
means the
components can be easily fabricated in large numbers such as by injection
moulding, the
apparatus will be relatively light weight, and corrosion of the components
will not occur.
It may however, be desirable to fabricate the spring from a suitable metal
such as siring
steel to provide the desired spring characteristics.
As can be seen from Figures 1 to 4, a tube holder IOS is positioned above the
rotor 3.
That tube holder is described with reference to Figures 10 to 13. Another
suitable tube
holder 5 is shown in Figures 6 to 9. The tube holder has two parts, a base
part 61 and a
tube guide part 63 which together form a tube holder housing. The tube guide
part 63
and base part 61 preferably snap together. The tube holder housing could be a
unitary
member if desired. The tube guide part 63 includes a tapered fiustoconical
recess 65 for
receipt of the rotor 3 as shown in Figure 3 for example. A number of apertures
67a, 67b,
67c and 67d are spaced around the recess and define a first tube inlet 67a,
first tube outlet
67b, second tube inlet 67c and second tube outlet 67d. The apertures and the
recess
define a tube race within which the tube extends around the recess when it is
inserted in
the tube holder.
The tube race has a first race part defined by the first tube inlet 67a, the
fu-st tube outlet
67b, and the surface of the recess therebetween. The tube race has a second
race part
defined by the second tube inlet 67c, the second tube outlet 67d, and the
surface of the
recess therebetween.
As can be seen from Figure 9, the underside-of the tube guide part 63 includes
a plurality
of channels aligned with the apertures. In use, and with reference to Figures
6 and 9, a
tube is insei~ed~ into the -housing through channel 69 and fed through the
first tube inlet
aperture 67a. The tube is then extended around the surface of the recess 65 as
far as first
CA 02559620 2003-12-22
1l
tube outlet 67b and out through the f rst tube outlet 6'T1, around eliannel
?l, back into tl~e
race through the second tube inlet 67fl, around tha surface of the recess 65
as far as
second tube outlet 67d, out through the second tuba outlet 67d, over the part
of fine tube'
extending inwardly-through channel 69 and back out of the housing through
channel 73.
S it will be appreciated that the tube could be inserted through the housing
in the other
direction, ie in through channel 73 and out through channel 69 if desired.
A transverse hole (not shown) may be provided at the intersection of channels
69 and 73,
the ~hofe extending from top to bottom of the tube holder. The' edges where
the hole
1 ti moos the channels 69 to 73 would provide a relatively sharp edge against
which the tube
'parts would engage to assist in grippiag the tube and maintaining it in
position in tha cube
>irolder,
The portions, of the tube located against the surface of the recess 65 are
occludEd by the
I5 milers 17 of t~hc rotor 3 when the tube holder and rotor are in the
configuration shown in
Figsrre 3 and the rotor is rotated. ~'he surfaces of the recess 65 against
which the tuba is
seated~providc occluding surfaces, with the tube balng compressed between the
callers 17
and those surfaces.
20 By tusvitt~ tlm LuUG c~til ~u~! ic.:autcr tlia tu(,o tact as dcacri'bcd
ctbovc, itiovomont of the
tube in the axial direction of the rotor during use is inhibited, as the edges
of the apertures
67a, f76, 67c and b7d prevent signiftcant axial movement of the tube. Further,
as the
rollers only act against diset~te parts ofthe tube, that also sarves~to
minimise longitudinal
movement of the tube as the rotor rotates.
2S
The rollers 17 on the rotor and the tube holder are configured so that part of
the #ube is
always.cotnpressed under at least one roller, to prevent leaking of fluid from
the reservoir
or backflow into the reservoir. ~ .
34 _ To. provide additional stability to fhe tuba in the holder, the inside of
the tube holder base
61 includes a number of shaped projections 75, 77 and 79 which are located in
channels
CA 02559620 2003-12-22
I8
69, 71 and 73 respectively when the holder base part 61 and the guide part 63
are brought
together. The projections may be sized such that there is limited clearance
between the
ends of the projections and the bases of the respective channels when the tube
holder base
part and guide parts are assembled, so that the tube is slightly compressed
therebetween
(such a configuration being shown in Figure 6). In this embodiment, the tube
would need
to be threaded into the guide part before the guide part is brought into
contact with the
base part. Corresponding protrusions 81 and apertures 83 are provided in the
base part
and the guide part, which are an interference or snap fit to maintain the base
part and the
guide part in the assembled configuration.
However, it is not essential that the tube be slightly compressed between the
base and
guide parts, as it can be sufficiently held simply by exiting and re-entering
the tube race.
In the embodiment in which the tube is not compressed between the base and
guide parts,
those components can be assembled before the tube is fed into the housing.
Figures 10 to 13 show an alternative preferred tube holder 105. This tube
holder is a
unitary component, and again includes a tapered frustoconical recess 165 for
receipt of
the rotor 3 as shown in Figure 3. Rather than using apertures to define tube
inlets and
outlets, they are defined by a number of grooves. The grooves define a first
tube inlet
I67a, a first tube outlet 167b, a second tube inlet 167c and a second tube
outlet 167d.
The grooves and recess define a tube race within which the tube extends around
the
recess when it is inserted ill the tube holder,
The tube race has a first race part defined by the first tube inlet 167a, the
first tube outlet
167b, and the surface of the recess 165 therebetween. The tube race has a
second race
part defined by the second tube inlet 167c, the second tube outlet 167d, and
the surface of
the recess 165 therebetween.
The channels forming the first tube inlet 167a and second tube outlet 1-67d
could cross, in
a similar ~riiaiiner to - cfiarinels 69 and 73 of the emliodimeiits--of
Figures 6 to S.
Additionally or alternatively, the channels forming the tube inlets and
outlets could
CA 02559620 2003-12-22
19
include features along their walls to improve grip on the tube. For example,
teeth or
projections (not shown) could be present along the walls of the channels to
assist in
gripping the tube.
S An outwardly extending projection or lip 107 is situated between the first
tube outlet
167b and the second tube inlet 167c. The lip 107 is located above the level of
the first
tube outlet 167b and the second tube inlet 167c (in the orientation of Figure
9), and
assists in maintaining the tube in the tube holder. The lip could include a
downwardly
extending (in the orientation shown in Figure 10) projection at its distal end
to assist in
maintaining the tube in the tube holder.
To load the tube into the tube holder, it is provided in a substantially U-
shaped
configuration and is moved in a direction substantially orthogonal to the tube
race (ie
downwardly in the orientation of Figure 10) such that the tube extends in
through the first
tube inlet 167a, around the surface of the recess 165, out through the second
tube outlet
167b, in through the second tube inlet 167c, around the surface of the recess
165, and out
through the second tube outlet 167d, as shown in phantom in Figure 12. This
can be
achieved in a single orthogonal movement, and can be performed manually or by
a
machine.
The tube can then be pulled in the direction of first tube inlet 167a and
second tube outlet
167d such that the base of the U-shape is located under the lip or projection
107. A wider
lip or projection 107 could be provided, and the first tube outlet 167b and
second tube
inlet I 67c could extend more towards the comers of the tube holder than shown
in Figure
12 (in more of a "V" shape), to provide a longer curved portion under the lip
or
projection 107 around which the tube extends when installed, to thereby assist
in
maintaining the tube in position in the tube holder.
Again by virtue of the tube exiting and re-entering the tube race, movement of
the tube
therein is iuliibited. If desired, to provide additional stability to the tube
in the tube race,
CA 02559620 2003-12-22
the base of the grooves could be slightly enlarged relative to the upper
portions of the
grooves so that the tube is a snap fit into the grooves.
The portions of the tube extending around the recess 165 are occluded by the
rollers 17 of
5 the rotor 3 when the tube holder and rotor are in the configuration shown in
Figure 3 as
the rotor is rotated.
When the tube holder 105 is located in position on the pump head housing 1,
the outer
edges of the grooves 167a-d will be located against the surface of the housing
1.
One end of the tube will typically be fluidly connected to a source of fluid,
and the other
end of the tube will typically be fluidly connected to an apparatus for
delivery of the
fluid.
Either type of tube holder 5, 105 can be used in with peristaltic pump head.
In the
assembled configuration of the 'pump head and the tube holder, the tube holder
5, 105
may be floating relative to the pump head housing 1, i.e. limited movement
transverse to
the axial direction of the rotor will be provided, or may be fixed relative to
the housing.
T.imited axial movement of the tnbe holder can also be provided, which is
compensated
for by the biased pump head. For example, a tube holder carrier (not shown)
may be
provided containing a recess within which the tube holder can be placed, with
limited
axial and transverse movement of the tube holder relative to the carrier. The
components
can then be brought together so that the rotor extends through the recess in
the tube
holder, to pump fluid through a tube in the tube holder. The housing 1 could
be attached
to the earner so that no movement therebetween (but there could still be
floating
movement of the tube holder), but it is preferred that some floating movement
is provided
between the housing 1 and the earner, to accommodate misalignment between the
rotor
and the tube holder.
By virtue~ofttie transverse floating of the tube holder 5,105 and the
aXialBias of the rotor
3, the pump head will be self aligning and self adjusting. The biased tapered
rotor 3 will
CA 02559620 2003-12-22
2I
move the tube holder 5, 105 transversely if necessary so that it is aligned
with the centre
of the recess 65, 165. Furkher, the rotor will automatically move axially a
sufficient
distance that the rollers are located against the tube in the tube holder with
a desired force
determined by the spring characteristics. Therefore, the pressure applied to
the tube by
the rotor will be substantially constant That would also occur without any
transverse
floating between the tube holder and the pump head.
It is preferred that the pump head could be operable in a forward or rearward
direction, to
either dispense or suck fluid.
The tube holders are preferably made from a polymer plastics material, such as
acetyl, ABS or similar, and may be fabricated by injection moulding for
example. The
pump head can be made to a small size, with the dimensions of the main housing
1 being
about 68 mm x 25 mm x 15 mm (at the deepest point shown), and the dimensions
of the
tube holder being about 30 mm x 25 mm x 7 mm for example. However, the pump
head
is fully scalable, and could be used to make much larger pumps. In larger
pumps; the
tube holder could be modified to have a greater number of race parts, ie the
tube could be
woven in and out of the housing a greater number of times than described
above.
Figure 14 shows a pump assembly generally indicated by reference numeral 201.
The
pump assembly includes a main housing 202 which includes a recess 203
containing
three of the pump heads 1 described with r espect to Figures 1 to 4. While
three pump
heads 1 are shown in the Figure, more or less pump heads could be provided if
desired.
The pump heads are positioned so that the rotors 3 are positioned in the
recess 203, which
is configured to receive a tube holder as will be described below.
Although not shown in the Figure, the main housing also includes an interior
chamber
which is covered by a cover 205. The chamber preferably houses a drive
mechanism or
mechanisms such a number of servo motors and a microprocessor for controlling
the
.hive mechanism(s). The housings of the pump heads I extend into the interior
chamber
and the drive mechanism may be operably connected to the transmission
mechanism via a
CA 02559620 2003-12-22
22
shaft extending through the aperture 59 in each pump head housing for example.
It is
preferred that the pump heads 1 are independently operable. The pump head
housings are
preferably fixed in the pump assembly main housing 202 by fasteners or the
like, so that
they cannot move relative to the pump assembly main housing 202.
Figure 15 shows a preferred embodiment tube holder generally indicated by
reference
numeral 25I, for use with the pump assembly of Figure 15. The tube holder 25I
includes
a main body part 253 which includes three tube holding portions 255a-c. The
number of
tube holding portions will be selected to correspond with the number of pump
heads 1 in
I O the pump assembly main housing 202.
Each of the tube holding portions 255a-c has generally the same configuration
as the tube
holder of Figures 10 to 13, and includes a tapered frustoconical recess 257
for receipt of
the rotor 3 of the respective pump head 1. Each tube race is defined by a
first tube inlet
259a, a first tube outlet 259b, a second tube inlet 259c and a second tube
outlet 259d.
The cube race has a first race part defined by the first tube inlet 259a, the
first tube outlet
259b, and the surface of the recess 257 therebetween. The tube race has a
second race
part defined by the second tube inlet 259c, the second tube outlet 259d, and
the surface of
the recess therebetween.
An outwardly extending projection or lip 261 is situated between the first
tube outlet
259b and the second tulle inlet 259c. The lip 261 is located above the level
of the first
tube outlet 259b and the second tube inlet 259c (in the orientation of Figure
15), and
assists in maintaining the tube in the tube holder.
The tube holder body 253 includes a flange 263, and a hinged connecting member
265.
The hinged connecting member 265 is movable from the position shown in Figure
15
wherein it is pivoted away from the flange 263 to a position shown in Figure
17 wherein
it is in contact with the flange 263. The flange 263 includes engagement
projections 267
with enlarged heads for engaging in recesses 269 in the connecting member 265
when it
is in the position shown in Figure 17.
CA 02559620 2003-12-22
23
The hinged connecting member 265 is connected to a flexible container in the
form of a
sachet for containing fluid to be delivered by the pump. A suitable sachet 271
is shown
in Figure 16. In the embodiment shown, the sachet 271 includes a neck portion
273 and
two reservoir portions 275, 277 in a Y-configuration. It has been found that
by using two
reservoir portions 275, 277 in the configuration shown, a lower profile can be
achieved
while still providing the desired storage volume for fluid to be administered
by the pump.
The neck portion 273 is formed with three enlarged apertures 279x-c,
configured to
receive corresponding mounting bosses 281a-c on the hinged connecting member
265 of
the tube holder 251. The sachet 271 is connected to the tube holder 251 by
inserting the
mounting bosses 281a-c into respective enlarged apertures 279a-c. The sachet
271 and
tube holder 251 may be maintained in connection by adhering the bosses 281 a-c
in the
enlarged apertures with an adhesive or similar, or by plastic welding the
components
together for example. Suitable materials for the sachet include, but are- not
limited to, a
flexible polymer plastic or foil. The tube holder is preferably made from a
polymer
plastic.
Apertures 282a c extend through the mounting bosses 281 a-c of the tube
holder, and into
corresponding spigots 283a-c which extend towards the tube holding portions
255a-c
when the connecting member 265 is in the position shown in Figure 17. The
apertures
are in fluid communication with the interior of the sachet 271 a. This sachet
differs as the
interior of the sachet is divided into the same number of independent fluid
chambers as
there are enlarged aperhmes 279a-c in the neck. This is shown in more detail
in Figures
18 and 21. In the assembled sachet/tube holder, each mounting boss 281 a-c
extends into
a respective fluid passage 284a-c, each of which is in fluid communication
with a
respective fluid chamber 285a-c (Figure 21). The fluid passages 284a-c are
sealed from
one another by webs 286. It is not necessary that the sachet is divided into
separate fluid
chambers, and a single fluid chamber could be provided, However, by providing
independent~ffuid chambers, the pump assembly and sachetltube holder can be
used to
selectively deliver different fluids from a single sachet.
CA 02559620 2003-12-22
24
In use, tubes are connected to the spigots and installed in the tube holding
portions 255a-
c. More particularly, when the hinged attachment member 265 is in the position
shown in
Figure 15 (and connected to a sachet), a tube 287a-c is connected to each
spigot 283a-c.
The tubes are preferably an interference fit on the respective tube to assist
in maintaining
the connection between the tubes and the spigots. The tubes 287a-c are held in
a
substantially U-shaped configuration, and the hinged connecting member 265 is
moved to
the position shown in Figure 17. The tubes are moved so that they extend
around the
respective tube holding portions 255a-c in a similar manner as that described
above with
reference to Figures 9 to 13. The free ends of the tubes can then be pulled so
that the
tubes are located under the lips 261 to assist in maintaining the tubes in the
tube hoiding
portions 255a-c. The free ends of the tubes 287a-c extend through a channel
289 and out
the side of the housing 253 as shown in Figures 18 and 19.
The installation of the tube holder 251 in the pump assembly 201 is shown in
Figure 20.
In particular, the tube holder 251 and sachet 271 are inverted from the
orientation shown
in Figures 17 to 19, and the tube holder body is inserted into the recess 203
in the pump
housing 202. One edge of the tube holder 251 is inserted first, and the
opposite edge is
pushed downwardly to the recess. When the tube holder is in position in the
recess 203
of the pump housing 202, the tapered rotors 3 are positioned in the recesses
257 of the
tube holding portions 255a-c and engage the tubes 287a-c so that actuation of
the pump
heads causes the tubes to be occluded, and fluid delivered from the reservoirs
through the
Pubes. The tubes are preferably resiliently flexible so that they return
substantially to
their original configuration after being compressed by the rollers of the
rotors during
occlusion, meaning that as they return to their original shape following
occlusion. They .
will suck fluid through the tubes behind the rollers, enabling the flexible
sachet to be used
in a non-overhead configuration.. For example, the sachet could be positioned
in use to be
substantially horizontal.
It is preferred that the pump heads could be operable in a forward or rearward
direction,
to either dispense or suck fluid.
CA 02559620 2003-12-22
A pair of biased clips 291 maintain the tube holder in position in the pump
housing by
engaging a lip 299 of the tube holder. To release the tube holder, the clips
are moved in
the direction of arrow A in Figure 20, and the tube holder can be lifted out
of the recess
203. Once empty, the sachet and tube holder can be disposed of, and a further
sachet and
5 tube holder can be connected to the pump housing in the manner described
above.
Figures 22 and 23 show a coding system for coding the sachet described above
with
reference to Figures 15 to 21. As shown in Figure 22, the lip 299 of the tube
holder 251
has a plurality of magnet mounting sites 301a-301h for receipt of
ferromagnetic inserts.
10 In the form shown, the magnet mounting sites are in the form of apertures.
The preferred
embodiment is shown as having eight magnet mounting sites,.but more or less
sites could
be provided as desired. By selectively placing magnets in one or more of the
sites, a
binary code is provided which can be read by suitable sensors to determine the
contents
of the sachet, in a manner to be described below. In the embodiment shown,
three
15 magnets Ml, M2, M3 are located in the apertures 301a, 301c and 301e.
Referring now to Figure 23, a corresponding number of sensors 311a-311h are
provided
on or in the pump assembly main housing 202, in positions substantially
corresponding to
the positions of the magnet mounting sites 301a-301h when the tube holder is
connected
20 to the housing in the manner described above with reference to Figure 2I.
The magnet
sensors can be provided either on an upper surface of the housing or just
below the
surface, so that each sensor can sense when a magnet is present in the
corresponding
position on the tube holder. As will be readily apparent, the magnets could be
provided
in other positions on the tube holder than on the lip 299, and the magnet
sensors could be
25 positioned in other corresponding positions on or in the pump assembly
housing. Further,
the magnets could be provided on the sachet itself, rather than the tube
holder. The
preferred type of magnet sensors are Hall Effect sensors.
When the tube holder is inserted.into the pump assembly main housing and
seated in its
proper position, each sensor will'sense whether there is a magnet present.at a
respective
magnet mounting site on the tube holder. By using the sensors and magnets in
the
CA 02559620 2003-12-22
2b
configuration shown, the sensing can occur when the tube holder is stationary
relative to
the pump assembly. For example, when the tube holder of Figure 23 is connected
to the
pump assembly main housing, sensors 311a, 311c and 311e will sense that
magnets are
present in locations 301a, 301c and 301e respectively, and the remaining
sensors will not
detect any magnets. Sensors 301a, 301c and 301e will then signal a
microprocessor 321.
The microprocessor will determine from those signals the numbers and positions
of the
magnets, and will then access a memory 323 to determine from the code the
substances)
in the sachet (and, if more than one substance is present, which pump to
actuate to deliver
that substance). If the code is recognised, the processor activates software
routines
associated with the code (and thereby the particular sachet contents). The
software
routine may determine when the pumps should be actuated, for how long, and in
which
combination for example. Based on the software, the microprocessor will signal
a
controller 325, which will selectively operate servo motors 327, 329 and 331.
If the code
is not recognized, the pump will not operate, and will issue a warning. ~
Sachets
containing different substances will be coded with different combinations of
magnets,
and the combinations will be stored in the memory 323 along with suitable
sofiware
routines. That way, the pump assembly will recognise the contents of a sachet
and
operate accordingly.
It will be appreciated that the magnetic inserts provide a number of magnetic
areas for
detection by the sensors on the pump assembly. Other means of providing
magnetic or
magnetisable areas could be used. For example, one or more strips of material
could be
provided on the sachet, with discrete parts of the strips) being magnetised as
desired.
Alternatively, a number of inserts of a material which exhibits no magnetic
properties
until magnetised, could be used. For example, Beryllium inserts could be used,
some or
all of which are magnetised as required to provide the binary code. As another
example,
the strips) of material could include a number of linked Beryllium magnets,
some or all
of which are magnetised as required.
When magnetic inserts are used, they would generally be inserted to code the
sachet
when it is filled with one or more substances by a supplier. Alternatively,
the strips) of
CA 02559620 2003-12-22
27
material or the items of material which require magnetising could be provided
during
manufacture of the sachet/tube holder, eg could be moulded into the tube
holder, and then
magnetised as required when the sachet is filled with one or more substances.
Alternatively, the sachedtube holder could be pre-coded during manufacture for
use with
a particular substance or substances.
The preferred tube holder and peristaltic pump head described above have a
number of
advantages. In parhicular, the tube holders in which the tubes exit and re-
enter the tube
race maintain the tubes ~ in a desired position in the race during a pumping
operation.
Further, by virtue of the tube holder being mounted to float transversely
relative to the
tapered rotor, the rotor and tube race are self aligning. By axially biasing
the rotor, the
tube holder and the rotor as also self adjusting to maintain the desired
pressure on a tube
in the tube race.
The above describes preferred embodiments of the present invention, -and
modifications
may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention.
For example, it is not essential that the rotor is axially biased, nor that
the tube holder is
floating relative to the main pump housing. However, including those features
provides
the advantages outlined above.
In an alternative embodiment, rather than axially biasing the rotor relative
to the pump
head housing, the tube holdex could be biased towards the rotor. Both the
rotor and tube
holder could be axially biased towards one another.
