Use of Silicone O-Rings in Dual Action Irrigation Pumps

Abstract

To provide a disposable dual-action reciprocating pump part.SOLUTION: A disposable dual-action reciprocating pump part includes a piston and a cylinder, and multiple silicone O-rings. The piston is configured to move bidirectionally inside the cylinder. The multiple silicone O-rings are configured for sealing the piston against the cylinder.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] (CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS) This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 786,406, filed December 29, 2018, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 786,402, filed December 29, 2018, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 786,404, filed December 29, 2018, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 786,407, filed December 29, 2018, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] FIELD OF THEINVENTION The present invention relates generally to medical pumps, and more particularly to single use medical pumps. [Background technology]

[0003] Various designs of medical pumps that can be used once have been proposed in the patent literature. For example, US Patent Application Publication No. 2008 / 0195058 describes an apparatus and method for engaging a pumping cartridge with a pump drive. In certain embodiments, a cartridge with a cylinder and a movable piston assembly is first assembled or later positioned such that the distance between a mounting point on the piston assembly for coupling with the drive assembly and a reference point on the cylinder is greater than the maximum distance that would be encountered during normal oscillation of the piston during use. In certain embodiments, the cartridge can be press-fitted into a drive assembly having a means for immobilizing the cartridge and a means for coupling the piston assembly with a drive shaft. In certain embodiments, when the cartridge is fully inserted into the drive assembly, the piston is pressed into the cylinder sufficiently to establish a selected distance, so that the piston shaft is in the proper position to engage a coupling mechanism carried by the drive shaft.

[0004] As another example, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015 / 0327875 describes a system for thrombus aspiration including a catheter having an aspiration lumen configured to couple to a vacuum source, the system further including a disposable tubing set having a first conduit configured to couple a supply lumen of the aspiration catheter to a fluid source, and a pump component associated with the first conduit and configured to removably couple to a drive unit.

[0005] Various designs for controlling the output flow of medical pumps are known in the art. For example, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013 / 0123689 describes a breast pump device comprising a vacuum pump and a variable volume buffer volume coupled together in fluid communication. The device also includes a breast receiving portion coupled to the vacuum pump and the buffer volume, whereby the vacuum pump is operable to generate a negative pressure at the breast receiving portion to stimulate milk expression, and the negative pressure generated at the breast receiving portion can be controlled by controlling the buffer volume.

[0006] As another example, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2003 / 0220608 describes methods, systems, and devices for performing peritoneal dialysis. To this end, in part, a method of controlling pressure in a medical fluid pump is provided. The method includes controlling the acceleration of a pump member during a first portion of a pump stroke and adaptively varying the speed of the pump member during a second portion of the pump stroke.

[0007] US Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0326282 describes hemodialysis and similar dialysis systems. According to one aspect, a blood pump of the system is configured to pump blood to a dialyzer of a hemodialysis machine, the blood pump including a pneumatically operated pump or a controlled reciprocating diaphragm pump. In one embodiment, the pump's diaphragm comprises a flexible membrane formed or shaped to generally conform to a curved inner wall of the pumping or control chamber of the pump, the diaphragm being preformed or shaped with a control side that assumes a convex shape, such that any elastic tension on the diaphragm is minimized when fully extended into the pump's control chamber.

[0008] US Patent No. 5,921,951 describes an apparatus for pumping a fluid at a stable rate. A first drive chamber having a movable outer surface and a second drive chamber having a movable outer surface are provided. The apparatus further includes a block having a plurality of internal passages including a first passage for receiving fluid within the block and a second passage for discharging fluid from the block at a stable rate. The block has first and second internal chambers in fluid communication with the first and second passages. The first internal chamber has a first flexible surface for mating with the movable outer surface of the first drive chamber and the second internal chamber has a second flexible surface for mating with the movable outer surface of the second drive chamber. At least one actuator is provided for applying a positive pressure to the first flexible surface and simultaneously applying a negative pressure to the second flexible surface, and for applying a negative pressure to the first flexible surface and simultaneously applying a positive pressure to the second flexible surface. The actuator is coupled to the first and second flexible surfaces by first and second actuation chambers, respectively.

[0009] U.S. Patent No. 3,771,918 describes a multi-stage linear reciprocating balanced-unopposed compressor in which the drive is driven by an analog turnbuckle with first and second pairs of associated recirculating ball bearing nuts and screws. The ball bearing nuts are constrained against axial displacement and driven by a rotary power source. The pairs of recirculating ball bearing nuts and screws are counter-threaded and the screws are coupled together for reciprocating together. The screws are braked continuously to produce the reciprocating motion. The powered screws compress gas in multiple stages in an isomer by driving multiple pistons. When the power stroke of a screw is completed, its brake is released and the other screw is braked to compress gas in a second isomer identical to the first. The stroke of the compressor is variable for warm-up operation.

[0010] Various types of sealing elements for use in medical pumps have been proposed in the patent literature. For example, US Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0224829 describes a fluid pump device operable by a drive and actuation system. The fluid pump device includes a pump manifold, a plurality of pump cylinders, a reciprocatingly operable plunger in each of the pump cylinders, and at least one inlet selector valve. The inlet selector valve may be located laterally outside the pump cylinder and extend generally parallel to the pump cylinder. In one embodiment, the O-ring seal may be made of any type of suitable elastomeric material, including, for example, polyurethane, silicone, or EPDM rubber, depending on whether the sealed parts are static or one is moving relative to the other.

[0011] As another example, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2011 / 0144586 describes a portable injection device, system, and method of use for dispensing materials. In some cases, the device, system, and method may be used to inject materials such as medicines, e.g., insulin, into a body in need thereof. In some cases, the seals used may be made from materials such as butyl, silicone, polyurethane, etc., having a Shore hardness of about 70A.

[0012] US Patent Application Publication No. 2011 / 0106003 describes a peritoneal dialysis system including a disposable cassette having an interface including at least one pump hole. At least one piston head is movable out of and retractable into the at least one pump hole to move a corresponding pumping portion of the flexible sheet of the disposable cassette, the piston head moving within a vacuum chamber that allows a vacuum to be pulled around the piston head and into the flexible sheet of the disposable cassette. In one embodiment, a shaft seal, which may be of any known type, hereinafter referred to as an O-ring, is also placed within the housing between the shaft opening and the piston to maintain a vacuum within the chamber. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] One embodiment of the present invention provides a pump device including a rotary motor, a compartment for inserting a disposable pump component, and one or more pulsation reduction elements. The disposable pump component includes an input port, an output port, and a dual action reciprocating assembly. The input port is configured to draw in a fluid. The output port is configured to output a fluid. The dual action reciprocating assembly is configured to pump the fluid. The assembly includes a single piston and a rod coupled to the rotary motor and configured to drive the piston. The one or more pulsation reduction elements are configured to reduce pulsations in the output fluid caused by the single piston dual action reciprocating assembly.

[0014] In some embodiments, the one or more pulsation reduction elements are configured to reduce variations in the rate of movement of a single piston.

[0015] In some embodiments, the one or more pulsation reduction elements include a balloon damper fitted to an output port of the pump component.

[0016] In one embodiment, the one or more pulsation reduction elements include a mechanical smoothing mechanism including a guide channel (e.g., a slit) and a bar configured to couple a shaft of a rotary motor with a rod. The bar is coupled to the shaft for rotatable movement within the guide channel, the guide channel profile configured to accelerate and decelerate the reciprocating motion of the rod with the rotational motion of the bar.

[0017] In another embodiment, the one or more pulsation reduction elements include a processor configured to vary the rotational speed of the rotary motor.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is further provided a disposable pump component for insertion into a compartment of a pump device, the disposable pump component comprising an input port, an output port, and a single piston dual action reciprocating assembly. The input port is configured to draw in a fluid. The output port is configured to output a fluid. The dual action reciprocating assembly is configured to pump the fluid. The assembly comprises a single piston, a check valve, a rod, and a mechanical pulsation reduction element. The check valve is configured to alternately open and close in response to pumping by the single piston to provide dual action reciprocating pumping. The rod is configured to be coupled with a rotary motor of the pump device to drive the single piston. The mechanical pulsation reduction element is configured to reduce pulsations in the output fluid caused by the single piston.

[0019] In some embodiments, the input port, the output port, and the assembly are configured to be fitted to a pump device and later removed from the pump device at the end of use.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is further provided a method of manufacturing comprising assembling a single-use pump component, the single-use pump component including (a) an input port for drawing in a fluid, (b) an output port for outputting the fluid, and (c) a single-piston dual action reciprocating assembly for pumping the fluid. The assembly includes (i) a check valve configured to alternately open and close in response to pumping to provide dual action reciprocating pumping, (ii) a rod configured to be coupled with a rotary motor to drive the dual action reciprocating assembly, and (iii) one or more pulsation reduction elements configured to reduce pulsations in the output fluid caused by the single-piston dual action reciprocating assembly. The assembled pump components are packaged in a sterile package.

[0021] According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is further provided a method of manufacture comprising inserting a disposable single piston dual action reciprocating pump component into a compartment of a pump device. The pump component includes one or more pulsation reducing elements configured to reduce pulsations in fluid output from the pump component caused by the single piston dual action reciprocating assembly. The input port of the pump component is connected to a fluid supply. The output port is connected to a fluid supply line of a medical device. The pump device is operated from a control panel of the pump device.

[0022] Another embodiment of the present invention provides a disposable single piston double action reciprocating pump component including a single piston, an output port, and a balloon damper, the output port configured to output a fluid pumped by the single piston, the balloon damper fitted to the output port, the balloon damper configured to suppress pulsations in the flow rate of the output fluid.

[0023] In some embodiments, the balloon damper is configured to accommodate the shape of the chamber within which the balloon is fitted.

[0024] In some embodiments, the balloon damper is configured to suppress pulsations in the flow rate of the output fluid by the balloon damper into a non-compressible volume when the output flow rate is reduced, forcing excess fluid out through the output port.

[0025] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a method of manufacturing is further provided, which includes partially assembling a single-use double-acting reciprocating pump component having an output port for outputting a fluid, a balloon damper is fitted to the output port, and the balloon damper is configured to suppress pulsation of the flow rate of the outputted fluid, and then the assembly of the pump component is completed.

[0026] In some embodiments, the manufacturing method further includes packaging the assembled pump components in a sterile package.

[0027] Another embodiment of the present invention provides a disposable double action reciprocating pump component including an input port, an output port, a single piston double action reciprocating assembly for pumping a fluid, and a mechanical smoothing mechanism. The input port is configured to suck in a fluid. The output port is configured to output the fluid pumped by the single piston. The single piston double action reciprocating assembly for pumping a fluid includes a single piston and a rod configured to be coupled to a shaft of a rotary motor. The mechanical smoothing mechanism includes a guide channel and a bar that couples the shaft of the rotary motor with the rod, whereby a profile of the guide channel within which the bar rotates and moves is configured to accelerate and decelerate the reciprocating motion of the rod with the rotational motion of the bar.

[0028] In some embodiments, the pump component further includes a check valve configured to alternately open and close in response to pumping by the single piston to provide dual-acting reciprocating pumping.

[0029] In some embodiments, the pump component further includes a balloon damper fitted to the output port, the balloon damper configured to dampen pulsations in the flow rate of the output fluid.

[0030] In some embodiments, the pump component further includes a plurality of silicone O-rings configured to seal the piston against the cylinder of the pump component.

[0031] Another embodiment of the present invention provides a disposable dual action reciprocating pump component including a piston and cylinder, the piston configured for bidirectional movement inside the cylinder, and a plurality of silicone O-rings configured to seal the piston to the cylinder.

[0032] In some embodiments, at least one of the silicone O-rings is configured to be fixed relative to the piston and to slide relative to the cylinder.

[0033] According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is further provided a method of manufacturing, which includes partially assembling a single-use double-acting reciprocating pump component having a piston and a cylinder, the piston being configured to move bidirectionally inside the cylinder. A plurality of silicone O-rings are fitted, configured to seal the piston against the cylinder. Then, the assembly of the pump component is completed.

[0034] In some embodiments, fitting a plurality of silicone o-rings includes fitting at least one silicone o-ring over the piston.

[0035] The invention will be more fully understood from consideration of the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which: [Brief description of the drawings]

[0036] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic volumetric rendering of a medical pump device including a disposable single piston dual action pump component according to one embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] 2 is a cross-sectional view of the disposable single piston dual action pump component of FIG. 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a disposable single piston dual action pump component including a balloon damper according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 2 is a graph illustrating the movement of the piston of the disposable dual action pump of FIG. 1 as a function of the angle of the rotary motor of the pumping system, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] 1 is a schematic volumetric rendering of a mechanical smoothing mechanism, according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 6 is a flow chart illustrating a method for designing a portion of the mechanical smoothing mechanism of FIG. 5 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7]2 is a cross-sectional view of the disposable single piston dual action pump component of FIG. 1 including a silicone O-ring according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] 2 is a flow chart illustrating a method for manufacturing the disposable single piston dual action pump component of FIG. 1 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0037] Overview In some medical applications, disposable medical pumps are required to provide an output flow at a constant flow rate. At the same time, such medical pumps need to be low-cost products. Some types of low-cost pumps can produce a steady flow, such as certain peristaltic pumps, which typically include plastic components that are constantly flexed during pumping. The constant flexing of plastic parts generates electrical noise that can be picked up by some medical devices used in medical procedures and reduce their performance.

[0038] Embodiments of the invention described below provide a flexible, single-use, single-piston, dual-action, reciprocating pump component that includes and / or is coupled with one or more pulsation reduction elements configured to reduce pulsations in the output flow caused by the reciprocating motion of a single piston of the pump component.

[0039] In the context of the disclosed embodiments, pulsation is defined as a periodically alternating increase and decrease in the output flow of the disclosed pump components that correlates with the reciprocating motion of the pistons. A steady flow of fluid can therefore be considered as a complete lack of pulsation.

[0040] The disclosed disposable pump components are configured to be easily fitted (i.e., inserted) into a compartment of a medical pump device (the pump device also referred to hereinafter as a "pumping system"). The pump components are configured for a "one-time" single use and are easily removed from the pump device at a later time, e.g., at the end of use. The disposable pump section separates the portion of the pump that comes into contact with the fluid from the pump driver. The entire disposable pump component does not require sterilization prior to use and is made mostly of plastic.

[0041] In some embodiments, a pump device is provided that includes (a) a rotary motor, (b) a compartment for inserting a disposable pump component, and (c) one or more pulsation reduction elements included in the pump device. The disposable pump component includes (i) an input port for drawing in a fluid and an output port for outputting the fluid, and (ii) a dual-acting reciprocating assembly for pumping the fluid, the assembly including a single piston and a rod coupled to the rotary motor and configured to drive the piston.

[0042] Examples of pulsation reduction elements include a damping balloon, a processor, a guide channel of a mechanical smoothing mechanism, the guide channel having a non-linear profile, all of which are described below. In general, the disclosed technology is applicable to any other pulsation reduction element that operates with a single piston pump.

[0043] A balloon damper, in fluid communication with the fluid flowing through the output port of the pump component, acts as a smoothing "capacitor" for the output flow. The disclosed balloon damper is fitted to an inner chamber of the pump component. When the output flow is reduced, the balloon returns to its original uncompressed volume, forcing excess fluid out through the output port, thereby reducing the pulsating output to a minimum.

[0044] The balloon thus regulates the output flow rate regulated by the piston movement by (i) compressing the balloon during the section where the piston travels at a constant speed, and (ii) at the end of the piston travel, as the output pressure drops, the balloon expands, increasing the flow rate from a lower value caused by the change in piston direction. In this solution, the balloon damper is part of the output port of the pump components, all of which are disposable.

[0045] The processor element controls the rotational speed of the pump motor so that the piston travels at a constant speed except at the end of the piston travel, at which point the processor varies the rotational speed of the motor to reduce pulsation.

[0046] Alternatively or additionally, the acceleration and deceleration of the piston (i.e., rod) is accomplished mechanically in some embodiments utilizing a mechanical smoothing mechanism that may be included in the pump device (i.e., pumping system). The disclosed mechanical smoothing mechanism couples a rod that is part of a single-use pump component to the shaft of a rotary motor of the pumping device, translating the rotation of the motor shaft into a periodic, variable speed motion of the rod.

[0047] To convert the motion, the mechanical smoothing mechanism comprises a bar coupled to the shaft and free to move within a guide channel having a non-linear profile. In this way, the disclosed smoothing mechanism accelerates the piston of the pump component fitted to the rod just before it reaches the end of travel where the piston stops. The disclosed piston motion acts to compensate for the diminishing flow velocity at the piston pivot point. In one embodiment, the design of the disclosed mechanical smoothing mechanism further accounts for the attenuation of the flow velocity along the output path to provide a variable speed piston motion that induces uniform flow.

[0048] Some embodiments of the present invention provide disposable single piston dual action reciprocating pump components that include silicone O-rings. The silicone O-rings seal the piston against the cylinder to allow the piston to pump fluid as it moves bidirectionally inside the cylinder. In some embodiments, at least one of the silicone O-rings is configured to be fixed relative to the piston and to slide relative to the cylinder.

[0049] Silicone O-rings typically exhibit poor tear strength, wear and tensile strength. The poor wear resistance of silicone O-rings means that such O-rings are generally considered not suitable for use as seals with movable parts. However, in some embodiments of the present invention, the parts are intended for "one-time" single use, so the silicone O-rings are also single use, and thus the above disadvantages are not relevant. Furthermore, the speed of the piston is kept low enough to ensure that the silicone O-rings can reliably fulfill their task "one-time" single use.

[0050] The use of low-cost O-rings in pump components intended for "one-time" single use can reduce the cost of such pump components, thus increasing the adoption of disposable pumps in medical applications such as intravenous injection of drugs.

[0051] The disclosed low-cost, single-use, single piston, dual-action pumps with the disclosed technology for suppressing output flow pulsation may be used in medical procedures where electrical disturbances can be imparted by using, for example, a single-use peristaltic pump. For example, the disclosed single-use pump components may be used with irrigated radiofrequency cardiac ablation catheters without adding electrical noise to low amplitude electrophysiological signals sensed by other devices. Thus, the disclosed low-cost pump components may increase the adoption of single-use pumps in medical procedures.

[0052] System Description 1 is a schematic volumetric rendering of a medical pump device 100 comprising a disposable single piston dual action pump component 10, according to one embodiment of the present invention. The entire pump component (component 10) is configured to be easily fitted into device 100 for a single use and easily removed from device 100 at the end of use.

[0053] The device 100 further comprises a rotary pump motor 30 connected to the pump via a connection mechanism (not marked in the figures) that converts the rotary action of the pump motor into a reciprocating motion of the dual action pump part 10 .

[0054] The dual action pump component 10 has a fluid input port 14 to which a fluid supply is connected, and a fluid output port 16 that may be connected to a fluid supply line of a medical device, such as, for example, the irrigation port of a radiofrequency ablation catheter. The device 100 is a stand-alone device that is operated and monitored from a control panel 50.

[0055] Inset 25 shows pump component 10, which is a single part configured to fit into device 100. The component's only interfaces are fluid input port 14, fluid output port 16, and moving rod 12, which is connected to move a piston inside pump component 10 to provide the pumping action.

[0056] The exemplary diagram shown in Figure 1 has been chosen purely for conceptual clarity. Only elements relevant to the present invention are described, while many other parts included in the device 100 have been omitted for simplicity. For example, the disclosed single-use pump component 10 is connected to a rotary pump motor 30 via a connecting rod and a screw mechanism. The screw mechanism converts the rotary action of the pump motor into a reciprocating motion of the connecting rod.

[0057] The exemplary diagram shown in inset 25 has been chosen purely for conceptual clarity. In alternative embodiments, the industrial design of pump component 10 may be different to accommodate other designs of medical pump device 100.

[0058] Disposable double action reciprocating pump assembly Figure 2 is a schematic, pictorial diagram of the one-use, single piston, dual action pump component 10 of Figure 1, according to one embodiment of the present invention. As can be seen, the pumping component 10 is a one-piece element configured to mate with the device 100, with the component's only interfaces being the fluid input port 14, the fluid output port 16, and the moving rod 12, which is coupled to move a piston inside the pump component 10 to provide the pumping action, as described below.

[0059] As can be seen, rod 12 drives piston 18 inside cylinder 20 in a two-way pumping action. Four check valves 22 open and close alternately (in pairs) to provide dual-action pumping. The reciprocating motion of piston 18, which can be used in both opposing directions, pumps fluid from input port 14 to output port 16 in a nearly continuous flow.

[0060] Moreover, by using such a dual-stroke configuration, the pump component 10 is capable of nearly continuous pumping of fluids at a wide range of flow rates, from a few mL / min to tens of mL / min, and at a wide range of output pressures, from sub-PSI to tens of PSI.

[0061] The pump components 10 are made primarily of low cost plastic components, such as the check valve 22, which allows for a single use model of the disclosed pump device.

[0062] The exemplary diagram shown in Fig. 2 has been chosen purely for conceptual clarity. In alternative embodiments, the industrial design of the pump part 10 may differ to accommodate other designs of the device 100. Only elements relevant to the present invention are described; for simplicity, many other components included in the pump part 10, such as O-rings, are not described.

[0063] Use of balloons as dampers for pump ports 3 is a cross-sectional view of a one-time use single piston dual action pump component 11 including a balloon damper 40 according to one embodiment of the present invention. As can be seen, the balloon 40 is fitted inside the pump component 11 at the outlet port of the component 11. The pump component 11 functions as described for the component 10 of FIG. 2, the only change between the components 10 and 11 is the use of the balloon damper 40 to smooth the output flow profile of the component 10.

[0064] To establish a slow and gradual change in flow rate of the pump component 11, the balloon 40 is configured to be compressed by the surrounding fluid during the constantly progressing section of the piston 18. At the piston end point, as the fluid pressure drops, the balloon expands, increasing the flow rate from a lower value caused by the change in piston direction. Inset 45 shows a graph demonstrating a more uniform flow rate 55 when using the balloon 40 compared to the flow rate 53 profile demonstrated without the balloon 40. As seen by the shaded areas, towards the end points -X0 and +X0, the pump output flow drops substantially unless the balloon damper 40 is used.

[0065] In some embodiments, the balloon 40 has a special half-crescent cylindrical shape that best fits into the available space inside part 11 to maximize the balloon volume and to maximize the damping effect of the balloon 40 on pulsations in the output flow.

[0066] The exemplary diagram shown in Figure 3 has been chosen purely for conceptual clarity. The shape of the balloon 40, as well as the shape, location and number of channels 44, may vary.

[0067] Reduction of pulsation in double-acting reciprocating pumps. FIG. 4 is a graph illustrating the movement of the piston of the disposable dual action pump of FIG. 1 as a function of the angle of the rotary motor of the pumping system, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

[0068] The graphs 52 and 55 disclosed are derived by the designer from the outflow requirements seen in graph 60, which are as uniform as possible.

[0069] The periodic graph 52 shows the piston position as a function of the shaft angle of the rotary drive motor. As can be seen, near the pivot points of the piston travel (i.e., about rotation angles 0, π, 2π...), the piston position X depends non-linearly on the shaft angle. The root cause of the variable speed motion of the piston can be seen in graph 55, where the piston velocity V X increases before and after the piston velocity decelerates as the piston stops instantly at the end of its rotation.

[0070] As discussed above, a processor inside the system 100 can instruct the system to vary the output flow rate, for example, by a combination of speeding up and slowing down the rotation of the motor to reduce pulsation.

[0071] 5 is a schematic volumetric rendering of mechanical smoothing mechanism 40, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In some embodiments, mechanical smoothing mechanism 40 is used to achieve a desired profile of the output flow of part 10, such as profile 60.

[0072] As can be seen, the rod 12 is coupled to a guide hub 47 having a guide channel 48. The cylinder head 42 of the mechanism 40 is coupled to a rotating shaft 41 of a drive motor (not shown). The guide hub 47 is coupled to the head 42 by a bar 46 that is screwed into the head 42 so that the bar 46 rotates with the rotating shaft 41. Due to the guide channel 48, the guide hub 47 is not rotationally coupled to the rod 12, but the element 47 moves back and forth with a variable speed motion induced by the bar 46 which pushes and pulls the element 47 (and with it the rod 12 and thus the piston 18) as the bar 46 rotates and moves along the guide channel 48, causing the guide hub 47 to translate the rod 12 along its axis following a path defined by the guide channel 48.

[0073] The guide channel 48 profile is designed to convert the rotation of the shaft 41 into a variable speed profile 55V(X) of the rod 12 seen in the inset 45 as a function of the piston's progression between the pivot ends -X0 and +X0 of the inner cylinder of the pump component 10.

[0074] The exemplary diagram shown in Figure 5 has been chosen purely for conceptual clarity: only those elements of the mechanical smoothing mechanism 40 that are relevant to the present invention are depicted, while for simplicity many other parts of which the mechanical smoothing mechanism 40 may include screws, etc. are omitted.

[0075] FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating a method for designing the mechanical smoothing mechanism 40 of FIG. 5 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The process begins by defining the required uniformity possible, output flow profile of the pump component 10, in an output flow requirement step 70. Next, based on the required profile of the output flow provided in step 70, the designer calculates the piston velocity profile 55 in a piston velocity calculation step 72. Using the velocity profile, the designer calculates the profile of the guide channel (e.g., slit) 48 of the mechanical smoothing mechanism 40 that will produce the required output flow profile of the pump component 10 in a mechanical guide channel profile calculation step 74. Finally, the designer saves the design of the mechanical smoothing mechanism 40, including the slit 48, in a file for use by the manufacturer in a design save step 76.

[0076] Use of Silicone O-Rings in Dual Action Irrigation Pumps 7 is a cross-sectional view of the disposable single piston dual action pump component 10 of FIG. 1 including a silicone O-ring 66, according to one embodiment of the present invention. The function of component 10 is described in FIG.

[0077] Three silicone O-rings 40 (i.e., 66a, 66b, and 66c) are fitted to the pump component 10 to seal the piston 18 against the cylinder 20 to ensure efficient pumping function and avoid leakage when the piston 18 moves in both directions to pump fluid, as described below.

[0078] As can be seen, silicone O-rings 66a and 66c are fitted to cylinder 20 in a manner that prevents O-rings 66a and 66c from leaking outside pump component 10. O-ring 66b is fitted over the outer periphery of piston 18 to prevent pumped fluid (i.e., fluid under pressure) from leaking around piston 18 into the volume of cylinder 20 separated by piston 18, whose increased volume serves to suck in fluid. When the piston reverses direction, O-ring 66b serves to seal against flow in the opposite direction.

[0079] 7 has been chosen purely for conceptual clarity. The cross-section, location and number of silicone O-rings 66 may vary.

[0080] Pump Parts Manufacturing Process FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating a method for manufacturing the disposable single piston dual action pump component 11 of FIG. 3 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0081] The process begins with partially assembling the single-use dual action reciprocating pump component 11 at pump component assembly step 80. A silicone O-ring 66 is then fitted to the partially assembled pump component 11 at silicone O-ring fitting step 82. A balloon damper 40 is then fitted to the partially assembled pump component 11 at balloon damper fitting step 84. Alternatively or additionally, pulsation is controlled by the disclosed mechanical smoothing mechanisms and / or by the processor varying the rotational speed as described above.

[0082] The manufacturing method then includes assembling the pump components 11 into a single-use dual action reciprocating pump at a complete pump assembly step 86. Finally, the fully assembled pump components 10 are packaged in a sterile package at a sterile packaging step 88.

[0083] The exemplary flow chart shown in Figure 8 has been chosen solely for purposes of conceptual clarity, and only shows the manufacturing steps relevant to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0084] Although the embodiments described herein primarily address sterilizable pump portions for catheter irrigation, the disclosed single-use pump components described herein may also be used for other medical applications, such as injection of contrast media for medical imaging and intravenous injection.

[0085] It will therefore be understood that the above-described embodiments are cited by way of example, and that the present invention is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. Rather, the scope of the present invention includes both combinations of the various features described above and subcombinations thereof, as well as variations and modifications thereof that would occur to those skilled in the art upon reading the above description and that are not disclosed in the prior art. Documents incorporated by reference into this patent application are to be considered as part of this application, except that if any term is defined in these incorporated documents in a manner that is inconsistent with the definition expressly or impliedly given herein, then only the definition in this specification shall be taken into consideration.

[0086] [Embodiment] (1) Disposable double-acting reciprocating pump parts, a piston and cylinder, the piston configured to move bidirectionally inside the cylinder; and a plurality of silicone O-rings configured to seal the piston against the cylinder. (2) The single-use pump part of embodiment 1, wherein at least one of the silicone O-rings is configured to be fixed relative to the piston and to slide relative to the cylinder. (3) A manufacturing method comprising the steps of: Partially assembling a single-use double acting reciprocating pump component having a piston and a cylinder, the piston configured to move bidirectionally inside the cylinder; fitting a plurality of silicone O-rings configured to seal the piston to the cylinder; and completing said assembly of said pump components. (4) The method of claim 3, wherein fitting a plurality of silicone O-rings includes fitting at least one silicone O-ring over the piston. (5) The method of claim 3, further comprising packaging the fully assembled pump components in a sterile package.

Claims

1. A disposable double action reciprocating pump part comprising: A fluid input port; A fluid output port; a piston and cylinder, the piston configured to move bidirectionally inside the cylinder to produce a double action pumping of fluid from the fluid input port through the fluid output port, the cylinder and the fluid output port being connected by a first channel disposed on a first side of the piston and a second channel disposed on a second side of the piston opposite the first side; a first check valve disposed in the first channel such that fluid flows through the first channel but not through the second channel while the piston is moving toward the first channel; a second check valve disposed in the second channel such that fluid flows through the second channel but not through the first channel while the piston is moving toward the second channel; a rod movably disposed in a through hole located at a first end and a second end of the cylinder, the piston being fixed to the rod between the first end and the second end of the cylinder; a balloon damper for smoothing an output flow profile of fluid pumped through the fluid output port, the balloon damper being disposed in a chamber located between the first channel and the second channel, the chamber being connected to the fluid output port via a third channel and a fourth channel such that the output flow profile of fluid entering the fluid output port from the first channel and fluid entering the fluid output port from the second channel is smoothed; a plurality of silicone O-rings configured to seal the piston against the cylinder and the rod against the through holes located at the first and second ends of the cylinder.

2. The pump component of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the silicone O-rings is configured to be fixed relative to the piston and to slide relative to the cylinder.

3. A method for manufacturing the disposable double action reciprocating pump part according to claim 1, comprising the steps of: partially assembling the single-use double acting reciprocating pump component with the piston and the cylinder, the piston being configured to move bidirectionally inside the cylinder; fitting the plurality of silicone O-rings configured to seal the piston to the cylinder; and completing said assembly of said single-use double acting reciprocating pump components.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein fitting the plurality of silicone O-rings comprises fitting at least one silicone O-ring over the piston.

5. 4. The method of claim 3, further comprising packaging the assembled single-use dual action reciprocating pump components in a sterile package.

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