Peristaltic pump with spring loaded housing

Abstract

A peristaltic pump comprising: a fixed frame (120), a rotatable member (130), a plurality of rollers (135) uniformly arranged on the rotatable member in a circumferential direction, a movable frame (140) mounted on the fixed frame, a force exerting assembly (160) configured to pinch a fluid pipe (150) between the movable frame and the plurality of rollers by applying a force to the movable frame, and a motor (170) for rotating the rotatable member. The motor (170) is configured, whenever a command to stop the rotatable member is received, firstly, continue rotating the rotatable member (130) until it reaches a position from a set of positions, wherein, for each position from the set of positions, the fluid pipe (150) is in contact with rollers (135) from the plurality of rollers only at a set of locations which is the same for each position from the set of positions, and secondly, maintain the rotatable member in the position from the set of positions until a command is received to restart rotation of the rotatable member (130) on the fixed frame (120).

Description

[0001] PERISTALTIC PUMP WITH SPRING LOADED HOUSING

[0002] Cross Reference to Related Application

[0003] This is a PCT International application of, and claims the benefit of priority to, provisional patent application 63 / 614,091 for “Peristaltic Pump With Spring Loaded Housing” filed on December 22, 2023 in the U.S. patent office, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] In some instances, in may be desirable to peristaltically pump fluids. Historically, peristaltic pumping over time would lead to wear of a fluid pipe side wall thickness as rollers would roll across the fluid pipe. This wear in the sidewall thickness of the fluid pipe would lead to inefficiencies of the pump because the rollers would no longer be distanced appropriately to completely occlude the fluid pipe. Thus, fluid would eventually leak from a section of fluid pipe between rollers and into adjacent sections of fluid pipe.

[0006] Additionally, peristaltic pumps may pump differing amounts of fluid based on starting positions. In other words, a 50-degree rotation of a peristaltic pump member starting at a first position may have an aspiration volume that is different than the same pump rotating 50 degrees when started from a second position. The aspiration volume being based on a starting position can make it difficult for an operator to control aspiration volumes when attempting to pump finite volumes.

[0007] While several systems and methods have been made and used in pumping fluids, it is believed that no one prior to the inventors has made or used the invention described in the appended claims.

[0008] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] While the specification concludes with claims which particularly point out and distinctly claim the invention, it is believed the present invention will be better understood from the following description of certain examples taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals identify the same elements and in which:

[0010] FIG. 1 depicts a top perspective view of a peristaltic pump having a pipe positioned between a moveable member and a rotatable member;

[0011] FIG. 2A depicts a schematic view of the peristaltic pump of FIG. 1 having the rotatable member clocked at a first position and having separate forces applied to the pipe;

[0012] FIG. 2B depicts a schematic view of the peristaltic pump of FIG. 1 having the rotatable member clocked at a second position and having the separate forces applied to the pipe;

[0013] FIG. 3A depicts a schematic view of the peristaltic pump of FIG. 1 having a force exerting assembly and a movable frame attached to a frame of the pump via a knob;

[0014] FIG. 3B depicts a schematic view of the peristaltic pump of FIG. 1 having a force exerting assembly and a movable frame moved from the frame of the pump to allow fluid pipe replacement;

[0015] FIG. 3C depicts a schematic view of the peristaltic pump of FIG. 1 having a force exerting assembly and a movable frame reattached to the frame of the pump and with a new section of fluid pipe; and

[0016] FIG. 4 depicts a schematic view of an analyzer including the peristaltic pump, motor, and controller of FIG. 1.

[0017] The drawings are not intended to be limiting in any way, and it is contemplated that various embodiments of the invention may be carried out in a variety of other ways, including those not necessarily depicted in the drawings. The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification illustrate several aspects of the present invention, and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention; it being understood, however, that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangements shown.

[0018] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] The following description of certain examples should not be used to limit the scope of protection provided by this document or any related document. Other examples, features, aspects, embodiments, and advantages of the disclosed technology will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description, which is by way of illustration, one of the best modes contemplated for making and using embodiments of the disclosed technology. As will be realized, the disclosed technology is capable of other different and obvious implementations. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions should be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive.

[0020] It is understood that any one or more of the teachings, expressions, versions, examples, etc. described herein may be combined with any one or more of the other teachings, expressions, versions, examples, etc. that are described herein. The following-described teachings, expressions, versions, examples, etc. should therefore not be viewed in isolation relative to each other. Various suitable ways in which the teachings herein may be combined will be readily apparent to those skilled in the ail in view of the teachings herein. Such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the claims.

[0021] I. Peristaltic Pump with Spring Loaded Housing

[0022] FIG. 1 depicts a peristaltic pump (100) having a fixed frame (120), a rotatable member (130), a plurality of rollers (135), a movable frame (140), a fluid pipe (150), a force exerting assembly (160), a motor (170), and a controller (175). Force exerting assembly (160) may include a base (163) and a force-exerting element (167).

[0023] Rotatable member (130) may generally be circular in shape and be mounted to fixed frame (120) such that rotatable member (130) is free to rotate about a longitudinal axis relative to fixed frame (120). Rotatable member (130) may include a plurality of rollers (135), rollers (135) may be uniformly arranged circumferentially around an outer portion of rotatable member (130) in a circumferential direction. Each roller (135) may include an axis of rotation that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of rotatable member (130) and may be freely rotatable about that axis relative to rotatable member (130). Each roller (135) may include a smooth outer surface that is configured to contact fluid pipe (150) to provide contact point having reduced friction.

[0024] Rotatable member (130) may be coupled with and driven by motor (170). Motor (170) may be axially coupled with longitudinal axis of rotatable member (130) or may be indirectly coupled such as through a belt or chain drive (not shown). As will be described later, motor (170) may be capable of clocking rotatable member (130) to a predetermined angular position. Motor (170) may be configured as a stepper motor and / or may be capable of determining a current angular position. Motor (170) may be driven by a driver (not shown) and may be configured to rotate a predetermined rotation to thereby drive a calculated amount of fluid through fluid pipe (150). Motor (170) may be coupled with a back side of fixed frame (120) and may include an axle (not shown) transitioning through fixed frame (120) and into rotatable member (130). Motor (170) may include an output shaft with a “D” shaped male end configured to mate with a “D” shaped female opening of rotatable member (130).

[0025] Force exerting assembly (160) may optionally be movably coupled with fixed frame (120) such that force exerting assembly (160) may be capable of sliding towards or away from rotatable member (130). Movement of force exerting assembly (160) may be performed with a knob (169) positioned between force exerting assembly (160) and fixed frame (120) where knob (169) may act as a cam or indexing plunger where rotation of knob (169) moves force exerting assembly (160) relative to fixed frame (120). Alternatively or additionally, knob (169) may act to quickly secure and remove force exerting assembly (160) and movable frame (140) from fixed frame (120). Removal of force exerting assembly (160) and movable frame (140) may occasionally be needed to reposition or replace fluid pipe (150). Alternatively, an operator may manually translate movable frame (140) away from rotatable member (130) to thereby establish a gap between the two. This gap may be sized for an operator to shift fluid pipe (150) away from pump (100).

[0026] As mentioned previously, force exerting assembly (160) may include a base (163) and at least one spring (167). Base (163) may be moveably coupled to fixed frame (120) and be generally “U” shaped such that base (163) includes two legs extending from a bottom. From this shape, base (163) may partially surround or enclose rotatable member (130) such that each leg of the “U” shape is on an opposing side of rotatable member (130) from the other leg. Each leg of base (163) may include a guide (165) configured to work in conjunction with fixed frame (120) to thereby guide translation of base (163) either towards or away from rotatable member (130) and to minimize or reduce lateral shifting. Alternatively, base (163) may be “L” shaped and include only one leg extending from the bottom rather than two. The single leg of the “L” shaped base (163) may be substantially equivalent to either of the two legs of the “U” shaped base (163), may also include guide (165), and may be configured to contact fluid pipe (150) and rotatable member 130). “L” shaped base (163) may be radiused between the single leg and the bottom so as to pair with a profile of rotatable member (130), similar to “U” shaped base (163).

[0027] Force exerting element (167) of force exerting assembly (160) may be positioned between base (163) and movable frame (140) to thereby bias movable frame (140) towards rotatable member (130) to thereby apply a force onto fluid pipe (150). As shown in FIG. 1, force exerting element (167) may include two or more springs (167) positioned on opposite ends of movable frame (140) (as shown) such that the force applied to fluid pipe (150) by movable frame (140) is more evenly distributed across a length of fluid pipe (150). Springs used to implement force exerting element (167) may be configured as coil springs, leaf springs, expanders, or any other form or component configured to apply a force.

[0028] Movable frame (140) may be generally arch shaped to thereby complement a portion of a circular profile of rotatable member (130). Lateral ends of the arch shape may be radiused to allow for a more gradual entry and exit angle of fluid pipe (150) between rotatable member (130) and movable frame (140). Movable frame (140) may include translation guides configured to engage guide (165) of base (163) to thereby guide translation of movable frame (140) towards or away from rotatable member (130) and to prevent or inhibit lateral translation or rotation of movable frame (140) during rotation of rotatable member (130). Arch of movable frame (140) may be flat along the radius for fluid pipe (150) to be compressed against rollers (135) or may include an angular groove along a length to thereby constrain fluid pipe (150) during use. In this manner, force exerting assembly (160) and movable frame (140) may be configured to apply a constant force onto fluid pipe (150) such that a sidewall thickness of fluid pipe (150) is reduced with use of pump (100), force exerting assembly (160) and movable frame (140) may be capable of accommodating this thickness change to ensure continuous occlusion of fluid pipe (150).

[0029] Fluid pipe (150) may be positioned between rotatable member (130) and movable frame (140) such that as rotatable member (130) rotates, rollers (135) press against and translate along a length of fluid pipe (150) to thereby move fluid along an inner lumen of fluid pipe (150). Fluid pipe (150) may be pliable such that it is capable of occlusion at a roller (135) contact location but still dilating at a non-contact location. Fluid pipe (150) may include an intake at one end, a discharge at an opposing end, and a conveying portion disposed along an outside portion of the circumference of rotatable member (130).

[0030] II. Peristaltic Pump Rotational Clocking Method

[0031] FIGS . 2A-2B depict a schematic view of the peristaltic pump of FIG. 1 showing the biasing force from movable frame (140) and also a clocking method described below. As described above, pump (100) may be capable of exerting a biasing force onto fluid pipe (150) through use of springmounted movable frame (140). Either used in combination with the movable frame (140) or separately, pump (100) may also be capable of clocking rotatable member (130) in starting and stopping rotational positions such that a force from movable frame (140) onto fluid pipe (150) is evenly distributed across a multiple of rollers (135) while rotatable member (130) has ceased rotation. As shown, motor (170) may be configured to adjust a starting and stopping rotational position of rotatable member (130) such that rollers (135) contacting fluid pipe (150) are clocked to one of a set of predetermined positions relative to movable frame (140). Through a use of pump (100), an operator may desire to stop pumping fluid through fluid pipe (150) and thus send a stop command to pump (100) to cease operation. Upon pump (100) receiving a stop command, motor (170) or a separate position sensor (not shown) may communicate a current rotational position to controller (175) which may then command motor (170) to continue rotating until motor (170) or rotatable member (130) reaches a certain rotational position. If the rotatable member (130) were to end rotation immediately upon the user sending the command, rollers (135) may not be in a position to evenly distribute the force applied from movable frame (140). However, in some embodiments, motor (170) may be configured to continue or reverse rotation of rotatable member (130) even after a stop command is provided such that rotatable member (130) ends rotation where the force applied from movable frame (140) to fluid pipe (150) is evenly distributed across two rollers (135). Evenly distributing the force applied across the two rollers (135) may include clocking rotatable member (130) such that certain rollers (135) are positioned at certain rotational positions. As an example, and not intended to be limiting, a rotatable member (130) having four rollers (135) may clock any two adjacent rollers (135) to a 10:30 and a 1:30 position (as shown). As another example, and not intended to be limiting, a rotatable member (130) having eight rollers (135) may clock any two adjacent rollers (135) to 11:15 and 1:45 positions. In certain embodiments, 3 or more rollers (135) may contact fluid pipe (150) at any given time (not shown). When rotatable member (130) of this embodiment stops, a fluid pipe contacting roller (135) may be proximate the 12:00 position while an adjacent fluid pipe contacting roller (135) may be further away from the 12:00 position. In this case, proximate roller (135) may apply more force to fluid pipe (150) than lateral roller (135).

[0032] As shown in FIG. 2A, rotatable member (130) has ended the prior pump cycle with rollers A and D being clocked such that they are each distributing one half of the force applied by the movable frame (140) onto fluid pipe (150). Upon a subsequent pump cycle of pump (100), rotatable member (130) may be capable of rotating any amount of rotations and at any speed necessary to accomplish a desired pump volume and flow rate. As shown in FIG. 2B, upon receiving a cease command to stop pumping, motor (170) may be capable of clocking rotation member (130) such that any two adjacent rollers (135) are distributing an equal force onto fluid pipe (150). As an example only and not intended to be limiting, had pump (100) of FIG. 2A received a run command long enough for rotatable member (130) to rotate roller A 50 degrees before otherwise stopping, motor (170) may subsequently clock rotatable member an additional 40 degrees to achieve a full 90 degrees of rotation. FIG. 2B depicts this ending position with rotatable member (130) having been rotated 90 degrees and rollers B and A now applying an equal force onto fluid pipe (150) rather than the starting rollers A and D. As shown in FIG. 2B, the rotational position shown (B-A) has 90-degree neighboring positions C-B (clockwise) and A-D (counter-clockwise). Angular separation between neighboring positions and thus the angular increment at which rotatable member (130) will stop may be calculated as 360 degrees divided by the total number of rollers (135). Motor (170) may be further configured to maintain rotatable member (130) in the position until a subsequent command is received to restart rotation of the rotatable member (130) on fixed frame (120).

[0033] As shown, rotatable member (130) may include four rollers (135). This is not intended to be limiting in anyway and rotatable member (130) may include more or less rollers (135). The orientations shown in FIG. 2A and 2B are not intended to be limiting and motor (170) may be configured to clock rotatable member (130) in any rotational orientation such as where one roller (135) stops in a 12 o’clock position. Motor (170) may also be configured or driven to adjust the stopping position a predetermined number of degrees relative to the previous stopping position. For instance, each stopping position may be advanced 1 degree relative to the last stopping position (or, in some embodiments, if advancing 1 degree would result in the rollers not applying equal force to the tube, advanced to the next position at which the force applied by the rollers would be equal). In this manner, the length of fluid pipe (150) in contact with rollers (135) may see an evenly distributed stopping position. As a non-limiting example, a 4-roller (135) rotatable member (130) may have four stopped positions where a positive force is being applied evenly to two of the rollers (135). Adjusting these stopped positions by an angle, such as by a degree, may result in a greater force being applied to one of the contacting rollers (135) than the other and may also result more evenly distributed stopping positions.

[0034] Pump (100) may also be configured to pump fluid in a forward and in a reverse direction through fluid pipe (150). Regardless of if the direction is forward or reverse, motor (170) may be configured to clock rotatable member (130) in the manner described above. During a transition from forward to reverse flow, motor may be configured to briefly cease angular velocity of rotatable member (130) such that the angular position is as shown were two rollers (135) even distribute a force to fluid pipe (150).

[0035] III. Peristaltic Pump Fluid Pipe Removal and Installation

[0036] As described above and shown in FIGS. 3A-3B, pump (100) may be configured such that operation of knob (169) allows for removal of force exerting assembly (160) and movable frame (140) from fixed frame (120). Once these components have been removed from fixed frame (120), fluid pipe (150) may no longer be compressed between movable frame (140) and rollers (135) of rotatable member (130) and thus be freely removed from remaining portions of pump (100). Alternatively, if an operator detects that a sidewall of fluid pipe (150) may soon be compromised due to contact with rollers (135), rather than being entirely replaced, fluid pipe (150) may be laterally transitioned such that a different portion of fluid pipe (150) is now positioned to contact rollers (135) and movable frame (140). Once fluid pipe (150) has been replaced and repositioned, force exerting assembly (160) and movable frame (140) may be repositioned to thus apply a force on fluid pipe (150) and knob (169) may be reengaged with fixed frame (120) to thereby hold base (163) against fixed frame (120).

[0037] IV. Analyzer Assembly

[0038] FIG. 4 shows an analyzer (200) including pump (100), motor (170), controller (175), probe (210), fluid additive (220), incubator (230), mixer (240), analyzing component (250), user interface (260), and waste receptacle (270).

[0039] Fluid additive (220) may be any or multiple separate portions of a stain, assay, cleaner, reagent, or diluent. Each example of fluid additive (220) may be in fluid communication to each other and to pump (100) via a junction (280). Each example of fluid additive (220) may additionally be separated from junction (280) via a valve (285). Valve (285) may be selectively opened or closed based on a command from controller (175). Junctions (280) may be a portion of or in fluid communication with fluid pipe (150).

[0040] Probe (210) may be operable to extract fluid sample (287) from outside of analyzer (200). Fluid sample (287) may be a biological fluid such as blood, urine, or plasma. Pump (100) may apply a vacuum to probe (210) to thus pump fluid sample (287) into junction (280) to thus be between probe (210) and pump (100). As described below, pump (100) may pump any of fluid additive (220) or fluid sample (287) to another other portion of analyzer (200) that is in fluid communication with pump (100) via a push or pull method. Probe (210) may selectively position itself in fluid communication with either fluid sample (287), waste (270), or may vent to atmosphere.

[0041] Analyzer (200) may be communicative with an operator via user interface (260) which may be in the form of a monitor, keyboard, mouse, joystick, or any other means reasonably foreseeable by a person of ordinary skill in the art. User interface (260) may send and receive information to controller (175) to thereby command motor (170), probe (210), incubator (230), mixer (240), analyzing component (250), and valves (285) to operate. For simplicity, any one of incubator (230), mixer (240), or analyzing component (250) may be referred to as an associated component (230, 240, 250).

[0042] Incubator (230) may be operable to incubate fluid sample (287). Mixer (240) may be operable to mix fluid sample (297) and / or any of fluid additive (220) either solely or in any combination with each other. Analyzing component (250) may be operable to analyze and / or record a parameter and / or characteristic of fluid sample (287).

[0043] Pump (100) may be operable to pump fluid sample (287) and fluid additive (220) throughout junction (280) and valves (285) and into waste (270). Waste (270) may include a vent (275) to thus vent to atmosphere such that waste (270) remains at ambient pressure. Each of fluid additives (220) may also include a vent (not shown) to similarly vent to atmosphere such that each of fluid additive (220) remains at ambient pressure. Probe (210), incubator (230), mixer (240), and analyzing component (250) may be in fluid communication with waste (270) such that fluid sample (287) may be disposed of once analyzed by analyzing component (250). Cleaner of fluid additive (220) may be pump using pump (100) and be used to clean each of pump (100), probe (210), incubator (230), mixer (240), analyzing component (250), junction (280), and valve (285).

[0044] In operation, pump (100) may be operable to pump or siphon fluid sample (287) and any of fluid additive (220) into any of pump (100), probe (210), incubator (230), mixer (240), analyzing component (250), and waste (270). As a first example not intended to be limiting in anyway, controller (175) may be operable to close valve (285) associated with probe (210) and open valve (285) associated with fluid additive (220). Pump (100) may then apply a vacuum to fluid additive (220) to thereby pull fluid additive (220) through associated valve (285), into probe associated junction (280) and through pump (100). Controller may then operate any of valves (285) associated with incubator (230), mixer (240), and analyzing component (250) to thereby push fluid additive (220) into the associated component (230, 240, 250). Pump (100), in combination with controller (175), may then be capable to either continue pushing fluid sample (287) through associated component (230, 240, 250) and into waste (270) or may be capable of reversing the flow direction to thereby redirect fluid sample (287) from the first associated component (230, 240, 250) and into a second associated component (230, 240, 250). While fluid sample (287) and fluid additive (220) are generally shown as being to the left of pump (100) and incubator (230), mixer (240), and analyzing component (250) are generally shown as being to the right of pump (100), any of these portions of analyzer (200) may be on any side of pump (100). In any embodiment, pump (100) may be operable to pump fluid sample (287) and fluid additive (220) to and from any other portion of analyzer (200).

[0045] V. Exemplary Combinations

[0046] The following examples relate to various non-exhaustive ways in which the teachings herein may be combined or applied. It should be understood that the following examples are not intended to restrict the coverage of any claims that may be presented at any time in this application or in subsequent filings of this application. No disclaimer is intended. The following examples are being provided for nothing more than merely illustrative purposes. It is contemplated that the various teachings herein may be arranged and applied in numerous other ways. It is also contemplated that some variations may omit certain features referred to in the below examples. Therefore, none of the aspects or features re I erred to below should be deemed critical unless otherwise explicitly indicated as such at a later date by the inventors or by a successor in interest to the inventors. If any claims are presented in this application or in subsequent filings related to this application that include additional features beyond those referred to below, those additional features shall not be presumed to have been added for any reason relating to patentability.

[0047] Example 1

[0048] A peristaltic pump comprising a fixed frame; a rotatable member which is rotatable relative to the fixed frame; a plurality of rollers uniformly arranged on the rotatable member in a circumferential direction; a movable frame mounted on the fixed frame movably; a force exerting assembly configured to pinch a fluid pipe between the movable frame and the plurality of rollers by applying a force to the movable frame; and a motor, wherein the motor is configured to rotate the rotatable member on the fixed frame and to, whenever a command to stop the rotatable member is received: continue rotating the rotatable member until it reaches a position from a set of positions, wherein, for each position from the set of positions, the fluid pipe is in contact with rollers from the plurality of rollers only at a set of locations which is the same for each position from the set of positions; and maintain the rotatable member in the position from the set of positions until a command is received to restart rotation of the rotatable member on the fixed frame.

[0049] Example 2

[0050] The peristaltic pump according to example 1, wherein the force exerting assembly comprises: a base; and a force-exerting element installed on the base.

[0051] Example 3

[0052] The peristaltic pump as in any one of the preceding examples, wherein the force-exerting element comprises a spring.

[0053] Example 4

[0054] The peristaltic pump as in any one of the preceding examples, wherein the base includes a guide configured to guide movement of the movable frame relative to the fixed frame.

[0055] Example 5

[0056] The peristaltic pump as in any one of the preceding examples, wherein the base has a U- shaped section, which comprises a bottom and legs extending in parallel from opposite ends of the bottom, wherein the movable frame is accommodated in a space defined by the bottom and the legs, and wherein the guide comprises the legs.

[0057] Example 6

[0058] The peristaltic pump as in any one of the preceding examples, wherein the force-exerting element is arranged between the movable frame and the bottom.

[0059] Example 7

[0060] The peristaltic pump as in any one of the preceding examples, wherein: the plurality of rollers consists of four rollers; and each position from the set of positions has two neighboring positions and is offset from each of its neighboring positions by 90 degrees. Example 8

[0061] A peristaltic pump comprising: a fixed frame; a rotatable member which is rotatable relative to the fixed frame; a plurality of rollers uniformly arranged along a circumference of the rotatable member; a fluid pipe having an intake end, a discharge end, and a conveying portion, wherein the conveying portion is disposed along an outside portion of the circumference of the rotatable member; a motor, wherein the motor is configured to rotate the rotatable member on the fixed frame and to, whenever a command to stop the rotatable member is received: continue rotating the rotatable member until it reaches a position from a set of positions, wherein, for each position from the set of positions, the fluid pipe is in contact with rollers from the plurality of rollers only at a set of locations which is the same for each position from the set of positions; and maintain the rotatable member in the position from the set of positions until a command is received to restart rotation of the rotatable member on the fixed frame.

[0062] Example 9

[0063] The peristaltic pump of example 8, wherein each position from the set of positions has two neighboring positions and is offset from each of its neighboring positions by a number of degrees equal to 360 divided by a cardinality of the plurality of rollers.

[0064] Example 10

[0065] The peristaltic pump as in one of examples 8-9, wherein the peristaltic pump comprises: a moveable frame mounted on the fixed frame; and a set of expanders configured to pinch the fluid pipe between the moveable frame and the rollers by applying a force to the moveable frame.

[0066] Example 11

[0067] The peristaltic pump as in one of examples 8-10, wherein each expander from the set of expanders is a spring.

[0068] Example 12

[0069] The peristaltic pump as in one of examples 8-11, wherein: the moveable frame has a U- shaped section disposed proximate to the outside portion of the circumference of the rotatable member along which the fluid pipe is disposed; and the set of expanders is in contact with a surface of the moveable frame opposite the U-shaped section.

[0070] Example 13

[0071] A peristaltic pump comprising: a fixed frame; a rotatable member which is rotatable relative to the fixed frame; a plurality of rollers uniformly arranged along a circumference of the rotatable member; a fluid pipe having an intake end, a discharge end, and a conveying portion, wherein the conveying portion is disposed along an outside portion of the circumference of the rotatable member; a moveable frame mounted on the fixed frame; and a set of expanders configured to pinch the fluid pipe between the moveable frame and the rollers by applying a force to the moveable frame.

[0072] Example 14

[0073] The peristaltic pump of example 13, wherein each expander from the set of expanders is a spring.

[0074] Example 15

[0075] The peristaltic pump as in one of examples 13-14, wherein: the moveable frame has a U-shaped section disposed proximate to the outside portion of the circumference of the rotatable member along which the fluid pipe is disposed; and the set of expanders is in contact with a surface of the moveable frame opposite the U-shaped section.

[0076] Example 16

[0077] The peristaltic pump as in one of examples 1-7, further including a release configured to decouple the force exerting assembly from the fixed frame to thereby reduce the force to the movable frame.

[0078] Example 17 The peristaltic pump as in one of examples 1-7 or 16 inclusive, wherein each position of the set of positions is configured to apply a portion of the force to the movable frame evenly across a subset of rollers of the plurality of rollers.

[0079] Example 18

[0080] The peristaltic pump as in one of examples 1-7 or 16-17 inclusive, wherein the motor is a stepper motor.

[0081] Example 19

[0082] The peristaltic pump as in one of examples 1-7 or 16-18 inclusive, further comprising the fluid pipe arranged between the plurality of rollers and the movable frame, the fluid pipe having an initial sidewall thickness, wherein the force exerting assembly is configured to occlude the fluid pipe having the initial sidewall thickness and to occlude the fluid pipe once a current sidewall thickness is less than the initial sidewall thickness.

[0083] Example 20

[0084] The peristaltic pump as in one of examples 1-7 or 16-19 inclusive, the motor being configured stop rotation at a position from the set of positions after both a clockwise rotation and a counterclockwise rotation.

[0085] Example 21

[0086] A method using a peristaltic pump, the peristaltic pump including a rotatable member having a plurality of rollers, the method including: rotating the rotatable member and the plurality of rollers about a rotational axis; stopping the rotation of the rotatable member such that a roller of the plurality of rollers is clocked at a predetermined rotational position that is relative to the rotational axis.

[0087] Example 22

[0088] The method of example 21 , the peristaltic pump further including a controller and a motor, the method further including: sending a drive command from the controller to the motor to thus rotate the rotatable member via the motor; receiving a stop command at the controller; once the stop command has been received, receiving a current rotational position of the rotatable member at the controller; once the current rotational position has been received, rotating the rotatable member from the current rotational position to the predetermined rotational position.

[0089] Example 23

[0090] The method as in one of examples 21-22, wherein the predetermined rotational position is configured to distribute a portion of a force to a fluid pipe evenly across at least two rollers of the plurality of rollers.

[0091] Example 24

[0092] The method as in one of examples 21-24, wherein the predetermined rotational position is configured to reduce a force between a fluid pipe and a roller of the plurality of rollers, the roller having a higher force than any other roller of the plurality of rollers.

[0093] Example 25

[0094] A method using a peristaltic pump, the peristaltic pump including a base, a force exerting member, and a movable frame, the method including: biasing the movable frame away from the base via the force exerting member; applying equal and opposite forces to each of the base and the movable frame via the force exerting member, the movable frame being configured to apply a force of the equal and opposite forces to a fluid pipe for peristaltic pumping.

[0095] Example 26

[0096] The method of example 25, the peristaltic pump further including a fixed frame selectively coupled to the base, the method further including uncoupling the fixed frame from the base to thereby reduce the equal and opposite forces applied to the base and the movable frame via the force exerting member.

[0097] Example 27 A system for analyzing a biological fluid sample; the system comprising: a controller configured to send stop commands; an associated component; and a peristaltic pump including a motor linked to a rotatable member, wherein the motor is in communication with the controller and is thereby configured to receive stop commands from the controller, wherein the rotatable member is configured to transfer fluid towards the associated component, wherein the peristaltic pump is configured to stop the motor in a position from a predetermined set of positions to thus control a stopped orientation of the rotatable member.

[0098] Example 28

[0099] The system of example 27, wherein the pump is in fluid communication with a probe in fluid communication with a fluid source or a fluid additive, wherein the pump is configured to pump a predetermined amount of either the fluid source or the fluid additive into the associated component.

[0100] Example 29

[0101] The system of example 28, wherein the fluid additive is either a stain, an assay, a cleaner, a reagent, or a diluent.

[0102] Example 30

[0103] The system of example 27, wherein the associated component includes either an incubator, an analyzing component, or a mixer.

[0104] Example 31

[0105] The system of example 27, wherein the rotatable member includes a set of rollers, wherein a number of positions of the predetermined set of positions is based on a number of rollers of the set of rollers.

[0106] Example 32

[0107] The system of example 27, wherein the system further comprises a user interface in communication with the controller, wherein the user interface is configured to instruct the controller to send stop commands to the motor of the pump.

[0108] VI. Miscellaneous

[0109] It should be understood that any of the examples described herein may include various other features in addition to or in lieu of those described above. By way of example only, any of the examples described herein may also include one or more of the various features disclosed in any of the various references that are incorporated by reference herein.

[0110] It should be understood that any one or more of the teachings, expressions, embodiments, examples, etc. described herein may be combined with any one or more of the other teachings, expressions, embodiments, examples, etc. that are described herein. The above-described teachings, expressions, embodiments, examples, etc. should therefore not be viewed in isolation relative to each other. Various suitable ways in which the teachings herein may be combined will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the teachings herein. Such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the claims.

[0111] It should be appreciated that any patent, publication, or other disclosure material, in whole or in part, that is said to be incorporated by reference herein is incorporated herein only to the extent that the incorporated material does not conflict with existing definitions, statements, or other disclosure material set forth in this disclosure. As such, and to the extent necessary, the disclosure as explicitly set forth herein supersedes any conflicting material incorporated herein by reference. Any material, or portion thereof, that is said to be incorporated by reference herein, but which conflicts with existing definitions, statements, or other disclosure material set forth herein will only be incorporated to the extent that no conflict arises between that incorporated material and the existing disclosure material.

[0112] Versions of the devices disclosed herein can be designed to be disposed of after a single use, or they can be designed to be used multiple times. Versions may, in either or both cases, be reconditioned for reuse after at least one use. Reconditioning may include any combination of the steps of disassembly of the device, followed by cleaning or replacement of particular pieces, and subsequent reassembly. In particular, versions of the device may be disassembled, and any number of the particular pieces or parts of the device may be selectively replaced or removed in any combination. Upon cleaning and / or replacement of particular parts, versions of the device may be reassembled for subsequent use either at a reconditioning facility, or by a surgical team immediately prior to a surgical procedure. Those skilled in the ail will appreciate that reconditioning of a device may utilize a variety of techniques for disassembly, cleaning / replacement, and reassembly. Use of such techniques, and the resulting reconditioned device, are all within the scope of the present application.

[0113] By way of example only, versions described herein may be processed before surgery. First, a new or used instrument may be obtained and if necessary cleaned. The instrument may then be sterilized. In one sterilization technique, the instrument is placed in a closed and sealed container, such as a plastic or TYVEK bag. The container and instrument may then be placed in a field of radiation that can penetrate the container, such as gamma radiation, x-rays, or high-energy electrons. The radiation may kill bacteria on the instrument and in the container. The sterilized instrument may then be stored in the sterile container. The sealed container may keep the instrument sterile until it is opened in a surgical facility. A device may also be sterilized using any other technique known in the art, including but not limited to beta or gamma radiation, ethylene oxide, or steam.

[0114] Having shown and described various versions of the present invention, further adaptations of the methods and systems described herein may be accomplished by appropriate modifications by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention. Several of such potential modifications have been mentioned, and others will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For instance, the examples, versions, geometries, materials, dimensions, ratios, steps, and the like discussed above arc illustrative and arc not required. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention should be considered in terms of the following claims and is understood not to be limited to the details of structure and operation shown and described in the specification and drawings.

Claims

I / we claim:

1. A peristaltic pump comprising:(A) a fixed frame (120);(B) a rotatable member (130) which is rotatable relative to the fixed frame;(C) a plurality of rollers uniformly arranged on the rotatable member in a circumferential direction;(D) a movable frame (140) mounted on the fixed frame movably;(E) a force exerting assembly configured to pinch a fluid pipe between the movable frame and the plurality of rollers by applying a force to the movable frame; and(F) a motor, wherein the motor is configured to rotate the rotatable member on the fixed frame and to, whenever a command to stop the rotatable member is received:(1) continue rotating the rotatable member until it reaches a position from a set of positions, wherein, for each position from the set of positions, the fluid pipe is in contact with rollers from the plurality of rollers only at a set of locations which is the same for each position from the set of positions; and(2) maintain the rotatable member in the position from the set of positions until a command is received to restart rotation of the rotatable member on the fixed frame.

2. The peristaltic pump according to claim 1, wherein the force exerting assembly comprises:(A) a base; and(B) a force-exerting element installed on the base.

3. The peristaltic pump as in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the force-exerting element comprises a spring.

4. The peristaltic pump as in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base includes a guide configured to guide movement of the movable frame relative to the fixed frame.

5. The peristaltic pump as in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base has a U- shaped section, which comprises a bottom and legs extending in parallel from opposite ends of the bottom, wherein the movable frame is accommodated in a space defined by the bottom and the legs, and wherein the guide comprises the legs.

6. The peristaltic pump as in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the force-exerting element is arranged between the movable frame and the bottom.

7. The peristaltic pump as in any one of the preceding claims, wherein:(A) the plurality of rollers consists of four rollers; and(B) each position from the set of positions has two neighboring positions and is offset from each of its neighboring positions by 90 degrees.

8. A peristaltic pump comprising:(A) a fixed frame;(B) a rotatable member which is rotatable relative to the fixed frame;(C) a plurality of rollers uniformly arranged along a circumference of the rotatable member;(D) a fluid pipe having an intake end, a discharge end, and a conveying portion, wherein the conveying portion is disposed along an outside portion of the circumference of the rotatable member;(E) a motor, wherein the motor is configured to rotate the rotatable member on the fixed frame and to, whenever a command to stop the rotatable member is received:(1) continue rotating the rotatable member until it reaches a position from a setof positions, wherein, for each position from the set of positions, the fluid pipe is in contact with rollers from the plurality of rollers only at a set of locations which is the same for each position from the set of positions; and(2) maintain the rotatable member in the position from the set of positions until a command is received to restart rotation of the rotatable member on the fixed frame.

9. The peristaltic pump of claim 8, wherein each position from the set of positions has two neighboring positions and is offset from each of its neighboring positions by a number of degrees equal to 360 divided by a cardinality of the plurality of rollers.

10. The peristaltic pump as in one of claims 8-9, wherein the peristaltic pump comprises:(A) a moveable frame mounted on the fixed frame; and(B) a set of expanders configured to pinch the fluid pipe between the moveable frame and the rollers by applying a force to the moveable frame.

11. The peristaltic pump as in one of claims 8-10, wherein each expander from the set of expanders is a spring.

12. The peristaltic pump as in one of claims 8-11, wherein:(A) the moveable frame has a U-shaped section disposed proximate to the outside portion of the circumference of the rotatable member along which the fluid pipe is disposed; and(B) the set of expanders is in contact with a surface of the moveable frame opposite the U-shaped section.

13. A peristaltic pump comprising:(A) a fixed frame;(B) a rotatable member which is rotatable relative to the fixed frame;(C) a plurality of rollers uniformly arranged along a circumference of the rotatable member;(D) a fluid pipe having an intake end, a discharge end, and a conveying portion, wherein the conveying portion is disposed along an outside portion of the circumference of the rotatable member;(E) a moveable frame mounted on the fixed frame; and(D) a set of expanders configured to pinch the fluid pipe between the moveable frame and the rollers by applying a force to the moveable frame.

14. The peristaltic pump of claim 13, wherein each expander from the set of expanders is a spring.

15. The peristaltic pump as in one of claims 13-14, wherein:(A) the moveable frame has a U-shaped section disposed proximate to the outside portion of the circumference of the rotatable member along which the fluid pipe is disposed; and(B) the set of expanders is in contact with a surface of the moveable frame opposite the U-shaped section.

16. The peristaltic pump as in one of claims 1-7, further including a release configured to decouple the force exerting assembly from the fixed frame to thereby reduce the force to the movable frame.

17. The peristaltic pump as in one of claims 1-7 or 16 inclusive, wherein each position of the set of positions is configured to apply a portion of the force to the movable frame evenly across a subset of rollers of the plurality of rollers.

18. The peristaltic pump as in one of claims 1-7 or 16-17 inclusive, wherein the motor is a stepper motor.

19. The peristaltic pump as in one of claims 1-7 or 16-18 inclusive, further comprising the fluid pipe arranged between the plurality of rollers and the movable frame, the fluid pipe having an initial sidewall thickness, wherein the force exerting assembly is configured to occlude the fluid pipe having the initial sidewall thickness and to occlude the fluid pipe once a current sidewall thickness is less than the initial sidewall thickness.

20. The peristaltic pump as in one of claims 1-7 or 16-19 inclusive, the motor being configured stop rotation at a position from the set of positions after both a clockwise rotation and a counterclockwise rotation.

21. A method using a peristaltic pump, the peristaltic pump including a rotatable member having a plurality of rollers, the method including:(A) rotating the rotatable member and the plurality of rollers about a rotational axis;(B) stopping the rotation of the rotatable member such that a roller of the plurality of rollers is clocked at a predetermined rotational position that is relative to the rotational axis.

22. The method of claim 21, the peristaltic pump further including a controller and a motor, the method further including:(A) sending a drive command from the controller to the motor to thus rotate the rotatable member via the motor;(B) receiving a stop command at the controller;(C) once the stop command has been received, receiving a current rotational position of the rotatable member at the controller;(D) once the current rotational position has been received, rotating the rotatable member from the current rotational position to the predetermined rotational position.

23. The method as in one of claims 21-22, wherein the predetermined rotational position is configured to distribute a portion of a force to a fluid pipe evenly across at least two rollers of the plurality of rollers.

24. The method as in one of claims 21-23, wherein the predetermined rotational position is configured to reduce a force between a fluid pipe and a roller of the plurality of rollers, the roller having a higher force than any other roller of the plurality of rollers.

25. A method using a peristaltic pump, the peristaltic pump including a base, a force exerting member, and a movable frame, the method including:(A) biasing the movable frame away from the base via the force exerting member;(B) applying equal and opposite forces to each of the base and the movable frame via the force exerting member, the movable frame being configured to apply a force of the equal and opposite forces to a fluid pipe for peristaltic pumping.

26. The method of claim 25, the peristaltic pump further including a fixed frame selectively coupled to the base, the method further including uncoupling the fixed frame from the base to thereby reduce the equal and opposite forces applied to the base and the movable frame via the force exerting member.

27. A system for analyzing a biological fluid sample; the system comprising:(A) a controller configured to send stop commands;(B) an associated component; and(C) a peristaltic pump including a motor linked to a rotatable member, wherein the motor is in communication with the controller and is thereby configured to receive stop commands from the controller, wherein the rotatable member is configured to transfer fluid towards the associated component, wherein the peristaltic pump is configured to stop the motor in a position from a predetermined set of positions to thus control a stopped orientation of the rotatable member.

28. The system of claim 27, wherein the pump is in fluid communication with a probe in fluid communication with a fluid source or a fluid additive, wherein the pump is configured to pump a predetermined amount of either the fluid source or the fluid additive into the associated component.

29. The system of claim 28, wherein the fluid additive is either a stain, an assay, a cleaner, a reagent, or a diluent.

30. The system of claim 27, wherein the associated component includes either an incubator, an analyzing component, or a mixer.

31. The system of claim 27, wherein the rotatable member includes a set of rollers, wherein a number of positions of the predetermined set of positions is based on a number of rollers of the set of rollers.

32. The system of claim 27, wherein the system further comprises a user interface in communication with the controller, wherein the user interface is configured to instruct the controller to send stop commands to the motor of the pump.

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