Movable Occlusion Bed Peristaltic Pump Head
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current peristaltic pumps for cooled RF ablation systems face challenges in ease of tube loading, manufacturing costs, and component obsolescence, necessitating a cost-effective, user-friendly, and robust pump head design for efficient fluid delivery in medical procedures.
Innovation Solution
A pump head design featuring an occlusion bed, rotor guide, and rotor assembly with a movable pathway for tubing, allowing for easy insertion and secure loading, along with a pivoting cover for accessibility, and a motor-driven rotor assembly for fluid flow, integrated into a peristaltic pump system for delivering cooling fluid to medical probes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional peristaltic pump head design is used, then the pump can deliver cooling fluid, but the tube loading process is difficult and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The pump head incorporates a movable occlusion bed that can be displaced between an occluding position (where it compresses the tube against the rotor) and a retracted position (where it allows easy tube loading). This dynamic positioning resolves the contradiction by making the structure simple during operation but accessible during loading.
Solution Approach 2:
The pump head is divided into distinct components: a stationary rotor guide, a movable occlusion bed, and a rotor assembly. This segmentation allows the occlusion bed to be independently positioned, facilitating easy tube loading while maintaining pumping function.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional pump head designs are used, then fluid delivery is achieved, but manufacturing costs are high
Solution Approach 1:
The occlusion bed is designed as a movable component that can be actuated by simple mechanical means (such as a spring or cam mechanism), replacing complex multi-component assemblies. This reduces manufacturing cost while maintaining reliable tube occlusion through the peristaltic action.
Solution Approach 2:
The pump head design allows the occlusion bed to automatically return to its occluding position through spring force or gravitational action after tube loading, eliminating the need for complex actuation mechanisms and reducing manufacturing costs while ensuring reliable operation.
3Reliability
If traditional pump head designs are used, then pumping function is provided, but components are prone to obsolescence and require frequent replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The pump head design uses a universal rotor guide structure that can accommodate different rotor assemblies and tube configurations. This multi-functionality reduces component variety and prevents obsolescence, as the same basic structure can serve multiple applications and configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotor guide and occlusion bed are integrated into a unified structure that simplifies the overall component set. By merging functions into fewer components, the design reduces the number of parts that can become obsolete and simplifies maintenance and replacement procedures.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design enhances the ease of tubing insertion, reduces manufacturing costs, and prevents component obsolescence, providing a reliable and efficient means to supply cooling fluid for medical procedures, such as pain management and tissue treatment, while ensuring user safety and precision.
Implementation Method 1
a rotor assembly positioned between the occlusion bed and the rotor guide... The rotor assembly is configured to rotate with respect to the occlusion bed and the rotor guide. The pump head urges fluid flow through the tubing
Data Source
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AI summary
Pump heads for peristaltic pump assemblies are provided. For example, a pump head for a peristaltic pump comprises an occlusion bed, a rotor guide, a rotor assembly positioned between the occlusion bed and the rotor guide, and a pathway for tubing. The pathway comprises an inlet portion, an outlet portion, and a connecting portion that connects the inlet and outlet portions. The inlet portion is defined between the occlusion bed and the rotor guide, the outlet portion is defined between the occlusion bed and the rotor guide, and the connecting portion is defined between the occlusion bed and the rotor assembly. Further, the occlusion bed is movable with respect to the rotor guide and the rotor assembly. In exemplary embodiments, the pump head urges fluid flow through the tubing to supply a cooling fluid to a medical probe assembly for delivering energy to a patient's body.