Peristaltic Pump Head with Lubricious Coating for Fluid Conveyance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing point-of-care systems for biological sample analysis face challenges in providing a reliable, simple, gentle, hygienic, and cost-effective method for fluid conveyance, with potential damage to pump apparatus and limited service life.
Innovation Solution
A peristaltic pump with a rotatable, one-piece pump head featuring elastically deformable contact elements that rest on and slide over the pump apparatus, minimizing friction and damage, and allowing for precise and effective fluid conveyance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a peristaltic pump with contact elements is used to convey fluid, then fluid conveyance is achieved, but the pump apparatus may be damaged and service life is limited
Solution Approach 1:
A lubricious coating is applied to the contact elements of the pump head, serving as an intermediary layer between the pump apparatus and the fluid. This coating reduces direct friction and wear, thereby preventing damage to the pump apparatus while maintaining effective fluid conveyance through the peristaltic action.
Solution Approach 2:
The friction characteristics of the contact elements are modified by applying a lubricious coating, changing the surface properties from high friction to low friction. This parameter change reduces wear on the pump apparatus during the peristaltic pumping action, extending service life while maintaining pumping efficiency.
2Ease of operation
If conventional pump apparatus is used, then fluid can be conveyed, but friction causes damage and reduces service life
Solution Approach 1:
The lubricious coating acts as a mediator between the contact elements and the fluid, reducing direct frictional contact. This intermediary layer minimizes the harmful friction forces that would otherwise damage the pump apparatus during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The friction that would normally cause damage is converted into a beneficial low-friction interface through the lubricious coating. The coating transforms the harmful frictional wear into a smooth, low-resistance sliding action that protects the pump apparatus while maintaining pumping functionality.
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 solution enables reliable, efficient, and cost-effective fluid conveyance, reducing the risk of pump apparatus damage and extending the service life, while ensuring hygienic and precise sample analysis.
Implementation Method 1
The contact elements are moved on the pump apparatus and/or over the pump chamber in a sliding manner
Data Source
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AI summary
An analysis device, a cartridge and a method for analysing an in particular biological sample are proposed, a rotatable pump head comprising contact elements that are resiliently biased in the axial direction acting on an elastically deformable pump chamber in order to pump or convey a fluid, such as the sample, a reagent or a gas, when the pump head rotates, in particular in a defined and/or efficient manner.