Fluid-Isolating Peristaltic Pump for Consistent Incubation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Continuous manufacturing processes face challenges in achieving proper incubation of fluids due to difficulties in maintaining fluid ratios and incubation times within tubing, especially when using peristaltic pumps, which are typically used for transferring fluids in sterile tube sets.
Innovation Solution
A fluid isolating pump mechanism that mechanically and fluidically isolates small volumes of fluid using a rotating cage with roller assemblies, cam plates, and non-rotating central shaft, allowing for controlled incubation times by compressing tubing segments with rollers to maintain fluid isolation and consistent incubation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If peristaltic pumps are used to transfer fluids in continuous flow, then productivity is improved, but the ability to achieve proper incubation of fluids deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous fluid stream is segmented into discrete fluid segments by the roller assemblies that periodically compress and isolate portions of the tubing. This segmentation allows each fluid segment to be individually incubated for a controlled duration while maintaining continuous flow, resolving the contradiction between productivity and incubation quality.
2Reliability
If batch manufacturing is used to ensure proper incubation, then incubation quality is improved, but productivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains continuous flow of fluids through the tubing while periodically isolating segments for incubation. The roller assemblies continuously move along the tubing, creating a continuous sequence of incubation events rather than discrete batch operations. This enables uninterrupted manufacturing while ensuring each fluid segment receives proper incubation, resolving the contradiction between incubation quality and productivity.
3Productivity
If fluid is continuously pumped through tubing, then productivity is improved, but the ability to maintain consistent incubation time deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The roller assemblies perform periodic compression cycles along the tubing, creating regular intervals of fluid isolation. Each roller assembly compresses the tubing at specific positions, creating consistent temporal intervals between successive fluid segments. This periodic action ensures that each fluid segment experiences the same incubation duration, resolving the contradiction between continuous manufacturing and incubation time consistency.
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
Ensures adequate incubation of fluids while maintaining a continuous manufacturing method, overcoming limitations of batch processing by ensuring each fluid segment experiences the desired incubation time without interference, thus supporting scalable and resource-efficient production.
Implementation Method 1
compressing tubing segments with rollers to maintain fluid isolation
Implementation Method 2
Peristaltic pumps are often used to transfer the fluid within these sterile tube sets. The benefit of peristaltic pumps is that they apply pressure external to the tubing to transfer fluid within it
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a fluid isolating pump. The fluid isolating pump includes a rotating cage, one or more roller assemblies mounted on the rotating cage, a cam plate, and a non-rotating central shaft. The cage includes a front plate and a back plate connected by multiple connecting rods. Each roller assembly is rotatably attached to a corresponding connecting rod of the cage. Each roller assembly includes one or more arms rotatably attached to the connecting rod, a connecting bar coupled to the one or more arms, one or more levers rotatably attached to the connecting rod, one or more suspensions, and a roller. Each suspension is coupled to at least one arm and to at least one lever. The roller is coupled to the one or more levers. The cam plate includes multiple openings having a first end and a second end. The connecting rod of each roller assembly is configured to slide from the first end of the opening to the second end of a corresponding opening.