Peristaltic Pump Tube Bracket for Disposable Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Peristaltic pumps used in medical applications face challenges with tubing degradation over time and the need for regular replacement, which can be difficult for users, especially the elderly, to manage effectively and hygienically.
Innovation Solution
A tube bracket designed to operatively engage a tube with a peristaltic pump, featuring a housing with a pump cavity and a tube path that extends circumferentially around the pump cavity, and a part configured to receive a force, allowing a portion of the tube to be biased against the roller assembly, simplifying the process of engaging and replacing the tube.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a peristaltic pump with roller assembly is used to pump liquid through tubing, then liquid distribution is achieved, but the tubing degrades over time and requires frequent replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs disposable tubing assemblies that are pre-connected to the peristaltic pump. These single-use tubing sets are discarded after a single use or after a short period of time, eliminating the need for repeated tubing replacement and ensuring hygiene without requiring durable, reusable tubing. This directly addresses the tubing degradation issue by making the tubing intentionally short-lived and replaceable as a complete unit.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If tubing replacement is required for hygiene reasons, then hygiene is maintained, but the replacement process becomes complex and difficult for users to perform
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the tubing, connectors, and mounting brackets into a single pre-assembled disposable unit. This integrated design allows the entire fluid pathway to be replaced by installing one complete component rather than assembling multiple separate parts. Users simply attach the pre-assembled tubing unit to the pump and disconnect it when replacement is needed, making the process simple enough for elderly or frail users while maintaining hygiene through complete replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The tubing and connectors are pre-assembled and pre-positioned in the correct configuration before being supplied to the user. This preliminary assembly eliminates the need for users to perform complex assembly operations during tubing replacement. The pre-prepared units are designed to be installed as complete assemblies, reducing the operational complexity of tubing replacement to simple attachment and disconnection actions.
3Productivity
If the tube is positioned correctly against the roller assembly, then effective pumping is achieved, but proper positioning is difficult to ensure during manual installation
Solution Approach 1:
The disposable tubing assembly is designed with self-aligning features that automatically position the tubing correctly against the roller assembly during installation. The pre-formed tubing path and integrated mounting structure guide the tubing into the proper position without requiring manual adjustment by the user. This self-positioning mechanism ensures effective pumping contact between the roller and tubing while maintaining ease of operation for the end user.
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 tube bracket simplifies the process of engaging and replacing the tube in a peristaltic pump system, making it easier for users with reduced fine motor skills to operate, while maintaining hygiene and ensuring effective liquid distribution.
Implementation Method 1
Peristaltic pumps comprise a roller assembly having rollers or shoes that compress the tube as they rotate, which creates a vacuum and draws fluid through the tube.
Implementation Method 2
Peristaltic pumps comprise a roller assembly having rollers or shoes that compress the tube as they rotate
Implementation Method 3
a part configured to receive a force such that, in use, a portion of the tube received in the tube path is biased against the roller assembly of the peristaltic pump in the pump cavity
Data Source
AI summary
A tube bracket for operatively engaging a tube with a peristaltic pump, the tube bracket comprising: a housing defining: a pump cavity for receiving a roller assembly of the peristaltic pump; and a tube path for receiving the tube, the tube path extending at least partially circumferentially around the pump cavity; and a part configured to receive a force such that, in use, a portion of the tube received in the tube path is biased against the roller assembly of the peristaltic pump in the pump cavity. A replaceable tube assembly comprising the tube bracket and a liquid distribution system comprising the tube assembly is also provided.