Peristaltic Pump Pneumatic Occluders Wear Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Peristaltic pumps used for delivering small, precise volumes of fluid are costly to manufacture and maintain due to mechanical parts that wear down over time, requiring frequent repairs or replacements.
Innovation Solution
A peristaltic pump system with flexible tubing occluders that change configuration based on pressure, pinching the tubing to control fluid flow, eliminating the need for complex mechanical parts and allowing for modular and cost-effective replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional peristaltic pumps use mechanical parts such as gears, cams, and followers to control fluid delivery, then precise small volume fluid delivery is achieved, but the mechanical parts wear down over time due to frictional forces, increasing maintenance costs and reducing reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical components (gears, cams, followers) with a pneumatic system using compressed air to actuate bellows elements. This substitution eliminates friction-based mechanical wear while maintaining precise fluid delivery control through pneumatic pressure actuation of the occluding members.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses compressed air pressure to actuate the bellows elements that control the occluding members. The pneumatic system provides reliable, wear-free actuation for precise fluid delivery, replacing the mechanical gear-cam-follower system with a pressure-driven pneumatic mechanism.
2Measurement precision
If traditional peristaltic pumps include multiple mechanical components for fluid control, then precise pumping action is achieved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical assemblies (gears, cams, followers) with a simplified pneumatic actuation system using bellows and compressed air. This reduction in mechanical complexity lowers manufacturing costs while maintaining precise fluid control through pneumatic pressure management.
Solution Approach 2:
The bellows elements serve multiple functions: they act as pneumatic actuators, provide the occluding action, and enable precise volume control through pressure regulation. This multi-functionality reduces the overall number of components needed compared to traditional mechanical systems.
3Productivity
If peristaltic pumps use mechanical parts that experience friction, then pumping action is achieved, but the friction wears parts down requiring frequent repairs or replacements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates friction-based mechanical wear by replacing gears, cams, and followers with a pneumatic bellows system. The frictionless pneumatic actuation maintains pumping functionality without the wear that necessitates frequent repairs, significantly extending device service life.
Solution Approach 2:
The design allows the bellows and associated pneumatic components to be replaced as a modular assembly when worn, providing a cost-effective solution compared to repairing complex mechanical systems. The simplified replacement process reduces maintenance time and costs.
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 system efficiently delivers small, precise volumes of fluid with reduced maintenance and replacement costs, as the occluders can be easily replaced, and the design minimizes wear and tear, enhancing the pump's performance and longevity.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible member configured to form a collapsed configuration when a pressure within the flexible member is below a first pressure. In addition, the flexible member can form an extended configuration when the pressure within the flexible member is above a second pressure thereby causing the flexible member to extend into the fluid line passageway for pinching the flexible tubing
Data Source
AI summary
A medical fluid infusion system includes a peristaltic pump system configured to deliver a fluid drug to a patient. The peristaltic pump system can include a peristaltic pump in communication with a pressure source. In some embodiments, the peristaltic pump system can include a valve body positioned between the peristaltic pump and pressure source for controlling the delivery of pressurized fluid (e.g., air, liquid) to the peristaltic pump. The peristaltic pump can include more than one occluder, with each occluder having a flexible member that can form a collapsed and extended configuration based on a pressure provided to the flexible member.