Segmented Peristaltic Pump Cassette for Flow Pulsation Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Peristaltic pumps used in surgical applications often impart unwanted flow and pressure pulsations, which can be unpredictable and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A surgical cassette with two or more pump segments configured to engage peristaltic pump rollers, where the rollers are arranged to produce a flow profile with pulses that are at least partially out of phase, resulting in a combined flow with reduced pulsation amplitudes and increased flow rate, approximately twice that of a single pump segment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a single pump segment is used, then the device complexity is low, but the flow rate is limited and pulsation amplitudes are high
Solution Approach 1:
The pump is divided into multiple independent pump segments (first pump segment, second pump segment, etc.) that can be engaged by a single roller head. Each segment operates independently to generate flow, and when combined, they produce a higher overall flow rate than a single segment would provide alone.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple pump segments are merged into a single integrated system that shares common inlet and outlet ports. The flow from multiple segments combines at the outlet, achieving a cumulative flow rate that is approximately twice that of a single segment while maintaining a unified device structure.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a single pump segment is used, then the device complexity is low, but the pulsation amplitudes are high
Solution Approach 1:
The pump is divided into multiple independent pump segments (first pump segment, second pump segment, etc.) that can be engaged by a single roller head. Each segment operates independently to generate flow, and when combined, they produce a higher overall flow rate than a single segment would provide alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The natural pulsations generated by each individual pump segment, which would normally be harmful, are converted into a benefit through phase diversification. By arranging segments so their pulses are out of phase, the pulsations cancel each other out, resulting in reduced overall pulsation amplitudes in the combined flow.
3Productivity
If multiple pump segments are used, then the flow rate increases, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The roller head is designed as a universal component that can engage multiple different pump segments. The same roller head configuration can work with various segment arrangements, reducing the need for multiple specialized components and thereby limiting the increase in device complexity despite having multiple segments.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If multiple pump segments are used, then the pulsation amplitudes are reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple pump segments are merged into a single integrated system that shares common inlet and outlet ports. The flow from multiple segments combines at the outlet, achieving a cumulative flow rate that is approximately twice that of a single segment while maintaining a unified device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The roller head is designed as a universal component that can engage multiple different pump segments. The same roller head configuration can work with various segment arrangements, reducing the need for multiple specialized components and thereby limiting the increase in device complexity despite having multiple segments.
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 effectively reduces pulsation amplitudes and increases the net flow rate by aligning the peaks and valleys of the flow profiles from multiple pump segments, providing a more consistent fluid flow and pressure profile.
Implementation Method 1
Peristaltic pumps may operate by compressing a length of tubing to move a fluid in the tubing or squeeze a molded flow channel between an elastomeric sheet and a rigid substrate to move a fluid between the elastomeric sheet and the rigid substrate. Rotating roller heads applied against the tubing or elastomeric sheet may be used for compressing the tubing or elastomeric sheet.
Data Source
AI summary
In various embodiments, a surgical cassette, configured to engage peristaltic pump rollers, may include two or more pump segments between a sheet and a substrate coupled to the sheet. The two or more pump segments on the cassette may produce additional flow (e.g., approximately twice the flow for two segments as opposed to one) than if the cassette had only one pump segment engaging the roller. Further, in some embodiments, the two or more pump segments and rollers on the roller head may be configured to provide a flow profile in which a peak of a pulse from a first pump segment is at least partially out of phase with a peak of a pulse from the second pump segment. The combined resultant flow may then have a flow profile with pulsation amplitudes that are smaller than the individual pump segment pulsation amplitudes.