Sterile Liquid Pump with Pneumatic Diaphragm Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current liquid pumping technologies face challenges in maintaining purity and sterility, especially in biopharmaceutical applications, where they require accurate flow control, ultra-low shear, and are cost-effective, while also being self-priming and capable of bidirectional flow without internal rotating parts or mechanical seals.
Innovation Solution
A gas pressure and vacuum driven pump apparatus with a resilient tubing manifold and pinch actuators, which alternates gas pressure and vacuum between pump chambers to control liquid flow, ensuring precise operation and sterility through sterilization-grade filters and aseptic connectors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If peristaltic pumps are used for single use applications, then ease of operation and cost-effectiveness are improved, but manufacturing precision and flow control accuracy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical roller compression mechanism of peristaltic pumps with a diaphragm-based pneumatic system. Gas pressure and vacuum are applied to the diaphragm to displace liquid through the tubing, eliminating the need for mechanical rollers that contact and compress the tubing. This substitution maintains the single-use advantage while enabling precise flow control through regulated gas pressure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs pneumatic actuation where gas pressure and vacuum are applied to the diaphragm to drive liquid flow. The flow rate is controlled by regulating the gas pressure, providing accurate flow control without mechanical contact. This pneumatic approach enables precise metering while maintaining the simplicity and cost-effectiveness of single-use tubing systems.
2Manufacturing precision
If traditional pumping equipment is used, then flow control accuracy is improved, but device complexity and maintenance cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the pumping system into a reusable control module (pump head with diaphragm and gas valve assembly) and a disposable consumable module (tubing and fluid path components). This segmentation allows the complex precision components to be reused while the simple disposable parts are replaced, reducing overall device complexity and maintenance requirements while maintaining flow control accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs disposable tubing and fluid path components that are replaced rather than cleaned or sterilized. This eliminates maintenance activities and reduces device complexity by removing the need for complex cleaning and sterilization systems, while the reusable pump head maintains precise flow control capability.
3Reliability
If single use tubing is used in peristaltic pumps, then sterility and purity are improved, but flow control accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical roller compression system with a pneumatic diaphragm system that acts on the tubing from the outside. Gas pressure and vacuum are applied to the diaphragm, which transfers force to the tubing without mechanical contact or penetration. This maintains the integrity of the sterile barrier while enabling precise flow control through regulated gas pressure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a diaphragm as an intermediary between the gas pressure source and the tubing. The diaphragm transmits the pneumatic force to the tubing without breaching the sterile barrier, allowing precise flow control while maintaining sterility. The diaphragm acts as a mediator that couples the reusable pneumatic system to the disposable sterile tubing.
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 provides a cost-effective, flexible, and highly accurate pumping system that maintains sterility and purity, offering ultra-low shear, high turndown ratios, and bidirectional flow without internal rotating parts or mechanical seals, addressing the limitations of existing technologies.
Implementation Method 1
A gas valve assembly is coupled to selectively communicate gas pressure and vacuum with the first gas coupling and the second gas coupling
Implementation Method 2
A gas valve assembly is coupled to selectively communicate gas pressure and vacuum with the first gas coupling and the second gas coupling
Implementation Method 3
A resilient tubing manifold is configured as a loop and has a sequence of ports positioned along the loop
Implementation Method 4
ensuring precise operation and sterility through sterilization-grade filters and aseptic connectors
Data Source
AI summary
A sterile liquid pump, having replaceable single use components, with a first and second chamber, and a gas valve assembly to selectively communicate gas pressure and vacuum with the chambers, and a resilient tubing liquid manifold loop with a sequence of four ports located within a manifold receiver that supports four pinch actuators aligned to engage and selectively pinch-off flow through the manifold between adjacent pairs ports, and, a controller that operates the valve assembly to alternatingly couple pressure and vacuum to the pump chambers, and that also operates to alternatingly actuate pairs of the pinch actuators to sequentially pump fluid from pump chambers under gas pressure, and through an opposing pair of ports in the resilient tubing manifold.