Universal Pump Head for Multi-Lumen Peristaltic Tubing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tissue ablation systems face challenges in efficiently managing fluid flow rates and tubing designs, leading to user error and increased preparation time, particularly when switching between infusion and fluid-cooled ablation systems.
Innovation Solution
A multiple-use subassembly with an integrated pump head and multi-lumen tubing design that supports both infusion and fluid-cooled ablation systems, featuring a roller assembly for peristalsis and distinct inflow and outflow lumens that maintain bi-directional fluid flow, allowing for flexible tubing configurations and high flow rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate peristaltic pumps are used for infusion and fluid-cooled ablation systems, then each system can be optimized for its specific flow rate requirements, but the device complexity increases and user setup time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The peristaltic pump is designed with a universal pump head that can accommodate both single-lumen tubing for infusion applications and multi-lumen tubing for fluid-cooled ablation applications. The pump head structure includes rollers and housings that can compress different tubing configurations, enabling a single device to perform multiple functions previously requiring separate specialized pumps.
2Reliability
If separate peristaltic pumps are used for infusion and fluid-cooled ablation systems, then each system can be optimized for its specific flow rate requirements, but the preparation time and user error risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pump head is designed to accept both single-lumen and multi-lumen tubing without requiring device changes or complex reconfiguration. Users can switch between infusion and fluid-cooled ablation modes by simply changing the tubing type while using the same pump head, significantly reducing preparation time and minimizing user error associated with operating multiple different pump systems.
3Productivity
If multi-lumen tubing is used for fluid-cooled ablation, then high flow rates (80-120 ml/min) can be achieved, but the tubing design and pump configuration become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The pump head features localized compression zones with rollers positioned to compress specific lumens of the multi-lumen tubing at different locations. This allows independent control of inflow and outflow fluid paths, enabling high flow rates for cooling while maintaining a relatively simple tubing configuration that can be easily managed by the user.
4Ease of operation
If single-lumen tubing is used for infusion, then the setup is simpler, but the flow rate is limited to much lower values (0.05-0.7 ml/min)
Solution Approach 1:
The same simple pump head design that easily accommodates single-lumen tubing for infusion applications also supports multi-lumen tubing for high-flow fluid-cooled ablation. This universality allows the system to achieve high flow rates when needed without sacrificing the ease of setup and operation that comes with simpler single-lumen configurations.
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 reduces user error and preparation time by enabling easy setup and use across various tubing designs, supporting flow rates from 0.05 ml/min to 120 ml/min, and maintaining efficient cooling and fluid circulation for both infusion and fluid-cooled ablation procedures.
Implementation Method 1
The roller assembly may be configured to generate peristalsis
Implementation Method 2
Cooling fluid may be circulated through the ablation system to remove excess heat from the probe and/or cable
Implementation Method 3
The integrated pump head may include a roller assembly configured to support peristalsis
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for regulating, maintaining and/or controlling the temperature of fluids and tissues during therapeutic or ablative tissue treatment applications. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a multi-purpose subassembly that is easy to use, supports all infusion and fluid-cooled ablation systems, and readily and reliably accepts a variety of tubing designs to decrease preparation time and minimize user error during setup and use.