United States Patent
`
`[19]
`
`[11] Patent Number:
`
`6,164,921
`
`Moubayed et al.
`
`[45] Date of Patent:
`
`Dec. 26, 2000
`
`US006164921A
`
`[54] CURVILINEAR PERISTALTIC PUMP
`
`[76]
`
`Inventors: Ahmad Maher Moubayed, 28245 San
`Marcos, Missjgn Viejo,
`Virginia Point
`Oscar E_ Hyman’
`Robert L.
`Rd.’ Poulsbo, Wash.
`Jones’ 6650 Canyon Hills Rd.’
`Anaheim, Calif. 92807; David Norman
`White, 31061 Via Limon, San Juan
`Capistrano, Calif. 92675
`
`Appl. No.: 09/189,052
`_
`Fl d‘
`Nov 9 1998
`16 '
`'
`’
`Int. Cl.7 .......................... .. F04B 49/06; F04B 43/08;
`A61M 31/00; F16K 7/04
`..................... 417/44.1, 417/474, 417/477.3;
`604/67. 251/7
`Field of Search ................................. 417/474, 4773,
`417/477.7 477.8 477.9 477.11 44.1, 604/67
`’
`’
`’
`’
`15’3_ 251/7’
`’
`
`U.s. Cl.
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`6/1904 Eastwood ............................... 417/44.1
`762,620
`3,011,684 12/1961 Corneil . . . . . .
`. . . .. 222/214
`4,025,241
`5/1977 Clemens
`417/477
`4,199,307
`4/1980 Jassawalla
`417/474
`. . . . . .
`4,671,792
`6/1987 Borsanyi
`. . . ._ 604/153
`4,869,646
`9/1989 Gordon et al.
`417/63
`5,078,683
`1/1992 58110011 Ct 31-
`417/474
`2,090,877
`2/1992 13,511‘./1 ~~~~~
`417/474
`‘
`3227422
`9/1994 Natwlc
`ct 9'
`417/474
`5,531,680
`7/1996 Dumas et al.
`........................ .. 417/474
`5,575,631
`“/1996
`417/474
`5,630,710
`5/1997 Tune et al.
`417/479
`..... ..
`5,637,093
`6/1997 Hyman et al.
`604/131
`5,658,133
`8/1997 Anderson et al.
`417/479
`5,683,233
`11/1997 Moubayed . . . . . . .
`. . . .. 417/474
`5,718,569
`2/1998
`604/153
`5,791,881
`8/1998 Moubayed ............................ .. 417/474
`
`......................... .. 417/474
`12/1998 Danby et al.
`5,842,841
`3/1999 Johnson ................................ .. 417/474
`5,879,144
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`France ..................................... .. 251/7
`6/1968
`1529535
`Japan ................. ..
`417/474
`5/1990
`2-125983
`4/1966 United Kingdom .
`..... ..
`1025947
`9/1997 WIPO .................................. .. 417/474
`WO 97/34084
`Primary Examiner—Timothy S. Thorpe
`Assistant Examir1er—Michael K. Gray
`[57]
`ABSTRACT
`
`Acurvilinear peristaltic pump for facilitating the pumping of
`a liquid through a length of resilient tubing. The pump
`~
`~
`~
`comprises a housing having a platen member attached
`thereto and a, rotatable eatH,d1SPeS,ed therewlthm A150
`disposed within the housing is a drive unit of the pump
`Wh,1°h,1S meCha“1‘?a11Y °,°“P1ed 1‘?
`the Cam Such that the
`activation of the drive unit results in the concurrent rotation
`°f.‘h" earn “Pa fifst d“°°“°“ .“‘d the d‘°*a‘?‘¥"a“°“ Of ‘he
`drive unit maintains the cam in a set position. Movably
`attached to the housing are a plurality of pump fingers of the
`pump, each of which has a first end which is cooperatively
`engaged to the cam and a second end which is disposed in
`spaced relation to the platen member. The cam is configured
`to sequentially move the pump fingers radially outwardly
`t°‘t":‘rj .a“t‘:11‘{‘iW*:r§.1y *‘tWaybfr:’;” $1.6 1’1at8t“Amemt1.’er
`9
`1° 29 1“
`9
`r5 “C 1°“ Y
`9 “"9 um '
`P91 1°“ °
`tubing may be extended between the platen member and the
`second ends of the pump fingers such that the sequential
`movement of the pump fingers toward and away from the
`platen member results in liquid within the tubing being
`pumped in the first direction of rotation of the cam. The
`pump is used in conjunction with a disposable tubing
`assembly which is provided with a shut-off valve to selec-
`-
`-
`-
`-
`_
`Elvyely obstruct the flow of liquid through the tubing assem
`_
`_
`34 C1a1m5= 5 Dmwlng 5119915
`‘
`.
`Microfiche Appendix Included
`(3 Microfiche, 189 Pages)
`
`ACTA EX. 1001-001
`
`ACTA Ex. 1001-001
`
`

`
`Dec. 26, 2000
`
`Sheet 1 of 6
`
`6,164,921
`
`ACTA EX. 1001-002
`
`ACTA Ex. 1001-002
`
`

`
`tHCtaP3U
`
`Sheet 2 of 6
`
`6,164,921
`
`ACTA EX. 1001-003
`
`ACTA Ex. 1001-003
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 26,2000
`
`Sheet 3 of 6
`
`6,164,921
`
`.\\\\%w_m\/
`
`ACTA Ex. 1001-004
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`0002(092QatD
`
`Sheet 4 of 6
`
`6,164,921
`
`2%’/
`
`ACTA Ex. 1001-005
`
`

`
`Dec. 26, 2000
`
`Sheet 5 of 6
`
`6,164,921
`
`(PRIOR ART)
`
`ACTA EX. 1001-006
`
`ACTA Ex. 1001-006
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 26,2000
`
`Sheet 6 of 6
`
`6,164,921
`
`.54:
`
`Fig. 16
`
`0'6V ELECTRIC
`MOTOR
`
`42
`
`3;
`
`MOTOR SPEED
`CONTROL UNTT
`
`GATED CURRENT
`— GENERATOR
`
`86, 120, 123
`
`pUM}>
`
`DISPLAY
`
`- 22
`
`1 38
`
`Fig 17
`
`1 32
`
`20
`
`\ /
`
`1 30
`
`PUMP
`- O T w HDO
`MOTOR
`CONTROL UNI'I‘
`ATC
`
`G
`
`42
`
`1 36
`
`POWER_
`SUPPLY
`
`SERIAL_
`COMMUNICATIONS
`
`REAL
`IIME
`
`SYSTEM
`"
`
`1 44
`
`ACTA EX. 1001-007
`
`ACTA Ex. 1001-007
`
`

`
`1
`CURVILINEAR PERISTALTIC PUMP
`HAVING INSERTABLE TUBING ASSEMBLY
`
`MICROFICHE APPENDIX
`
`The specification of the present application includes a
`microfiche appendix which is submitted herewith and incor-
`porated herein by reference. The microfiche appendix
`includes a total of three (3) microfiche including a total of
`one hundred eighty nine (189) frames.
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention relates generally to medical infu-
`sion pumps, and more particularly to a curvilinear peristaltic
`pump having a plurality of cam driven pumping fingers
`which sequentially engage a segment of resilient tubing to
`facilitate the flow of a liquid therethrough.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`There is currently known in the prior art various types of
`peristaltic pumps which are typically used in medical appli-
`cations for facilitating the metered intravenous infusion of a
`medicament into a patient. In addition to being used for
`infusion applications, prior art peristaltic pumps are also
`used for withdrawing fluids such as in a wound drainage
`system. These prior art pumps operate in a positive manner
`and are capable of generating substantial outlet pressures.
`The peristaltic pumps known in the prior art generally fall
`within one of two categories, i.e., linear peristaltic pumps
`and rotary peristaltic pumps. Conventional linear and rotary
`peristaltic pumps each typically have a section of resilient
`tubing positioned between a wall and a set of rollers or
`reciprocating pushers that progressively compress sections
`of the tubing to facilitate the pumping of a liquid there-
`through.
`More particularly, typical linear peristaltic pumps include
`those described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,877,714 (Sorg, et al.), U.S.
`Pat. No. 4,671,792 (Borsannyi), U.S. Pat. No. 4,893,991
`(Heminway, et al.), and U.S. Pat. No. 4,728,265 (Canon).
`While generally effective, these prior art linear peristaltic
`pumps are large, complex and cumbersome, requiring a
`drive shaft parallel to a resilient tube and a plurality of cams
`along the drive shaft to move respective ones of a plurality
`of pushers toward and away from the tube.
`Rotary peristaltic pumps known in the prior art generally
`disposed a resilient
`tube along a circular path, with a
`plurality of rollers mounted around the circumference of a
`circular rotor sequentially rolling along the tube to occlude
`the same and force liquid therethrough. Typical rotary
`peristaltic pumps include those described in U.S. Pat. No.
`4,886,431 (Soderquist, et al.) and U.S. Pat. No. 3,172,367
`(Kling). Though also generally effective, these pumps often
`have relatively low efficiencies and impose high shear and
`tension stresses on the tube, thus causing internal tube wall
`erosion or spallation. As a result, the tube may eventually be
`permanently deformed so that it becomes flattened into a
`more oval shape and carries less liquid,
`i.e., provides a
`decreased level of fluid flow therethrough.
`In addition to the above-described linear and rotary peri-
`staltic pumps, there is also known in the prior art another
`type of peristaltic pump having a tube arranged along a
`circular path with a cam member within the circle sequen-
`tially moving a plurality of blunt pushers or fingers out-
`wardly to sequentially compress the tube from one end of the
`path to the other. These types of peristaltic pumps include
`those described in German Pat. No. 2,152,352 (Gonner) and
`
`6,164,921
`
`2
`
`in Italian Pat. No. 582,797 (Tubospir). Though these types of
`pumps tend to be less complex than linear peristaltic pumps,
`the pressure imposed by the blunt fingers typically reduces
`tube life, and sometimes causes internal tube wall erosion or
`spallation, thus resulting in particulate matter getting into
`the fluid stream. Additionally,
`tubes with different wall
`thicknesses cannot be accommodated by these particular
`prior art pumps. In this respect, with thinner than standard
`tubes,
`the fingers will not properly occlude the tube.
`Conversely, with thicker than standard tubes, the tube will
`close prematurely and be subject to excessive compression,
`thereby requiring higher cam drive power and causing
`excessive wear on the cam and tube.
`
`In recognition of the deficiencies associated with the prior
`art peristaltic pumps described above, Applicant developed
`the curvilinear peristaltic pump disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
`5,575,631 (Jester) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,683,233 (Moubayed,
`et al) and PCT Application No. PCT/US97/03676
`(Moubayed, et al.), the disclosures of which are incorporated
`herein by reference. This particular curvilinear peristaltic
`pump of the Applicant constituted an improvement over
`those known in the prior art by providing greater simplicity,
`small size, low drive power requirements and the ability to
`accommodate resilient tubes of varying wall thickness while
`reducing wear and internal erosion of the resilient tube.
`More particularly, this particular curvilinear peristaltic pump
`of the Applicant comprises a concave, curved platen for
`supporting a resilient tube, a multi-lobe cam rotatable about
`the center of the platen concavity, and a plurality of pump
`fingers which ride on the cam as cam followers and are
`guided to move in a radial direction toward and away from
`the platen. When the cam is rotated, the pump finger closest
`to the highest area (widest lobe) on the cam in the direction
`of rotation is moved outwardly in a radial direction to
`squeeze the tube against the platen. As the cam continues to
`rotate, the succeeding pump finger squeezes the tube as the
`preceding pump finger occludes the same, thus forcing the
`liquid in the tube to flow in the direction of cam rotation. As
`the cam rotation continues,
`the subsequent pump fingers
`sequentially squeeze the tube to push liquid and then
`occlude the tube, with the pump finger just behind the lobe
`moving away from the tube and allowing the same to expand
`and fill with the liquid.
`Though this curvilinear peristaltic pump of the Applicant
`overcomes many of the deficiencies of the prior art peristal-
`tic pumps, the design features of such pump give rise to
`certain inefficiencies in its operation.
`In particular,
`the
`motor, pulley and drive belt used to rotate the cam create a
`susceptibility for slight amounts of forward rotation or
`reverse rotation (roll back) of the cam upon the deactivation
`of the motor. Such slight forward or reverse rotation of the
`cam results in the engagement of the pump fingers to the
`tube in a manner causing an undesirable positive flow or
`backflow of liquid therewithin subsequent to the deactiva-
`tion of the motor. As such, in this curvilinear peristaltic
`pump of the Applicant, power must be continuously sup-
`plied to the motor for purposes of preventing any unwanted
`rotation of the cam. As will be recognized,
`the need to
`constantly maintain power to the motor substantially
`increases its power consumption (e.g., reduces the life of any
`batteries used to supply power to the motor).
`In addition to the foregoing, in Applicant’s existing cur-
`vilinear peristaltic pump, a “pump cycle” occurs when the
`first through the last pump fingers along the tube move
`toward and away from the platen. During each “pump
`cycle”, the engagement of the pump fingers against the tube
`in the above-described manner forces liquid therethrough.
`
`ACTA EX. 1001-008
`
`ACTA Ex. 1001-008
`
`

`
`6,164,921
`
`3
`However, due to the configuration of the cam and the
`inability of the drive unit to selectively adjust the rotational
`speed thereof, there is a “dead pump phase” between the
`pump cycles in Applicant’s existing curvilinear peristaltic
`pump wherein liquid is not being forced through the tube. As
`will be recognized, it is significantly more desirable if the
`liquid were to flow through the tube at a more uniform,
`steady rate. The operational efficiency of Applicant’s exist-
`ing curvilinear peristaltic pump would also be increased if it
`were to include structures which stabilize the length of the
`tube in the pump chamber and prevent a backflow of liquid
`within the tube upon a discontinuation of positive liquid
`pressure therewithin. The present invention addresses and
`overcomes the deficiencies of Applicant’s existing curvilin-
`ear peristaltic pump, as well as the other peristaltic pumps
`currently known in the prior art.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`In accordance with the present invention, there is pro-
`vided a curvilinear peristaltic pump for facilitating the
`pumping of a liquid through a length of resilient tubing. The
`pump comprises a housing including a pair of housing
`halves which are attached to each other. In addition to the
`
`housing, the pump comprises a platen member which is
`pivotally connected to the housing and movable between an
`operative position and a non-operative position relative
`thereto. The platen member defines an arcuate, generally
`concave inner surface, and includes an over-the center latch
`mechanism for maintaining the same in its operative posi-
`tion relative to the housing.
`The present pump further comprises a rotatable cam
`which is disposed within the housing and rotatable about the
`approximate center of the concavity of the inner surface of
`the platen member. The rotation of the cam is facilitated by
`a drive unit of the pump which is also disposed within the
`housing. The drive unit is mechanically coupled to the cam
`such that
`the activation of the drive unit results in the
`concurrent rotation of the cam in a first direction, and the
`deactivation of the drive unit maintains the cam in a set
`
`position. In the preferred embodiment, the drive unit com-
`prises a cam shaft which extends from the cam and includes
`a worm gear attached thereto. In addition to the cam shaft
`and worm gear, the drive unit comprises an electric motor
`having a rotatable motor shaft extending therefrom which
`includes a worm mounted thereto. The worm is itself coop-
`eratively engaged to the worm gear. Importantly, the engage-
`ment between the worm and the worm gear results in the
`rotation of the cam in the first direction upon the activation
`of the motor, with such engagement also eliminating any
`rotation of the cam upon the deactivation of the motor. The
`electric motor of the drive unit is preferably powered by
`multiple batteries (e.g., C-cell batteries) which are stored
`within the housing.
`The present pump further comprises a plurality of pump
`fingers which are movably attached to the housing and are
`arranged in side-by-side relation to each other so as to define
`a row. Each of the pump fingers has a first end which is
`cooperatively engaged to the cam and a second end which is
`disposed in spaced relation to the platen member. Attached
`to the housing is a pliable, transparent membrane of the
`pump which covers the second ends of the pump fingers and
`is used to prevent moisture from leaking into the interior of
`the housing. As such, the second ends of the pump fingers
`are covered by the membrane, and are disposed in substan-
`tially equidistantly spaced relation to the inner surface of the
`platen member when in its operative position. The mem-
`brane is exposed when the platen member is in its non-
`
`4
`operative position. Each of the pump fingers preferably
`includes a plurality of roller members rotatably mounted
`within and protruding from the first end thereof, with the
`pump fingers being cooperatively engaged to the cam via the
`roller members.
`
`In the present pump, the cam is configured to sequentially
`move the pump fingers radially outwardly toward and
`inwardly away from the inner surface of the platen member
`when rotated in the first direction by the drive unit. In this
`respect, a portion of the tubing may be extended between the
`inner surface of the platen member and the membrane (and
`hence the second ends of the pump fingers) such that the
`sequential movement of the pump fingers toward and away
`from the platen member results in liquid within the tubing
`being pumped in the first direction of rotation of the cam. As
`will be recognized, since the pumping of the liquid through
`the tubing is dependent upon the sequential engagement of
`the pump fingers thereagainst and the movement of the
`pump fingers is dependent upon the rotation of the cam, the
`deactivation of the motor which eliminates any rotation of
`the cam due to the engagement between the worm and the
`worm gear assists in preventing any positive flow or back-
`flow of liquid through the tubing.
`In the present pump, the sequential movement of each of
`the pump fingers of the row toward and away from the platen
`member by the rotation of the cam defines a pump cycle. In
`the preferred embodiment, the cam is profiled or shaped so
`as to act against the first ends of the pump fingers in a
`manner causing the second ends thereof to engage the tubing
`such that the flow rate of liquid therethrough is substantially
`constant throughout each pump cycle. Such constant flow
`rate is achieved by forming the cam as a four lobe cam. In
`addition to the cam being shaped to provide a substantially
`constant flow rate throughout each pump cycle, the pump of
`the present invention is preferably provided with a motor
`speed control unit which is operable to selectively increase
`and decrease the rotational speed of the cam at prescribed
`intervals. More particularly, the motor speed control unit is
`operable to increase the rotational speed of the cam in the
`first direction between pump cycles for purposes of substan-
`tially eliminating the dead pumping phase which normally
`exists between pump cycles.
`The motor speed control unit of the present pump is
`disposed within the housing and comprises an optical sensor
`which is electrically connected to the motor. The optical
`sensor is adapted to transmit a beam of light and sense any
`interruptions therein. In this respect,
`the optical sensor
`includes a light beam transmitter which is adapted to gen-
`erate a beam of light, and a light beam receiver which is
`adapted to receive or sense the beam of light generated by
`the light beam transmitter. In addition to the optical sensor,
`the motor speed control unit comprises an encoder wheel
`which is attached to the cam shaft and rotatable thereby. The
`encoder wheel includes a plurality of encoder arms extend-
`ing radially therefrom and is oriented relative to the optical
`sensor such that the encoder arms intermittently interrupt the
`beam of light during the rotation of the encoder wheel by the
`cam shaft. Importantly, the number and size of the encoder
`arms is selected such that interruptions in the beam of light
`caused thereby correspond to pump cycles, with the optical
`sensor being operable to determine the beginning and end of
`each pump cycle and increase the power to the motor and
`hence the rotational speed of the cam between pump cycles.
`As will be recognized, the increased rotational speed of the
`cam between pump cycles substantially reduces the dead
`pump phase, thereby providing a more uniform rate of liquid
`flow through the tubing.
`
`ACTA EX. 1001-009
`
`ACTA Ex. 1001-009
`
`

`
`6,164,921
`
`5
`The present pump further comprises a plurality of pinch
`members which are movably attached to respective ones of
`the pump fingers and protrude from the second ends thereof.
`Each of the pinch members is biased radially outwardly
`toward the inner surface of the platen member and operable
`to substantially occlude the tubing when the pump finger to
`which it is attached is moved radially outwardly to a position
`closest
`to the inner surface of the platen member. To
`facilitate the attachment of a pinch member thereto, each of
`the pump fingers is provided with a transverse slot which is
`disposed within the second end thereof and transitions into
`a transverse cavity therewithin. Each of the pinch members
`preferably comprises a base portion which is disposed
`within the transverse cavity and a finger portion which
`extends from the base portion into the transverse slot. The f
`finger portion defines a finger tip which protrudes from the
`second end of the pump finger. Extending between the base
`portion and the wall of the transverse cavity disposed
`furthest from the finger portion is a biasing spring of the
`pinch member. The present pump further comprises a pair of
`pressure sensor members which are oriented within the
`housing adjacent respective ends of the row of pump fingers
`for engaging the tubing and generating electrical signals
`corresponding to the degree of compression or expansion
`thereof when acted upon by the pump f fingers and pinch
`members.
`
`The pump constructed in accordance with the present
`invention is preferably used in conjunction with a tubing
`assembly which is releasably attachable to the housing. The
`tubing assembly comprises a length of substantially straight,
`resilient tubing which is preferably fabricated from polyvi-
`nyl chloride (PVC). Attached to the tubing is a tubing locator
`pin and a shut-off valve which is operable to selectively
`obstruct the fiow of liquid through the tubing in a direction
`opposite the first direction of rotation of the cam. The tubing
`locator pin and the shut-off valve are removably insertable
`into respective ones of a pair of recesses formed within the
`housing outwardly of each of the opposed ends of the row
`of pump fingers. Importantly, the tubing locator pin and the
`shut-off valve are attached to the tubing at locations whereat
`a portion of the tubing is extended over the second ends of
`the pump fingers when the tubing locator pin and the shut-off
`valve are removably inserted into their respective recesses
`within the housing. When the platen member is in its
`operative position, the tubing is extended between the sec-
`ond ends of the pump fingers and the platen member such
`that the sequential movement of the pump fingers toward
`and away from the platen member results in liquid within the
`tubing being pumped in the first direction of rotation of the
`cam.
`
`the tubing locator pin and the
`In the present pump,
`shut-off valve of the tubing assembly are removably insert-
`able into their respective recesses within the housing when
`the platen member is in its non-operative position. As
`indicated above, the portion of the tubing extended over the
`second ends of the pump fingers by the insertion of the
`tubing locator pin and the shut-off valve into their respective
`recesses within the housing is captured between the second
`ends and the inner surface when the platen member is moved
`to its operative position.
`In the preferred embodiment, the shut-off valve of the
`tubing assembly itself comprises a Valve body having an
`opening therein for permitting the passage of the tubing
`therethrough. Movably attached to the valve body is a pinch
`arm which is engagable to the tubing passing through the
`opening. The pinch arm is movable between an open posi-
`tion whereat the tubing passing through the valve body is
`
`6
`only partially collapsed thereby and not compressed by the
`pinch arm which allows for the flow of liquid through the
`tubing, and a closed position whereat the tubing passing
`through the valve body is completely collapsed by the pinch
`arm acting thereagainst which prevents the flow of liquid
`through the tubing. The shut-off Valve further includes a
`biasing member which normally biases the pinch arm to the
`closed position, with the biasing member preferably com-
`prising a spring which extends between the valve body and
`the pinch arm. The pinch arm of the shut-off valve itself
`includes a breakable detent tab formed thereon which main-
`tains the pinch arm in its open position. The removal or
`breakage of the detent tab from the pinch arm results in the
`movement of the pinch arm to its closed position.
`In the present pump,
`the platen member is sized and
`configured to move the pinch arm from its closed position to
`its open position when the platen member is moved to its
`operative position. Additionally, the platen member is piv-
`otally connected to the housing at a location whereat the
`movement of the platen member from its non-operative
`position to its operative position results in the occlusion of
`the tubing by at least one of the pinch members prior to the
`movement of the pinch arm of the shut-off valve from its
`closed position to its open position by the platen member.
`In addition to the above-described pressure sensor
`members, the present pump is provided with a platen sensor
`which is disposed within the housing and operable to detect
`when the platen member is in the operative position. More
`particularly, the platen sensor comprises a Hall effect sensor
`which includes a magnet disposed within the over the-center
`latch mechanism of the platen member. In addition to the
`magnet, the platen sensor includes a magnetic field detector
`which is disposed within the housing. The magnet and the
`magnetic field detector are oriented so as to be disposed
`directly adjacent each other when the platen member is in its
`operative position. The pump also includes a tubing sensor
`which is disposed within the housing and operable to detect
`when the tubing is extended over the membrane. More
`particularly, whereas the platen sensor is tripped by the
`movement of the platen member to its operative position, the
`tubing sensor is tripped by the insertion of the tubing locator
`pin into its corresponding recess within the housing. In the
`preferred embodiment,
`the platen sensor and the tubing
`sensor are electrically connected in series such that the drive
`unit may not be activated until the tubing is extended over
`the membrane and the platen member is in its operative
`position.
`Advantageously, the tubing locator pin and shut-off valve
`of the tubing assembly may be added or attached to lengths
`of resilient tubing of differing diameters. Additionally, the
`use of off-the-shelf straight line, continuous PVC tubing in
`the present tubing assembly as opposed to a segment of
`silicone tubing having segments of PVC tubing adhesively
`secured thereto as is required by many prior art peristaltic
`pumps substantially reduces the costs associated with the
`present tubing assembly, in addition to providing increased
`reliability due to the absence of any adhesive joints. In the
`tubing assembly, the shut-off valve attached to the tubing is
`maintained in its open position during shipment so as not to
`cause any premature deformation in the tubing. When the
`present pump and accompanying tubing assembly are ready
`for use, the detent tab is broken away from the pinch arm of
`the shut-off valve,
`thus causing the same to assume its
`normally closed position upon the tubing.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`These, as well as other features of the present invention,
`will become more apparent upon reference to the drawings
`wherein:
`
`ACTA EX. 1001-010
`
`ACTA Ex. 1001-010
`
`

`
`6,164,921
`
`7
`FIG. 1 is a front, top perspective View of the peristaltic
`pump of the present invention;
`FIG. 2 is a rear, top perspective view of the peristaltic
`pump of the present invention;
`FIG. 3 is a rear, bottom perspective view of the peristaltic
`pump of the present invention;
`FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the worm gear drive unit
`of the present peristaltic pump;
`FIG. 5 is a perspective View of the motor speed control
`unit of the present peristaltic pump;
`FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the platen member of the
`present peristaltic pump, illustrating the manner it is engage-
`able to the housing thereof;
`FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of the present
`peristaltic pump, illustrating the manner in which the tubing
`assembly thereof is operatively captured between the pump
`fingers and platen member of the pump;
`FIG. 7a is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating the
`manner in which the tubing sensor of the present peristaltic
`pump is tripped by the insertion of the tubing locator pin of
`the tubing assembly into the housing;
`FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view of the pump fingers
`of the present peristaltic pump, illustrating the manner in
`which the pinch members thereof engage the tubing of the
`tubing assembly;
`FIG. 8a is a perspective view of one of the pump fingers
`of the present peristaltic pump;
`FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the tubing assembly of the
`present peristaltic pump;
`FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the tubing locator pin of
`the tubing assembly shown in FIG. 9;
`FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the shut-off valve of the
`tubing assembly taken along line 11—11 of FIG. 9;
`FIG. 12 is an exploded view of the shut-off valve shown
`in FIG. 11;
`FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the shut-off valve as
`
`in its open position;
`FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the shut-off valve as
`
`in its closed position;
`FIG. 15a is a graph illustrating a typical pump cycle of a
`prior art rotary peristaltic pump;
`FIG. 15b is a graph illustrating a typical pump cycle of a
`prior art linear peristaltic pump;
`FIG. 15c is graph illustrating a typical pump cycle of the
`peristaltic pump of the present invention;
`FIG. 16 is a schematic of the circuit used to facilitate the
`
`functional interface between the motor speed control unit of
`the present peristaltic pump and the drive unit thereof; and
`FIG. 17 is a flow chart illustrating the primary hardware
`and software interfaces of the present peristaltic pump.
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
`
`Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are
`for purposes of illustrating a preferred embodiment of the
`present invention only, and not for purposes of limiting the
`same, FIGS. 1-3 perspectively illustrate the curvilinear
`peristaltic pump 10 constructed in accordance with the
`present invention. The present pump 10 is preferably used in
`conjunction with an administration set or tubing assembly
`12 which is shown in FIG. 9 and will be described in more
`
`detail below. The tubing assembly 12 itself is provided with
`a novel and unique flow stop member or shut-off valve 14 of
`
`8
`the present invention which is shown in FIGS. 11-14 and
`will also be described in more detail below.
`PERISTALTIC PUMP
`
`The present pump 10 is adapted to facilitate the pumping
`of a liquid through the tubing assembly 12, and comprises a
`housing 16. The housing 16 includes a front housing half
`18a and a back housing half 18b which are rigidly attached
`to each other through the use of fasteners such as screws,
`though alternative attachment methods may also be
`employed in relation thereto. As seen in FIG. 1, the front
`housing half 18a is provided with a keypad 20 and a visual
`display 22, the use of which will be discussed in more detail
`below. The back housing half 18b is provided with a
`removable door 24 for accessing a battery storage compart-
`ment within the interior of the housing 16. The front and
`back housing halves 18a, 18b are preferably fabricated from
`a plastic material, though alternative lightweight materials
`may be used for the fabrication thereof. In addition to the
`front and back housing halves 18a, 18b, the housing 16
`comprises a support member 25 which defines a channel
`having a generally U-shaped cross sectional configuration.
`The support member 25 is attached to the front and back
`housing halves 18a, 18b such that
`the channel defined
`thereby extends longitudinally between the upper ends of the
`front and back housing halves 18a, 18b.
`Referring now to FIGS. 1-4 and 6, the pump 10 further
`comprises a platen member 26 which is pivotally connected
`to the support member 25 of the housing 16 and moveable
`between an operative position (as shown in FIGS. 1-3, 7 and
`8) and a non-operative position (as shown in FIG. 6) relative
`thereto. The platen member 26 defines an arcuate, generally
`concave inner surface 28. When the platen member 26 is in
`its operative position, it resides within the channel defined
`by the support member 25, with the inner surface 28 being
`shielded thereby. As best seen in FIGS. 6 and 7, the platen
`member 26 is provided with an over-the-center latch mecha-
`nism 30 on the end thereof opposite that pivotally connected
`to the support member 25. The latch mechanism 30 is
`cooperatively engagable to a pair of latch pins 32 protruding
`from respective ones of opposed inner surfaces of the
`support member 25 into the channel defined therebetween.
`As will be recognized, the engagement of the latch mecha-
`nism 30 to the latch pins 32 maintains or locks the platen
`member 26 within its operative position.
`As further seen in FIG. 6, the pump 10 includes a platen
`sensor 120 which is operable to detect when the platen
`member 26 is in its operative position. In the preferred
`embodiment, the platen