PROPER TUBING INSTALLATION TESTING METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR A PERISTALTIC PUMP
First Claim
1. In a peristaltic pump having a tube receiving channel and a door for holding a tubing therein, a tubing installation checking device for determining proper installation of a tubing along a tube receiving channel in to which the tubing is inserted for pumping engagement with a pumping mechanism, said tubing installation checking device comprising:
- (a) a pressure sensor held in the peristaltic pump positioned along the tube receiving channel downstream from the pumping mechanism for sensing pressure in the tubing and for providing a signal representing the sensed pressure;
(b) a valve held in the peristaltic pump along said tube receiving channel downstream from said pressure sensor for closing the tubing when it is installed in the tube receiving channel; and
(c) a computer program for closing said valve, for activating the pumping mechanism for a partial pumping stroke, for receiving a first pressure signal from said pressure sensor indicating the sensed pressure after the partial pumping stroke, for holding the pumping mechanism stationary during a predetermined period of time, and for receiving a second pressure signal indicating the pressure in the tubing after the predetermined period of time, and for comparing the first and second pressure signals to determine whether there is leakage in the tubing indicating improper tubing installation and if so for providing an alarm signal to indicate improper tubing installation.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A tubing installation checking device is provided for determining proper installation of a tubing along a tube receiving channel in a peristaltic pump of the type having a tube receiving channel and a door for holding a tubing therein. The tubing installation checking device includes a pressure sensor held in the peristaltic pump positioned along the tube receiving channel downstream from the pumping mechanism for sensing pressure in the tubing and for providing a signal representing the sensed pressure. A valve is provided held in the peristaltic pump along the tube receiving channel downstream from the pressure sensor for closing the tubing when it is installed in the tube receiving channel. A computer program is provided for closing the valve, for activating the pumping mechanism for a partial pumping stroke, for receiving a first pressure signal from said pressure sensor indicating the sensed pressure after the partial pumping stroke, for holding the pumping mechanism stationary during a predetermined period of time, for receiving a second pressure signal indicating the pressure in the tubing after the predetermined period of time, for comparing the first and second pressure signals to determine whether there is leakage in the tubing indicating improper tubing installation and if so for providing an alarm signal to indicate improper tubing installation.
56 Citations
13 Claims
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1. In a peristaltic pump having a tube receiving channel and a door for holding a tubing therein, a tubing installation checking device for determining proper installation of a tubing along a tube receiving channel in to which the tubing is inserted for pumping engagement with a pumping mechanism, said tubing installation checking device comprising:
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(a) a pressure sensor held in the peristaltic pump positioned along the tube receiving channel downstream from the pumping mechanism for sensing pressure in the tubing and for providing a signal representing the sensed pressure;
(b) a valve held in the peristaltic pump along said tube receiving channel downstream from said pressure sensor for closing the tubing when it is installed in the tube receiving channel; and
(c) a computer program for closing said valve, for activating the pumping mechanism for a partial pumping stroke, for receiving a first pressure signal from said pressure sensor indicating the sensed pressure after the partial pumping stroke, for holding the pumping mechanism stationary during a predetermined period of time, and for receiving a second pressure signal indicating the pressure in the tubing after the predetermined period of time, and for comparing the first and second pressure signals to determine whether there is leakage in the tubing indicating improper tubing installation and if so for providing an alarm signal to indicate improper tubing installation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A tubing installation checking device in a peristaltic pump having a tube receiving channel and a door for holding a tubing therein, said tubing installation checking device for determining proper installation of a tubing along a tube receiving channel canal in to which the tubing is inserted for pumping engagement with a pumping mechanism in the peristaltic pump, and said tubing installation checking device comprising:
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(a) a pressure sensor held in the peristaltic pump positioned along the tube receiving channel downstream from the pumping mechanism for sensing pressure in the tubing and for providing a signal representing the sensed pressure;
(b) a valve held in the peristaltic pump along said receiving channel downstream from said pressure sensor for closing a properly installed tubing in the tube receiving channel; and
(c) a computer program for closing said valve, for receiving an initialization pressure signal from said sensor upon shutting the door indicating an initialization pressure in the tube, for activating the pumping mechanism for a partial pumping stroke, for receiving a first pressure signal from said pressure sensor indicating the sensed pressure after the partial pumping stroke, for holding the pumping mechanism stationary a predetermined period of time, and for receiving a second pressure signal indicating the pressure in the tubing after the predetermined time period, and for comparing the initialization, first and second pressure signals to determine whether there is leakage in the tubing indicating improper tubing installation and if so for providing an alarm signal to indicate improper tubing installation. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of determining proper tubing installation in a peristaltic pump of the type having a pumping mechanism capable of receiving a tubing, and comprising the steps of:
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(a) receiving a tubing into said linear peristaltic pump;
(b) closing the tubing at a point downstream from the pumping mechanism;
(c) engaging the pump mechanism and partially moving the pump mechanism forward to build pressure in the tubing and then stopping movement;
(d) sensing a first pressure in the tubing between the pumping mechanism and the downstream point of closing;
(e) sensing a second pressure in the tubing between the pumping mechanism and the downstream point of closing at a predetermined time after stopping; and
(f) comparing the second pressure to the first pressure and activating an alarm if the second pressure is less than the first pressure by at least a predetermined amount.
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12. A method of determining proper tubing installation in a peristaltic pump of the type having a pumping mechanism capable of receiving a tubing, and comprising the steps of:
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(a) receiving a tubing into said linear peristaltic pump;
(b) closing the tubing at a point downstream from the pumping mechanism;
(c) sensing an initial pressure in the tubing;
(d) engaging the pump mechanism and partially moving the pump mechanism forward to build pressure in the tubing and then stopping movement;
(e) sensing a first pressure in the tubing between the pumping mechanism and the downstream point of closing immediately after stopping movement of the pumping mechanism;
(f) comparing the initial pressure to the first pressure and activating an alarm if the first sensed pressure is not at least a predetermined amount greater than the initial sensed pressure;
- View Dependent Claims (13)
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Specification