DIAPHRAGM PUMP AND RELATED METHODS

• US 20080077068A1
• Filed: 11/26/2007
• Published: 03/27/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/13/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Baxter Healthcare SA (Baxter International Inc.), Baxter International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Purity Solutions ,LLC
• Inventors: Orr, Troy
• Granted Patent: US 8,197,231 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/6.11
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/14 Dialysis systems; Artificial kidneys; Blood oxygenators semi-permeable membranes characterised by the material, manufacturing processes therefor B01D71/00 ; Reciprocating systems for treatment of body fluids, e.g. single needle systems for hemofiltration or pheresis
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3666 Cardiac or cardiopulmonary bypass, e.g. heart-lung machines
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3667 with assisted venous return
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/0413 Blood
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14224 Diaphragm type
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/109 incorporated within extracorporeal blood circuits or systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/113 in other functional devices, e.g. dialysers or heart-lung machines
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/38 Blood oxygenation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/43 using vacuum at the blood pump, e.g. to accelerate filling
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/847 arranged in a cassette
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/851 Valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/1021 Radioactive fluid
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 2201/0601 Opening times
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 2201/0605 Leakage over a valve
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 23/04 Combinations of two or more pumps
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 43/06 Pumps having fluid drive
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 43/0736 with two or more pumping chambers in parallel
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 45/043 two or more plate-like pumping flexible members in parallel
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 45/0536 the actuating fluid being controlled by one or more valves
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 53/109 inlet and outlet valve forming one unit
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 7/02 : the valving being fluid-actuated
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 7/0275 : and being deformable, e.g. membranes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7843 : Integral resilient member forms plural valves

Abstract

In some arrangements, a pump for moving a fluid has one or more pump chambers and one or more flow control valves with diaphragm actuation regions. Motive fluid can activate the diaphragm actuation regions, and a pattern of fluid flow can be controlled by varying the pressure levels of the motive fluid.

Claims

1. A pump comprising:

a housing member defining an inlet flow channel and an outlet flow channel, the inlet and outlet flow channels configured to conduct process fluid through the housing, the housing further defining a first face portion and a second face portion;

a first pump chamber at least partially defined by the first face portion of the housing member;

a first valve chamber at least partially defined by the second face portion of the housing member, the first valve chamber in fluid communication with one of the inlet and outlet flow channels, the housing member defining a first passage that provides fluid communication between the first valve chamber and the first pump chamber; and

a first diaphragm actuation region within the first valve chamber, the first diaphragm actuation region preformed from a substantially uniform thickness material to define a substantially non-planar shape in a resting state, wherein the first diaphragm actuation region is configured to transition between a first orientation in which process fluid is substantially prevented from flowing through the first passage of the housing member and a second orientation in which process fluid is permitted to flow through the first passage of the housing member.

2. The pump of claim 1, wherein a cord length of the first diaphragm actuation region changes by less than about 10% as the first diaphragm actuation region transitions between the first orientation and the second orientation.

3. The pump of claim 2, wherein the cord length of the first diaphragm actuation region changes by less than about 5% as the first diaphragm actuation region transitions between the first orientation and the second orientation.

4. The pump of claim 1, wherein the first diaphragm actuation region defines a perimeter, and wherein the first diaphragm actuation region is configured to stretch less when transitioned between the first and second orientations than would a substantially planar diaphragm actuation region of like material and like perimeter when transitioned between the first and second orientations.

5. The pump of claim 1, wherein the first diaphragm actuation region is configured to move in response to a motive fluid introduced to the first valve chamber.

6. The pump of claim 1, wherein the first diaphragm actuation region defines the non-planar shape when in the first orientation.

7. The pump of claim 1, wherein each of the first orientation and the second orientation of the first diaphragm actuation region defines an end-of-stroke position of the first actuation region.

8. The pump of claim 1, wherein the second face portion of the housing member defines a rim in fluid communication with the first passage, wherein the first diaphragm actuation region is configured to cooperate with the rim to substantially prevent fluid flow through the first passage when the first diaphragm actuation region is in the first orientation.

9. The pump of claim 1, further comprising a second diaphragm actuation region within the first pump chamber, the second diaphragm actuation region preformed from a substantially uniform thickness material to naturally define a substantially non-planar shape, wherein the second diaphragm region is configured to transition between a first orientation and a second orientation.

10. The pump of claim 9, wherein the preformed shape of the first actuation region defines a first dome height and/or the preformed shape of the second actuation region defines a second dome height.

11. The pump of claim 10, wherein the first dome height is different from the second dome height.

12. The pump of claim 1, wherein the second face portion of the housing member defines a perimeter of the valve chamber and a recessed convex surface that limits the minimum radius of bending curvature of the first diaphragm actuation region between an edge of the first diaphragm actuation region and a slope inflection point of the first diaphragm actuation region as the first diaphragm actuation region transitions from the second orientation to the first orientation.

13. The pump of claim 1, wherein the perimeter of the first diaphragm actuation region has a maximum width between opposing sides thereof and defines a dome height, wherein the ratio of the maximum width to the dome height is between about 4:

1 and about 30;

1.

14. The pump of claim 13, wherein the ratio of the maximum width to the dome height is between about 6:

1 and about 10;

1.

15. The pump of claim 1, wherein the first preformed diaphragm actuation region has a thickness in a range between about 0.001 inches and about 0.060 inches.

16. The pump of claim 15, wherein the first preformed diaphragm actuation region has a thickness in a range between about 0.005 inches and about 0.020 inches.

17. The pump of claim 1, wherein the first preformed diaphragm actuation region is sealed to the second face portion of the housing member outside a peripheral edge of the valve chamber.

18. The pump of claim 1, wherein the second face portion of the housing member further includes a second valve chamber in fluid communication with the outlet flow channel and the housing member defines a passage between the second valve chamber and the first pump chamber.

19. The pump of claim 1, wherein the housing member further defines a second pump chamber, wherein the first and second chamber cavities each cooperate with a separate diaphragm actuation region to at least partially define a first and a second pump chamber, respectively.

20. The pump of claim 1, wherein the first face portion and the second face portion are at substantially opposing sides of the housing member.

21. The pump of claim 1, wherein the first face portion and the second face portion are on the same side of the housing member.

22. The pump of claim 1, wherein the first diaphragm actuation region is fabricated by stretching and deforming a film of material with substantially uniform thickness using a combination of pressure, vacuum, and heat.

23. A blood pump comprising:

a first pump chamber configured to be actuated by fluid pressure;

a first inlet valve configured to actively control entry of blood to the first pump chamber and a first outlet valve configured to actively control exit of blood from the first pump chamber;

a substantially rigid first housing component defining a first cavity wall;

a substantially rigid second housing component defining a second cavity wall; and

a first diaphragm disposed between the first and second housing components, the first diaphragm comprising a first preformed actuation region that defines a substantially non-planar shape in a resting state, the first and second cavity walls of the first and second housing components cooperating with the first preformed actuation region of the first diaphragm to at least partially define the first pump chamber.

24. The blood pump of claim 23, further comprising a second pump chamber, a second inlet valve configured to actively control entry of blood to the second pump chamber, and a second outlet valve configured to actively control exit of blood from the second pump chamber.

25. The blood pump of claim 24, wherein the first and second housing components cooperate with the first diaphragm to at least partially define the second pump chamber.

26. The blood pump of claim 25, wherein the first diaphragm comprises a second preformed actuation region, wherein the first and second housing components cooperate with the second preformed actuation region to at least partially define the second pump chamber.

27. The blood pump of claim 23, further comprising a third substantially rigid housing component and a second diaphragm, the first and third housing components cooperating with the second diaphragm to at least partially define at least one of the first inlet valve and the first outlet valve.

28. The blood pump of claim 27, wherein the second diaphragm comprises a preformed actuation region, wherein the first and third housing components cooperate with the preformed actuation region of the second diaphragm to at least partially define one of the first inlet valve and the first outlet valve.

29. The blood pump of claim 27, wherein the first housing component is between the second and third housing components.

30. The blood pump of claim 27, wherein the first housing component defines a chamber channel in fluid communication with the first pump chamber, wherein the second diaphragm is configured to selectively open the chamber channel to permit blood flow through the chamber channel and selectively seal the chamber channel to prevent blood flow through the chamber channel.

31. The blood pump of claim 30, wherein the third housing member comprises a motive fluid passageway in fluid communication with the second diaphragm, wherein the motive fluid passageway is configured to permit a first or a second motive fluid to cause the second diaphragm to open or seal the chamber channel, respectively.

32. The blood pump of claim 27, further comprising a third diaphragm between the first and third housing components, the second and third diaphragms cooperating to jointly define at least a portion of one or more of the first inlet valve and the first outlet valve.

33. The blood pump of claim 23, further comprising a third diaphragm between the first and second housing components, the first and third diaphragms cooperating to jointly define at least a portion of the first pump chamber.

34. The blood pump of claim 23, wherein the first preformed actuation region is configured to be actuated from a resting state when a pressure differential on opposing sides of the preformed actuation region is between about 5 mmHg and about 200 mmHg.

35. The blood pump of claim 23, further comprising a channel that provides fluid communication between the first pump chamber and one of the first inlet valve and the first outlet valve, said one of the first inlet valve and the first outlet valve comprising a second preformed actuation region configured to maintain the channel in a substantially sealed state when a pressure differential on opposing sides of the actuation region is about 0 mmHg.

36. The blood pump of claim 23, wherein the first preformed actuation region defines a perimeter having a maximum width between opposing sides thereof and a dome height, the ratio of the maximum width to the dome height being between about 4:

1 and about 30;

1.

37. The blood pump of claim 36, wherein the ratio of the maximum width to the dome height is between about 6:

1 and about 10;

1.

38. The blood pump of claim 23, wherein the first diaphragm defines a thickness in a range between about 0.001 inches and about 0.060 inches.

39. The blood pump of claim 38, wherein the first diaphragm defines a thickness in a range between about 0.005 inches and about 0.020 inches.

40. A blood pump comprising:

a first pump chamber configured to be actuated by fluid pressure;

a first inlet valve configured to actively control the ingress of blood to the first pump chamber and a first outlet valve configured to actively control the egress of blood from the first pump chamber;

a substantially rigid first housing component;

a substantially rigid second housing component;

a substantially rigid third housing component;

a first diaphragm disposed between the first and second housing components and cooperating therewith to at least partially define the first pump chamber; and

a second diaphragm disposed between the first and third housing components, the second diaphragm comprising a first and a second preformed actuation region, the first preformed actuation region cooperating with the first and third housing components to at least partially define the first inlet valve, the second preformed actuation region cooperating with the first and third housing components to at least partially define the first outlet valve.

41. The blood pump of claim 40, wherein the first housing component defines a first inlet valve seat and a first outlet valve seat, wherein the first preformed actuation region of the second diaphragm is configured to move between the first inlet valve seat and the third housing component, and wherein the second preformed actuation region of the second diaphragm is configured to move between the second inlet valve seat and the third housing component.

42. The blood pump of claim 41, wherein the first housing component defines a first chamber channel in fluid communication with the first pump chamber and a second chamber channel in fluid communication with the first pump chamber, wherein the first preformed actuation region of the second diaphragm is configured to selectively substantially prevent fluid communication between the first chamber channel and the first inlet valve to prevent blood from entering the first pump chamber via the first chamber channel and the second preformed actuation region of the second diaphragm is configured to selectively substantially prevent fluid communication between the second chamber channel and the first outlet valve to prevent blood from exiting the first pump chamber via the second chamber channel.

43. The blood pump of claim 42, wherein the first housing component defines a blood inlet channel and a blood outlet channel, wherein the first inlet valve is in fluid communication with the blood inlet channel and is configured to selectively permit blood to flow from the blood inlet channel to the first pump chamber via the first chamber channel, and wherein the first outlet valve is in fluid communication with the blood outlet channel and is configured to permit blood to flow from the first pump chamber to the blood outlet channel via the second chamber channel.

44. The blood pump of claim 40, wherein the third housing component comprises a first motive fluid passageway in fluid communication with the first inlet valve and a second motive fluid passageway in fluid communication with the first outlet valve, wherein the first and second motive fluid passageways are configured to receive motive fluid to actuate the first inlet valve and the first outlet valve, respectively.

45. The blood pump of claim 40, further comprising a second pump chamber configured to be actuated by fluid pressure, the first and second housing components cooperating to at least partially define the second pump chamber.

46. The blood pump of claim 45, further comprising a second inlet valve configured to selectively permit blood to enter the second pump chamber and a second outlet valve configured to selectively permit blood to exit the second pump chamber.

47. The blood pump of claim 46, wherein the first and third housing components at least partially define the second inlet valve and the second outlet valve.

48. The blood pump of claim 46, wherein the second inlet valve comprises a preformed actuation region of a diaphragm and the second outlet valve comprises a preformed actuation region of a diaphragm.

49. The blood pump of claim 48, wherein the first and second inlet valves and the first and second outlet valves comprise an integrated diaphragm media.

50. The blood pump of claim 40, wherein the first pump chamber comprises a preformed actuation region of the first diaphragm media.

51. The blood pump of claim 50, further comprising a motive fluid passageway configured to deliver motive fluid to the first pump chamber, the motive fluid passageway extending through the first housing member.

52. A pump configured to be coupled with a process fluid source and a process fluid delivery destination, the pump comprising:

first and second means for drawing process fluid from the process fluid source and expelling process fluid to the process fluid delivery destination;

first means for selectively permitting process fluid to flow to and first means for selectively permitting process fluid to flow from the first means for drawing process fluid from the process fluid source and expelling process fluid to the process fluid delivery destination;

second means for selectively permitting process fluid to flow to and second means for selectively permitting process fluid to flow from the second means for drawing process fluid from the process fluid source and expelling process fluid to the process fluid delivery destination; and

a first substantially rigid housing member and a second substantially rigid housing member,

wherein the first and second housing members at least partially define, at a first side of the first housing member, one or more of;

the first and second means for drawing process fluid from the process fluid source and expelling process fluid to the process fluid delivery destination;

the first and second means for selectively permitting process fluid to flow to the first and second means for drawing process fluid from the process fluid source and expelling process fluid to the process fluid delivery destination, respectively; and

the first and second means for selectively permitting process fluid to flow from the first and second means for drawing process fluid from the process fluid source and expelling process fluid to the process fluid delivery destination, respectively; and

wherein the remaining means are positioned at a second side of the first housing member.

53. The pump of claim 52, wherein the first side of the first housing member is opposite the second side thereof.

54. The pump of claim 52, wherein the first and second means for drawing process fluid from the process fluid source and expelling process fluid to the process fluid delivery destination are configured to fluidly communicate with motive fluid and to cooperate therewith to draw process fluid and expel process fluid.

55. The pump of claim 52, wherein each of the first means for selectively permitting process fluid to flow to and the first means for selectively permitting process fluid to flow from the first means for drawing process fluid from the process fluid source and expelling process fluid to the process fluid delivery destination cooperates with motive fluid to actively control fluid flow from the process fluid source and to actively control fluid flow to the process fluid delivery destination, respectively, and

wherein each of the second means for selectively permitting process fluid to flow to and the second means for selectively permitting process fluid to flow from the second means for drawing process fluid from the process fluid source and expelling process fluid to the process fluid delivery destination cooperates with motive fluid to actively control fluid flow from the process fluid source and to actively control fluid flow to the process fluid delivery destination, respectively.

56. The pump of claim 52, wherein each of the first and second means for selectively permitting process fluid to flow to and the first and second means for selectively permitting process fluid to flow from the first and second means for drawing process fluid from the process fluid source and expelling process fluid to the process fluid delivery destination, respectively, is configured to isolate process fluid from motive fluid.

57. The pump of claim 52, wherein each of:

the first means for drawing process fluid from the process fluid source and expelling process fluid to the process fluid delivery destination;

the first means for selectively permitting process fluid to flow to the first means for drawing process fluid from the process fluid source and expelling process fluid to the process fluid delivery destination; and

the second means for selectively permitting process fluid to flow from the second means for drawing process fluid from the process fluid source and expelling process fluid to the process fluid delivery destination is configured to be actuated by motive fluid at one of a first pressure and a second pressure, and

wherein each of;

the second means for drawing process fluid from the process fluid source and expelling process fluid to the process fluid delivery destination;

the second means for selectively permitting process fluid to flow to the second means for drawing process fluid from the process fluid source and expelling process fluid to the process fluid delivery destination; and

the first means for selectively permitting process fluid to flow from the first means for drawing process fluid from the process fluid source and expelling process fluid to the process fluid delivery destination is configured to be actuated by motive fluid at the other of the first pressure and the second pressure.