BLOOD TREATMENT SYSTEMS AND METHODS
First Claim
1. A flexible diaphragm for use in a reciprocating diaphragm pump, the diaphragm pump comprising a first rigid body having a curved pumping chamber wall, a second rigid body having an opposing curved control chamber wall, the diaphragm configured to be interposed between the pumping chamber wall and the control chamber wall, the diaphragm comprising:
- a gasket arranged to locate the diaphragm between the first rigid body and the second rigid body;
a diaphragm body having a curved, semi-spheroid or domed shape, the diaphragm body configured to generally conform to a curved inner surface of the pumping chamber wall or a curved inner surface of the control chamber wall, and the diaphragm body having a pumping side arranged to face the inner surface of the pumping chamber wall and an opposing control side arranged to face the inner surface of the control chamber wall;
a transition region between the gasket and the diaphragm body, the transition region arranged to be pinched or clamped between a clamping region of the first rigid body and an opposing clamping region of the second rigid body;
wherein the diaphragm is resilient, such that the diaphragm is in a relaxed position when the control side of the diaphragm body assumes a convex shape when positioned in the diaphragm pump.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention generally relates to hemodialysis and similar dialysis systems, including a variety of systems and methods that would make hemodialysis more efficient, easier, and/or more affordable. One aspect of the invention is generally directed to new fluid circuits for fluid flow. According to one aspect, a blood pump is configured to pump blood to a dialyzer of a hemodialysis apparatus, the blood pump comprising a pneumatically actuated or controlled reciprocating diaphragm pump. In an embodiment, the diaphragm of the pump comprises a flexible membrane formed or molded to generally conform to a curved inner wall of a pumping chamber or control chamber of the pump, wherein the diaphragm is pre-formed or molded to have a control side taking a convex shape, so that any elastic tension on the diaphragm is minimized when fully extended into a control chamber of the pump.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A flexible diaphragm for use in a reciprocating diaphragm pump, the diaphragm pump comprising a first rigid body having a curved pumping chamber wall, a second rigid body having an opposing curved control chamber wall, the diaphragm configured to be interposed between the pumping chamber wall and the control chamber wall, the diaphragm comprising:
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a gasket arranged to locate the diaphragm between the first rigid body and the second rigid body; a diaphragm body having a curved, semi-spheroid or domed shape, the diaphragm body configured to generally conform to a curved inner surface of the pumping chamber wall or a curved inner surface of the control chamber wall, and the diaphragm body having a pumping side arranged to face the inner surface of the pumping chamber wall and an opposing control side arranged to face the inner surface of the control chamber wall; a transition region between the gasket and the diaphragm body, the transition region arranged to be pinched or clamped between a clamping region of the first rigid body and an opposing clamping region of the second rigid body; wherein the diaphragm is resilient, such that the diaphragm is in a relaxed position when the control side of the diaphragm body assumes a convex shape when positioned in the diaphragm pump. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A reciprocating diaphragm pump comprising a first rigid body having a pumping chamber wall, a second rigid body having an opposing control chamber wall, and a diaphragm configured to be interposed between the pumping chamber wall and the control chamber wall to define a pumping chamber and a control chamber, the diaphragm comprising:
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a gasket arranged to locate the diaphragm between the first rigid body and the second rigid body; a diaphragm body having a curved, semi-spheroid or domed shape, the diaphragm body configured to generally conform to a curved inner surface of the pumping chamber wall or a curved inner surface of the control chamber wall, and the diaphragm body having a pumping side arranged to face the inner surface of the pumping chamber wall and a control side arranged to face the inner surface of the control chamber wall; a transition region between the gasket and the diaphragm body, the transition region arranged to be pinched or clamped between a clamping region of the first rigid body and an opposing clamping region of the second rigid body; wherein the diaphragm is resilient, such that the diaphragm is in a relaxed position when the control side of the diaphragm body assumes a convex shape when positioned in the diaphragm pump. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A pump cassette for pumping fluid comprising a first rigid body having a pumping chamber wall, a second rigid body having an opposing control chamber wall, and a diaphragm configured to be interposed between the pumping chamber wall and the control chamber wall to define a pumping chamber and a control chamber, the pumping chamber in fluid communication with a fluid inlet and fluid outlet of the cassette, the control chamber in fluid communication with a pneumatic control port for transmission of pneumatic pressure to the control chamber, the diaphragm comprising:
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a gasket arranged to locate the diaphragm between the first rigid body and the second rigid body; a diaphragm body having a curved, semi-spheroid or domed shape, the diaphragm body configured to generally conform to a curved inner surface of the pumping chamber wall or a curved inner surface of the control chamber wall, and the diaphragm body having a pumping side arranged to face the inner surface of the pumping chamber wall and an opposing control side arranged to face the inner surface of the control chamber wall; a transition region between the gasket and the diaphragm body, the transition region arranged to be pinched or clamped between a clamping region of the first rigid body and an opposing clamping region of the second rigid body; wherein the diaphragm is resilient, such that the diaphragm is in a relaxed position when the control side of the diaphragm body assumes a convex shape. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification