Actuator apparatus for a prepackaged fluid processing module having pump and valve elements operable in response to externally applied pressures

• US 4,479,761 A
• Filed: 12/28/1982
• Issued: 10/30/1984
• Est. Priority Date: 12/28/1982
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Baxter Travenol Laboratories Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Baxter Travenol Laboratories Incorporated
• Inventors: Bilstad, Arnold C., Brown, Richard I., Kruger, Robert J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith, Leonard E.
• Application Number:
  US06/453,921
• Time in Patent Office: 672 Days
• Field of Search: 417/394, 417/395, 417/479, 417/480, 417/510, 128/DIG. 3, 128/DIG. 12, 604/4, 604/5, 604/6, 604/152, 604/153, 604/246, 206/570, 206/571, 206/572, 206/364, 206/365, 206/366
• US Class Current: 417/395
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3496 Plasmapheresis; Leucopheresis; Lymphopheresis A61M1/3472 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/362227 the interface providing means for actuating on functional elements of the cassette, e.g. plungers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/36224 with sensing means or components thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/36225 with blood pumping means or components thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/362261 at least one cassette surface or portion thereof being flexible, e.g. the cassette having a rigid base portion with preformed channels and being covered with a foil
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/362262 Details of incorporated reservoirs
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/362264 the filter being a blood filter
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/362265 Details of valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/362266 Means for adding solutions or substances to the blood
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3623 Means for actively controlling temperature of blood
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/123 with incorporated reservoirs
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/128 with incorporated valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3393 by weighing the reservoir
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/12 Pressure infusion

Abstract

A fluid processing apparatus for use in conjunction with a prepackaged disposable fluid processing module of the type which includes an integral housing wherein fluid containers, tubing segments, and other components required in processing a fluid are contained, and wherein fluid communication between the containers, components and tubing segments is provided by a fluid circuit formed within the housing by a first relatively inflexible fluid-impervious sheet member and a second relatively flexible fluid-impermeable sheet member. The fluid circuit includes pump and valve elements which operate in response to pressures applied to the second sheet member. Upon installation of the system in the processing apparatus pneumatic actuator ports apply pressures to the second sheet member through access apertures in the housing to circulate fluid through the fluid circuit.

Claims

1. Fluid processing apparatus for use in conjunction with a fluid module of the type including a housing having an access port in a panel thereof;

a first relatively-inflexible fluid-impermeable sheet member positioned within the housing, the first sheet member including an outwardly depressed portion therein which faces the housing panel;

a second relatively flexible fluid-impermeable sheet member positioned within the housing between the first sheet member and the housing panel, the second sheet member forming in conjunction with the depressed portion of the first sheet member a fluid circuit including an element actuable by a pneumatic force applied to the second sheet member through the panel access port, said fluid processing apparatus comprising;

an actuator station for receiving and fixedly positioning said housing; and

actuator means extending through said panel access port in operative engagement with said second flexible sheet member and including pneumatic port means for applying a pneumatic force to said second sheet member to control fluid flow in the fluid circuit.

2. A fluid processing apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said fluid circuit element comprises a pump element operative in response to an applied pneumatic pressure for urging fluid through the circuit, and wherein said pneumatic port means is operative for applying pneumatic pressure to said second sheet member to operate the pump element.

3. A fluid processing apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said actuator means include a plurality of pressure port assemblies for contact with portions of said flexible sheet member.

4. A fluid processing apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said pneumatic force is applied by said pneumatic port means through the panel access port at a predetermined location on said second sheet member and wherein said housing panel comprises alignment means for maintaining said second sheet member location in operative alignment with said pneumatic port means.

5. Fluid processing apparatus for use in conjunction with a disposable flow module of the type including a housing having a bottom panel with an access aperture therein and at least one side panel, a first relatively inflexible fluid-impermeable sheet member positioned within the housing, the first sheet member having an outwardly depressed portion therein which faces the bottom panel, and a second relatively flexible fluid-impervious sheet member positioned within the housing between the first sheet member and the bottom panel and forming in conjunction with the first sheet member a fluid circuit, said fluid processing apparatus comprising:

an actuator station for receiving and fixedly positioning said disposable module housing;

an actuator head within said actuator station arranged for engaging said second sheet member through said access aperture of the bottom housing panel of the module, said actuator head including at least one pressure actuator port; and

means for establishing a pressure differential at said actuator port when said actuator head is engaged to control fluid flow through said fluid circuit.

6. A fluid processing apparatus as defined in claim 5

wherein said pressure differential is pneumatically applied.

7. A fluid processing apparatus as defined in claim 5

wherein said fluid circuit element comprises a pump element operative in response to said pressure differential for urging fluid through the circuit.

8. A fluid processing apparatus as defined in claim 5

wherein said actuator head includes a plurality of said actuator ports, and

wherein said pressure differential establishing means is operative for selectively establishing a pressure differential at each of said actuator ports.

9. Fluid processing apparatus for use in conjunction with a fluid module of the type including a housing having an access port in a panel thereof, a first relatively-inflexible fluid-impermeable sheet member positioned within the housing, the first sheet member including an outwardly depressed portion therein which faces the housing panel, and a second relatively flexible fluid-impermeable sheet member positioned within the housing between the first sheet member and the housing panel, the second sheet member forming in conjunction with the depressed portion of the first sheet member a fluid circuit including an element actuable by pressure applied to the second sheet member through the panel access port, said fluid processing apparatus comprising:

an actuator station for receiving and fixedly positioning said module housing, said actuator station including a pressure port assembly extending through the panel access port in operative engagement with the second flexible sheet member for applying pressure to the second sheet member to control fluid flow in the fluid circuit.

10. A fluid processing apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein said actuator station includes a plurality of pressure port assemblies each in contact with portions of said second flexible sheet member.

11. A fluid processing apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein said fluid circuit element comprises a pump element operative in response to applied pressure for urging fluid through the circuit.