Peristaltic pump tube cassette for blood processing systems

• US 5,462,416 A
• Filed: 12/22/1993
• Issued: 10/31/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Fenwal Incorporated (Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA)
• Original Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
• Inventors: Dennehey, T. Michael, Brown, Richard I., Williamson, Warren P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Thorpe, Timothy S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Korytnyk, Peter G.
• Application Number:
  US08/173,517
• Time in Patent Office: 678 Days
• Field of Search: 417/474, 417/475, 417/476, 417/477 R, 417/477 A, 417/477.1, 417/477.2, 604/153
• US Class Current: 417/477.2
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/30 Single needle dialysis ; Reciprocating systems, alternately withdrawing blood from and returning it to the patient, e.g. single-lumen-needle dialysis or single needle systems for hemofiltration or pheresis
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/303 having a reservoir for treated blood to be returned
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/36222 Details related to the interface between cassette and machine
• 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 1/362265 Details of valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/362266 Means for adding solutions or substances to the blood
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3693 using separation based on different densities of components, e.g. centrifuging
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3696 with means for adding or withdrawing liquid substances during the centrifugation, e.g. continuous centrifugation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/12 with interchangeable cassettes forming partially or totally the fluid circuit
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/128 with incorporated valves
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 2075/025 two
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 2205/01 Pressure before the pump inlet
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 2205/05 Pressure after the pump outlet
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 43/1253 by using two or more rollers as squeezing elements, the rollers moving on an arc of a circle during squeezing
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 7/0076 the members being actuated by electro-magnetic means

Abstract

A cassette serves in association with one or more peristaltic pumps to centralize pumping, valving, and pressure sensing functions. The cassette includes a housing having first and second pump ports. A flexible tubing loop extends between the first and second pump ports outside the housing for engagement with an external peristaltic pump element. A liquid port on the housing attaches to a length of tubing that also extends outside the housing. Liquid passages within the housing that establish communication among the liquid port, the first pump port, and the second pump port. Valve stations formed within the housing are responsive to the application of external force for controlling liquid flow through the liquid passages. A sensing chamber is formed within the housing along at least one liquid passage. The sensing chamber transmits information regarding liquid pressure present within the one liquid passage to an external sensing element.

Claims

1. A liquid flow cassette comprising

a housing having an interior wall that divides the housing into a first interior area and a second interior area,

first and second pump ports on the housing,

a flexible tubing loop that extends between the first and second pump ports outside the housing for engagement with an external peristaltic pump element,

a liquid port on the housing attachable to a length of tubing that extends outside the housing interior, and

liquid passages formed within the first interior area and communicating with the liquid port, the first pump port, and the second pump port,

valve means formed within the second interior area responsive to the application of external force for controlling liquid flow through the liquid passages,

a sensing chamber formed within the second interior area and communicating with at least one liquid passage,

a first generally rigid wall that overlies the first interior area and externally seals the liquid passages, and

a second generally flexible wall that overlies the second interior area and externally seals the valve means and the sensing chamber, the second wall flexing in response to external forces applied to control fluid passage through the valve means, the second wall also flexing to transmit information regarding liquid pressure present within the at least one liquid passage to an external sensing element.

2. A cassette according to claim 1

wherein the sensing chamber is located near one of the pump ports.

3. A cassette according to claim 1

wherein there is a sensing chamber located near each of the pump ports.

4. A cassette according to claim 1

wherein the first and second pump ports hold the flexible tubing loop in an upright position on the housing oriented for engagement with an external peristaltic pump rotor.

5. A liquid flow cassette comprising

a housing having an interior,

first and second pump ports on the housing,

a flexible tubing loop that extends between the first and second pump ports outside the housing for engagement with an external peristaltic pump rotor,

a liquid port on the housing attachable to a length of tubing that extends outside the housing interior, and

a first series of cavities within the housing interior forming liquid conveying paths including

a primary path communicating with the liquid port,

a first branch path communicating with the first pump port, and

a second branch path communicating with the second pump port,

a second series of cavities within the housing interior forming valve stations operative in response to the application of external force for controlling liquid passage between the first primary path and either one of the branch paths, and

another cavity formed within the housing interior along one of the first branch path and second branch path defining a sensing station that transmits liquid pressure to an external sensing element.

6. A cassette according to claim 5

wherein there is a first sensing station located along the first branch path and a second sensing station located along the second branch path.

7. A liquid flow cassette according to claim 5

and further including a second liquid port on the housing attachable to another length of tubing that extends outside the housing interior,

wherein the liquid convey paths formed by the first series of cavities includes a second primary path communicating with the second liquid port, and

wherein the valve stations formed by the second series of cavities control liquid passage between the second primary path and either one of the branch paths.

8. A liquid flow cassette comprising

a housing having sides walls enclosing an interior,

first and second pump ports on one side wall of the housing, third and fourth pump ports on the side wall of the housing opposite to the one side wall,

a first flexible tubing loop that extends between the first and second pump ports outside the housing for engagement with a first external peristaltic pump rotor,

a second flexible tubing loop that extends between the third and fourth pump ports outside the housing for engagement with a second external peristaltic pump rotor,

a first liquid port on a side wall of the housing attachable to a length of tubing that extend outside the housing interior,

a first series of cavities formed within the housing interior including

a first primary path that communicates with the first liquid port, and

first, second, third, and forth branch paths communicating, respectively, with the first, second, third, and fourth pump ports, and

a second series of cavities formed within the housing interior to form valve means including diaphragms that flex independent of each other in response to the application of external force for establishing liquid flow communication between the first primary path and any one of the branch paths.

10. A cassette according to claim 8 or 9

wherein the pump ports hold their respective flexible tubing loops in a freestanding, upright position on the housing.

11. A cassette according to claim 8 or 9

and further including a cavity formed within the housing interior defining a sensing chamber in at least one of the liquid paths.

12. A cassette according to claim 10

wherein the sensing chamber includes a diaphragm that overlies the sensing chamber and that transmits liquid pressure within the sensing chamber to an external sensing element.

9. A liquid flow cassette comprising

a housing having sides walls enclosing an interior,

first and second pump ports on one side wall of the housing, third and fourth pump ports on the side wall of the housing opposite to the one side wall,

a first flexible tubing loop that extends between the first and second pump ports outside the housing for engagement with a first external peristaltic pump rotor,

a second flexible tubing loop that extends between the third and fourth pump ports outside the housing for engagement with a second external peristaltic pump rotor,

a first liquid port on the one housing side wall attachable to a length of tubing that extends outside the housing interior,

a second liquid port on the opposite housing side wall attachable to another length of tubing that extends outside the housing interior,

a first series of cavities formed within the housing interior including

a first primary path that communicates with the first liquid port,

a second primary path the communicates with the second liquid port, and

first, second, third, and forth branch paths communicating, respectively, with the first, second, third, and fourth pump ports, and

a second series of cavities formed within the housing interior to form valve means including diaphragms that flex independent of each other in response to the application of external force for establishing liquid flow communication between the first primary path and any one of the branch paths while establishing liquid flow communication between the second primary path and any remaining one of the branch paths.

13. A liquid flow cassette comprising

a housing having an interior wall that divides the housing into a first interior area and a second interior area,

first and second pump ports on the housing,

a liquid conveying port on the housing, and

liquid passages formed within the first interior area and communicating with the liquid conveying port, the first pump port, and the second pump port,

valve means formed within the second interior area for controlling liquid flow through the liquid passages,

a sensing means formed within the second interior area for sensing liquid pressure within at least one liquid passage,

a first wall comprising an essentially rigid panel that overlies the first interior area and externally seals the liquid passages,

a second wall that overlies the second interior area and externally seals the valve means and sensing chamber, the second wall including means associated with the valve means for controlling liquid passage in response to forces applied by an external valve element, the second wall also including means associated with the sensing chamber for transmitting information regarding liquid pressure present within the one liquid passage to an external sensing element, and

a flexible tubing loop that extends between the first and second pump ports outside the housing for engagement with an external peristaltic pump element.

14. A cassette according to claim 13

wherein the sensing means is located near one of the first and second pump ports.

15. A cassette according to claim 13

wherein the sensing means is located near each first and second pump port.

16. A cassette according to claim 13

wherein the first wall internally seals the liquid passages from communication with one another.

17. A cassette according to claim 13

wherein the second wall internally seals the valve means and sensing means from communication with one another.

18. A cassette according to claim 13

wherein the first and second pump ports hold the flexible tubing loop in an upright position on the housing for engagement with the external peristaltic pump rotor.

19. A liquid flow cassette comprising

a housing having an interior wall that divides the housing into a first interior area and a second interior area,

first and second pump ports on the housing,

a flexible tubing loop that extends between the first and second pump ports outside the housing for engagement with an external peristaltic pump element,

a liquid port on the housing attachable to a length of tubing that extends outside the housing interior, and

liquid passages occupying the first interior area and communicating with the liquid port, the first pump port, and the second pump port,

valve means occupying the second interior area for controlling liquid flow through the liquid passages,

a sensing chamber occupying the second interior area and communicating with at least one liquid passage,

a first wall comprising an essentially rigid panel that overlies the first interior area and externally seals the liquid passages, and

a second wall that overlies the second interior area and externally seals the valve means and sensing chamber, the second wall including first diaphragm means associated with the valve means for flexing with respect to the valve means to control liquid passage in response to forces applied by an external valve element, the second wall also including second diaphragm means associated with the sensing chamber for transmitting information regarding liquid pressure present within the one liquid passage to an external sensing element.

20. A cassette according to claim 19

wherein the sensing chamber is located near one of the first and second pump ports.

21. A cassette according to claim 19

wherein there is a sensing chamber located near each first and second pump port.

22. A cassette according to claim 19

wherein the first wall internally seals the liquid passages from communication with one another.

23. A cassette according to claim 19

wherein the second wall internally seals the valve means and sensing chamber from communication with one another.

24. A cassette according to claim 19

wherein the first and second pump ports hold the flexible tubing loop in an upright position on the housing for engagement with the external peristaltic pump rotor.

25. A liquid flow cassette comprising

a housing having an interior wall that divides the housing into a first interior area and a second interior area,

first and second pump ports on the housing,

a liquid conveying port on the housing, and

liquid passages formed within the first interior area and communicating with the liquid conveying port, the first pump port, and the second pump port,

valve means formed within the second interior area for controlling liquid flow through the liquid passages,

a sensing means formed within the second interior area for sensing liquid pressure within at least one liquid passage,

a first wall that overlies the first interior area to both externally seal the liquid passages and internally seal the liquid passages from communication with one another,

a second wall that overlies the second interior area and externally seals the valve means and sensing chamber, the second wall including means associated with the valve means for controlling liquid passage in response to forces applied by an external valve element, the second wall also including means associated with the sensing chamber for transmitting information regarding liquid pressure present within the one liquid passage to an external sensing element, and

a flexible tubing loop that extends between the first and second pump ports outside the housing for engagement with an external peristaltic pump element.

26. A cassette according to claim 25

wherein the sensing means is located near one of the first and second pump ports.

27. A cassette according to claim 25

wherein the sensing means is located near each first and second pump port.

28. A cassette according to claim 25

wherein the first wall comprises an essentially rigid panel.

29. A cassette according to claim 25

wherein the second wall internally seals the valve means and sensing means from communication with one another.

30. A cassette according to claim 25

wherein the first and second pump ports hold the flexible tubing loop in an upright position on the housing for engagement with the external peristaltic pump rotor.

31. A liquid flow cassette comprising

a housing having an interior wall that divides the housing into a first interior area and a second interior area,

first and second pump ports on the housing,

a liquid conveying port on the housing, and

liquid passages formed within the first interior area and communicating with the liquid conveying port, the first pump port, and the second pump port,

valve means formed within the second interior area for controlling liquid flow through the liquid passages,

a sensing means formed within the second interior area for sensing liquid pressure within at least one liquid passage,

a first wall that overlies the first interior area to externally seal the liquid passages,

a second wall that overlies the second interior area to both externally seal the valve means and sensing chamber and internally seal the valve means and sensing means from communication with one another, the second wall including means associated with the valve means for controlling liquid passage in response to forces applied by an external valve element, the second wall also including means associated with the sensing chamber for transmitting information regarding liquid pressure present within the one liquid passage to an external sensing element, and

a flexible tubing loop that extends between the first and second pump ports outside the housing for engagement with an external peristaltic pump element.

32. A cassette according to claim 31

wherein the sensing means is located near one of the first and second pump ports.

33. A cassette according to claim 31

wherein the sensing means is located near each first and second pump port.

34. A cassette according to claim 31

wherein the first wall comprises an essentially rigid panel.

35. A cassette according to claim 31

wherein the first wall internally seals the liquid passages from communication with one another.

36. A cassette according to claim 31

wherein the first and second pump ports hold the flexible tubing loop in an upright position on the housing for engagement with the external peristaltic pump rotor.

37. A liquid flow cassette comprising

a housing having an interior wall that divides the housing into a first interior area and a second interior area,

first and second pump ports on the housing,

a flexible tubing loop that extends between the first and second pump ports outside the housing for engagement with an external peristaltic pump element,

a liquid port on the housing attachable to a length of tubing that extends outside the housing interior, and

liquid passages occupying the first interior area and communicating with the liquid port, the first pump port, and the second pump port,

valve means occupying the second interior area for controlling liquid flow through the liquid passages,

a sensing chamber occupying the second interior area and communicating with at least one liquid passage,

a first wall that overlies the first interior area to both externally seal the liquid passages and internally seal the liquid passages from communication with one another, and

a second wall that overlies the second interior area and externally seals the valve means and sensing chamber, the second wall including first diaphragm means associated with the valve means for flexing with respect to the valve means to control liquid passage in response to forces applied by an external valve element, the second wall also including second diaphragm means associated with the sensing chamber for transmitting information regarding liquid pressure present within the one liquid passage to an external sensing element.

38. A cassette according to claim 37

wherein the sensing chamber is located near one of the first and second pump ports.

39. A cassette according to claim 37

wherein there is a sensing chamber located near each first and second pump port.

40. A cassette according to claim 37

wherein the second wall internally seals the valve means and sensing chamber from communication with one another.

41. A cassette according to claim 37

wherein the first and second pump ports hold the flexible tubing loop in an upright position on the housing for engagement with the external peristaltic pump rotor.