Sterile fluid pump diaphragm construction

• US 5,476,368 A
• Filed: 02/15/1994
• Issued: 12/19/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 08/20/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Atrion (Atrion Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Ryder International Corporation (Atrion Corporation)
• Inventors: Davis, Richard M., Kehne, Terry B., Lisak, Stephen P., Rabenau, Richard
• Primary Examiner(s): Bertsch, Richard A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Korytnyk, Peter G.
• Application Number:
  US08/196,388
• Time in Patent Office: 672 Days
• Field of Search: 417/395, 417/383-388, 417/63, 417/540
• US Class Current: 417/395
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/12 with interchangeable cassettes forming partially or totally the fluid circuit
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 43/02 having plate-like flexible members, e.g. diaphragms F04B43/14 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 53/101 having means for limiting the opening height

Abstract

A fluid pumping assembly for particular use in delivery of sterile fluid used in surgical procedures, includes a pump control structure to which a replaceable fluid pumping cartridge is connected and disconnected to provide convenient replacement and disposability of the cartridge. The pump cartridge is self-contained in that it includes a fluid pump which is adapted for automatic connection to a pump drive structure when the cartridge is inserted into the assembly, so that the sterile fluid is pumped only through the pumping cartridge and fluid flow is entirely isolated from the pump control structure to ensure that the fluid is maintained sterile during pumping. The cartridge can include a selectively activated pulsation control to enable discharging the fluid from the cartridge in either a continuous flow or pulsating flow of the fluid. The cartridge can also include fluid flow dampening and safety vent features. The pump control structure can provide a pneumatic drive system which cycles pressurized air to drive the pump. A pneumatic control valve provides cycled switching of alternating air pressure and exhaust communication with the pump.

Claims

1. A fluid pumping cartridge for particular use in delivery of sterile fluid for surgical procedures comprising:

a cartridge housing adapted for connection to and disconnection from a pump control structure;

a pump diaphragm within said cartridge housing, arranged for pumping sterile fluid therethrough;

and a separate, control diaphragm within said cartridge which is capable of resiliently oscillating and absorbing fluid flow pulses driven by said pump diaphragm in order to produce modulated flow of said sterile fluid from said cartridge.

2. A cartridge according to claim 1 further comprising conduit means for flow communication of said sterile fluid from said pump diaphragm against said control diaphragm.

3. A cartridge according to claim 2 wherein said conduit means comprises an aperture through an internal wall formed within said cartridge housing.

4. A cartridge according to claim 3 wherein said internal wall separates a pumping chamber comprising said pumping diaphragm and an accumulator chamber comprising said control diaphragm.

5. A cartridge according to claim 4 wherein said pumping chamber and accumulator chamber are arranged in adjacent relationship medially separated by said internal wall.

6. A cartridge according to claim 1 further comprising fluid dampening conduit means for directing dampening fluid against a first surface of said control diaphragm in opposition to said sterile fluid flow against a second surface of said control diaphragm in order to produce dampening by said control diaphragm of sterile fluid flow pulses imposed thereagainst from said pump diaphragm.

7. A cartridge according to claim 6 wherein said dampening conduit means comprises a dampening chamber within said cartridge housing.

8. A cartridge according to claim 1 further comprising a second control diaphragm within said cartridge arranged to engage said first mentioned control diaphragm and capable of resiliently oscillating therewith during said absorbing of fluid flow pulses.

9. A cartridge according to claim 8 further comprising a venting passageway between said first and second control diaphragms, in order to provide relief venting through said passageway for any leaking portion of said sterile fluid.

10. A cartridge according to claim 9 comprising spacing means for providing normal engagement between first and second control diaphragms and for enabling disengagement of said first and second control diaphragms to provide for said venting passageway therebetween in order to allow discharge therethrough of said leaking sterile fluid portion.

11. A cartridge according to claim 10 wherein said spacing means peripherally secures said first and second diaphragms.

12. A cartridge according to claim 11 wherein said first and second control diaphragms have circular configuration and said spacing means comprises an annular structure which circumferentiaIly secures said first and second control diaphragms, said annular structure having one or more venting apertures therethrough communicating with said venting passageway to provide discharge of said leaking sterile fluid portion therethrough.

13. A fluid pumping cartridge for particular use in delivery of sterile fluid for surgical procedures comprising:

a cartridge housing adapted for connection to and disconnection from a pump control structure;

a pump diaphragm within said cartridge housing arranged for pumping sterile fluid therethrough;

a separate, control diaphragm within said cartridge which is capable of resiliently oscillating and absorbing fluid flow pulses driven by said pump diaphragm in order to produce modulated flow of said sterile fluid from said cartridge

conduit means for flow communication of said sterile fluid from said pump diaphragm against said control diaphragm;

said conduit means comprising an aperture through an internal wall formed within said cartridge housing and medially separating a pumping chamber comprising said pumping diaphragm and an accumulator chamber comprising said control diaphragm in which said pump diaphragm and control diaphragm are opposingly oriented within said cartridge housing.

14. A fluid pumping cartridge for particular use in delivery of sterile fluid for surgical procedures comprising:

a cartridge housing adapted for connection to and disconnection from a pump control structure;

a pump diaphragm within said cartridge housing, arranged for pumping sterile fluid therethrough;

a separate, control diaphragm within said cartridge which is capable of resiliently oscillating and absorbing fluid flow pulses driven by said pump diaphragm in order to produce modulated flow of said sterile fluid from said cartridge;

fluid dampening conduit means for directing dampening fluid against a first surface of said control diaphragm in opposition to said sterile fluid flow against a second surface of said control diaphragm in order to produce dampening by said control diaphragm of sterile fluid flow pulses imposed thereagainst from said pump diaphragm; and

a sterile fluid chamber having opposing chamber walls defined by said pump diaphragm and said control diaphragm.

15. A cartridge according to claim 14 wherein said sterile fluid chamber is medially arranged between said dampening chamber and a pump fluid drive chamber, such that fluid flow through said sterile fluid chamber is pumped by said pump diaphragm and modulated by said control diaphragm.

16. A fluid pumping cartridge for particular use in a single surgical procedure in order to deliver and maintain sterile condition of the pumped fluid, comprising:

a cartridge housing adapted for connection to and disconnection from a pump control structure;

a pumping chamber within said cartridge housing, said pump chamber including a pump diaphragm for pumping sterile fluid through the cartridge;

a dampening chamber formed within said cartridge housing, said dampening chamber comprising a separate control diaphragm capable of resiliently oscillating and absorbing fluid flow pulses produced by said pump diaphragm in order to produce modulated flow of said sterile fluid from said cartridge; and

a sterile fluid chamber having opposing chamber walls defined by said pump diaphragm and said control diaphragm.

17. A cartridge according to claim 16 further comprising a fluid dampening conduit means in communication with said dampening chamber for directing dampening fluid against a first surface of said control diaphragm in opposition to said sterile fluid flow against a second surface of said control diaphragm in order to produce dampening by said control diaphragm of sterile fluid flow pulses imposed thereagainst from said pump diaphragm.

18. A fluid pumping cartridge for particular use in delivery of sterile fluid for surgical procedures comprising:

a cartridge housing adapted for connection to and disconnection from a pump control structure;

a pump diaphragm within said cartridge housing, arranged for pumping sterile fluid therethrough;

and a separate, control diaphragm within said cartridge which is capable of resiliently oscillating and absorbing fluid flow pulses driven by said pump diaphragm in order to produce modulated flow of said sterile fluid from said cartridge wherein said pump diaphragm and control diaphragm are opposingly oriented within said cartridge housing.