Layered fluid circuit assemblies and methods for making them
First Claim
1. A fluid circuit assembly comprising flexible sheets sealed to form first and second panel sections, a pattern of seals formed in the first panel section to define a first fluid circuit, and a pattern of seals formed in the second panel section to define a second fluid circuit, the flexible sheets mutually aligned to place the first and second panel sections in a relationship with the first fluid circuit overlaying the second fluid circuit.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A layered fluid circuit includes first and second panel sections formed from sealed sheets of flexible material. A pattern of seals is formed in the first panel section to define a first fluid circuit. A pattern of seals is formed in the second panel section to define a second fluid circuit. The flexible sheets are aligned to place the first and second panel sections in a relationship with the first fluid circuit overlaying the second fluid circuit. The layered fluid circuit can be placed in a tray for use. Defined operating regions can be formed in one or both fluid circuits, such as an in-line clamping regions, in-line pump tubes, or in-line sensor regions, or in-line fluid holding compartments, or combinations thereof.
184 Citations
41 Claims
- 1. A fluid circuit assembly comprising flexible sheets sealed to form first and second panel sections, a pattern of seals formed in the first panel section to define a first fluid circuit, and a pattern of seals formed in the second panel section to define a second fluid circuit, the flexible sheets mutually aligned to place the first and second panel sections in a relationship with the first fluid circuit overlaying the second fluid circuit.
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2. A fluid circuit assembly comprising first and second sheets of flexible material sealed to form first and second panel sections, a pattern of seals formed in the first panel section to define a first fluid circuit, and a pattern of seals formed in the second panel section to define a second fluid circuit, the flexible sheets being folded over to place the first and second panel sections in a reverse facing relationship with the first fluid circuit overlaying the second fluid circuit.
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10. A fluid processing module comprising
a tray including walls defining an interior space, and a fluid circuit assembly carried within the interior space comprising flexible material sealed to form first and second panels, a pattern of seals formed in the first panel to define a first fluid circuit, and a pattern of seals formed in the second panel to define a second fluid circuit, the flexible sheets being aligned within the interior space to place the first and second panels in a relationship with the first fluid circuit overlaying the second fluid circuit.
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11. A fluid processing module comprising
a tray including walls defining an interior space, and a fluid circuit assembly carried within the interior space comprising first and second sheets of flexible material sealed to form first and second panels, a pattern of seals formed in the first panel to define a first fluid circuit, and a pattern of seals formed in the second panel to define a second fluid circuit, the flexible sheets being folded over to place the first and second panels in a reverse facing relationship within the interior space, with the first fluid circuit overlaying the second fluid circuit.
- 19. A fluid circuit for volumetrically balancing fluid comprising first and second sheets of flexible material sealed to form first and second panels, a pattern of seals formed in the first panel to define a first fluid circuit for handling out going fluid and including a first in-line compartment to retain a volume of out going fluid, and a pattern of seals formed in the second panel to define a second fluid circuit for handing in going fluid and including a second in-line compartment to retain a volume of in going fluid, the flexible sheets being aligned to place the first and second panels in a relationship with the first in-line compartment overlaying the second in-line compartment to mutually form a two-compartment chamber that displaces out going fluid from the first in-line compartment as in going fluid is conveyed into the second in-line compartment, and vice versa.
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25. A flow management system, comprising:
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first and second sheets of material sealed to form first and second panels, the first panel having a first fluid pathway for handling a first fluid comprising a first compartment to receive a volume of the first fluid, the second panel having a second fluid pathway for handling a second fluid comprising a second compartment to receive a volume of the second fluid, the panels being aligned so that the first compartment overlays the second compartment to form a structure so that the first fluid from the first compartment is displaced as the second fluid fills the second compartment. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. A flow management system, comprising
a first panel having a first fluid pathway for handling a first fluid, the first panel comprising a first compartment to receive a volume of the first fluid and a second compartment to receive a volume of the first fluid; - and
a second panel having a second fluid pathway for handling a second fluid, the second panel comprising a third compartment to receive a volume of the second fluid and a fourth compartment to receive a volume of the second fluid, the panels being aligned so that the first compartment overlays the third compartment to form a structure so that the first fluid from the first compartment is displaced as the second fluid fills the third compartment, and the second compartment overlays the fourth compartment to form a structure so that the second fluid from the fourth compartment is displaced as the first fluid fills the second compartment. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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39. A fluid circuit assembly comprising:
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flexible sheets each arranged parallel and sealed to at least another to form first and second panels;
a pattern of seals formed in the first panel section to define a first fluid circuit;
a pattern of seals formed in the second panel section to define a second fluid circuit;
the first and second panels mutually alignable to place the first and second panels in such a relationship that the first fluid circuit overlies the second fluid circuit.
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40. A fluid circuit assembly comprising:
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flexible sheets sealed to form first and second panel sections;
a pattern of seals formed in the first panel section to define a first fluid circuit portion;
a pattern of seals formed in the second panel section to define a second fluid circuit portion;
the panel sections being aligned to place at least part of the first and second fluid circuit portions in an overlying relationship such that two layers of said sheets separate said parts of said first and second fluid circuit portions, each layer corresponding to a respective one of said first and second fluid circuits, whereby a force of an actuator may be applied through said two layers.
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41. A fluid circuit for volumetrically balancing fluid comprising first and second sheets of flexible material sealed to form first and second panels, a pattern of seals formed in the first panel to define a first fluid circuit for handling out going fluid and including a first in-line compartment to retain a volume of out going fluid, and a pattern of seals formed in the second panel to define a second fluid circuit for handing in going fluid and including a second in-line compartment to retain a volume of in going fluid, the flexible sheets being aligned to place the first and second panels in a relationship with the first in-line compartment overlaying the second in-line compartment to mutually form a two-compartment chamber, such that the first and second in-line compartments are divided by two layers formed by said sheets, each corresponding to a respective one of said first and second in-line compartments, the two-compartment chamber displaces out going fluid from the first in-line compartment as in going fluid is conveyed into the second in-line compartment, and vice versa.
Specification