Peristaltic pump and cassette

• US 6,572,349 B2
• Filed: 05/01/2001
• Issued: 06/03/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/10/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Alcon Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Alcon Incorporated
• Inventors: Akkas, Tamer, Sorensen, Gary P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kennedy, Sharon
• Assistant Examiner(s): Sirmons, Kevin C.
• Application Number:
  US09/846,724
• Publication Number:
  US 20010016711A1
• Time in Patent Office: 763 Days
• Field of Search: 604/153, 604/4.01, 604/326, 604/5.01, 604/151, 604/152, 417/202, 417/477.2, 417/477.3
• US Class Current: 417/477.2
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/72 Cassettes forming partially or totally the fluid circuit
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/77 Suction-irrigation systems aspiration tips supplying fluids A61M1/85; specific for negative pressure wound therapy A61M1/92; combined with tracheal tubes A61M16/0463
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/82 Membrane pumps, e.g. bulbs
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/12 with interchangeable cassettes forming partially or totally the fluid circuit
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 3/0201 Cassettes therefor
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 43/1269 the rotary axes of the rollers lying in a plane perpendicular to the rotary axis of the driving motor

Abstract

A peristaltic pump having a molded flow channel contained on an elastomeric sheet that is bonded or mechanically attached to a rigid substrate. The pump head rollers are mounted radially from the axis of rotation of the pump motor and compress the elastomeric flow channels against the rigid substrate.

Claims

1. A cassette, comprising:

a) a body having an exterior;

b) a relatively flexible sheet attached to the body, the sheet containing at least one molded fluid channel, the fluid channel being generally arcuate and projecting outwardly from the exterior of the body, the arcuate shape of the fluid channel approximating a radius of a plurality of rollers located on a peristaltic pump roller head.

2. The cassette of claim 1 wherein the sheet comprises a molded aspiration fluid channel and a molded irrigation fluid channel.

3. The cassette of claim 1 wherein the sheet comprises a flexible, easily molded material.

4. The cassette of claim 3 wherein the sheet comprises silicone rubber or thermoplastic elastomer.

5. The cassette of claim 1 wherein the fluid channel is planar.

6. The cassette of claim 1 wherein the fluid channel has at least one transition region wherein the cross-sectional area of the fluid channel tapers.

7. The cassette of claim 1 wherein the fluid channel has at least one pinch valve site.

8. The cassette of claim 1 wherein the sheet has at least one pressure sensor, the sensor allowing for the detection of pressure within the cassette.