Micropump, tube unit, and control unit

• US 8,303,275 B2
• Filed: 12/06/2007
• Issued: 11/06/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/07/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Original Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Inventors: Miyazaki, Hajime, Kawasumi, Kazuo
• Primary Examiner(s): Kramer, Devon
• Assistant Examiner(s): LETTMAN, BRYAN MATTHEW
• Application Number:
  US11/951,371
• Publication Number:
  US 20080138218A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,797 Days
• Field of Search: 417/474, 417/476, 417/477.1, 417/477.2, 417/477.12, 417/477.3, 417/477.5, 417/477.7, 417/477.8, 417/477.6, 604/153
• US Class Current: 417/477.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14228 with linear peristaltic action, i.e. comprising at least three pressurising members or a helical member
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 43/0081 systems, control, safety measures
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 43/082 the tubular flexible member being pressed against a wall by a number of elements, each having an alternating movement in a direction perpendicular to the axes of the tubular member and each having its own driving mechanism
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 43/12 having peristaltic action

Abstract

A micropump of a peristaltic type that continuously transfers a fluid through depression of an elastic tube is disclosed. The micropump includes: a tube unit that includes the tube, a tube guide frame that fixedly holds the tube, a tube individual data storage section that stores tube individual data, and a depression mechanism section for depressing the tube; a control unit that is attachable to the tube unit, and includes a control circuit section that drives and controls a motor for driving the depression mechanism section, and a tube individual data processing section including a reader/writer unit that reads the tube individual data; and a power supply that makes an electrical supply to the control unit. In the micropump, the tube individual data is used as a basis for driving.

Claims

1. A micropump of a peristaltic type that continuously transfers a fluid through depression of an elastic tube, the micropump comprising:

a tube unit configured to at least include the tube in which the fluid is transferred, a tube guide frame that fixedly holds the tube, and a tube individual data storage section that stores therein tube individual data;

a depression mechanism section having a rotation cam that sequentially deforms portions of the tube to transfer the fluid along a length of the tube;

a control unit that is attachable/detachable to/from the tube unit, and at least includes a control circuit section that drives and controls the tube and control units, via a transmission mechanism section, a motor for driving the depression mechanism section, and a tube individual data processing section including a reader/writer unit that reads the tube individual data for data processing thereof; and

a power supply that makes an electrical supply to the control unit, wherein

the reader/writer unit detects attachment of the tube unit to the control unit and sends the tube individual data to the control unit,

the tube individual data is used as a basis for controlling and driving the tube and control units,

the rotation cam sequentially depresses a plurality of depression members with respect to the tube from an inflow side to an outflow side thereof,

the rotation cam is configured by a first cam that is fixed to a center shaft and a second cam that is pivotally supported by the center shaft, and

the second cam is able to move from a position where the tube is free from the depression members to a position where the tube can be depressed thereby.

2. The micropump according to claim 1, wherein

the tube individual data serves to correct a variation of a quantity of discharge of the fluid.

3. The micropump according to claim 1, wherein

the control unit further includes:

a display section that at least displays thereon the tube individual data and a discharge program of the fluid; and

an operation section that operates according to the tube individual data and the discharge program of the fluid.

4. The micropump according to claim 1, wherein

the control unit further includes:

a display section that at least displays thereon the tube individual data and a discharge program of the fluid; and

an operation section for operating the control unit, and

the power supply is contained within the control unit.

5. The micropump according to claim 1, wherein the power supply is contained within the tube unit.

6. The micropump according to claim 1, wherein

the control unit is configured to include the depression mechanism section, the transmission mechanism section, and the motor.

7. The micropump according to claim 1, wherein

the tube unit is configured to include the depression mechanism section, and

the control unit is configured to include the transmission mechanism section and the motor.

8. The micropump according to claim 1, wherein

the tube unit is configured to include the depression mechanism section, the transmission mechanism section, and the motor.

9. The micropump according to claim 1, wherein

the reader/writer unit is configured to include a transmission/reception control circuit section and a radio antenna that are provided to the tube individual data storage section for transmission of the tube individual data to the tube individual data processing section, and a transmission/reception data processing section and another radio antenna that are provided to the tube individual data processing section, and receive the tube individual data when the tube unit is attached to the control unit for data processing.

10. The micropump according to claim 1, wherein

the reader/writer unit is configured to include a storage circuit that is provided to the tube individual data storage section for storage of the tube individual data, and an input/output terminal provided to the tube individual data processing section, and the reader/writer unit establishes a connection to the storage circuit in response to attachment of a reading circuit section that reads the tube individual data stored in the storage circuit, a data processing section that processes the tube individual data, and the tube unit to the control unit.

11. The micropump according to claim 1, wherein

the reader/writer unit is configured to include a tube individual data display section that is provided to the tube individual data storage section for display of the tube individual data, and a reading/processing unit that is provided to the tube individual data for optical reading and data processing of the tube individual data when the tube unit is attached to the control unit.

12. A tube unit that is attachable/detachable to/from a control unit that drives and controls a micropump of a peristaltic type that continuously transfers a fluid through depression of an elastic tube by a depression mechanism section, the tube unit comprising:

the tube in which the fluid is transferred;

a tube guide frame that fixedly holds the tube; and

a tube individual data storage section that stores therein tube individual data, wherein

the depression mechanism section has a rotation cam that sequentially deforms portions of the tube to transfer the fluid along a length of the tube,

the rotation cam sequentially depresses a plurality of depression members with respect to the tube from an inflow side to an outflow side thereof,

the rotation cam is configured by a first cam that is fixed to a center shaft and a second cam that is pivotally supported by the center shaft, and

the second cam is able to move from a position where the tube is free from the depression members to a position where the tube can be depressed thereby.

13. A control unit that is attachable/detachable to/from a tube unit, which includes an elastic tube, in a micropump of a peristaltic type that continuously transfers a fluid through depression of the tube by a depression mechanism section, the control unit comprising:

a display section that displays thereon tube individual data and a discharge program of the fluid;

an operation section for use to operate the control unit;

a control circuit section that drives and controls a motor; and

a tube individual data processing section that reads the tube individual data stored in the tube unit for data processing, wherein

the depression mechanism section has a rotation cam that sequentially deforms portions of the tube to transfer the fluid along a length of the tube,

the rotation cam sequentially depresses a plurality of depression members with respect to the tube from an inflow side to an outflow side thereof,

the rotation cam is configured by a first cam that is fixed to a center shaft and a second cam that is pivotally supported by the center shaft, and

the second cam is able to move from a position where the tube is free from the depression members to a position where the tube can be depressed thereby.

14. The control unit according to claim 13, further comprising

a transmission mechanism section that transfers rotation of the motor to the depression mechanism section.