Patent Application
20190323496
The invention relates to a hose manifold device for a peristaltic pump device.
In the manufacture of chemical or radiopharmaceutical products, it is often necessary to solve transport tasks of fluids. In order to avoid contact with extraneous substances, it is best to leave the substances in a closed system if possible. So, among other things, sterility can be ensured. A technically proven method of conveying fluids without contact to the drive unit is the peristaltic or peristaltic principle, which is implemented with the pump of the same name and suitable special hoses.
A peristaltic pump usually consists of a rotor, which is filled with drums (rollers) and an abutment for the hose. By rotation of the rotor, the rollers run at intervals over the hose, squeezing it while, pushing the fluid in the gap on. The hose segment above the rotor must be firmly clamped for this purpose. Pumps with several, usually parallel rotors are called multi-channel pumps.
For the clamping of the hoses, there are different solutions, which are, however, almost always intended only for a single hose. The hoses are fixed via clamps and/or on the hose mounted stoppers between the rotor and the thrust bearing. A uniform, streamlined position of the hose over the drive rollers is a basic prerequisite for a high dosing accuracy in fluid transport.
The document US 2008/0085200 A1 discloses a peristaltic pump. This peristaltic pump is provided with a two-piece housing, in which a conveying member as well as a pump tubing section, squeezable by the conveying member, is received. One tube holder is provided, in which each pump tubing section has to be placed by a user individually. The tube holder is part of the pump itself and the two pieces of the housing clutching the one tube holder so that the tube holder is removably fixed in the middle of the pump.
The document US 2004/0057856 A1 discloses a hose cartridge for a peristaltic pump. This hose cartridge comprises a cartridge housing, which is provided with a lateral recess. Furthermore, the cartridge housing is provided with two support arms with hose take-up members, wherein only one hose can be disposed to the hose cartridge via those hose take-up members.
The document U.S. Pat. No. 4,187,057 discloses a disposable cassette for use in a peristaltic infusion pump. The cassette includes a continuous tubular arrangement, which is adapted to pass intravenous fluids there through. The disposable cassette also includes a cassette body, which fixedly supports a predetermined tubular section of this tubular arrangement in a readily accessible position from outside the body. In addition, a peristaltic infusion pump is disclosed, which includes a first arrangement for supporting the disposable cassette for movement between an inoperative position and a spaced apart operative position, and a second arrangement when the cassette is in its operative position for peristaltically pumping fluid through the tubular arrangement.
In the previously presented prior art, mostly only one hose is provided wherein the focus is more about adapting technology, for example with stoppers or similar devices, than about the clamping process of the hose itself. If more than one hose is to be installed, such a clamping process can be complicated and time consuming. Especially with multi-channel pumps, this principle of individual clamping designed could be very complex.
It is therefore one object of the presented invention to provide a hose manifold device, which provides an easy operative handling procedure during installation and which can be produced inexpensively.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention it is provided that a hose manifold device for a peristaltic pump device comprises the following components: A plurality of flexible hoses, preferably three to six hoses, even more preferably four hoses, two holding devices, wherein the two holding devices are designed to incorporate the up to four hoses parallel to each other and in a form fitting manner and wherein one of the two holding devices comprises one additional protrusion member, the hose manifold device being combinable with two fixing elements designed to encompass and hold the two holding devices in a predetermined position, wherein the two fixing elements are designed to be disposed at a peristaltic pump device, so that the plurality of hoses, preferably the three to six hoses, even more preferably the four hoses, are held in a working position. The invention with the corresponding holding devices and the combination of the presented components allows a much more cost-effective production of the hose manifold device, as well as a simpler, safe and ergonomic working with peristaltic pumps. The invention can be used in multi-channel pumps. The basic idea is to provide a plurality of hoses, preferably three to six hoses, even more preferably four hoses, in parallel at a distance of a peristaltic pump scooter, while the hose manifold device is used with a peristaltic pump device. The hoses form a unit together with the holding devices. With the hose manifold device, the user is able to equip all pump channels simultaneously and in one operation with the right hoses. Due to the very simple construction, a cost-effective and automatable production of the hose manifold device is made possible. The form of the holding devices could comprise any form, which ensures a reliable functionality of the holding devices.
Further preferred embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the remaining features mentioned in the subclaims.
In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the hose manifold device (05) further comprises the two fixing elements (22A, (22B).
In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided that at least one of the fixing elements is designed to incorporate the one additional protrusion member, so that only the predetermined position can be achieved, when the two holding devices are arranged to the two fixing elements. The fixing elements allow therefore a very easy and unmistakable clamping of the hose manifold device.
In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the two fixing elements comprise each at least two receiving areas, which are designed to receive the two holding devices, and wherein the two fixing elements are connected to each other by at least two connecting members, so that the receiving areas are aligned opposite to each other. The fixing elements allow therefore a very easy and solid clamping of the hose manifold device.
In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the predetermined position is defined by that the plurality of hoses, which are incorporated in the two holding devices, are held in the predetermined position in a prestressed and evenly position, when the holding devices are arranged to the fixing elements, so that the plurality of hoses are positioned in a combinable and functional manner according to a position of a peristaltic pump device. The combination of the holding devices with the fixing elements forces a clear orientation in the later use on the pump head (rotor). This secures the channel/hose/pump direction relationship. This combination ensures that a certain distance (X) of the two holding devices to each other will be provided, when the holding devices are clamped to the fixing elements. In other words, from the distance (X) of the holding devices to each other, the uniform pretension of the flexible hoses is enforced during later use at the pump head.
In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the two holding devices respectively comprises a plurality of apertures, preferably three to six apertures, even more preferably four apertures, designed to incorporate the plurality of hoses in a manner so that a connection between the two holding devices and the plurality of hoses is ensured. This could be for example in an essentially form-fitting manner. In another variation, this could be also realized for example with an adhesive connection between the two holding devices and the plurality of hoses. Any type of connection, including cohesively, could be used as long as the plurality of hoses are connected reliable at a predetermined position. This ensures that the hoses are held in the predetermined position and in parallel to each other therefore providing a simple, safe and ergonomic working of the hose manifold device while combining it with a peristaltic pump.
In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided that outer geometries of the at least two reception areas are designed to receive outer geometries of the holding devices, so that the holding devices can be held in the predetermined position, and wherein at least one of the reception areas comprises an outer geometry designed to receive an outer geometry of the additional protrusion member, so that the holding devices can be held only in the predetermined position. The combination of the holding devices with the fixing elements, and especially the certain designed geometries, forces a clear orientation in the later use on the pump head (rotor) in an even better way. In addition, this secures the channel/hose/pump direction relationship in an even better way. The geometrical shape of the fixed elements, which can be fixed to a peristaltic pump ensures that the hose manifold device can be fixed via the holding devices and the fixing elements by a certain tension and with this position than to a peristaltic pump device itself.
In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the geometrie's of the holding devices are substantially in a cylindrical form and wherein the geometry of the additional protrusion member is in a cylindrical form and comprises a radius, which is smaller than a radius of the geometries of the holding devices. This unique difference between the individual areas makes it easy to handle, even if the field of view of a user is limited.
In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the geometry of each of the receiving areas comprises each a contour, which includes at least one inwardly bowed area with reference to the rest of the contour and wherein the geometry designed to receive a geometry of the additional protrusion member comprises a contour which includes at least one inwardly bowed area with reference to the rest of the contour of the geometry designed to receive the geometry of the additional protrusion member. The combination of the holding devices with the fixing elements, and especially the certain designed geometries, forces a clear orientation in the later use on the pump head (rotor) in an even better way. In addition, this secures the channel/hose/pump direction relationship in an even better way. Especially the combination of the geometry of the additional protrusion member with geometry designed to receive it ensures that a very easy and unmistakable clamping of the hose manifold device is provided.
In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the device comprises a trigger mechanism, which is arranged to at least one of the two fixing elements, wherein the trigger mechanism comprises an ejecting assembly, which is designed to be moved between at least two different positions. This principle allows the easy removal of up to four hoses from the device in one single step respectively in one go. This is done by a defined respectively a special ejecting assembly, which simultaneously releases the clamping of all hoses at the same time.
In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided that a first position leaves the ejecting assembly without a functional contact to the peristaltic pump device when the hose manifold device is disposed to the peristaltic pump device and a second position enables the ejecting assembly to get into a functional contact with components of the peristaltic pump device when the hose manifold device is disposed to the peristaltic pump device, so that the ejecting assembly can lift at least partially components of the peristaltic pump device, which fix the plurality of hoses to the peristaltic pump device, so that the hose manifold device can be removed from the peristaltic pump device. This enables a quick, easy and comfortable release of the plurality of hoses from a fixed position at the peristaltic pump device, when the hose manifold device is disposed to the peristaltic pump device. A plurality of hoses can be treated at the same time with only one release movement.
In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the ejecting assembly comprises an ejector element with a handlebar, a pressure element and a pivot device, which is disposed between the ejector element and the pressure element, so that the ejecting assembly is rotatably mounted on the pivot device and wherein the pressure element is disposed substantially below the hose manifold device, when the holding devices are in the predetermined position. By moving the ejector element with the handlebar, the pressure element can be moved so that the pressure element will press against components of the peristaltic pump device. The pivot device enables a rotatably movement. The dimension of the ejector element can be designed so that a comfortable and easy way of handling is guaranteed. The form of the pressure element could comprise any form, which ensures a reliable functionality of the pressure element.
In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the pressure element is disposed on an ending of the ejecting assembly, so that it gets into functional contact with the peristaltic pump device in the second position when the hose manifold device is disposed to the peristaltic pump device. By moving the ejector element with the handlebar, the pressure element can be moved so that the pressure element will press against components of the peristaltic pump device. The pivot device enables a rotatably movement. The dimension of the ejector element can be designed so that a comfortable and easy way of handling is guaranteed. The movement, applied to the ejector element with the handlebar is transferred above the pivot device to the pressure element so that components of the peristaltic pump device will be moved, so that these components release the up to four hoses. This ensures that with only one movement the up to four hoses can be released at the same time so that an easy and ergonomic withdrawal can be assured without having contact to any fluids or other assembled/attached/connected parts. Such connected parts could be for example cartridges or vials, which should normally be sterile.
In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided that an outer geometry of the pressure element is in a cylindrical form. This geometry enables that the physical contact between the pressure element and components of the peristaltic pump device can be realized in a safe and reliable way.
In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the hose manifold device is at least partially build up in a disposable manner or is build up in a reusable manner. Depending on the use can thus be decided which way is advantageously to be chosen. For example, the hose manifold device can be developed as a sterilizable disposable material for performing chemical syntheses or labeling procedures, or processes like any kind of defined dispensing/volume based separation.
In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, a peristaltic pump device is provided, which comprises the hose manifold device and the two fixing elements according to claim 1.
A possible peristaltic pump device for which the invention could be designed and the respective dimensions of the hose manifold device could be designed for is the Reglo ICC OEM Pump module from the company Cole Parmer It goes without saying that the invention and the associated concept can also be used on other dimensions of other peristaltic pump devices of this type.
In various embodiments of the invention mentioned in this application are, unless otherwise stated in the individual case, advantageously combinable with each other.
The invention will be explained below in embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. In these drawings,
