Peristaltic fluid-pumping apparatus

Abstract

An apparatus comprising a compact, portable peristaltic pump particularly suitable for medical use in infusing or removing fluids. The pump includes a series of small bearing assemblies each having concentric inner and outer members capable of free rotation with respect to each other. The inner members are eccentrically mounted upon a power-driven shaft with their centers arranged in a helix about the axis of the shaft. A thin elastomeric membrane is disposed along the series of bearing assemblies with the outer members having their surfaces tangentially engaging one side of the membrane along a first band or linear zone of contact. An elastomeric tube extends along the opposite side of the membrane, engaging that membrane along a second band or linear zone of contact directly opposite the first band of contact. A platen supports the tube so that the membrane is in constant engagement with the tube along the second band of contact, and is in either constant or periodically-interrupted engagement with the bearing assemblies along the first band of contact, during pumping operation. The disclosure also sets forth embodiments in which the membrane is preferentially reinforced and in which the apparatus includes a fluid container and a suitable patient connector for administering or removing parenteral and biological fluids.