Eccentric device peristaltic pump

Abstract

A peristaltic pump 30 includes a 360° backing plate 14 and 35 and an orbiter 36 for eccentrically orbiting within the backing plate. A loop of tubing 16 surrounds the orbiter 36 and is placed between the orbiter 36 and the backing plate.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A peristaltic pump comprising: 
 a 360° backing plate;    an orbiter for eccentrically orbiting within the backing plate;    a loop of tubing surrounding the orbiter and placed between the orbiter and the backing plate, the tubing having an inlet and an outlet;    wherein upon activation of the orbiter, one region of the loop of tubing will be pinched between the orbiter and the backing plate such that the loop of tubing remains pinched at all times during the eccentric orbit of the orbiter within the backing plate; and    thereby causing fluid to be pumped from the inlet to the outlet.    
     
     
         2 . The pump of  claim 1  wherein the backing plate is formed by a combination of a pump cartridge and an arcuate portion attached to the housing.  
     
     
         3 . The pump of  claim 1  wherein the tubing loop forms at least a 360° loop.  
     
     
         4 . The pump of  claim 1  wherein the tubing loop forms at least a 540° loop.  
     
     
         5 . A pump cartridge comprising; 
 a cartridge housing wherein a portion of the housing forms at least a portion of a backing plate for a pump and is structured to be attached to the pump; at least a 360° loop of tubing; and    wherein the backing plate portion retains and surrounds at least a portion of the loop of tubing.    
     
     
         6 . The pump cartridge of  claim 5  wherein the cartridge housing is formed to be attached to an arcuate portion fixedly attached to a housing of the pump such that the backing plate portion of the cartridge and the arcuate portion cooperate to form a 360° backing plate.  
     
     
         7 . A peristaltic pump comprising: 
 a housing;    a 360° backing plate formed in the housing;    an orbiter for eccentrically orbiting within the backing plate; and    wherein upon activation of the orbiter, one region of a loop of tubing surrounding the orbiter will be pinched between the orbiter and the backing plate at all times during the orbit of the orbiter.    
     
     
         8 . The pump of  claim 7  further including at least a 360° loop of tubing surrounding the orbiter.  
     
     
         9 . The pump of  claim 8  wherein the loop of tubing and the backing plate are combined to form a pump cartridge.  
     
     
         10 . A pump cartridge comprising: 
 a cartridge housing including structure forming a backing plate for a pump;    attachment means for attaching the cartridge to the pump; and    at least a 360° loop of tubing surrounded by and adjacent to the backing place.