Energy-saving anti-free flow portable pump for use with standard PVC IV tubing

Abstract

The present invention comprises an apparatus for pumping fluid through tubing. The apparatus includes a tubing base having a tubing support surface and a stop platen. The stop platen and the tubing support surface each comprise respective ridges aligned with a direction of fluid flow through the apparatus. The respective ridges are operatively arranged to engage a wall of tubing along a longitudinal axis of the tubing. In some aspects, the respective ridges are arcuate in a plane orthogonal to the direction of flow. In some aspects, the respective ridges are centered with respect to a transverse axis of the tubing and have a respective width less than an outside diameter of the tubing.

1 . An apparatus for pumping fluid through tubing comprising: 
 a tubing base having a tubing support surface; and,    a stop platen, said stop platen comprising a first ridge aligned with a direction of fluid flow through said apparatus.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus recited in  claim 1  wherein said first ridge is arcuate in a first plane orthogonal to said direction of flow.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus recited in  claim 1  further comprising a first tubing with a wall, said first tubing comprising a first longitudinal axis aligned with said direction of flow; and, 
 wherein said first ridge is operatively arranged to engage said wall of said first tubing along said first longitudinal axis.    
   
   
       4 . The apparatus recited in  claim 3  wherein said first tubing comprises a first outside diameter, said first ridge comprises a first width, and said first width is less than said first outside diameter.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus recited in  claim 3  wherein said tubing support surface further comprises a second ridge aligned with said direction of fluid flow.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus recited in  claim 5  wherein said second ridge is operatively arranged to engage said wall of said first tubing along said first longitudinal axis.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus recited in  claim 5  wherein said second ridge is arcuate in a second plane orthogonal to said direction of flow.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus recited in  claim 5  wherein said first tubing comprises a second outside diameter, said second ridge comprises a second width, and said second width is less than said second outside diameter.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus recited in  claim 3  wherein said first tubing comprises a transverse axis and said first ridge is centered with respect to said transverse axis; and, 
 wherein said stop platen is arranged to be moved to a first position closest to said tubing base and where in said first position, said second ridge is centered with respect to said transverse axis.    
   
   
       10 . The apparatus recited in  claim 9  wherein said first and second ridges are symmetrical with respect to said transverse axis.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus recited in  claim 3  wherein said first tubing comprises an inside wall with first and second segments; and, 
 wherein said stop platen is arranged to be moved to a second position closest to said tubing base and where in said second position, said first and second segments are in contact and said first tubing is formed in first and second lobes, said lobes forming passages through said first tubing.    
   
   
       12 . The apparatus recited in  claim 11  wherein said first and second lobes are symmetrical with respect to said first longitudinal axis.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus recited in  claim 1  further comprising a second tubing, said second tubing comprising a second longitudinal axis aligned with said direction of flow; and, said apparatus further comprising: 
 a pump platen, said pump platen comprising a concavity parallel to said second longitudinal axis, said concavity arranged to hold said second tubing, and said concavity comprising said stop platen.    
   
   
       14 . A method for pumping fluid through tubing comprising: 
 supporting a tubing on a tubing support surface; and,    engaging a wall of said tubing with a first ridge on a stop platen, said engaging along a longitudinal axis of said tubing.    
   
   
       15 . The method recited in  claim 14  wherein said tubing support surface further comprises a second ridge; and, said method further comprising: 
 aligning said second ridge with said longitudinal axis.    
   
   
       16 . The apparatus recited in  claim 15  wherein said first and second ridges are arcuate in a plane orthogonal to said longitudinal axis.  
   
   
       17 . The method recited in  claim 15  wherein said tubing comprises an outside diameter, said first and second ridges comprise respective widths, and said respective widths are each less than said outside diameter.  
   
   
       18 . The method recited in  claim 15  wherein said tubing comprises a transverse axis; and, said method further comprising: 
 centering said first ridge with respect to said transverse axis; and,    moving said stop platen to a position closest to said tubing base, where in said position, said second ridge is centered with respect to said transverse axis.    
   
   
       19 . The apparatus recited in  claim 18  further comprising: 
 holding said tubing in a concavity, said concavity parallel to said longitudinal axis;    disposing said stop platen in said concavity; and,    forming said tubing into first and second lobes.    
   
   
       20 . The method recited in  claim 19  wherein said first and second lobes are symmetrical with respect to said longitudinal axis.