Sanitary Diaphragm Pump for Critical Bioprocess Applications

Abstract

An easily cleaned and/or sterilized fluid pumping assembly including a first pump housing including a first inner chamber. The first pump housing includes a fluid access port adapted to provide fluid communication between an outside of the first pump housing and the first inner chamber. Also, included is a second pump housing having a first coupling flange securely mated to the first pump housing. The second pump housing includes a second coupling flange adapted to be removeably and securely mated to a third coupling flange on a piston housing. Additionally, a flexible diaphragm is provided disposed between the first and second pump housings. The diaphragm is in fluid communication with the first inner chamber. Also, the diaphragm is displaceable by a driven piston for expelling fluid from the first inner chamber. More than one such assembly is used in combination to provide a constant flow fluid delivery system.

1 . A fluid pumping apparatus comprising:
 a first pump housing including a first inner chamber, said first pump housing including a first fluid access port adapted to provide fluid communication between an outside of said first pump housing and said first inner chamber;   a second pump housing including a first coupling flange securedly mated to said first pump housing, said second pump housing including a second coupling flange adapted to be removeably and securedly mated to a third coupling flange on a piston housing; and   a flexible diaphragm disposed between said first and second pump housings, said diaphragm in fluid communication with said first inner chamber, said diaphragm adapted to be displaced by a driven piston for expelling fluid from said first inner chamber.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said first pump housing, said second pump housing and said flexible diaphragm are disposable. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said first pump housing, said second pump housing and said flexible diaphragm are sterilized at least one of before and after use as a fluid pumping apparatus. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said first pump housing, said second pump housing and said flexible diaphragm are permanently secured. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least two of said first pump housing, said second pump housing and said flexible diaphragm are permanently secured. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said first pump housing includes at least one second fluid access port. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said second pump housing is in fluid communication with at least one vacuum port for depressurizing an inside of said second pump housing. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a piston assembly including said piston housing and said driven piston, said piston housing removeably secured to said second pump housing, said piston housing including a piston access port for guiding said driven piston, said first pump housing, second pump housing and piston housing forming a continuous unitary outer pump shell.   
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein said second pump housing and said piston housing are secured by at least one of a locking collar or clamp. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein said piston access port includes at least one of a bearing and seal. 
   
   
       11 . A fluid pumping apparatus comprising:
 a) a first pump housing including a first inner chamber, said first pump housing including a fluid access port adapted to provide fluid communication between an outside of said first pump housing and said first inner chamber;   b) a second pump housing including a second inner chamber, said second pump housing secured to said first pump housing;   c) a flexible diaphragm disposed between said first and second pump housings, said diaphragm in fluid communication with said first inner chamber;   d) a third pump housing removeably secured to said second pump housing, said third pump housing including a piston access port, said first, second and third pump housings adapted to form a continuous unitary outer pump shell; and   e) a driven piston adapted to move said flexible diaphragm toward said fluid access port.   
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein said first pump housing, said second pump housing and said flexible diaphragm are disposable. 
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein said first pump housing, said second pump housing and said flexible diaphragm are sterilized at least one of before and after use as a fluid pumping apparatus. 
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein at least two of said first, second and third pump housings are permanently secured. 
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein said first pump housing includes at least one second fluid access port. 
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein at least one of said second and third pump housings is in fluid communication with at least one vacuum port for depressurizing said second inside chamber. 
   
   
       17 . A chromatography pump assembly adapted to deliver fluid at a constant flow rate, said pump assembly comprising:
 (a) a first conduit for receiving fluid;   (b) a second conduit for expelling fluid;   (c) a first and second diaphragm pump in fluid communication with said first and second conduits, each pump including
 i) an inner fluid chamber, 
 ii) an inner flexible diaphragm, and 
 iii) a rigid drive mechanism adapted to push said diaphragm thereby expelling fluid from said inner fluid chamber; and 
   (d) a valve system adapted to block fluid flow from said first conduit to one of said first and second pumps, while simultaneously blocking fluid flow to said second conduit from the other of said first and second pumps.   
   
   
       18 . The assembly of  claim 17 , wherein at least one of said first and second diaphragm pump is disposable and adapted to be easily removed from said assembly. 
   
   
       19 . The assembly of  claim 17 , wherein at least one of said first and second diaphragm pumps is sterilized prior to use as a part of the assembly. 
   
   
       20 . The assembly of  claim 19 , wherein said assembly is adapted to sustain a closed sterilized environment for fluid handling. 
   
   
       21 . The assembly of  claim 17 , wherein each of said pumps further includes a vacuum coupling for depressurizing a portion of said pump, whereby said diaphragm draws fluid into said inner fluid chamber. 
   
   
       22 . The assembly of  claim 17 , wherein said valve system is further adapted to alternatively block fluid flow from said second conduit to one of said first and second pumps, while simultaneously blocking fluid flow to said first conduit from the other of said first and second pumps. 
   
   
       23 . A method for pumping a fluid comprising:
 providing conduit adapted to communicate fluid from at least one source to at least one destination,   coupling a first disposable diaphragm pump to an intermediate position of said conduit, said first diaphragm pump adapted to expel fluid by activation of a driven piston,   securing a piston housing for said driven piston to said first pump thereby said piston housing and said first pump forming a unitary continuous outer pump shell,   initiating said driven piston thereby pumping fluid out of said diaphragm pump,   removing and discarding said first diaphragm pump after a single use, and   replacing said first diaphragm pump with a second diaphragm pump.   
   
   
       24 . The method according to  claim 23 , wherein said diaphragm pump includes
 a) a first pump housing including a first inner chamber, said first pump housing including a first fluid access port adapted to provide fluid communication between said first inner chamber and said conduit,   b) a second pump housing including a first coupling flange securedly mated to said first pump housing, and   c) a flexible diaphragm disposed between said first and second pump housings, said diaphragm in fluid communication with said first inner chamber.