Guide element for a peristaltic pump

Abstract

A guide element for a peristaltic pump includes a base and a plurality of spindles established on a surface of the base. The spindles are positioned substantially normal to the surface of the base and project outward from the surface. The spindles are also configured to locate a journal formed in a respective one of a plurality of rollers. The guide element is configured to guide the rollers when the rollers are rotating.

1 . A guide element for a peristaltic pump including a plurality of rollers each having a journal formed therein, the guide element comprising:
 a base; and   a plurality of spindles established on a first surface of the base and positioned substantially normal to the first surface, the plurality of spindles projecting outwardly from the first surface, each of the plurality of spindles configured to locate the journal of a respective one of the plurality of rollers.   
   
   
       2 . The guide element as defined in  claim 1  wherein the guide element is a spider assembly. 
   
   
       3 . The guide element as defined in  claim 1  wherein the base has a thickness ranging from about 0.5 to about 1.5 mm. 
   
   
       4 . The guide element as defined in  claim 1  wherein the base further includes a second surface opposed to the first surface, wherein the second surface is substantially flat or contoured. 
   
   
       5 . The guide element as defined in  claim 1  wherein the base further includes a first edge having a substantially rounded shape and a second edge defining a bore in the base, wherein the plurality of spindles are radially distributed around the bore. 
   
   
       6 . The guide element as defined in  claim 1  wherein each of the plurality of spindles further includes a length substantially equal to or less than a length of each of the plurality of rollers. 
   
   
       7 . The guide element as defined in  claim 1  wherein the plurality of spindles projects substantially perpendicularly from the first surface of the base. 
   
   
       8 . The guide element as defined in  claim 1  wherein each of the plurality of spindles further includes a surface configured to slidingly engage the journal of a respective one of the plurality of rollers. 
   
   
       9 . The guide element as defined in  claim 1  wherein the base and the plurality of spindles are integrally formed by injection molding. 
   
   
       10 . The guide element as defined in  claim 1  wherein the guide element is formed from one of engineered polymeric materials, thermoplastic materials, thermoset materials, or combinations thereof. 
   
   
       11 . The guide element as defined in  claim 1  wherein the guide element is configured to guide the plurality of rollers when the plurality of rollers is rotating. 
   
   
       12 . A method of guiding a plurality of rollers for a peristaltic pump, wherein the peristaltic pump includes a drive shaft, the method comprising:
 arranging the plurality of rollers around the drive shaft;   placing a guide element on the plurality of rollers, wherein the guide element includes a base and a plurality of spindles established on a first surface of the base, wherein each of the plurality of spindles is positioned substantially normal to the first surface and projects outward from the first surface, and wherein each of the plurality of spindles is configured to locate a journal formed in a respective one of the plurality of rollers; and   rotating the drive shaft to impart rotational movement to the plurality of rollers.   
   
   
       13 . The method as defined in  claim 12 , further comprising guiding the plurality of rollers with the guide element when the plurality of rollers is rotating. 
   
   
       14 . The method as defined in  claim 12 , further comprising separating each of the plurality of rollers from an adjacent roller. 
   
   
       15 . The method as defined in  claim 12 , further comprising maintaining rotational movement about the drive shaft of a roller not in frictional contact with the drive shaft. 
   
   
       16 . A peristaltic pump assembly, comprising:
 a cassette configured to be operatively engaged with a pump housing, wherein the cassette includes a cavity formed therein;   a plurality of rollers operatively disposed within the cavity of the cassette and arranged around a drive shaft; and   a guide element including a base and a plurality of spindles established on a first surface of the base, wherein the plurality of spindles are positioned substantially normal to the first surface and project outward from the first surface, each of the plurality of spindles being configured to locate a journal formed in a respective one of the plurality of rollers.   
   
   
       17 . The assembly as defined in  claim 16  wherein the base of the guide element further comprises a second surface opposed to the first surface, wherein the second surface is substantially flat or contoured. 
   
   
       18 . The assembly as defined in  claim 16  wherein the base of the guide element further includes a first edge having a substantially rounded shape and a second edge defining a bore in the base, wherein the plurality of spindles established on the base is radially distributed around the bore. 
   
   
       19 . The assembly as defined in  claim 16  wherein the plurality of spindles of the guide element projects substantially perpendicularly from the first surface of the base. 
   
   
       20 . The assembly as defined in  claim 16  wherein the plurality of spindles of the guide element further includes a surface configured to slidingly engage the journal of a respective one of the plurality of rollers.