Tubing installation tool for a peristaltic pump and methods of use

Abstract

A peristaltic pump is provided that can comprise a safety switch in order to control an operational parameter of the pump in response to a state of the pump. Additionally, methods are provided for maintaining and replacing tubing of the pump. A tubing installation tool is also provided for handling industrial tubing during installation or removal of the tubing from a pump.

1 . A method of installing tubing for a peristaltic pump, the method comprising:
 attaching a tubing installation tool to a distal end of the tubing, the tubing installation tool having a handle and an engagement section attached to the handle;   placing a proximal end of the tubing into a first port of the peristaltic pump;   rotating a rotor of the pump until an alignment roller of the rotor is positioned adjacent to the proximal end of the tubing;   grasping the handle of the tubing installation tool to guide a portion of the tubing under the alignment roller and into a gap between the alignment roller and a head of the pump as the alignment roller rotates within the head;   using the tubing installation tool to urge additional portions of the tubing into the gap underneath the alignment roller as the alignment roller rotates within the head of the pump; and   manipulating the tubing with the tubing installation tool to stretch the tubing and place the distal end of the tubing into a second port of the peristaltic pump.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising causing the peristaltic pump to enter a maintenance mode. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the step of causing the peristaltic pump to enter a maintenance mode comprises moving a head cover of the peristaltic pump into an open position. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the head cover is removed in the open position. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein rotation of the rotor during the maintenance mode of the peristaltic pump is slower than rotation of the rotor during a normal operation mode of the peristaltic pump. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of attaching the tubing installation tool to the distal end of the tubing comprises snap-fitting the tool onto the distal end of the tubing. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of attaching the tubing installation tool to the distal end of the tubing comprises threadably attaching the tool to the distal end of the tubing. 
   
   
       8 . A method of installing tubing for a peristaltic pump, the method comprising:
 attaching a tubing installation tool to a distal end of the tubing, the tubing installation tool having a handle and an engagement section attached to the handle;   guiding the tubing under an alignment roller of the peristaltic pump and into a gap between the alignment roller and a head of the pump; and   grasping the handle of the tubing installation tool to position the distal end of the tubing into an outlet port of the pump.   
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the step of attaching a tubing installation tool to a distal end of the tubing comprises threadably attaching the tubing installation tool to the distal end of the tubing. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the step of attaching the tubing installation tool to the distal end of the tubing comprises snap-fitting the tool onto the distal end of the tubing. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising placing a proximal end of the tubing into an inlet port of the peristaltic pump before guiding the tubing under the alignment roller. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the tubing is guided under the alignment roller as the alignment roller rotates within the head. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising rotating the alignment roller while urging the tubing into the gap underneath the rotating alignment roller. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the tubing is installed while the rotor of the peristaltic pump is operating in a maintenance mode. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein rotation of the rotor during the maintenance mode of the peristaltic pump is slower than rotation of the rotor during a normal operation mode of the peristaltic pump. 
   
   
       16 . A tubing installation tool for facilitating installation of a tubing assembly in a peristaltic pump, the tool comprising:
 a handle portion; and   an engagement portion extending from the handle portion, the engagement portion comprising an interior cavity having a longitudinal axis, the interior cavity being attachable with a connector of the tubing assembly, the interior cavity comprising at least one slot formed therein for engaging a protrusion of the connector, the engagement portion further comprising an opening formed along a side portion thereof and extending lengthwise relative to the longitudinal axis, the slot being exposed through the opening of the engagement portion,   wherein the engagement portion is configured to be coupled to the connector of the tubing assembly such that a protrusion of the connector is insertable into the slot by moving the connector in a direction generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the engagement portion and into the opening of the engagement portion,   wherein upon engagement of the protrusion with the slot and upon insertion of the connector into the cavity, the slot of the engagement portion restrains axial movement of the connector relative to the tool.   
   
   
       17 . The tubing installation tool of  claim 16 , wherein the engagement portion is generally cylindrical, and the opening extends circumferentially about less than half of the circumference of the engagement portion. 
   
   
       18 . The tubing installation tool of  claim 17 , wherein a width of the slot exposed through the opening is less than an inner diameter of the slot. 
   
   
       19 . The tubing installation tool of  claim 18 , wherein the protrusion of the connector is a generally annular ridge defining an outer diameter that is less than the inner diameter of the slot to thereby enable the annular ridge to be receiving within the slot. 
   
   
       20 . The tubing installation tool of  claim 19 , wherein the width of the slot is less than the outer diameter of the annular ridge, the connector being receivable into the cavity of the tool through a snap fit.