System and Method for Holding Tubing for a Peristaltic Pump

Abstract

A system and method for holding tubing for a peristaltic pump the prevents tubing stretch or deformation. The present invention compensates for tube stretching and minimizes tube deformation due to peristaltic roller tube expansions.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A peristaltic pump system comprising:
 a peristaltic pump body having a set of six main rollers that are approximately 60 degrees apart phased with a second set of rollers approximately 30 degrees out of phase with the main rollers;   a peristaltic pump input tubing holder including a lower and upper V-shaped member, the lower V-shaped member being movable upward by programmable motor torque against the input tubing which is pushed against the fixed upper V-shaped member to secure the tubing entering the pump;   a pair of peristaltic pump pressure shoes using an approximately 100 degree fixed compression angle, each having an upper surface of curvature machined so that it does not impede peristaltic pump tubing indexing through the pump as the peristaltic pump tube is compressed;   a peristaltic pump output tubing holder having two output rollers with bearings adapted to move only in one direction whereby, the peristaltic pump tubing is prevented from moving back into the pump after elongation, said output rollers each having a stair-stepped surface.   
     
     
         2 . The peristaltic pump system of  claim 1  wherein at least one of said pressure shoes is equipped with a thin-film sensor to measure pressure on the peristaltic pump tubing and wear. 
     
     
         3 . The peristaltic pump system of  claim 1  further comprising a motor positioned to assure that the peristaltic pump tubing advances into the rollers, said motor having an encoder that monitors the tube elongation and allows metering the tubing during indexing. 
     
     
         4 . A peristaltic pump system comprising:
 a peristaltic pump body having a set of four main rollers that are approximately 690 degrees apart phased with a second set of rollers approximately 45 degrees out of phase with the main rollers;   a peristaltic pump input tubing holder including a lower and upper V-shaped member, the lower V-shaped member being movable upward by programmable motor torque against the input tubing which is pushed against the fixed upper V-shaped member to secure the tubing entering the pump;   a pair of peristaltic pump pressure shoes using an approximately 100 degree fixed compression angle, each having an upper surface of curvature machined so that it does not impede peristaltic pump tubing indexing through the pump as the peristaltic pump tube is compressed;   a peristaltic pump output tubing holder having two output rollers with bearings adapted to move only in one direction whereby, the peristaltic pump tubing is prevented from moving back into the pump after elongation, said output rollers each having a stair-stepped surface.   
     
     
         5 . The peristaltic pump system of  claim 4  wherein at least one of said pressure shoes is equipped with a thin-film sensor to measure pressure on the peristaltic pump tubing and wear. 
     
     
         6 . The peristaltic pump system of  claim 4  further comprising a motor positioned to assure that the peristaltic pump tubing advances into the rollers, said motor having an encoder that monitors the tube elongation and allows metering the tubing during indexing. 
     
     
         7 . A peristaltic pump system comprising:
 a peristaltic pump body having a set of four or six main rollers that are approximately 60 or 90 degrees apart phased with a second set of rollers approximately 30 or 45 degrees out of phase with the main rollers;   a peristaltic pump input tubing holder including a lower and upper V-shaped member, the lower V-shaped member being movable upward by programmable motor torque against the input tubing which is pushed against the fixed upper V-shaped member to secure the tubing entering the pump;   a pair of peristaltic pump pressure shoes using an approximately 100 degree fixed compression angle, each having an upper surface of curvature machined so that it does not impede peristaltic pump tubing indexing through the pump as the peristaltic pump tube is compressed, at least one of these shoes having a thin-film pressure sensor.   
     
     
         8 . The peristaltic pump system of  claim 7  further comprising a peristaltic pump output tubing holder having two output rollers with bearings adapted to move only in one direction whereby, the peristaltic pump tubing is prevented from moving back into the pump after elongation, said output rollers each having a stair-stepped surface. 
     
     
         9 . The peristaltic pump system of  claim 8  further comprising a motor positioned to assure that the peristaltic pump tubing advances into the rollers, said motor having an encoder that monitors the tube elongation and allows metering the tubing during indexing.