Finger-type peristaltic pump

Abstract

The invention provides a finger-type peristaltic pump ( 2 ) having a body ( 4 ) and a housing ( 6 ). The body contains two or more finger-type valves ( 16 ) and a processor ( 22 ) configured to operate the valves according to a predetermined temporo-spatial pattern. The housing has a passageway ( 18 ) configured to receive a conduit. The housing has a first position in which a conduit in the passageway is positioned adjacent to the valve fingers, and a second position in which a conduit in the passageway is not adjacent to the valve fingers. The invention also provides a housing for use in the pump of the invention.

1 . An apparatus comprising:
 a conduit housing including a tube segment;   one or more pump interlock elements adapted to facilitate detachable engagement of the housing with a peristaltic pump; and   an anti-free-flow mechanism having a disengaged default state which obstructs flow through the tube segment when the housing is detached from the pump, and wherein said anti-free-flow mechanism is brought into an engaged default state, allowing fluid to flow through the tube segment, when the housing is attached to the pump.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising an anti-free-flow override mechanism engageable when the housing is detached from the pump, said override mechanism being configured to, when engaged, mechanically latch said anti-free-flow mechanism in a non-obstructing state allowing fluid to flow through the tube segment. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein said override mechanism is configured to automatically disengage when the housing is attached to the pump. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said anti-free-flow mechanism is a spring biased occlusion plate. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said anti-free-flow mechanism obstructs flow in one direction. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said anti-free-flow mechanism obstructs flow in two directions. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said tube segment is a pipe segment. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein said pipe segment includes silicon. 
     
     
         9 . The housing of  claim 1 , wherein said tube segment has a first cross section shape. 
     
     
         10 . The housing of  claim 9 , wherein said conduit further includes a second segment having a substantially second cross section shape and said first and second cross section shapes are different shapes. 
     
     
         11 . A system for pumping fluid comprising:
 a peristaltic pump; and   a conduit housing including:
 (a) a flexible tube segment, 
 (b) one or more pump interlock elements adapted to facilitate detachable engagement of said housing with said pump, 
 (c) an anti-free-flow mechanism having a disengaged default state which obstructs flow through said tube segment when said housing is detached from said pump, and wherein the anti-free-flow mechanism is brought into an engaged default state, allowing fluid to flow through the channel, when said housing is attached to said pump. 
   
     
     
         12 . The system according to  claim 11 , wherein said housing further includes: (d) an anti-free-flow override mechanism engageable when said housing is detached from said pump, said override mechanism being configured to, when engaged, mechanically latch said anti-free-flow mechanism in a non-obstructing state allowing fluid to flow through said tube. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein said override mechanism is configured to automatically disengage when said housing is attached to the pump. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein said anti-free-flow mechanism is a spring biased occlusion plate. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein said anti-free-flow mechanism obstructs flow in one direction. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein said anti-free-flow mechanism obstructs flow in two directions. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein said pump is a finger type peristaltic pump. 
     
     
         18 . The housing of  claim 11 , wherein said tube segment is a pipe segment and has a first cross section shape. 
     
     
         19 . The housing of  claim 18 , wherein said conduit further includes a second segment having a substantially second cross section shape and said first and second cross section shapes are different shapes. 
     
     
         20 . A peristaltic pump comprising:
 a pumping mechanism configured to induce flow of a fluid at least through a flexible segment within a detachable housing, wherein said pump-includes one or more interlock elements configured to facilitate detachable engagement of said pump with the housing and includes a releasing element configured to bring an anti-free-flow mechanism of the housing into a disengaged state which allows fluid to flow through the flexible segment, when the housing is attached to the pumping mechanism, wherein said releasing element is further adapted to automatically disengage an anti-free-flow override mechanism, which anti-free-flow override mechanism is engageable when said housing is detached from the pump, said override mechanism being configured to, when engaged, mechanically latch the anti-free-flow mechanism in a non-obstructing state allowing fluid to flow through the flexible segment.