Peristaltic pump

Abstract

A pump comprising a housing; a motor mounted in the housing and configured to drive a rotor mounted on a shaft connected to the motor, and a first connector and a second connector each secured to the housing. The first and second connectors are in fluid communication by a tube arranged in the housing. The first connector is configured to connect to a first fluid line and the second connector is configured to connect to a second fluid line. In use, the rotor is configured to urge fluid within the tube from the first connector to the second connector when driven by the motor. The first and second connectors are releasably secured to the housing.

1 . A pump comprising:
 a housing;   a motor mounted in the housing and adapted to drive a rotor mounted on a shaft connected to the motor, and   a first connector and a second connector each secured to the housing,   wherein the first and second connectors are in fluid communication by a tube arranged in the housing,   wherein the first connector is adapted to connect to a first fluid line and the second connector is adapted to connect to a second fluid line,   wherein the rotor is adapted to urge fluid within the tube from the first connector to the second connector when driven by the motor, and   wherein the first and second connectors are releasably secured to the housing.   
     
     
         2 . A pump as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first connector includes a first tab portion and the second connector comprises a second tab portion, and wherein the housing includes at least one slot configured to receive the first and second tab portions. 
     
     
         3 . A pump as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the housing includes a chamber and the rotor is disposed in the chamber, wherein the tube passes through the chamber, and wherein the slot is formed in a side wall of the chamber. 
     
     
         4 . A pump as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first and second connectors each includes a first part and a second part, wherein the first part extends along a first axis, and the second part extends along a second axis, wherein the second axis forms an angle with the first axis, and wherein the second part is configured to rotate relative to the first part about the first axis. 
     
     
         5 . A pump as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the first part is releasably connected to the second part. 
     
     
         6 . A pump as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the first part and second part are releasably connected by a threaded connection. 
     
     
         7 . A pump as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the rotor includes a plate mounted perpendicular to the shaft and at least one finger extending therefrom, wherein the first connector is disposed on a first side of the plate and the second connector is disposed on a second side of the plate, wherein the first and second sides are opposed sides of the plate, and wherein the at least one finger is adapted to guide the tube from the second side of the plate to the first side of the plate upon rotation of the rotor. 
     
     
         8 . A pump comprising:
 a housing;   a motor mounted in the housing and adapted to drive a rotor mounted on a shaft connected to the motor, and   a first connector and a second connector each secured to the housing,   wherein the first and second connectors are in fluid communication by a tube arranged in the housing,   wherein the first connector is adapted to connect to a first fluid line and the second connector is configured to connect to a second fluid line,   wherein the rotor is adapted to urge fluid within the tube from the first connector to the second connector when driven by the motor, and   wherein the rotor includes a plate and at least one finger extending therefrom, wherein the first connector is disposed on a first side of the plate and the second connector is disposed on a second side of the plate, wherein the first and second sides are opposed sides of the plate, and wherein the at least one finger is adapted to guide the tube from the second side of the plate to the first side of the plate upon rotation of the rotor.   
     
     
         9 . A pump as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the first side of the plate faces the housing. 
     
     
         10 . A pump as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the plate defines a plane and the finger extends in a direction parallel to the plane. 
     
     
         11 . A pump as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the finger extends in the direction of rotation of the rotor. 
     
     
         12 . A pump as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the finger has an arcuate profile. 
     
     
         13 . A pump as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the rotor includes a rounded outer edge. 
     
     
         14 . A pump as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the rotor includes a plurality of rollers distributed around a perimeter of the rotor, and wherein the rotor is adapted to squeeze the tube against an inner surface of the housing. 
     
     
         15 . A pump as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising a cover releasably attached to the housing, wherein the cover is adapted to contain the rotor and tube within the housing. 
     
     
         16 . A pump as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the cover is tethered to the housing. 
     
     
         17 . A pump as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the motor is a stepper motor. 
     
     
         18 . A pump as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising a second fluid line and a valve disposed in the second fluid line, wherein the valve is adapted to substantially prevent ingress of fluid into the second connector from the second fluid line. 
     
     
         19 . A pump as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the housing includes a connection port spaced from an edge of the housing, and wherein the pump further includes a flying lead connected to the connection port at a first end and having a connector at a second end, wherein the flying lead has a length greater than the spacing from the connection port to the edge of the housing. 
     
     
         20 . A pump as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a controller adapted to receive a signal from a sensor. 
     
     
         21 . A pump as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first and second connectors are releasably secured to the tube. 
     
     
         22 .- 23 . (canceled)