Pump module and device for producing a fluid jet

Inventors

Moser, Beat • Zweifel, Adrian • Widmer, Beat • Butler, Martin • Christen, Lukas • Good, Roman • Napoletano, Daniel

Assignees

Medaxis AG

Abstract

A pump module and a device for producing a fluid jet with a pump module are disclosed. In an embodiment the pump module may include a pump housing in which at least one pump piston is mounted in a reciprocatingly movable manner and is provided with at least one sealing element which during a pumping operation interacts with a cylinder. For creating such a pump module producible in a simple manner and nevertheless exhibiting the functionality necessary for the pumping operation, embodiments disclose a valve block, which receives at least one valve associated with the cylinder, wherein the cylinder is sealed against the valve block. Furthermore, a cover element may abut against the valve block on a side opposite to the cylinder and between itself and the valve block forms an inlet passage leading to the cylinder and/or an outlet passage communicating with the cylinder.

Core Innovation

The invention relates to a pump module having a pump casing with a cylinder and at least one pump piston mounted in a reciprocatingly movable manner in the pump casing. The pump piston is provided with at least one sealing element that interacts with the cylinder during a pumping operation. A valve block is sealed against the cylinder and receives at least one valve to the cylinder, while a cover element is provided on the side opposite the cylinder in abutment against the valve block and fixed to the valve block.

In the pump casing, an inlet passage to the cylinder and an outlet passage communicating with the cylinder are formed by recessed grooves that are exposed toward a surface of the cover element. The grooves are formed by the valve block on a side facing away from the cylinder, and by an interaction of the valve block and the cover element, the grooves become circumferentially closed. The inlet passage and the outlet passage each extend perpendicular to a reciprocating direction of the pump piston.

The described pump module is configured for a fluid jet device and is described as a consumable unit for generating a fluid jet, including water-jet wound debridement. The arrangement enables an injection-moldable construction and integration of valve block and cover elements, including the integration or connection of cylinder inserts and valve liners such as a ball-valve liner and valve ball. A preassembled pump unit is described that includes the valve block and cover and the cylinder inserts and valves, and an outlet formation is described via an outlet bore and outlet port bushing for a Luer connection.

For correct operation and service-life monitoring, the document further describes a transponder, such as an RFID/transponder element, providing service-life and positioning information. The pump module is described as being connectable to a drive unit using bayonet-style locking with locking lugs and grooves, and anti-incorrect-installation switching safeguards are described, including switching prevention based on a parking position gap in a sterilization and disinfection context.

Claims Coverage

The independent claim defines a pump module architecture with a valve block and cover element that form circumferentially closed inlet and outlet passages via recessed grooves, and the flow passages extend perpendicular to the reciprocating direction of the pump piston. Dependent claims refine the module with added interfaces, assembly and material features, and identifiers for correct installation and service-life.

Overall claim coverage centers on a pump casing where valve block and cover element interact so that recessed grooves become circumferentially closed to form inlet and outlet passages, with the passages extending perpendicular to piston reciprocation. Dependent refinements further specify an inlet passage geometry relative to the phase boundary and outlet passage, a sealing outlet arrangement via a cover-bore and head-element interface, and additions such as a transponder, pre-assembled pump-unit packaging, and plastic-part construction.

Stated Advantages

Documented Applications