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Publication Number
US-10954928-B2
Publication Date
2021-03-23
Expiration Date
Abstract
A pump including: a stator (4),a rotor (6) slidably and rotatably mounted at least partially in the stator, the rotor comprising a first axial extension (24) having a first diameter (D1) and a second axial extension (26) having a second diameter (D2) greater than the first diameter,a first valve (V1) formed by a first valve seal (18) mounted on the stator around the first axial extension, in conjunction with a first channel (42) in the rotor that is configured to allow liquid communication across the first valve seal when the first valve is in an open position,a second valve (V2) formed by a second valve seal (20) mounted on the stator around the second axial extension, in conjunction with a second channel (44) in the rotor that is configured to allow liquid communication across the second valve seal when the second valve is in an open position, anda pump chamber (8) formed between the rotor and stator and between the first valve seal and second valve seal. The pump further comprises a priming actuator (30) mounted on a housing of the stator and movable from a locked operating position to a priming position, the priming actuator (30) configured to engage and axially displace the rotor from an operating position in which at least one of the first and second valves is closed, to a priming position in which both first and second valves are open.
Core Innovation
A pump includes a stator and a rotor slidably and rotatably mounted at least partially in the stator. The rotor comprises a first axial extension having a first diameter and a second axial extension having a second diameter greater than the first diameter. A first valve is formed by a first valve seal mounted on the stator around the first axial extension, in conjunction with a first channel in the rotor configured to allow liquid communication across the first valve seal when the first valve is in an open position. A second valve is formed by a second valve seal mounted on the stator around the second axial extension, in conjunction with a second channel in the rotor configured to allow liquid communication across the second valve seal when the second valve is in an open position.
A pump chamber is formed between the rotor and stator and between the first valve seal and second valve seal. The pump further comprises a priming actuator mounted on a housing of the stator and movable from a priming position to a locked operating position. The priming actuator engages and axially displaces the rotor from a priming position in which both first and second valves are open to an operating position in which at least one of the first and second valves is closed.
The priming actuator includes a locking mechanism that comprises a locking shoulder engaging a complementary locking shoulder on the stator housing in the pump operating position. The locking mechanism is configured to be releasable or irreversible depending on the pump configuration, and the rotor is accordingly movable between operating and priming positions. In specific configurations, the priming actuator comprises a pivotable latch with a manually engagable button connected via an integrally formed hinge, the rotor comprises a rotor head with an actuation rim and inner axial shoulder engageable with an actuation shoulder of the priming actuator, and further rim and cam track features are used for mechanical interaction and control.
Claims Coverage
The partial content provides multiple independent claims that share a common core: a pump with a stator/rotor arrangement, two valves formed around two rotor axial extensions of different diameters, and a priming actuator movable between a priming position (both valves open) and a locked operating position (at least one valve closed). Across the independent claims, the main inventive features include the two-diameter rotor valve arrangement and multiple structural and locking implementations for the priming actuator and rotor-head engagement.
Dual-diameter rotor axial extensions with first and second valves
A rotor with a first axial extension having a first diameter and a second axial extension having a second diameter greater than the first diameter, where a first valve is formed by a first valve seal on the stator around the first axial extension with a first channel in the rotor allowing liquid communication across the first valve seal when the first valve is open, and a second valve is formed by a second valve seal on the stator around the second axial extension with a second channel in the rotor allowing liquid communication across the second valve seal when the second valve is open.
Priming actuator axially displacing rotor between open-valve priming and valve-closed operating positions
A priming actuator mounted on a housing of the stator that is movable from a priming position to a locked operating position and is configured to engage and axially displace the rotor from a priming position in which both first and second valves are open to an operating position in which at least one of the first and second valves is closed.
Locking shoulder engagement between priming actuator and stator housing in operating position
The priming actuator comprises a locking mechanism comprising a locking shoulder engaging a complementary locking shoulder on the stator housing in the pump operating position.
Releasable locking mechanism enabling movement from operating position to priming position
The locking mechanism is releasable to allow the rotor to be moved from an operating position to a priming position, with the priming actuator configured to engage and axially displace the rotor from the operating position to the priming position.
Pivotable latch with manually engageable button connected by integrally formed hinge
The locking mechanism comprises a pivotable latch.
Irreversible locking mechanism preventing movement from operating position to priming position
The locking mechanism is irreversible to prevent the rotor from being moved from an operating position to a priming position, whereby prior to first use the rotor is in a priming position.
Rotor head actuation rim with inner axial shoulder and outer axial shoulder interaction
The rotor comprises a rotor head formed at an end of a shaft of the rotor, the rotor head comprising an actuation rim extending therearound, where the actuation rim comprises an inner axial shoulder engageable with an actuation shoulder of the priming actuator and an outer axial shoulder configured to interfere with a rim axial control shoulder provided on the priming actuator when the priming actuator is in a locked operating position and the rotor is not in the operating position to prevent operation of the pump.
Cam track and axial shoulder positioning on actuation rim
A cam track is provided on an inner radial portion of the actuation rim and the inner axial shoulder engageable by the actuation shoulder is provided on an outer radial portion of the actuation rim.
Priming actuator positioned in locked operating position prior to first use
Prior to first use the priming actuator is positioned in the locked operating position.
Across the independent claims, coverage centers on a two-diameter rotor axial extension architecture that forms two valves by cooperation with stator-mounted valve seals and rotor channels, combined with a priming actuator that axially displaces the rotor between a priming position with both valves open and a locked operating position where at least one valve is closed. Additional claim coverage refines how the priming actuator is locked, how the locking can be releasable or irreversible (including prior-to-first-use positioning), and how rotor-head actuation rim features, including actuation shoulders, cam track, and interference structures, interact to control operation.
Stated Advantages
Quick, reliable priming while maintaining safe, accurate pump operation.
Documented Applications
Medical liquid delivery, including use with a catheter tube and an infusion set.
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