Fluid delivery system
Inventors
HIGETA, Daisuke • YAGURA, Tetsuya • OGASAWARA, Shun • Ota, Kazumi • Sato, Takahiro • YOSHINAGA, Nao • Terakawa, Hiroshi
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-9605240-B2
Publication Date
2017-03-28
Expiration Date
Abstract
To avoid contamination of workspaces by splashing and the like of a waste fluid. A fluid delivery system for delivering a fluid from one container to another container includes: a delivery channel connecting between the one container to the other container; and a delivery pump which feeds the fluid into the delivery channel by compressively deforming inner diameter in the middle of the delivery channel, wherein the delivery channel is a partially elastic configuration that can be compressively deformed by the delivery pump, and also is a closed-system configuration with which the fluid flowing inside thereof is isolated from outside. As described, the delivery pump and the delivery tube or the waste-fluid container are not directly connected but are simply in contact. Therefore, it is possible to prevent splashing and the like of the waste fluid onto a work space when handling the waste fluid.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a closed-system fluid delivery system for delivering a fluid from one container to another container, with the fluid transferred inside a partially elastic delivery channel isolated from outside. The system includes a delivery channel connecting between the one container and the another container and a delivery pump configured to transfer the fluid via the delivery channel by compressively deforming an inner diameter of the delivery channel by a plurality of rollers.
The delivery pump further includes a rotation member rotating around a shaft, the rollers provided at an outer peripheral edge of the rotation member, and a support member facing the rotation member. The support member sandwiches the delivery channel with the rollers using continuously connected first, second, and third planar surfaces so that the second planar surface is located between the first and third planar surfaces.
The compressive deformation is characterized by gap relationships depending on roller adjacency to the planar surfaces, where when a roller is adjacent to the first planar surface a first gap exists between the roller and the first planar surface, and when the roller is adjacent to the second planar surface a second gap exists between the roller and the second planar surface, with the first gap being smaller than the second gap. Additional disclosed elements include an air vent filter for suppressing an increase in internal pressure of a flexible receiving container and a mid-channel filter configured to adsorb fungi and bacteria and remove foreign matter.
The system includes sterility testing implementations using sterility test membrane filters in the closed system and related sample extraction while maintaining asepsis. This closed-system configuration is described as preventing workspace contamination such as splashing when transferring culture and waste fluid.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim covers the closed-system fluid delivery system defined by the delivery channel and a roller/sandwich pump structure that compressively deforms a partially elastic delivery channel inner diameter, together with a specific geometric relationship between gaps at different planar surface adjacencies. Dependent claims further add transfer speed control based on fluid amount, footswitch linear control, and contamination/pressure control components.
Sandwiched roller compressive deformation pump for a partially elastic closed delivery channel
A delivery pump having a rotation member rotating around a shaft, a plurality of rollers at an outer peripheral edge of the rotation member, and a support member facing the rotation member to sandwich the delivery channel such that the fluid is transferred by compressively deforming an inner diameter of the partially elastic delivery channel.
Closed-system delivery channel isolated from outside between containers
The delivery channel forms a closed-system with the fluid flowing inside between the one container and the another container and is isolated from outside.
First and second gap relationship based on roller adjacency to planar surfaces
The delivery pump support member includes continuously connected first, second, and third planar surfaces with the second planar surface between the first and third, and when a roller is adjacent the first planar surface a first gap exists, when the roller is adjacent the second planar surface a second gap exists, and the first gap is smaller than the second gap.
Transfer speed adjusted based on fluid amount in one container
The delivery pump adjusts the fluid transfer speed based on the fluid amount in one container during transferring to another container.
Footswitch linear control of transfer speed
The delivery pump uses a footswitch to linearly control the transfer speed of the fluid.
Air vent filter for suppressing internal pressure increase
The other container includes an air vent filter configured to suppress an increase in its internal pressure.
Closed-system channel filter for adsorbing fungi and bacteria
The system further includes a filter in the closed-system delivery channel configured to adsorb fungi and bacteria.
Overall, the claim coverage centers on a closed-system, partially elastic delivery channel transferred by a roller-based pump that compressively deforms the inner diameter using a support member with connected planar surfaces, including a defined first-gap/second-gap relationship. Dependent claims additionally cover transfer-speed control tied to fluid amount and footswitch linear control, and contamination/pressure control via an air vent filter and a closed-channel filter for adsorbing fungi and bacteria.
Stated Advantages
Prevents workspace contamination such as splashing during transfer of culture and waste fluid.
Suppresses an increase in internal pressure of a flexible receiving container.
Adsorbs fungi and bacteria and removes foreign matter in the delivery channel.
Maintains asepsis in sterility testing implementations using sterility test membrane filters in the closed system.
Documented Applications
Transferring culture and waste fluid between containers in a closed system while preventing workspace contamination such as splashing.
Sterility testing implementations in the closed system using sterility test membrane filters and related sample extraction while maintaining asepsis.
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