Patent · US Expired

Elastomeric connector coupling motor to cam actuator of infusion pump

US6471436B1 · kind B1 · utility

25Cited by
8References
6Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 19, 1998
Grant dateOct 29, 2002
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 19, 2018

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T403/5733
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A drive connector for elastomerically coupling a drive shaft to a driven shaft. An elastomeric coupling includes openings on opposite ends that are generally “D”-shaped forming an interference fit with correspondingly shaped ends of the drive shaft and the driven shaft. A web extends transversely within the interior of the elastomeric coupling, limiting the distance that the drive shaft and driven shaft are inserted within the openings of the coupling. The coupling includes a rib that runs longitudinally along its outer length. A sleeve having a groove corresponding in size and shape to the rib is slipped over the coupling and is connected to the driven shaft. The sleeve includes a rigid interior element that is overmolded with an elastomeric material. A cam bearing is fitted over a cam surface on the sleeve and provides a force in one direction, urging a plunger to displace an elastomeric membrane in a pumping cassette, forcing medicinal fluid to flow through the pumping cassette. The elastomeric membrane provides the restoring force to the plunger, so that a loop formed on the upper portion of the plunger and disposed around the cam bearing does not receive any force …

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.