Fluid pumping systems, devices and methods

US8870549B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• DEKA Products Limited Parternship · US

Inventors

• Brian D. Tracey · Litchfield, US
• Larry B. Gray · Merrimack, US
• Jason A. Demers · Manchester, US
• James D. Dale · Nashua, US
• N. Christopher Perry · Manchester, US
• Michael J. Wilt · Walnut Creek, US
• Scott A. Leonard · Bedford, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 22, 2012
• Grant date: Oct 28, 2014
• Expiry date: Oct 22, 2032

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02A90/10
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Reciprocating positive-displacement membrane pumps (which may be referred to hereinafter as “pods,” “pump pods,” or “pod pumps”) used to pump fluids, such as a biological fluid (e.g., blood or peritoneal fluid), a therapeutic fluid (e.g., a medication solution), or a surfactant fluid are disclosed. The speed of a pump stroke can be adjusted by altering a frequency of pressure pulses delivered to the pump membrane during a fill stroke or a delivery stroke of the pump. A pumping algorithm may divide a pump stroke into an initial pumping period and a end-of-stroke pumping period, with the pressure pulse duration being longer during the initial pumping period. This arrangement may allow for a minimum pump flow rate while also providing a pressure ripple that can be used to detect the end of a pump stroke.