GB2570320A

GB2570320A - Peristaltic rotor unit, clamp and tube connector

Info

Publication number: GB2570320A
Application number: GB1800904.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Cristian Hautenne Hanson Alexander; Keith Lacy Graham
Original assignee: Watson Marlow Ltd
Current assignee: Watson Marlow Ltd
Priority date: 2018-01-19
Filing date: 2018-01-19
Publication date: 2019-07-24
Also published as: TW201932710A; WO2019141489A1; GB201800904D0

Abstract

A peristaltic rotor unit 100 comprising a housing 102, a track 104 within the housing defining a tube pathway, a rotor 106 within the housing to compress the tube 2, a shaft attachment (206, fig 2) joining the rotor to a shaft of a rotary drive unit (200) outside the housing. A monitoring unit (120) is configured to monitor rotation of the rotor and calculate and display a rotation parameter relating to the rotor’s rate of rotation. Also claimed is a peristaltic rotor unit comprising an adjustable tube clamp (110, fig 4) comprising a pair of jaws (144), (146) configured to clamp a portion of the tube, at least one of which is provided on an indexing mechanism (152, fig 5). The indexing mechanism comprises a jaw support (154) and an indexing cam. The indexing cam (160) comprises a rotatable adjustment dial (162) and a cam surface (166) comprising a plurality of steps (168), which engages with a cam follower (158) of the jaw support, where rotation of the dial allows the jaw support to slide towards the opposing jaw. Also claimed is a tube guide (700, fig 6, 7) comprising two opposing mounting members (702), each with a tube fastener (704), and an arcuate support rail (708) extending therebetween. The support rail provides a guide for preventing twist when inserting the tube.

Description

(57) A peristaltic rotor unit 100 comprising a housing 102, a track 104 within the housing defining a tube pathway, a rotor 106 within the housing to compress the tube 2, a shaft attachment (206, fig 2) joining the rotor to a shaft of a rotary drive unit (200) outside the housing. A monitoring unit (120) is configured to monitor rotation of the rotor and calculate and display a rotation parameter relating to the rotor’s rate of rotation. Also claimed is a peristaltic rotor unit comprising an adjustable tube clamp (110, fig 4) comprising a pair of jaws (144), (146) configured to clamp a portion of the tube, at least one of which is provided on an indexing mechanism (152, fig 5). The indexing mechanism comprises a jaw support (154) and an indexing cam. The indexing cam (160) comprises a rotatable adjustment dial (162) and a cam surface (166) comprising a plurality of steps (168), which engages with a cam follower (158) of the jaw support, where rotation of the dial allows the jaw support to slide towards the opposing jaw. Also claimed is a tube guide (700, fig 6, 7) comprising two opposing mounting members (702), each with a tube fastener (704), and an arcuate support rail (708) extending therebetween. The support rail provides a guide for preventing twist when inserting the tube.

100

Figure 1

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100

Figure 1

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Figure 2

Figure 3A

Figure 3B

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102

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Figure 4

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Figure 5

5/6

Figure 6

700

Figure 7

6/6

Figure 9

PERISTALTIC ROTOR UNIT, CLAMP AND TUBE CONNECTOR

The technology disclosed relates to a peristaltic rotor unit, a clamp and a connector for a peristaltic pump.

Peristaltic pumps are used to convey a fluid along a tube without exposing the fluid to any parts of the pump other than the tube. As such, peristaltic pumps are commonly used in the medical field and for any application where it is desirable to isolate a fluid from any potential contaminants.

Equipment manufacturers typically provide an integrated peristaltic pump unit comprising a drive (i.e. a motor), a drive controller, and a rotor driven by the drive to compress a tube against a track to drive a fluid therethrough by peristaltic action. The drive controller may configured to control the drive unit to achieve a predetermined rate of flow through the integrated pump unit.

Some equipment manufacturers also provide unpowered peristaltic rotor units which may be driven be a separate drive unit. Operators of such peristaltic rotor units may procure a separate drive unit for operating the unpowered peristaltic rotor unit to construct a system of parts according to their particular requirements.

According to first aspect of the disclosure there is provided a peristaltic rotor unit comprising: a housing; a track within the housing defining a pathway for a tube; a rotor within the housing configured to compress a tube received along the pathway against the track to drive fluid therethrough by peristaltic action; a shaft attachment coupled to or integral with the rotor and configured to receive a shaft extending from a rotary drive unit outside the housing to drive rotation of the rotor; and a monitoring unit configured to monitor rotation of the rotor, and calculate and display a rotation parameter relating to a rate of rotation of the rotor.

The monitoring unit may comprise a rotary encoder, which may be an absolute or incremental encoder.

There may be a detection element on or coupled to the rotor. The monitoring unit may comprise a sensor configured to detect the detection element passing the rotary encoder.

The peristaltic rotor unit may comprise a rotary disc mounted on the rotor, wherein the detection element is provided on the rotary disc. The rotary disc may protrude beyond the rotor along the radial axis.

The peristaltic rotor unit may comprise a plurality of detection elements circumferentially distributed around the rotor.

The detection elements may be provided in an irregular pattern around the rotor. The monitoring unit may be configured to determine a direction of rotation based on the order of detection of the optical sources.

The monitoring unit may comprise an optical sensor configured to detect the detection element. The detection element may be selected from the group consisting of: a marking, an opening or hole, a reflective surface, a light emitter. The peristaltic rotor unit may comprise a static light for illuminating the detection element or projecting through the detection element when the detection element is an opening.

The monitoring unit may comprise a proximity sensor configured to detect a detection element passing the proximity sensor. The proximity sensor may comprise a hall effect sensor or inductive coil, and the detection element may comprise a corresponding ferromagnetic element as a detection element.

The monitoring unit may be configured to calculate a rotation parameter selected from the group consisting of: revolutions per unit time (e.g. revolutions per minute), volumetric flow rate.

The monitoring unit may comprise a data output unit configured to transmit an output signal encoding the rotation parameter by a wired or wireless connection for use by a separate rotary drive unit.

According to a second aspect of the disclosure there is provided a peristaltic rotor unit comprising: a track defining a pathway for a tube; a rotor configured to compress a tube received along the pathway against the track to drive fluid therethrough by peristaltic action; an adjustable tube clamp comprising a pair of jaws configured to clamp a portion of a tube received along the pathway, at least one of the jaws being provided on an indexing mechanism.

According to the second aspect the indexing mechanism comprises: a jaw support which supports the respective jaw and is slidable along a clamping direction towards the opposing jaw, the jaw support comprising a cam follower; an indexing cam comprising an adjustment dial rotatable about a rotation axis and a cam surface comprising a plurality of steps distributed around the rotation axis at incremental positions along the rotation axis, each one of the steps being configured to engage the cam follower when aligned with the cam follower; whereby the indexing cam is rotatable to selectively align any one of the steps with the cam follower such that the respective jaw is retained in a corresponding predetermined position along the clamping direction.

The clamping direction may be parallel with the rotation axis of the indexing cam.

The indexing cam may comprise slopes between steps such that rotation of the indexing cam causes the jaw support to slide along the clamping direction. There may be a terminal slope adjacent a last step of the plurality which is adjacent the last step only (i.e. it is not disposed between steps).

Each step may cooperate with an adjacent slope to define a valley, each valley having a common profile. The cam follower may have a profile corresponding to the common profile so that when a compression force acts between the cam follower and the indexing cam when the cam follower is engaged with a step of the plurality, the corresponding profiles of the valley and the cam follower cooperate to prevent relative rotation therebetween.

The indexing cam may be disposed within a housing of the peristaltic motor unit so that a portion of the adjustment dial protrudes through a dial opening in the housing.

According to a third aspect of the disclosure there is provided a kit comprising a peristaltic rotor unit and a tube guide. The peristaltic rotor unit comprises: an arcuate track defining a pathway for a tube; a rotor configured to compress a tube received along the pathway against the track to drive fluid therethrough by peristaltic action; and a support structure comprising two locating mounts disposed towards respective ends of the track, each configured to cooperate with a respective mounting member of the tube guide. The tube guide comprises two mounting members each configured to cooperate with a respective locating mount of the peristaltic rotor unit and hold a length of tube between them, each mounting member comprising a tube fastener configured to receive a respective end of the length of tube so that an opening of the fastener is concentric with the tube; an arcuate support rail extending between the mounting members so that they are separated along a longitudinal axis extending between the respective tube fasteners; wherein the support rail has a profile corresponding to the arcuate track of the peristaltic rotor unit and is laterally spaced apart from the longitudinal axis so that in use a tube following the profile of the arcuate support rail between the tube fasteners can directly engage the track of the peristaltic rotor unit; whereby the arcuate support rail provides a guide for orientation of a tube for insertion in the peristaltic rotor unit, and prevents twist and maintains a predetermined longitudinal separation between the mounting members for insertion into the peristaltic rotor unit.

The arcuate support rail may be substantially rigid to maintain the longitudinal spacing between the mounting members.

Each mounting member may be configured to hold a length of a continuous tube between them so that portions of the continuous tube through the respective mounting members. The tube fastener of each mounting member may be configured to clamp around the tube.

Alternatively, each mounting member may comprise: an inner tube connector forming the tube fastener and projecting towards the opposing mounting member and configured to receive a respective end of a pumping tube which terminates at the respective mounting members; and an outer tube connector projecting away from the opposing mounting member and configured to receive an end of an inlet or outlet tube which terminates at the respective mounting member. The kit may further comprise a pumping tube received on the inner tube connectors so as to extend between the mounting members.

A kit according to the third aspect may comprise two parallel arcuate support rails extending between the mounting members in side by side relationship, each separated apart from the longitudinal axis in opposing lateral directions.

According to a fourth aspect of the disclosure there is provided a tube guide for a peristaltic rotor unit which comprises an arcuate track defining a pathway for a pumping tube and a rotor to compress the pumping tube against the track to drive fluid therethrough by peristaltic action, the tube guide comprising: two opposing mounting members configured to hold a length of tube between them, each mounting member comprising a tube fastener configured to receive a respective end of the length of tube so that an opening of the fastener is concentric with the tube; an arcuate support rail extending between the mounting members so that they are separated along a longitudinal axis extending between the respective tube fasteners; wherein the support rail is laterally spaced apart from the longitudinal axis so that in use a tube following the profile of the arcuate support rail between the tube fasteners is laterally adjacent the support rail; whereby the arcuate support rail provides a guide for orientation of a tube for insertion in a peristaltic rotor unit, and prevents twist and maintains a predetermined longitudinal separation between the mounting members for accurate placement of the tube in a peristaltic rotor unit having corresponding locating mounts.

Each mounting member may be configured to hold an end portion of a length of a continuous tube so that the continuous tube extends through the respective mounting members. The tube fastener of each mounting member may be configured to clamp around the tube.

Alternatively, each mounting member may comprise: an inner tube connector projecting towards the opposing mounting member and configured to receive a respective end of a pumping tube which terminates at the respective mounting members; and an outer tube connector projecting away from the opposing mounting member and configured to receive an end of an inlet or outlet tube which terminates at the respective mounting member.

There may be two parallel arcuate support rails extending between the mounting members in side by side relationship, each separated apart from the longitudinal axis in opposing lateral directions.

The skilled person will appreciate that, except where mutually exclusive, a feature described in relation to any one of the above aspects may be applied mutatis mutandis to any other aspect. Furthermore, except where mutually exclusive any feature described herein may be applied to any aspect and/or combined with any other feature described herein.

The technology of the present disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 schematically shows a cross-sectional view of an example peristaltic rotor unit;

Figure 2 schematically shows a cross-sectional view of components of a peristaltic pump system;

Figures 3a and 3B schematically show detection elements on or coupled to a rotor;

Figure 4 schematically shows a side view of a peristaltic rotor unit including an adjustable tube clamp;

Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the adjustable tube clamp of Figure 4;

Figures 6 and 7 schematically show cross-sectional and perspective views of a first example tube guide; and

Figures 8 and 9 schematically show cross-sectional and perspective views of a second example tube guide.

Figure 1 shows an example peristaltic rotor unit 100 comprising a housing 102, a track 104 within the housing and a rotor 106 within the housing. The track 104 is static in use and defines a pathway for a tube 2 which in this example extends through the peristaltic rotor unit 100 from an inlet tube clamp 110 to an outlet tube clamp 112.

In this example, the pathway is curved to correspond to the path of compressing rollers 108 which in use are driven by the rotor 106 to move along the tube 2 and compress it against the track 104 to drive fluid within the tube 2 along the tube by peristaltic action.

In this particular example, the rotor 106 comprises three such rollers 108, but in other examples a rotor may have a different configuration. Further, whilst Figure 1 shows the track positioned above the rotor 106, in other examples a different relative configuration may be used.

In this example, the track 104 is a surface of a track body 103 received within the housing 102. The track body 103 may be static in use, and may be configured to move relative a rotation axis R of the rotor 106 to permit loading of a tube. For example, the track body 103 may be lifted relative the rotor 106 to permit loading of a tube 2 into the peristaltic rotor unit 100 along a loading direction substantially parallel with the rotation axis. A tube 2 may be loaded along such a loading direction within a tube guide which provides a protective and guiding framework for loading a tube 2 in a shape and configuration corresponding to the track 104. In other examples, a tube 2 may loaded along such a loading direction (i.e. substantially parallel with the rotation axis) as a flexed tube or as a straight tube (provided that the track body 103 is moved relative the rotor 106 sufficiently for loading a straight tube). The track body 103 may be actuated to move by any suitable means, such as a lever and cam mechanism for translating rotary motion of the lever into translational movement of the track body 103.

In other examples, a tube may be loaded through one of the inlet or outlet tube clamps and along the track 104 by action of the rotor 106. Accordingly, in some examples a tube may be loaded without any relative movement between the track and the rotation axis R of the rotor 106.

Figure 2 shows selected components of the peristaltic rotor unit 100 of Figure 1 together with a separate drive unit 200, together forming a peristaltic pump system.

The drive unit 200 comprises a drive unit housing 202, a motor 204 within the housing 202, and a shaft 206 extending from the motor through the housing 202 towards the peristaltic rotor unit 100. As shown in Figure 2, the peristaltic rotor unit 100 and the drive unit 200 are separate and their housings are spaced apart. The peristaltic rotor unit 100 comprises a shaft attachment integral with the rotor which is configured to receive an end of the shaft 206 from outside the housing 102 to drive rotation of the rotor 106. In this example, the shaft attachment is a recess in the rotor 106, however, in other examples the shaft attachment may comprise any suitable attachment, and may be integral with or coupled to the rotor.

In this example, the peristaltic rotor unit 100 comprises a monitoring unit 120 configured to monitor rotation of the rotor 106, calculate and display a rotation parameter relating to a rate of rotation of the rotor. For example, the monitoring unit may comprise a rotary encoder, such as an absolute or incremental encoder as will be described below.

As shown in Figure 2, the monitoring unit comprises a sensor 122 opposing the rotor 106 so as to detect one or more detection elements on the rotor 106. In this particular example, the rotor 106 is provided with a rotary disc 107 mounted to a functional core of the rotor 106 which presses the tube against the track in use, and which radially protrudes beyond a profile of the rotor 106. However, in other examples, detection elements may be provided directly on the rotor 106.

The monitoring unit 120 further comprises a controller 124 coupled to a power input 100 and a display 126. The controller 124 is configured to calculate a rotation parameter relating to a rate of rotation of the rotor based on an output of the sensor 122 received through a data connection, and the display 126 is configured to display the rotation parameter as received from the controller 124. As shown, the monitoring unit is coupled to a power terminal 128 for receiving power.

A plurality of detection elements may be distributed circumferentially around the rotor 106 in a pattern (i.e. whether they are mounted directly on the rotor or on a rotary disc as in the present example). Figures 3A and 3B show two examples of the rotary disc as provided with detection elements 130. In both examples, only minor angular segments of the disc 107 are shown, but it will be appreciated that these segments may be representative of a continuing or repeating pattern around the whole circumference of the rotor 106.

In the example of Figure 3A, there are equally-angularly spaced detection elements 130 of equal size distributed around the rotor. For example, the detection elements may be markings on the rotary disc 107.

In use, the controller may determine a rate of rotation of the rotor based on a rate at which the detection elements are detected. The controller may calculate a rotation parameter, for example angular speed in units of revolutions per minute (rpm) or flow rate based on a predetermined relationship for the rotor, such as a relationship between angular speed and flow rate.

In the example of Figure 3B, there is a repeating irregular pattern of detection elements 131, 132, 133. By way of example, the irregular pattern comprises three detection elements of irregular angular spacing and angular size or extent. The pattern of three detection elements may repeat around the rotor.

In use, the controller may determine a rate of rotation of the rotor based on detecting each detection element and predetermined information as to the configuration of the detection elements around the rotor. Accordingly, the controller may calculate a rotation parameter, for example angular speed in units of revolutions per minute (rpm) or flow rate based on a predetermined relationship for the rotor, such as a relationship between angular speed and flow rate. Further, as the pattern of detection elements is irregular, the controller may determine the direction of rotation.

Referring again to Figure 2, in this particular example, the sensor 122 comprises an optical sensor configured to detect the or each detection element based on light received from, through or reflected from the respective detection element. For example, suitable detection elements include markings, an opening or hole (through which a light may be projected), a reflective surface (which may reflect a light emitted by or from near the optical sensor), or a light emitter such as an LED. A light may be provided within the housing 102 for illuminating a detection element.

In other examples, other types of sensors may be used. For example, a proximity sensor may be used such as a hall effect or inductive coil sensor. Any suitable detection element may be selected for use with the particular type of proximity sensor. For example, a detection element may comprise a ferromagnetic element when the proximity sensor is a hall effect sensor or an inductive coil.

Further, whilst examples have been described in which detection elements are provided in a repeating pattern to permit use of the sensor as an incremental encoder, in other examples detection elements may be distributed around the rotor in a nonrepeating pattern such that the angular position of the rotor may be determined by the monitoring unit, to thereby provide an absolute encoder.

By providing a monitoring unit configured to monitor rotation of the rotor which is within the housing of the rotor unit and separate from any drive unit, and which calculates and displays a rotation parameter, the technology disclosed herein enables an operator to monitor rotation parameters such as flow rate of fluid through the rotor, without any need to calibrate a controller of a drive unit according to a relationship (which would need determining) between rotary speed of the drive unit and the rotation parameter, or the installation of any flow meter or other monitor upstream or downstream of the peristaltic pump unit.

In some examples, the monitoring unit may comprise a data output unit configured to transmit an output signal encoding the rotation parameter by a wired or wireless connection for use by a separate rotary drive unit. For example, the output signal may be transmitted through a combined power and communication port 128, or may be wirelessly transmitted by the controller 124. The drive unit may use the output signal for control of a separate motor, for example PID control to target a particular rotation parameter.

Figure 4 shows a side view of the example peristaltic rotor unit 100 of Figures 1-3 including a partial view of the adjustable inlet tube clamp 110 as visible through a clamp window 140 and a dial window 142 of the housing 102.

In this example, the tube clamp 110 comprises a static upper jaw 144 and a slidable lower jaw 146 operated by an adjustment dial 148, which define therebetween an adjustable clamp opening 150 configured to clamp a portion of a tube, such as the tube received along the pathway defined by the track as described above. In this example, the jaws have opposing chevron-shaped jaws configured to define a diamond or rhombus-shaped clamp opening 150.

As shown in Figure 5, the lower jaw 146 is provided on an indexing mechanism 152 comprising a slidable jaw support 154 which supports the jaw 146 and is slidable along a clamping direction C towards the opposing jaw (not shown). As shown in Figure 5, the jaw support 154 comprises a substantially cuboidal frame which has the lower jaw 146 as its upper portion, and a driver 156 in the form of a cuboidal block assembled into a generally cuboidal recess in its lower portion so as to support the frame. The driver 156 includes a cam follower 158 which extends downwardly to engage an indexing cam 160 as will be described in detail below. In other examples, the cam follower may be integral with the jaw support 154 and the lower jaw 146.

The indexing cam 160 is a rotational body which defines different levels or heights for the cam follower correlating to different angular positions of the rotational body. In this example, the indexing cam 160 comprises an adjustment dial 162 at its lower end, which in use partially extends out of the dial window 142 as described above with respect to Figure 3 and is rotatable about a dial axis D which in this example is parallel with the clamping direction C. For example, the indexing cam 160 may be received on a rotation pin mounted to the base wall of the housing 102 which permits rotation of the cam. A pedestal 164 extends along the dial axis D from the adjustment dial and defines a cam surface 166 including a plurality of steps 168 distributed around the dial axis D at incremental positions along the dial axis. Each step 168 is configured to engage the cam follower 158 when aligned with the cam follower 158.

As shown in Figure 5, the steps 168 are interposed with slopes 169 therebetween such that rotation of the indexing cam causes the jaw support 146 to slide along the clamping direction C following the steps and slopes.

Each step cooperates with the adjacent slope (the slope to the next highest step which would move the jaw in a direction to clamp a tube) to define a valley 170, each valley having the same common profile. The cam follower is similarly profiled so that when the cam follower engages a step and there is a compression or biasing force (for example, owing to weight of the jaw support on the cam follower and indexing cam), the corresponding profiles of the valley and the cam follower cooperate to prevent relative rotation between them. In this example, a final (highest) slope as shown in Figure 5 is provided with a terminal slope 172 adjacent the last step only to define such a valley for engaging the cam follower.

In use, the indexing cam 160 is rotatable to selectively align any one of the steps 168 with the cam follower 158 such that the respective jaw 146 is retained in a corresponding predetermined position along the clamping direction C.

In other examples, the steps may be substantially planar and normal to the rotation axis. Further, in these and other examples, there may be no slopes between adjacent steps, and an operator may lift the jaw support and rotate the indexing cam whilst disengaged to a new position, before reengaging.

The above description applies equally to the outlet tube clamp 112 described above with respect to Figure 1.

By providing an indexing mechanism for the jaw as described herein, an operator may adjust the dial to place the jaw in a predetermined position along the clamping direction, so as to exert a predetermined clamping action against a tube. The indexing mechanism prevents gradual unwind or creep of the position of the clamping jaws, and means that a pumping setup can be reproduced accurately even after withdrawal and reinsertion of a tube. The position of the jaws to clamp a tube, and the amount the clamp or compress a tube to retain it, may affect the flow rate and pressure drop of fluid through the peristaltic rotor unit. Accordingly, the applicant considers it advantageous to provide the indexing mechanism to ensure repeatability of any particular setup, without hysteresis of the clamping mechanism or gradual unwinding or creep.

Figures 6 and 7 show a tube guide for orienting and inserting a tube into a peristaltic rotor unit, such as the peristaltic rotor unit substantially as described above with respect to Figures 1-4, but with locating mounts for a tube guide rather than inlet and outlet tube clamps. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view through a lower portion of a housing 602 of a peristaltic rotor unit 600 which is provided with a tube guide 700 as also shown in perspective view in Figure 7.

Whilst only a lower portion of the housing 602 of the peristaltic rotor unit 600 is shown in Figure 6 to simplify the drawing, it should be appreciated that the peristaltic rotor unit 600 may have any of the features of the peristaltic rotor unit 100 described above, except for the tube guide clamps.

As shown in Figure 6, the lower portion of the housing 602 comprises a base and two side walls terminating at tube receiving ends. The side walls each comprise a locating mount 604 for receiving a mounting member 702 of the tube guide 700. In this example, the locating mount is a recess configured to slidably receive a mounting member of the tube guide 700 and provided with rails 606 for locating in corresponding recesses in the mounting members themselves so that that they are keyed together.

The housing 602 is substantially rigid so that, when installed in the locating mounts, the mounting members are prevented from twisting and moving longitudinally apart.

The tube guide 700 comprises two mounting members 702 longitudinally spaced apart along a longitudinal axis L. In this example, each mounting member comprises a tube fastener in the form of an inner connector 704 extending towards the other mounting member 702 and configured to receive an end of a length of a pumping tube 2 (i.e. a short length of tube which terminates at the mounting members in use), and an outer connector 706 extending outwardly from the respective mounting member 702 (i.e. away from the other mounting member 702) for receiving a length of inlet or outlet tube for conveying fluid to or away from the mounting members 702 and the pumping tube 2 held therebetween. In this example, the inner connectors 704 are each in the form of a nozzle having an opening configured for fluid communication with an interior of the tube when an end of the tube is received around the nozzle, such that the opening is concentric with the tube. The longitudinal axis L extends between the tube fasteners I nozzles 704.

Each mounting member 702 is configured to cooperate with a corresponding locating mount 604 of the peristaltic unit. As mentioned above, each mounting member 702 has recesses 703 configured to cooperate with rails 606 defined in the recess of the locating mount. In this example, the mounting member comprises two such recesses configured to cooperate with rails at either lateral side of the mounting member. A lower insertion end of the mounting member has chamfered edges configured to cooperate with a tapered profile of a recess, such that the mounting member can be received in the recess in a single orientation, with other orientations prevented. It will be appreciated that any suitable cooperating features may be used between the locating mounts 604 and the mounting members 702.

The tube guide 700 further comprises a pair of arcuate support rails 708 which extend between the mounting members 702 and are laterally offset from the longitudinal axis L in side-by-side parallel relationship. The arcuate support rails 708 are configured to maintain the mounting members 702 at a predetermined longitudinal separation and prevent twist between them. Accordingly, a pumping tube 2 may be loaded into the tube guide and a user can manipulate the tube guide as a unitary body to place and install it into a peristaltic rotor unit. This may improve reliability and ease of insertion of the pumping tube into the peristaltic rotor unit. In particular, as the mounting members are held at a predetermined longitudinal separation before installation, a user need only align one of the mounting members with a corresponding locating mount and the other mounting member will correspondingly be aligned with its respective locating mount. Further, the length, shape and curvature of the pumping tube 2 are predetermined by proper installation of the tube 2 into the tube guide, before insertion and installation of the tube guide together with the pumping tube into the peristaltic rotor unit. If a length of tube clamped in a peristaltic rotor unit is too long or short, this adversely affects pumping performance. If the shape and/or curvature of the tube is not properly aligned with the track during installation, the track and rotor may not properly engage and compress the tube, which may result in reduced pumping performance or equipment failure.

Further, by virtue of their arcuate shape, the support rails are able to fit in the space between the roller and track of a peristaltic rotor unit, and also provide a visual guide for configuring the pumping tube 2 along an arcuate pathway for alignment and insertion into a peristaltic rotor unit. Accordingly, provision of the arcuate pathway may improve reliability of configuring and inserting a pumping tube 2 for insertion into a pumping unit.

Whilst a pair of arcuate support rails has been described, it will be appreciated that in other examples a single arcuate support rail may be provided to have a similar effect.

A peristaltic rotor unit 600 and tube guide 700 may be provided as a kit.

Figures 8 and 9 show a further example of a tube guide 900. Figure 8 shows a crosssectional view of the tube guide 900 as received in a peristaltic rotor unit 600 substantially as described above with respect to Figure 6. Figure 9 shows a perspective view of the tube guide 900.

The tube guide 900 of this example differs from the tube guide 700 described above in that it is configured to hold a portion of a continuous tube 3 which extends through the tube guide. Whilst the mounting members of the tube guide 700 of Figure 7 comprise connectors for receiving a terminal end of a pumping tube 2, the mounting members of the tube guide 900 of Figures 8 and 9 are configured so that the continuous tube 3 passes therethrough.

The tube guide 900 comprises two mounting members 902 which are configured to be received in a cooperating recess 604 of the peristaltic rotor unit substantially as described with respect to Figure 6 above, resulting in the same advantages. In this particular example, the mounting members 902 are not provided with recesses for cooperating with any rails of the recess as described above, but in other examples such rails and recesses may be provided.

The mounting members are configured to clamp around a portion of the continuous tube 3 corresponding to an end of the length of the continuous tube that is to be held between the mounting members for insertion into the peristaltic rotor unit.

Any suitable clamping or holding arrangement can be used. In this particular example, the mounting members 902 comprises a hinged pair of jaws with a closing latch, which is configured to open to receive a portion of the tube and close around the tube such that in use the opening of the jaws is concentric with the tube. In other examples, different clamping or holding arrangements can be used, such as a resilient open loop clip.

As shown in Figures 8 and 9, two arcuate rails 908 extend between the mounting members and are configured as described above with respect to the arcuate rails 708 of Figures 6 and 7.

In use, a portion of a continuous tube 3 may be loaded into the tube guide 900 so that it extends beyond the respective mounting members 902. A user can then manipulate the tube guide as a unitary body to place and install it and the portion of the tube 3 into a peristaltic rotor unit. This may improve reliability and ease of insertion of the portion of tube into the peristaltic rotor unit. In particular, as the mounting members are held at a predetermined longitudinal separation before installation, a user need only align one of the mounting members with a corresponding locating mount and the other mounting member will correspondingly be aligned with its respective locating mount. Further, the length, shape and curvature of the portion of the tube 3 are predetermined by proper installation of the tube 3 into the tube guide, before insertion and installation of the tube guide together with the pumping tube into the peristaltic rotor unit.

It will be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments abovedescribed and various modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the concepts described herein. Except where mutually exclusive, any of the features may be employed separately or in combination with any other features and the 5 disclosure extends to and includes all combinations and sub-combinations of one or more features described herein.

Claims

1. A peristaltic rotor unit comprising:

a housing;

a track within the housing defining a pathway for a tube;

a rotor within the housing configured to compress a tube received along the pathway against the track to drive fluid therethrough by peristaltic action;

a shaft attachment coupled to or integral with the rotor and configured to receive a shaft extending from a rotary drive unit outside the housing to drive rotation of the rotor; and a monitoring unit configured to monitor rotation of the rotor, and calculate and display a rotation parameter relating to a rate of rotation of the rotor.

2. A peristaltic rotor unit according to claim 1, wherein the monitoring unit comprises a rotary encoder.

3. A peristaltic rotor unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein there is a detection element on or coupled to the rotor, and wherein the monitoring unit comprises a sensor configured to detect the detection element passing the rotary encoder.

4. A peristaltic rotor unit according to claim 3, comprising a rotary disc mounted on the rotor, wherein the detection element is provided on the rotary disc.

5. A peristaltic rotor unit according to claim 3 or 4, comprising a plurality of detection elements circumferentially distributed around the rotor.

6. A peristaltic rotor unit according to any of claims 3 to 5, wherein the detection elements are provided in an irregular pattern around the rotor, and wherein the monitoring unit is configured to determine a direction of rotation based on the order of detection of the optical sources.

7. A peristaltic rotor unit according to any of claims 3 to 6, wherein the monitoring unit comprises an optical sensor configured to detect the detection element.

8. A peristaltic rotor unit according to claim 7, wherein the detection element is selected from the group consisting of: a marking, an opening or hole, a reflective surface, a light emitter.

9. A peristaltic rotor unit according to any of claims 3 to 6, wherein the monitoring unit comprises a proximity sensor configured to detect a detection element passing the proximity sensor.

10. A peristaltic rotor unit according to claim 9, wherein the proximity sensor comprises a hall effect sensor or inductive coil, and wherein the detection element comprises a ferromagnetic element.

11. A peristaltic rotor unit according to any preceding claim, wherein the monitoring unit is configured to calculate a rotation parameter selected from the group consisting of: revolutions per unit time (e.g. revolutions per minute), volumetric flow rate.

12. A peristaltic rotor unit according to any preceding claim, wherein the monitoring unit comprises a data output unit configured to transmit an output signal encoding the rotation parameter by a wired or wireless connection for use by a separate rotary drive unit.

13. A peristaltic rotor unit comprising:

a track defining a pathway for a tube;

a rotor configured to compress a tube received along the pathway against the track to drive fluid therethrough by peristaltic action;

an adjustable tube clamp comprising a pair of jaws configured to clamp a portion of a tube received along the pathway, at least one of the jaws being provided on an indexing mechanism comprising:

a jaw support which supports the respective jaw and is slidable along a clamping direction towards the opposing jaw, the jaw support comprising a cam follower;

an indexing cam comprising an adjustment dial rotatable about a rotation axis and a cam surface comprising a plurality of steps distributed around the rotation axis at incremental positions along the rotation axis, each one of the steps being configured to engage the cam follower when aligned with the cam follower;

whereby the indexing cam is rotatable to selectively align any one of the steps with the cam follower such that the respective jaw is retained in a corresponding predetermined position along the clamping direction.

14. A peristaltic rotor unit according to claim 13, wherein the clamping direction is parallel with the rotation axis of the indexing cam.

15. A peristaltic rotor unit according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the indexing cam comprises slopes between steps such that rotation of the indexing cam causes the jaw support to slide along the clamping direction.

16. A peristaltic rotor unit according to claim 15, wherein each step cooperates with an adjacent slope to define a valley, each valley having a common profile;

and wherein the cam follower has a profile corresponding to the common profile so that when a compression force acts between the cam follower and the indexing cam when the cam follower is engaged with a step of the plurality, the corresponding profiles of the valley and the cam follower cooperate to prevent relative rotation therebetween.

17. A peristaltic rotor unit according to any of claims 13 to 16, wherein the indexing cam is disposed within a housing of the peristaltic motor unit so that a portion of the adjustment dial protrudes through a dial opening in the housing.

18. A kit comprising a peristaltic rotor unit and a tube guide:

the peristaltic rotor unit comprising:

an arcuate track defining a pathway for a tube;

a support structure comprising two locating mounts disposed towards respective ends of the track, each configured to cooperate with a respective mounting member of the tube guide;

the tube guide comprising:

two mounting members each configured to cooperate with a respective locating mount of the peristaltic rotor unit and hold a length of tube between them, each mounting member comprising a tube fastener configured to receive a respective end of the length of tube so that an opening of the fastener is concentric with the tube;

an arcuate support rail extending between the mounting members so that they are separated along a longitudinal axis extending between the respective tube fasteners;

wherein the support rail has a profile corresponding to the arcuate track of the peristaltic rotor unit and is laterally spaced apart from the longitudinal axis so that in use a tube following the profile of the arcuate support rail between the tube fasteners can directly engage the track of the peristaltic rotor unit;

whereby the arcuate support rail provides a guide for orientation of a tube for insertion in the peristaltic rotor unit, and prevents twist and maintains a predetermined longitudinal separation between the mounting members for insertion into the peristaltic rotor unit.

19. A kit according to claim 18, wherein each mounting member is configured to hold a length of a continuous tube between them so that portions of the continuous tube extend through the respective mounting members, wherein the tube fastener of each mounting member is configured to clamp around the tube.

20. A kit according to claim 18, wherein each mounting member comprises:

an inner tube connector forming the tube fastener and projecting towards the opposing mounting member and configured to receive a respective end of a pumping tube which terminates at the respective mounting members; and an outer tube connector projecting away from the opposing mounting member and configured to receive an end of an inlet or outlet tube which terminates at the respective mounting member.

21. A kit according to any of claims 18 to 20, wherein there are two parallel arcuate support rails extending between the mounting members in side by side relationship, each separated apart from the longitudinal axis in opposing lateral directions.

22. A tube guide for a peristaltic rotor unit which comprises an arcuate track defining a pathway for a pumping tube and a rotor to compress the pumping tube against the track to drive fluid therethrough by peristaltic action, the tube guide comprising:

two opposing mounting members configured to hold a length of tube between them, each mounting member comprising a tube fastener configured to receive a respective end of the length of tube so that an opening of the fastener is concentric with the tube;

wherein the support rail is laterally spaced apart from the longitudinal axis so that in use a tube following the profile of the arcuate support rail between the tube fasteners is laterally adjacent the support rail;

whereby the arcuate support rail provides a guide for orientation of a tube for insertion in a peristaltic rotor unit, and prevents twist and maintains a predetermined longitudinal separation between the mounting members for accurate placement of the tube in a peristaltic rotor unit having corresponding locating mounts.

23. A tube guide according to claim 22, wherein each mounting member is configured to hold an end portion of a length of a continuous tube so that the continuous tube extends through the respective mounting members, wherein the tube fastener of each mounting member is configured to clamp around the tube.

24. A tube guide according to claim 22, wherein each mounting member comprises: an inner tube connector projecting towards the opposing mounting member and configured to receive a respective end of a pumping tube which terminates at the respective mounting members; and an outer tube connector projecting away from the opposing mounting member and configured to receive an end of an inlet or outlet tube which terminates at the respective mounting member.

25. A tube guide according to any of claims 22 to 24, wherein there are two parallel arcuate support rails extending between the mounting members in side by side relationship, each separated apart from the longitudinal axis in opposing lateral directions.

Intellectual