A vacuum pump includes a hollow container that has a vacuum port and internal chamber walls. The vacuum port opens to an exterior of the container and the chamber walls define chambers that are in fluid communication with the vacuum port. There are flexible bladders disposed in the chambers. The flexible bladders include vents that open through the container to the exterior. A plunger in the container includes arms that extend into the chambers such that each of the flexible bladders is situated between one of the arms and one of the chamber walls. The plunger is moveable between a home position and an upstroke position to compress and deflate the flexible bladders via the vents and thereby change the volume of the flexible bladders. The change in the volume draws a vacuum through the vacuum port.

Disclosed is a device including at least one circulating zone and at least one fluid including at least one more-paramagnetic liquid and at least one less-paramagnetic liquid forming a liquid-liquid interphase, the device including at least one element generating, in the circulating zone, a magnetic field, wherein the less-paramagnetic liquid is surrounded by the more-paramagnetic liquid in the circulating zone or wherein the more-paramagnetic liquid is surrounded by the less-paramagnetic liquid in the circulating zone. Also disclosed is a method including circulating at least one less-paramagnetic liquid inside one or more circulating zones of a device including at least one circulating zone and at least one more-paramagnetic liquid in the circulating zone.

Disclosed is a device including at least one circulating zone and at least one fluid including at least one more-paramagnetic liquid and at least one less-paramagnetic liquid forming a liquid-liquid interphase, the device including at least one element generating, in the circulating zone, a magnetic field, wherein the less-paramagnetic liquid is surrounded by the more-paramagnetic liquid in the circulating zone or wherein the more-paramagnetic liquid is surrounded by the less-paramagnetic liquid in the circulating zone. Also disclosed is a method including circulating at least one less-paramagnetic liquid inside one or more circulating zones of a device including at least one circulating zone and at least one more-paramagnetic liquid in the circulating zone.

A peristaltic transport device comprising a tube member having an inner space to receive material, the member includes a series of repeating sections wherein each of the sections includes a plurality of bladders to selectively occlude portions of the inner space according to a defined peristaltic sequence to transport the material through the inner space. An actuator assembly is coupled to the tube member to control the selective occlusion of the inner space by selectively expanding and contracting ones of the plurality of bladders according to the defined peristaltic sequence. The actuator assembly simultaneously controls corresponding ones of the plurality of bladders across the series of repeating sections.

A peristaltic transport device comprising a tube member having an inner space to receive material, the member includes a series of repeating sections wherein each of the sections includes a plurality of bladders to selectively occlude portions of the inner space according to a defined peristaltic sequence to transport the material through the inner space. An actuator assembly is coupled to the tube member to control the selective occlusion of the inner space by selectively expanding and contracting ones of the plurality of bladders according to the defined peristaltic sequence. The actuator assembly simultaneously controls corresponding ones of the plurality of bladders across the series of repeating sections.

According to examples of the disclosure there is provided a heat-driven pumping system and a method of pumping. The heat-driven pumping system comprises a closed circuit for a first liquid. The closed circuit comprises a vaporization portion. The vaporization portion is configured to receive heat from an external source. The vaporization portion is configured to cause vaporization of first liquid within the vaporization portion. Vaporization of first liquid within the vaporization portion thereby increases an amount of gas in the closed circuit. The closed circuit is sealed such that the increase in the amount of gas increases a pressure exerted on the first liquid. The heat-driven pumping system comprises a transfer means. The transfer means is configured to convert the pressure exerted on the first liquid into a pumping force. The pumping force is transferred to a pumping vessel for pumping a second liquid.

An electrochemically actuated pump and an electrochemical actuator for use with a pump. The pump includes one of various stroke volume multiplier configuration with the pressure of a pumping fluid assisting actuation of a driving fluid bellows. The electrochemical actuator has at least one electrode fluidically coupled to the driving fluid chamber of the first pump housing and at least one electrode fluidically coupled to the driving fluid chamber of the second pump housing. Accordingly, the electrochemical actuator selectively pressurized hydrogen gas within a driving fluid chamber.

An electrochemically actuated pump and an electrochemical actuator for use with a pump. The pump includes one of various stroke volume multiplier configuration with the pressure of a pumping fluid assisting actuation of a driving fluid bellows. The electrochemical actuator has at least one electrode fluidically coupled to the driving fluid chamber of the first pump housing and at least one electrode fluidically coupled to the driving fluid chamber of the second pump housing. Accordingly, the electrochemical actuator selectively pressurized hydrogen gas within a driving fluid chamber.

Downhole well pump assembly (1) having first and second pump units (7a, 7b) with first and second bellows (31) connected to inlet and outlet check valves. A drive fluid assembly (5) with first and second hydraulic drive lines (9a, 9b) communicates with the bellows. Hydraulic fluid is provided to the first and second hydraulic drive lines. A drive fluid distribution valve (11) is arranged between a drive pump (17) and the drive lines. It has a drive fluid inlet and outlet (113, 115), and first and second drive ports. The distribution valve (11) interchanges between a first mode, where the drive fluid inlet communicates with the first drive port and the drive fluid outlet (115) communicates with the second drive port; and a second mode, wherein the drive fluid inlet communicates with the second drive port, and the drive fluid outlet communicates with the first drive port.

Devices and methods for filling a medicament cartridge of a pump, including a user-wearable, ambulatory infusion pump. A device for supporting a medicament cartridge can comprise a body portion resembling a tray, with recesses disposed therein to support one or more of a cartridge body, cartridge tubing, interconnect fitting, and vial adapter. The recesses of the tray may be shaped to correspond to that component intended to be placed in its respective recess so to provide a visual indication to a user how to couple and align the various components necessary to fill the cartridge.