A CONVEYING DEVICE FOR CONVEYING MEDICAL FLUIDS THROUGH A HOSE

Abstract

A conveying device for conveying a medical fluid that is guided into a hose includes a rotor and a stator. The stator includes a stator base, an area for receiving the hose in the conveying device, and a hose bed providing a counter bearing for occlusion devices. The rotor includes a rotor axis and at least two occlusion devices that are attached radially to the rotor axis and that compress the hose intermittently against the hose bed during use of the conveying device. The rotor encompasses an axial guiding element that is arranged to rotate about its own longitudinal axis for aligning the hose in the stator. The longitudinal axis of the axial guiding element extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of the rotor axis. The axial guiding element includes a middle section and a first lateral section protruding radially over the middle section.

Claims

1-15. (canceled)

16. A conveying device for conveying a medical fluid that is guided into a hose, the conveying device comprising: a rotor; and a stator comprising: a stator base, an area for receiving the hose in the conveying device, and a hose bed providing a counter bearing for occlusion devices, wherein the rotor comprises a rotor axis and at least two occlusion devices that are attached radially to the rotor axis and that compress the hose intermittently against the hose bed during use of the conveying device, wherein the rotor encompasses an axial guiding element that is arranged to rotate about its own longitudinal axis for aligning the hose in the stator, wherein the longitudinal axis of the axial guiding element extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of the rotor axis, wherein the axial guiding element comprises a middle section and a first lateral section protruding radially over the middle section, wherein the first lateral section is rotatably arranged, and wherein part of the first lateral section protrudes radially over a section of an outer edge of the rotor.

17. The conveying device according to claim 16, wherein the axial guiding element is a first axial guiding element, and wherein the rotor further comprises a second axial guiding element, wherein at least one of the first and second axial guiding elements or at least one of the at least two occlusion devices is arranged on a swing arm of the rotor.

18. The conveying device according to claim 17, wherein the first and second axial guiding elements and/or the at least two occlusion devices are arranged opposite to each other on a common swing arm of the rotor.

19. The conveying device according to claim 16, wherein the rotor comprises a plurality of occlusion devices and a plurality of axial guiding elements that are arranged on a swing arm such that the plurality of axial guiding elements and the plurality of occlusion devices are arranged alternately in the rotor.

20. The conveying device according to claim 19, wherein at least one axial guiding element of the plurality of axial guiding elements comprises a second lateral section.

21. The conveying device according to claim 20, wherein the first and the second lateral sections of the at least one axial guiding element are conical and together form a double cone, wherein the middle section of the at least one axial guiding element is arranged between the first and the second lateral sections and connects them to each other.

22. The conveying device according to claim 21, wherein the first and second lateral sections are shaped differently from each other such that the double cone is not point-symmetrical to its geometric center of gravity.

23. The conveying device according to claim 16, wherein the rotor further comprises a lateral guiding element having its own longitudinal axis that extends perpendicular to the rotor axis that is arranged opposite to the stator base, and that limits a direction of the hose towards only a front or towards only an outside.

24. The conveying device according to claim 23, wherein the lateral guiding element is arranged rotatably about its own longitudinal axis.

25. The conveying device according to claim 16, wherein only the middle section of the axial guiding element is rotatable about its own longitudinal axis.

26. The conveying device according to claim 16, further comprising a cover element that at least partially covers the rotor.

27. The conveying device according to claim 26, wherein the cover element comprises at least one guiding lug for easy and safe insertion of the hose in the area between rotor and stator.

28. The conveying device according to claim 26, wherein at least one axial guiding element and/or one lateral guiding element is integrated into the cover element.

29. A blood treatment apparatus comprising a conveying device, the conveying device comprising: a rotor; and a stator comprising: a stator base, an area for receiving the hose in the conveying device, and a hose bed providing a counter bearing for occlusion devices, wherein the rotor comprises a rotor axis and at least two occlusion devices that are attached radially to the rotor axis and that compress the hose intermittently against the hose bed during use of the conveying device, wherein the rotor encompasses an axial guiding element that is arranged to rotate about its own longitudinal axis for aligning the hose in the stator, wherein the longitudinal axis of the axial guiding element extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of the rotor axis, wherein the axial guiding element comprises a middle section and a first lateral section protruding radially over the middle section, wherein the first lateral section is rotatably arranged, and wherein part of the first lateral section protrudes radially over a section of an outer edge of the rotor.

30. The blood treatment apparatus according to claim 29, wherein the blood treatment apparatus comprises one or more of a dialysis apparatus, a hemodialysis apparatus, a hemofiltration apparatus, a hemodiafiltration apparatus, an apheresis apparatus, a plasma treatment or plasma exchange apparatus, and a therapeutic plasma exchange apparatus.

31. The blood treatment apparatus according to claim 29, wherein the axial guiding element is a first axial guiding element, and wherein the rotor further comprises a second axial guiding element, wherein at least one of the first and second axial guiding elements or at least one of the at least two occlusion devices is arranged on a swing arm of the rotor.

32. The blood treatment apparatus according to claim 31, wherein the first and second axial guiding elements and/or the at least two occlusion devices are arranged opposite to each other on a common swing arm of the rotor.

33. The blood treatment apparatus according to claim 29, wherein the rotor comprises a plurality of occlusion devices and a plurality of axial guiding elements that are arranged on a swing arm such that the plurality of axial guiding elements and the plurality of occlusion devices are arranged alternately in the rotor.

34. The blood treatment apparatus according to claim 33, wherein at least one axial guiding element of the plurality of axial guiding elements comprises a second lateral section.

35. The blood treatment apparatus according to claim 34, wherein the first and the second lateral sections of the at least one axial guiding element are conical and together form a double cone, wherein the middle section of the at least one axial guiding element is arranged between the first and the second lateral sections and connects them to each other.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0078] In the following, the present disclosure is exemplarily explained based on the accompanying drawings in which identical reference numerals refer to the same or to identical components. In the figures, the following applies:

[0079] FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a conventional conveying device;

[0080] FIG. 2a shows a schematic representation of a first embodiment of the conveying device according to the present disclosure in a front view;

[0081] FIG. 2b shows the schematic representation of the conveying device of FIG. 2a with an inserted hose;

[0082] FIG. 3 shows a schematic representation of the conveying device according to the present disclosure of FIG. 2a with a view from below on an occlusion device and on an axial guiding element;

[0083] FIG. 4 shows a schematic representation of the rotor of FIG. 2a in the view according to FIG. 3 during the insertion of a hose using the guiding lug;

[0084] FIG. 5 shows a schematic representation of the rotor of the preceding figures in the view of FIG. 4 with an inserted hose;

[0085] FIG. 6 shows a schematically simplified sectional view of the rotor of the preceding figures with an inserted hose;

[0086] FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of the rotor of the preceding figures obliquely from below and from the front on its hose guiding area;

[0087] FIG. 8 shows a further embodiment according to the present disclosure of the conveying device with a perspective view on the rotor obliquely from outside, with a view on an occlusion device, an axial guiding element in an embodiment having only one lateral section, as well as with one lateral guiding element;

[0088] FIG. 9 shows the rotor of FIG. 8 in a front view;

[0089] FIG. 10 shows a section of a further embodiment of the conveying device according to the present disclosure with a view on the rotor in a slightly perspective view from below;

[0090] FIG. 11 shows a schematic representation of a further embodiment of the conveying device according to the present disclosure in a front view without the cover element with a view on the swing arms; and

[0091] FIG. 12 shows a schematic representation of a further embodiment of the conveying device according to the present disclosure in a front view without the cover element with a view on the common axis of the swing arm and the axial guiding element.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0092] FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a conventional conveying device as a pump unit having a stator 20 and a rotor 10. The hose 30 is located above the stator base 21 in the space between rotor 10 and stator 20. The rotor 10 of FIG. 1 does not include any axial guiding elements being provided by the present disclosure.

[0093] With the rotor 10 running, transverse movements (see opposite arrows Q-Q) take place in the hose 30 relative to the occlusion rollers 1 or to the guiding element 6. The frictional forces that occur during the rotation of the rotor act on the hose 30 such that the latter is stretched like a string between the hose inlet and the occlusion roller 1 (see the hose course from point P1 to point P2).

[0094] In embodiments of the conveying device in which the hose 30 does not extend purely tangential at the inlet and the outlet of the pump housing (30a and 30b respectively) but rather slightly kinked, such transverse movements occur under the tension mentioned. The hose 30 is here cyclically tensioned with each complete turn of the rotor 10, wherein the tensile tension decreases again with further rotation of the occlusion device 1 towards the overpressure side. Transverse movements hardly take place on the overpressure side, since the hose 30 is only compressed there and lies against the hose bed.

[0095] With this string-like stretched hose section, the angle between the axis of the guiding surface and the hose axis is less than 90°, which in addition to causing the unrolling of the hose also causes the sliding of the hose over the roll. This effect promotes abrasion on the hose 30 in addition to the described transverse movement.

[0096] FIG. 2a and FIG. 2b both show a schematic representation of an embodiment of a conveying device 100 according to the present disclosure in a view from the front or from the outside (as perceived in use by the user) with a rotor 10 rotating about a rotor shaft 7 and with a fixed stator 20 in which the rotor 10 can rotate. The stator 20 forms a receptacle for the rotor 10 and for a hose 30 (see FIG. 2), which is inserted into the rotor 10 from below and exits from it again downwards.

[0097] The receptacle for rotor 10, which in FIGS. 2a and 2b lies behind the rotor 10, is either designed as part of a housing (not shown) of a fluid treatment apparatus or as a cassette, which is mounted or plugged on a rotor gear of the fluid treatment apparatus, not shown.

[0098] The rotor 10 may be connected via a shaft to the drive motor of the fluid treatment apparatus, not shown, and may be operated by said drive motor.

[0099] In certain embodiments, the receptacle for the rotor 10 may have, or may be, a drive shaft, and the rotor 10 is plugged onto it.

[0100] A receiving section of the stator 20 or a space for the hose 30 is formed by the stator base 21, from which a hose bed 22 extends as a counter bearing for the occlusion device 1. The hose 30 is inserted into the conveying device 100 such that it lies between the rotor 10 and the hose bed 22 as a counter bearing and is guided at least in sections around the rotor 10, as shown in FIG. 2b.

[0101] The rotor 10 includes one or more occlusion device(s) 1, which are, for example, designed as substantially cylindrical occlusion rollers and which may preferably rotate about their central axis of rotation O (see FIG. 3). FIG. 2a exemplarily shows two occlusion devices 1 which lie opposite to each other and are attached to a swing arm 2. The swing arm 2 connects the rotor shaft 7 with the occlusion devices 1 and couples them functionally to the rotating movement of the rotor 10. In this way, when the conveying device 100 is in use, the hose 30 is cyclically pressed by one or more occlusion devices 1 against the hose bed 22 as the counter bearing of the stator 20 and is thus occluded.

[0102] When the rotor 10 rotates, the occlusion devices 1 slide or roll along the hose 30 (not shown in FIG. 2a). After the occlusion devices 1 are disengaged from hose 30, the previously compressed section of the hose re-expands due to the elasticity of the hose material. The generated negative pressure sucks in the fluid present in the hose system upstream of the conveying device 100. The negative pressure is generated by the way in which the volume enclosed and present in front of the occlusion device 1 is conveyed. This also causes the fluid to be conveyed along the lumen of hose 30.

[0103] In this, the occlusion devices 1 may compress the hose 30 to a greater or lesser extent. The degree of this compression of the hose 30 may optionally be set according to the present disclosure. For example, it may be fixed by an optional, preferably spring-loaded swing arm 2.

[0104] By such an optional swing arm 2, the conveying device 100 may be adapted to the characteristics of the hose 30 actually used, for example, to its material properties or its cross section.

[0105] Furthermore, the conveying device 100 of FIG. 2a and FIG. 2b further includes at least one axial guiding element 6 (see FIG. 3), here exemplarily two axial guiding elements 6, of which a first lateral section may be seen in each case, see FIG. 3.

[0106] The axial guiding elements 6 favor an embedding of the hose 30 by supporting and delimiting it laterally (see FIG. 3) and from below, as for example, shown in FIG. 6 in more detail.

[0107] The rotor 10 of FIG. 2a and FIG. 2b lies optionally under a cover element 5, which may protect the user from accidentally touching rotor components. The cover element optionally also serves as a handle for manual threading of the hose 30.

[0108] The cover element 5 includes or consists of optionally two guiding lugs 4. The guiding lugs 4 may be designed to facilitate the threading of hose 30 by their geometry (see FIG. 3).

[0109] The arrow denoted with the reference numeral A illustrates the view direction according to FIG. 3 to FIG. 5.

[0110] FIG. 3 shows a schematic representation of only the rotor 10 of FIG. 2a and FIG. 2b with a view from below in the direction of arrow A of FIG. 2a.

[0111] The occlusion device 1 and the axial guiding element 6 are clearly visible here, as no hose 30 has been inserted yet.

[0112] The axial guiding elements 6 may have different geometrical configurations. They may be made of one or more parts. They include at least one middle section 6c and at least one first lateral section 6a projecting radially beyond the middle section 6c. This first lateral section 6a also projects radially over a section of the outer edge of the rotor 10. The axial guiding elements 6 are provided in order to center or align the hose 30. They are configured such that transverse sliding movements or shearing movements of the hose 30 are prevented or minimized while the rotor 10 is running. In order to further minimize the frictional forces which are exerted on the hose 30, the axial guiding element 6, as in this embodiment, may consist of or include passively rotating parts or rollers.

[0113] Only the first lateral section 6a of the axial guiding element 6 is shown here, which is connected to the middle section 6c, see FIG. 3. An optional second lateral section 6b may be provided, see for example, FIG. 3. It may be connected to the first lateral section 6a by the middle section 6c.

[0114] According to the present disclosure, for example, the middle section 6c and/or the first lateral section 6a and/or the second lateral section 6b may each be rotatable about their longitudinal axis (or about a center point in the case of an embodiment with a disc-shaped, first lateral section 6a).

[0115] Both the occlusion device 1 and the axial guiding element 6 are here exemplarily arranged at a common swing arm 2.

[0116] The occlusion device 1 is optionally cylindrically designed.

[0117] The axial guiding element 6 of the present embodiment is one-piece, has a cylindrical middle section 6c, a first lateral section 6a, which is substantially disc-shaped, and a second lateral section 6b, which is substantially conical.

[0118] The middle section 6c here also has, by way of example, a smaller maximum diameter than the lateral sections 6a and 6b. During use, the axial guiding element 6 of FIG. 3 rotates about its central longitudinal axis L.

[0119] In some embodiments, the axial guiding element 6 rotates passively, i.e. its axis or shaft is not mechanically connected to the rotor axis. A rotational movement of the axial guiding element 6 about its longitudinal axis is determined only by the friction against the hose 30, without further forces playing a role for this rotational movement of the axial guiding element 6.

[0120] Each of the axial guiding elements 6 may be attached individually to a specific swing arm 2. The axial guiding elements 6 may alternatively be attached in pairs or in groups to a respective common swing arm 2. Alternatively or in addition, at least one of the axial guiding elements 6 may be arranged on a common swing arm 2 with at least one of the occlusion devices 1 (see, for example, the exemplary embodiment according to the present disclosure of FIG. 12).

[0121] FIG. 4 shows a schematic representation of the rotor 10 during the insertion of a hose 30 into the conveying device 100 with the aid of the guiding lug 4.

[0122] In this, the guiding lug 4 (generally: guiding element) is designed to insert, using the axial guiding element 6, the hose 30 between the rotor 10 and the stator 20 simply and with only a small mechanical load.

[0123] FIG. 5 shows the schematic representation of rotor 10 of FIG. 4 with the hose 30 already inserted.

[0124] The geometric design of the guiding element 6 is here exemplarily such that the hose 30 does not come into contact with the guiding lug 4 when the rotor 10 is running. This is illustrated in FIG. 5 by a thin arrow.

[0125] FIG. 5 shows how the hose 30 is guided over the middle section 6c and in contact therewith and is simultaneously laterally limited by the first lateral section 6a and the second lateral section 6b of the axial guiding element 6.

[0126] The geometry of the axial guiding element 6 keeps the hose centered around the rotor 10 in the stator base 21 such that the hose 30 does not come into contact with the stator base 21, the guiding lug 4 and/or the cover element 5 when the rotor 10 is running.

[0127] In this way, the hose 30 inserted between the occlusion devices 1 and the stator 20 advantageously has only a slight lateral or axial play, i.e. the hose 30 is hardly exposed to transverse movements with the rotor running and hardly any shear movements. The reduction in hose abrasion may save material.

[0128] FIG. 6 shows a greatly simplified sectional view of a section of the stator 20 with a section of hose 30 inserted between stator 20 and rotor 10 and an axial guiding element 6 in detail.

[0129] The service life of the hose 30 may be significantly increased by suitable selection of the construction parameters of the axial guiding element 6. In some embodiments, more constant flow values may also be maintained along the hose 30.

[0130] FIG. 7 shows a schematic representation of the rotor 10 of the previous figures in perspective with a view from obliquely below and from the front (outside) to the area in which the hose 30 may be guided around the rotor 10.

[0131] Here, the rotor 10 includes the optional cover element 5, which substantially covers the rotor 10. In the radial direction, only the swing arm 2 with the occlusion devices 1 and the axial guiding elements 6 protrude beyond the cover element 5 of the rotor 10. The axis 2c of the occlusion device 1, designed as a swing axis, with which it is mounted in or at the swing arm 2, is clearly visible. This axis 2c allows rotation of the occlusion device 1 about its central longitudinal axis O.

[0132] In this embodiment, the two lateral sections 6a and 6b of the axial guiding element 6 are designed, for example, in the form of discs. They optionally have the same diameter. The middle section 6c is cylindrical and has a much smaller diameter than the two lateral sections 6a, 6b. Both lateral sections 6a, 6b may optionally be conical, wherein the respective cone height of the lateral sections 6a, 6b may be the same in some embodiments and different in others.

[0133] FIG. 8 shows a representation of a further embodiment of the conveying device with a view to the rotor 10 in perspective with an oblique view from below and from the front. The occlusion device 1, an axial guiding element 6 and a lateral guiding element 3 may be easily recognized.

[0134] In some embodiments, for example, that of FIG. 8, the axial guiding element 6 includes only the first lateral section 6a and the middle section 6c, but not the second lateral section 6b.

[0135] The first lateral section 6a delimits the hose 30 towards the stator base 21. It has a geometric design, for example (preferably completely or substantially) disc-shaped or conical, which is suitable for keeping the hose 30 centered while the rotor 10 is running such that there is no unintentional contact with the stator base 21 or with parts or areas of the rotor body (for example, with the hub body 8).

[0136] Furthermore, the rotor 10 in this embodiment includes at least one lateral guiding element 3 (see also FIG. 9). The lateral guiding elements 3, of which only one can be seen in FIG. 8, delimit the hose 30 laterally towards the outside of the rotor 10, i.e. to the open side of the space between rotor 10 and stator 20, i.e. away from the stator base 21 or towards the user. Thus, they prevent the hose 30 from sliding out of the conveying device 100 while the rotor 10 is running. In interaction with the axial guiding element 6, the lateral guiding elements 3 prevent transverse sliding or shearing movements of the hose 30 from occurring.

[0137] The at least one lateral guiding element 3 may be designed as a cylindrical or substantially cylindrical body or may have one which is arranged on an axis through one of its base surfaces, the shaft extending radially to the rotor shaft 7. The longitudinal axis of the lateral guiding element 3 is preferably perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the rotor shaft 7. The lateral guiding element 3 may optionally rotate about its longitudinal axis P in order to reduce the frictional forces against the hose 30 when the rotor is running.

[0138] FIG. 9 shows the rotor 10 of FIG. 8 in a front view.

[0139] FIG. 10 shows a section of again a further embodiment of the conveying device 100 with a view to the rotor 10 in a slight perspective from below.

[0140] Here, the cover element 5 forms a housing with an upper surface or surface 5a which covers the rotor 10 outwardly towards the user and which includes the guiding lugs 4, and with a shell or border 5b which optionally extends to or near to the stator base 21 and which has recesses through which the occlusion devices 1, the axis of the at least one lateral guiding element 3 and/or lateral sections of the at least one axial guiding element 6, or sections thereof, may protrude beyond the rotor 10.

[0141] For example, in this embodiment the middle section 6c of the axial guiding element 6 is integrated in the housing. The first lateral section 6a of the axial guiding element 6, which is designed in the form of a disc, is exemplarily configured here as a rotating part and may clearly protrude laterally beyond the cover element 5.

[0142] FIG. 11 shows a schematic representation of a further embodiment of the conveying device 100 in a slight perspective from the front with a view to the swing arm(s) 2.

[0143] The swing arm 2 may have any design known in the prior art. For example, it may be designed as a fork with a swinging joint 2a, which connects the fork to a hub body 8. Furthermore, it may be designed with a swinging spring 2b, as well as with an axis 2c, in order to attach the occlusion device 1 to the fork of the swing arm 2 in a freely rotating manner.

[0144] The hub body 8 couples the swing arm 2 and thus all parts arranged on it to the rotor 10, which is driven by a shaft of a drive motor of the blood treatment apparatus, not shown. In these embodiments, the hub body 8 couples, for example, all components of the rotor 10 which extend radially in the rotor 10, such as the occlusion devices 1 and axial guiding elements 6 by an axis 2d, to the rotation of same.

[0145] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 11, the axial guiding elements 6 are not arranged on one of the swing arms 2.

[0146] The swing arm(s) 2 may be rigid structures or slightly springy (as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12). A slight springing of the swing arm(s) may, for example, be advantageous to allow the rotor 10 to adapt to different hoses, for example, hoses with different diameters.

[0147] In principle, different designs of the swing arms 2 in a single embodiment of the rotor 10 are also encompassed by the present disclosure.

[0148] FIG. 12 shows a schematic representation of a further embodiment of the conveying device 100 according to the present disclosure with a swing arm 2 and without a cover element, viewed from the front.

[0149] The structure of the present embodiment also largely corresponds to the design of the embodiment in FIG. 11. However, here at least its occlusion device 1 is connected to an axial guiding element 6 by a swing arm 2, wherein the swinging joint 2a serves as an axis for the axial guiding element 6. At least one occlusion device 1 and at least one axial guiding element 6 are thus present on a common swing arm 2.

[0150] The occlusion devices 1 may also be spring-mounted by the swinging springs 2b, which may facilitate the insertion of a hose 30 into the rotor 10 and/or may facilitate the adaptation of the rotor 10 to different hoses, as described herein.

[0151] The statements given above for FIG. 11, such as for the hub body 8, also apply undiminished to the embodiments or representations in FIG. 12.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0152] 1 occlusion device [0153] 2 swing arm [0154] 2a swinging joint [0155] 2b swinging spring [0156] 2c axis of the occlusion device [0157] 2d axis of the guiding element [0158] 3 lateral guiding element [0159] 4 guiding lug [0160] 5a surface, upper surface [0161] 5b border, shell [0162] 5 cover element [0163] 6 axial guiding element [0164] 6a first lateral section towards the machine side of the axial guiding element [0165] 6b second lateral section towards the user side of the axial guiding element [0166] 6c middle section of the axial guiding element [0167] 7 drive shaft, or rotor shaft or axis [0168] 8 hub body [0169] 10 rotor [0170] 20 stator [0171] 21 stator base [0172] 22 hose bed as a counter bearing for the occlusion devices [0173] 30 hose [0174] 100 conveying device [0175] L central longitudinal axis of the axial guiding element [0176] Q central transverse axis of the axial guiding element [0177] O central longitudinal axis of the occlusion device [0178] P central longitudinal axis of the lateral guiding element