Peristaltic pump
A peristaltic pump comprises a pump unit including a pump which receives a replaceable tube. The tube has a transponder, for example an RFID tag, which carries data relating to the tube, which can be read by a reader of the pump unit. On the basis of a comparison between the tube data on the RFID tag and control data held in a memory of the reader, the reader permits operation of the pump unit if the tube data is compatible with the control data, but prevents such operation if the tube data is incompatible with the control data, for example indicting that an incorrect tube has been fitted, or the tube is approaching the end of its predicted operational life.
1. A peristaltic pump comprising:
a tube provided with a transponder having a data storage memory and means for transmitting tube data stored in the data storage memory; and
a pump unit in which the tube is mounted, the pump unit having drive means for deforming the tube to perform a peristaltic action, and a reader for reading tube data transmitted from the transponder;
wherein the reader comprises:
tube data memory adapted to store the tube data transmitted from the transponder;
a control data memory adapted to store control data relating to the tube;
a comparator adapted to compare the tube data stored in the tube data memory and the control data stored in the control data memory;
wherein the control data includes data representing the predicted operational life of the tube based on the average operational life for other tubes previously operated for their full operational life in the same environment, and wherein, when the tube fails, the comparator compares the operational life of the tube with the predicted operational life and updates the predicted operational life stored in the control data memory to include the operational life of the tube.
2. A peristaltic pump as claimed in claim 1 , in which the reader is connected to
operating means of the pump unit whereby operation of the pump unit is controlled in response to the tube data.
3. A peristaltic pump as claimed in claim 1 , in which the tube data comprises
data representing any one or more of:
the identity of the tube;
the size of the tube;
the maximum pressure rating of the tube;
the expiry date of the tube;
the lot number of the tube;
the maximum number of autoclave cycles of the tube;
the default calibration of the tube; and
the run-time of the tube.
4. A peristaltic pump as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the comparator includes a processor for comparing tube data and control data and the operating means is controlled in response to a comparison of the tube data with the control data.
5. A peristaltic pump as claimed in claim 2 , in which the operating means prevents operation of the drive means if the tube data is incompatible with the control data.
6. A peristaltic pump as claimed in claim 1 , in which the control data comprises any one or more of:
data representing the identity of the tube; and
data representing processes conducted on the tube.
7. A peristaltic pump as claimed in claim 2 , in which the reader is adapted to receive operation data from the operating means, and for converting the operation data to tube data.
8. A peristaltic pump as claimed in claim 7 , in which the reader is provided with
transmitting means for transmitting tube data, and in which the transponder is adapted to receive and store tube data transmitted from the reader.
9. A peristaltic pump as claimed in claim 7 , in which the operation data comprises data representing duration and speed of operation of the pump unit.
10. A peristaltic pump as claimed in claim 9 , in which the control data includes data representing maximum predicted tube life as a function of duration and speed of operation.
11. A peristaltic pump system comprising
a peristaltic pump as claimed in claim 1 , and
tube processing equipment for performing a process on the tube, the tube processing equipment having a data writer for transmitting process data to the memory of the transponder of the tube, the process data being readable by the reader.
12. A peristaltic pump system as claimed in claim 11 , in which the tube processing equipment is equipment for manufacturing the tube.
13. A peristaltic pump system as claimed in claim 11 , in which the tube processing equipment is sterilizing equipment.
14. A method of operating a peristaltic pump as claimed in claim 1 , the method comprising the steps of: (a) installing the tube in the pump unit so that the transponder and the reader are in communication with each other; (b) transmitting tube data from the transponder to the reader; (c) updating an accumulated operating time of the tube during operation of the pump; (d) operating the peristaltic pump until the tube reaches the end of its operational life; and (e) following the completion of step (d), updating the predicted operational life stored in the control data memory based on the operational life of the tube and of tubes previously operated for their full operational life in the same environment.
15. A method according to claim 14 , wherein step (e) comprises updating the predicted operational life only when the operational life of the tube falls outside a predetermined range based on the predicted operational life held in the control data memory.
16. A method according to claim 14 , wherein the previously operated tubes are tubes previously installed in and operated by the pump unit.
17. A method according to claim 14 , wherein the predicted operational life is calculated as the average operational life of at least some of the previously operated tubes.
18. A method according to claim 14 , in which step (b) comprises the step of transmitting tube data representing an accumulated operating time of the tube.