Methods and systems for pulsed delivery of fluids from a pump

Abstract

Methods and systems are disclosed for pumping fluids at desired average flow rates by applying a predetermined force to a pump chamber and pulsing an outlet valve of the pump chamber to deliver a fluid therefrom. In some embodiments, pump chambers are provided within removable pumping cartridges that are constructed and configured to be coupled to a reusable pump drive component. In other embodiments, the pumping cartridges include multiple pump chambers, which pump chambers are operated so that a pump flow rate of one pump chamber is a predetermined fraction of the pump flow rate of another pump chamber within the pumping cartridge.

1 - 36 . (canceled)  
   
   
       37 . A fluid metering system comprising: 
 a reusable component constructed and arranged for operative association with a removable pumping cartridge, said pumping cartridge including at least one pump chamber having an inlet line having a first valve therein and an outlet line having a second valve therein, said pump chamber being at least partially formed from a movable surface;    valve actuating means for operating the first valve and the second valve;    pump chamber actuating means for applying a force to said movable surface;    control means for controlling said valve actuating means and said pump chamber actuating means to deliver a fluid at a desired flow rate from the pump chamber by closing said first valve, applying a force to the movable surface, and pulsing said second valve.