Mechanical liquid pump

Abstract

A mechanically operated liquid pump for medical and nutrient liquids, as well as for liquids used in biological and laboratory applications, has an integrated, self-contained pump construction comprising a housing having an expandable elastic member mounted wholly within the housing and shaped to store and dispense a liquid therefrom. Inlet and outlet members are also mounted within the housing, are operably connected with the elastic member inside the housing, and regulate the flow of liquid traveling into and out of the pump. A flow regulator is also mounted wholly within the housing, communicates with at least one of the inlet and outlet members, and maintains a substantially constant volumetric flow of liquid dispensed from the elastic member.

1 - 17 . (canceled) 
   
   
       18 . In a mechanically operated liquid pump for medical and nutrient liquids, as well as for liquids used in biological and laboratory applications and the like, the improvement comprising an integrated, self-contained pump construction, comprising:
 a housing member;   an expandable elastic member mounted wholly within said housing member, and shaped to store and dispense a liquid therefrom;   a closeable inlet member mounted within said housing member, operably connected with said elastic member at a location inside said housing member and regulating the flow of liquid traveling into said elastic member;   an outlet member mounted within said housing member, operably connected with said elastic member at a location within said housing member and routing the liquid traveling out of said elastic member; and   a flow regulator member mounted wholly within said housing member, communicating with one of said inlet member and said outlet member, and maintaining a substantially constant volumetric flow of the liquid dispensed from said elastic member.   
   
   
       19 . A pump as set forth in  claim 18 , wherein:
 said elastic member, said inlet member, said outlet member and said flow regulator member are each calibrated to ensure substantially constant volumetric flow of the liquid.   
   
   
       20 . A pump as set forth in  claim 19 , wherein:
 said housing member has a sealed construction, such that at least said inlet member, said outlet member and said flow regulator member cannot be removed from said housing member without destroying said pump.   
   
   
       21 . A pump as set forth in  claim 20 , wherein:
 said inlet member comprises one of either a Luer lock valve or a Luer lock attachment; and   said outlet member comprises the other of said Luer lock valve and said Luer lock attachment.   
   
   
       22 . A pump as set forth in  claim 21 , including:
 a core member mounted in said housing member and including a channel therethrough for delivery and dispensing of the liquid into and out of said elastic member; and wherein   said elastic member comprises a balloon having an open end portion thereof sealingly mounted on said core.   
   
   
       23 . A pump as set forth in  claim 22 , wherein:
 said flow regulator member comprises a pressure control valve.   
   
   
       24 . A pump as set forth in  claim 22 , wherein:
 said flow regulator member comprises a glass capillary or meander chip.   
   
   
       25 . A pump as set forth in  claim 24 , including:
 a filter member mounted within said housing member and disposed upstream of said flow regulator member.   
   
   
       26 . A pump as set forth in  claim 25 , wherein:
 said housing member includes a middle portion, an upper portion and a lower portion.   
   
   
       27 . A pump as set forth in  claim 26 , wherein:
 said housing member includes a cap detachably connected with said upper and lower portions of said housing member, and enclosing said balloon and said core therein.   
   
   
       28 . A pump as set forth in  claim 27 , wherein:
 at least one of said core, said balloon, said outlet member, said filter member and said flow regulator member has at least a portion thereof mounted in said middle portion of said housing member.   
   
   
       29 . A pump as set forth in  claim 28 , wherein:
 at least one of said core, said balloon, said outlet member, said filter member and said flow regulator member is mounted between said middle portion and a said upper portion of said housing member.   
   
   
       30 . A pump as set forth in  claim 28 , wherein:
 at least one of said core, said balloon, said outlet member, said filter member and said regulator member is mounted between said middle portion and said lower portion of said housing member.   
   
   
       31 . A pump as set forth in  claim 28 , including:
 a bolus member mounted within said middle portion of said housing member.   
   
   
       32 . A pump as set forth in  claim 28 , wherein:
 said inlet member is mounted in either said upper portion or said lower portion of said housing member.   
   
   
       33 . A pump as set forth in  claim 28 , wherein:
 said upper portion of said housing member covers an upper side of said middle portion of said housing member, and   said lower portion of said housing covers a lower side of said middle portion of said housing member.   
   
   
       34 . A pump as set forth in  claim 33 , wherein:
 said housing member is constructed of plastic; and   said upper portion, said middle portion and said lower portion of said housing members are fixedly interconnected by laser welding.   
   
   
       35 . A pump as set forth in  claim 34 , wherein:
 said middle portion of said housing member includes embossed channels therein.   
   
   
       36 . A pump as set forth in  claim 35 , wherein:
 said housing member has a generally flat shape.   
   
   
       37 . A pump as set forth in  claim 18 , wherein:
 said housing member has a sealed construction, such that at least said inlet member, said outlet member and said flow regulator member cannot be removed from said housing member without destroying said pump.   
   
   
       38 . A pump as set forth in  claim 18 , wherein:
 said inlet member comprises one of either a Luer lock valve or a Luer lock attachment; and   said outlet member comprises the other of said Luer lock valve and said Luer lock attachment.   
   
   
       39 . A pump as set forth in  claim 18 , including:
 a core member mounted in said housing member and including a channel therethrough for delivery and dispensing of the liquid into and out of said elastic member; and wherein   said elastic member comprises a balloon having an open end portion thereof sealingly mounted on said core.   
   
   
       40 . A pump as set forth in  claim 18 , wherein:
 said flow regulator member comprises a pressure control valve.   
   
   
       41 . A pump as set forth in  claim 18 , wherein:
 said flow regulator member comprises a glass capillary or meander chip.   
   
   
       42 . A pump as set forth in  claim 18 , including:
 a filter member mounted within said housing member and disposed upstream of said flow regulator member.   
   
   
       43 . A pump as set forth in  claim 18 , wherein:
 said housing member includes a middle portion, an upper portion and a lower portion.   
   
   
       44 . A pump as set forth in  claim 43 , wherein:
 at least one of said core, said balloon, said outlet member, said filter member and said flow regulator member has at least a portion thereof mounted in said middle portion of said housing member.   
   
   
       45 . A pump as set forth in  claim 44 , wherein:
 at least one of said core, said balloon, said outlet member, said filter member and said flow regulator member is mounted between said middle portion and a said upper portion of said housing member.   
   
   
       46 . A pump as set forth in  claim 44 , wherein:
 at least one of said core, said balloon, said outlet member, said filter member and said regulator member is mounted between said middle portion and said lower portion of said housing member.   
   
   
       47 . A pump as set forth in  claim 18 , wherein:
 said housing member includes a cap detachably connected with said housing member, and enclosing said balloon and said core therein.   
   
   
       48 . A pump as set forth in  claim 18 , including:
 a bolus member mounted within said housing member.   
   
   
       49 . A pump as set forth in  claim 18 , wherein:
 said housing member is constructed of plastic; and   said housing member includes upper, middle and lower portions which are fixedly interconnected by laser welding.   
   
   
       50 . A pump as set forth in  claim 18 , wherein:
 said housing member includes a middle portion with embossed channels formed therein.   
   
   
       51 . A pump as set forth in  claim 18 , wherein:
 said housing member has a generally flat shape.