Positive grip fingers in a peristaltic pump

Abstract

A method for enhancing peristaltic pumping in a tube type infusion pump is provided. The method includes providing an adhesion region on a pumping finger of an infusion pump for creating an adhesion between the pumping finger and a pumping segment of the infusion pump such that when the pumping finger is moved from an occluded position to an initial position the adhesion forcibly restores the pumping segment from an occluded state to a non occluded state.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for positive grip peristaltic pumping in a tube type infusion pump, said method comprising:
 providing an adhesion region on a pumping finger of said infusion pump for creating an adhesion between said pumping finger and a pumping segment of said infusion pump; and   such that when said pumping finger is moved from an occluded position to an initial position said adhesion forcibly restores said pumping segment from an occluded state to a non occluded state.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 coupling an infusion line set with said infusion pump wherein said infusion set comprising said pumping segment. 
 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said adhesion region comprises a vacuum source. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said adhesion pulls on an outer surface of said pumping segment to restore said pumping segment from said occluded state to said non occluded state. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said providing an adhesion region comprises:
 applying an adhesive between said pumping segment and said pumping finger. 
 
     
     
         6 . A method for positive grip peristaltic pumping in a tube type infusion pump, said method comprising:
 moving a pumping finger from an initial position to an extended position to occlude a portion of a pumping segment of said infusion pump;   removably coupling said pumping finger of said infusion pump to said pumping segment of said infusion pump at said occluded portion of said pumping segment; and   such that when said pumping finger is moved from said extended position to said initial position, said coupling forcibly restores said pumping segment to a non occluded state.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein said removably coupling comprises:
 applying a vacuum force to couple said pumping segment to said pumping segment. 
 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6  wherein said removably coupling comprises:
 applying an adhesive between said pumping segment and said pumping finger. 
 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6  further comprising:
 coupling an infusion line set with said infusion pump wherein said infusion set comprising said pumping segment. 
 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said adhesion pulls on an outer surface of said pumping segment to restore said pumping segment from said occluded state to said non occluded state. 
     
     
         11 . A positive grip peristaltic pump comprising:
 a pump comprising a plurality of pumping fingers for pumping fluid in a linear direction through a pumping segment of a line set;   an adhesion region on one of said plurality of pumping fingers for creating an adhesion between said pumping finger and said pumping segment; and   such that when said pumping finger is moved from an occluded position to an initial position said adhesion forcibly restores said pumping segment from an occluded state to a non occluded state.   
     
     
         12 . The positive grip peristaltic pump of  claim 11  wherein said adhesion region comprises a vacuum force. 
     
     
         13 . The positive grip peristaltic pump of  claim 11  wherein said adhesion region comprises an adhesive. 
     
     
         14 . The positive grip peristaltic pump of  claim 11  wherein said pumping finger comprises a vacuum source. 
     
     
         15 . A line set for use in a peristaltic pump comprising:
 one or more lines configured for administering fluids to a patient;   one or more pumping segments coupled with said lines configured to adhere to an adhesion region on a pumping finger of an infusion pump such that when said pumping finger is moved from an occluded position to an initial position said adhesion forcibly restores said pumping segment from an occluded state to a non occluded state.   
     
     
         16 . The line set of  claim 15  wherein said pumping segment is configured to adhere to a vacuum source of said pumping finger.