A self-priming, roller-free, miniature, peristaltic pump operable with a single, reciprocating actuator

Area of Science:

• Engineering
• Biomedical Engineering
• Fluid Dynamics

Background:

• Peristaltic pumps are widely used in various applications due to their ability to handle sensitive fluids and prevent backflow.
• Existing designs often face limitations in terms of size, power consumption, and fluid compatibility.
• A need exists for a compact, efficient, and versatile pump suitable for diverse fluid types and conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and characterize a miniature, self-priming peristaltic pump.
• To explore different actuation methods for the pump, including motor and shape memory alloy.
• To evaluate the pump's performance with various fluids and under different back pressures.

Main Methods:

• A novel peristaltic pump design was developed using conventional materials (Delrin acetal plastic body, silicone tube).
• The pump incorporates integrated upstream and downstream valves for controlled fluid movement.
• Actuation was achieved using a linear actuator, with motor and shape memory alloy (SMA) driven versions explored.

Main Results:

• The motor-actuated pump demonstrated a linear flow rate dependence on voltage (1.75-3 V) and a maximum flow rate of 780 μl/min.
• The pump effectively handled liquids, foams, and gases, and was tolerant of bubbles and particles.
• The SMA-actuated version offered significant size and weight reduction with higher back pressure tolerance, albeit with lower efficiency.

Conclusions:

• The presented miniature peristaltic pump design is versatile, robust, and manufacturable.
• Different actuation methods provide options for various application requirements, balancing size, power, and performance.
• The pump's self-priming capability and tolerance to challenging fluids make it suitable for a wide range of applications.