Self-regulating blood pump

摘要

A self-regulating peristaltic pump having a pumping chamber of enhanced operating life. The operating life of the tubing is improved by a combination of features including providing the tubing with a naturally collapsed passageway. The tubing is collapsed when the internal pressure of the tubing is equal to or less than ambient. In this state, the pump is unable to generate negative pressures. Upon fluid being supplied to the tubing at a pressure greater than ambient, the tubing inflates and cooperates with rollers of the pump to transmit the fluid. The pump also includes a novel means for adjusting and regulating the tension of the tubing further enhancing the operating life of the tubing.