Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for use in a peristaltic pump 20 which prevents an inadvertent free flow condition prior to loading or after removal of an I.V. tube 26 in the peristaltic pump 20 and which also prevents the inadvertent occlusion of a loaded I.V. tube 26 in the peristaltic pump 20. A standard I.V. tube 26 has a slide clamp 109 provided thereon. The apparatus includes an I.V. tube groove 29 into which the I.V. tube 26 is positioned, a slide clamp receiving area 62 into which the slide clamp 109 is inserted, and a biased sliding member 81 which the inserted slide clamp 109 engages such that the I.V. tube 26 cannot be loaded into the apparatus without the slide clamp 109 occluding the I.V. tube 26. The present invention also contemplates a slide clamp 109, compatible with the apparatus having a surface pad 125 for facilitating automated identification of the slide clamp 109, in cooperation with a nonobstructive sensor 85 in the safety apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for use in a peristaltic pump 20 which prevents an inadvertent free flow condition prior to loading or after removal of an I.V. tube 26 in the peristaltic pump 20 and which also prevents the inadvertent occlusion of a loaded I.V. tube 26 in the peristaltic pump 20. A standard I.V. tube 26 has a slide clamp 109 provided thereon. The apparatus includes an I.V. tube groove 29 into which the I.V. tube 26 is positioned, a slide clamp receiving area 62 into which the slide clamp 109 is inserted, and a biased sliding member 81 which the inserted slide clamp 109 engages such that the I.V. tube 26 cannot be loaded into the apparatus without the slide clamp 109 occluding the I.V. tube 26. The present invention also contemplates a slide clamp 109' compatible with the apparatus having a surface pad 125 for facilitating automated identification of the slide clamp 109' in cooperation with a non-obstructive sensor 85 in the safety apparatus.

Abstract: A peristaltic pump assembly for pumping a fluid medium from a fluid source through a tubing having a compressible pumping section, which assembly comprises a housing including at least one support wall; a drive shaft journalled substantially loosely to the support wall; a plurality of cam plates eccentrically mounted on the drive shaft in a helical pattern along the drive shaft and rotatable together with the drive shaft for, during a rotation of the drive shaft, driving finger plates sequentially in a direction perpendicular to the drive shaft to cause respective finger tips of the finger plates to engage the pumping section thereby producing a moving zone of occlusion along the pumping section for pumping the fluid medium; and an adjustment mechanism mounted on the support wall for adjustably displacing the drive shaft together with the cam plates and the finger plates in a direction perpendicular thereto.