PERISTALTIC PUMP DEVICES, METHODS, AND SYSTEMS

Abstract

A peristaltic pump with a removable pump race module has guiding channels for receiving at least a portion of a flexible fluid-carrying tubing and an adjusting device for displacing a flexible inner portion of the removable pump race module to change the compression on the fluid-carrying tubing. The arrangement of the various elements makes it particularly suitable in configurations where compactness and convenience are important considerations.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is an International Application, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/289,070, filed on Dec. 22, 2009, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/267,782, filed on Dec. 8, 2009, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

FIELD OF ENDEAVOR

The disclosed embodiments relate generally to a pump to pump fluids, and more particularly to a peristaltic pumping devices, methods, and systems that have favorable properties in many applications, particularly in applications for a compact and/or portable devices.

BACKGROUND

Peristaltic pumps are used for transferring various fluids including gases, viscous liquids, and mixed phase fluids such as gas/liquid and solid/liquid combinations, in various applications where sanitary conditions apply and where the fluid-carrying tubing has to be changed frequently. Peristaltic pumps are common in many different fields such as the medical, pharmaceutical, chemical, and environmental industries, as well as other fields where the purity of the fluid during transmission needs to be maintained. A peristaltic pump typically includes a rotary assembly (rollers) which compels the movement of a fluid by peristaltic compression of the resilient tubes containing the fluid against a rigid surface of the pump known as the pump occlusion. The intersection between the rollers and the occlusion region is known as the operating area of the pump. In operation, the rotating rollers exert pressure on the flexible tubing to propel the fluid, and the negative pressure formed when the tubing returns to its normal position sucks the fluid from a fluid source and forces the fluid to travel continuously through the tubing.

One of the advantages of using a peristaltic pump is that only the tube contacts the fluid preventing the fluid from contacting other parts of the pump preventing contamination of the fluid by the pump and vice versa. One of the issues with peristaltic pumps is the need for replacing the tubing, either for sterility reasons, because of wear, or other reasons. Additionally, peristaltic pumps may provide a mechanism for regulating the pinching force of the rollers exerted on the tubing. The environment of compact and light weight devices and systems creates a need for improvements in the design of peristaltic pumps that provides advantages in terms of usability, reliability, and addresses the other requirements of peristaltic pumps such as maintenance and regulation such as those mentioned above.

SUMMARY

A peristaltic pump with a removable pump race module has guiding channels for receiving at least a portion of a flexible fluid-carrying tubing and an adjusting device for displacing a flexible inner portion of the removable pump race module to change the compression on the fluid-carrying tubing. The arrangement of the various elements makes it particularly suitable in configurations where compactness and convenience are important considerations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an assembled and closed pump according to an embodiment of the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 2 is a projection of a pump according to an embodiment of the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 3 is a top projection of a pump according to an embodiment of the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 4 is a projection of section A-A of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a bottom projection of a pump according to an embodiment of the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 6 is a projection of section A-A of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a pump according to an embodiment of the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of peristaltic pump components including base, roller carriage, and motor drive according to an embodiment of the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 9 is a ghost projection of a pump according to an embodiment of the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the assembly of FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 shows the motor and drive shaft and base of the pump.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view the roller carriage.

FIG. 13 is a ghost end projection of the roller carriage.

FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of a roller carriage.

FIG. 15A is an exploded front perspective view a pump race module.

FIG. 15B is a figurative view of a pump race module with tubing installed thereon showing how tubes bend 180 degrees from one side and around a race portion and back 180 degrees so that the incoming and outgoing flow lines are parallel according to an embodiment of the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 16 is a side ghost projection showing a the pump race module.

FIG. 17 is a projection of section A-A of FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a distal plate that supports the drive shaft.

FIG. 19 is an end view of the distal plate.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a tubing set with a preinstalled pump race module shown in an application according to an embodiment of the disclosed subject matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1-19 show a peristaltic pump 100 with a motor drive 30 and a removable outer pump race module 10 surrounding a roller carriage 50 (visible in FIGS. 7 and 8) to define an enclosed pumping tube channel 60 (shown in FIG. 7). Both the pump race module 10 and the motor drive 30 are mounted on a support base 20. A distal end plate 40 provided with screws 41 for attachment to the support base 20. The outer pump race module 10 has at least one pump race arch 16 (shown in FIG. 15A) that partially surrounds a roller carriage 50 (shown in FIG. 7) positioned in the working area 70 of the pump so that the outer pump race module 10 together with the support base 20 and the distal end plate 40 effectively enclose the working area 70 of the pump.

The removable pump race module 10 can be securely mounted on the support base 20 using any suitable fasteners 11, such as, bolts, screws, cap screws, rivets, etc, inserted in corresponding support guides 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the support guides 12 help to ensure alignment of the race module 10 with respect to the base 20, however a broad mating surface on race module 10 that adjoins a mating surface on the base 20 could be used for this purpose as well as other mechanisms. The pump race module 10 can also be provided with a pump race force adjuster 13, which may include an adjusting screw 13B that can be moved precisely in a threaded liner 13A bonded to the pump race module 10. The adjusting screw 13B exerts a force to separate a race portion 16B and support portion 16A of the pump race arch 16 thereby opening and closing the gap 10G in the pump race module 10. Since the support portion 16A is fixed relative to the pump and roller carriage 50, this adjustment determines the force applied by the pump race surface 17 of the pump race portion 16B against the tubing and compensated by the pump roller carriage 50.

The pump race force adjuster 13 is shows also in FIGS. 15A-17. The pump race module 10 may be of poly ethylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, or any suitable polymer or may be of metal. Preferably, the pump race module 10 is a relatively inexpensive part that can be provided preassembled with tubing as a disposable component or one that can be used a limited number of times before replacement. See FIG. 20 and description below of a tubing set 200 with preinstalled tubing 201 and a pump race module 216.

FIG. 7 shows the peristaltic pump 100 with a removable pump race module 10, a motor drive 30, a support base 20, distal end plate 40 and a roller carriage 50. The support base 20 positions a bearing 42 that rotatably supports a drive shaft 31 of the motor drive 30. The motor drive 30, which may be a gear motor, can be secured to distal end plate 22 of the support base 20 by any suitable securement such as mounting screws 23 that secure a motor housing 32 of the motor drive 30 (see FIG. 11).

The drive shaft 31 rotates a pump roller carriage 50 with an array of equidistant and circumferentially spaced compression rollers 52. Each of the compression rollers 52 rotate about respective shafts 53 which are rotatably secured at respective ends thereof to rotor end plates 51. The rotor end plates 51 are configured to engage a flat 31A of the drive shaft 31 so that they are rotated by the motor 30 (see FIGS. 12-14). The rotation of the drive shaft 31 drives the compression rollers 52, which selectively compress a fluid-carrying tube 60 (see FIG. 15B) so as to effect peristaltic pumping.

FIGS. 8-10 and FIGS. 18-19 show the pump 100 with the pump race module 10 removed. The roller carriage 50 is secured at one end to the mounting plate 22 of the support base 20, and at the other end to the end plate 40. The drive shaft 31 is attached to the end plate 40 via bearing 42, which may be a journal bearing such as one of porous metal such as sintered bronze or aluminum that retains a lubricant. The end plate 40 can also be securely fastened to the support base 20 using fasteners such as screws 41.

The removable pump race module 10 is shown in FIGS. 15A-17. FIG. 15B is a figurative section view of a pump race module 10 including the fluid-carrying tubing 60 showing how tubes bend 180 degrees from one side and around a race portion and back 180 degrees so that the incoming and outgoing flow lines are parallel. The integrated removable pump race module 10 has: the pump race arch 16 which generally surrounds a roller carriage 50 and is positioned above the roller carriage 50 so as define an adjustable space between the pump race surface 17 of the pump race arch 16 and the upper surface of the rollers 52; two support guides 12 through which the fasteners 11 (e.g., fastening screws) can be inserted for mounting the removable pump race module 10 to the support base 20; and a plurality of holding clips 14 in flanges 14A to securely hold the input end portion 60a and the output end portion 60b of the fluid-carrying tubing 60. The input and output portions 60a and 60b of the fluid-carrying tubing 60 are held by the holding clips 14 so that they are arranged parallel to each other with the support guides 12 while the working portion 60c of the fluid-carrying tubing 60 is installed between the pump race surface 17 of the pump race arch 16 and the rollers 52 and in which fluid-containing tubes are held.

Removal of the fluid tubing from the peristaltic pump is easily accomplished by detaching the pump race module 10 from the support base 20 (by unscrewing the fasteners 11, for example) and holding the parallel tubes as a bundle and pulling them away from the pump in a direction radial with respect to the roller carriage 50. This arrangement allows one to conveniently handle the pump race module and tubes even if the pump 100 is placed in a recess or relatively inaccessible location or environment. Also, the fasteners 11 and pump race force adjuster 13 are accessible from the same side as the tubes are routed which allows for the pump race module 10 and tubes to be replaced conveniently and easily. Also adjustment of the pump race is made easier. This is illustrated in FIG. 20 discussed next.

FIG. 20 illustrates a tubing set 200 with a pump race module 216 and tubes 204 and 206 which bend as shown at 212 and 232 forming an arched portion 234 which follows the shape of pump race module 216. The tubes 204 and 206 are held by clips as discussed above and indicated here for example at 252. All of the tubing portions 204, 206, 228, and 230 extend away from the pump race module 216 parallel to the axes 224 of fasteners 222 and adjusting screw (13B) axis 226. With the illustrated arrangement, a tubing set 200 can be conveniently installed in a confined space such defined by an opening 214 in an enclosure 208 of a processing system. The tube portions 204, 206, 228, and 230 can extend through an available access (e.g., opening 214) through which the fasteners 222 and the pump race force adjuster 218 (similar to pump race force adjuster 13) may be accessed. The pump 100 and roller carriage 50 would be located in a position such that insertion of the assembly 200 as illustrated by arrow 252 would allow the pump race module 216 to engage it.

Referring again also to FIGS. 15A-17 the fasteners 11, the pump race force adjuster 13 and the input and output end portions 60a and 60b of the tubing 60 facing in the same direction (when looking at it from the top) allows for easy attachment and removal of the pump race module 10 as well as easy removal and replacement of the fluid-carrying tubing 60. The tubing 60 can be easily removed from the pump race module 10 by holding the tubing 60 as a bundle. The assembly 200 can be preconfigured with the pump race module and the tubing held in the clips, pre-sterilized and contained in a sterile package 260.

The arcuate portion 16 of the pump race module 10 has a first curved (arcuate, U-shaped) upper portion 16A with a second curved (arcuate, U-shaped) lower portion 16B, the lower portion 16B has the pump race surface 17, which faces the roller carriage 50. The pump race surface 17 functions as a pump race against which the tubing 60 is selectively compressed by the rollers 52 on roller carriage 50. The pump race surface 17 of the second curved portion 16B also includes guiding channels 18 to receive and hold in place at least a working portion 60c of the fluid-carrying tubing 60.

The first and second curved portions 16A and 16B are joined at a flexible portion 19 so as to leave the second end portion 19A of the second curved portion 16B floating. This permits flexible movement of the lower curved portion 16B away and toward the rollers 52 of the roller carriage 50 so that the gap 10G varies thereby moving the lower curved portion 16B toward and away from the rollers 52 responsively to the adjuster screw 13B.

The upper curved portion 16A also includes an opening 15 in which the threaded liner 13A is fixedly inserted and into which the adjuster screw 13B is threaded. The adjuster screw 13B makes contact with an upper surface of the curved portion 16B. The lower curved portion 16B is shaped so as to accommodate contact with the adjuster screw 13B without being damaged and may have a metal surface to relieve the pressure exerted by the adjuster screw 13B.

By exerting pressure on the contact surface of the lower curved portion 16B, the lower curved portion 16B can be moved away from the upper curved portion 16A—which increases the size of a gap 10G—and closer to the roller carriage 50. By moving the lower curved portion 16B closer to the roller carriage 50, the fluid-carrying tubing 60 positioned in the guiding channels 18 is further compressed. When the pressure on the contact surface of the lower curved portion 16B is released, the curved portion 16B moves back to its original position, releasing compression on the fluid-carrying tubing 60. Changing compression on the tubes 60 incorporating the fluid effectively controls the fluid pressure and fluid flow in the tubing 60. The pump race force adjuster 13 can include, for example, a threaded liner 13A with adjusting screw 13B so that the fluid pressure and fluid flow is controlled by turning the screw head.

While the preferred forms of the disclosed subject matter have been disclosed, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made that will achieve some of the advantages of the disclosed subject matter without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosed subject matter. It will be apparent to those reasonably skilled in the art that other components performing the same function may be suitably substituted. Although specific embodiments of the disclosed subject matter have been described, various modifications, alterations, alternative constructions, and equivalents are also encompassed within the scope of the disclosed subject matter.

Claims

1. A peristaltic pump, comprising:

a base member supporting a rotating roller carriage and a drive connected to the roller carriage to rotate it with respect to the base;

a pump race member shaped to arch over the roller carriage;

the pump race member forming U-shape with extenders that meet at a bowl, the extenders curving in parallel around the roller carriage, with one extender having a race surface that faces the roller carriage and the other extender being fixedly attached to the base;

an adjustment member configured to adjust a distance between the extenders thereby to vary a force applied to tubing laid between the race surface and the roller carriage.

2. The pump as claimed in claim 1, wherein the adjustment member is further configured to contact an upper surface of the extender having a race surface that faces the roller carriage.

3. The pump as claimed in claim 2, wherein the extender having the race surface that faces the roller carriage is shaped so as to permit contact with the adjustment member.

4. The pump as claimed in claim 3, wherein the extender includes a metal surface portion configured to relieve pressure exerted by the adjustment member on its upper surface.

5. The pump as claimed in claim 1, wherein the adjustment member includes an adjuster screw inserted into a threaded liner, the adjustment member being configured such that the force is exerted on the surface of the extender by the movement of the adjuster screw.

6. A pumping device having a rotary portion to compel a movement of a fluid by peristaltic compression of a tubing containing the fluid, the pumping device comprising:

a base member;

a roller carriage having a central axis of rotation, adapted to be mounted on said base member and to make an occludable contact with the tubing; and

a pump race module attachable to said base member by screws so as to generally surround said roller carriage, said pump race module having a flexible curved wall section with a cylindrical pump race surface thereon;

a portion of said tubing being held and supported by the pump race module so that the tubing extends along said cylindrical pump race surface and forms at least two parallel pumping tubing portions connecting to at least four inflow and outflow tubing portions that are held by clips so that they extend away from the pump race module in a parallel array which is parallel to axes of the screws.

7. A peristaltic pump for propelling a fluid, comprising:

a support assembly;

a motor device having a drive shaft and connected to said support assembly, the drive shaft adapted for rotation about a longitudinal axis;

a fluid-carrying flexible tube;

a rotation assembly mounted on said drive shaft to be carried by the driving member for movement in a circular path during rotation of the drive shaft about the longitudinal axis, the rotating assembly including a plurality of circumferentially spaced rollers for selective engagement of the rollers with the fluid-carrying flexible tube so that the rollers selectively compress and occlude said tube during rotation; and

a pump race module removably mounted on the support assembly using securing means so that the pump race module substantially encloses the rotation assembly, the pump race module including a flexible curved member, an inner surface of the flexible curved member configured to receive at least a portion of the fluid-carrying tube;

wherein the pump race module further includes fastening means to hold a fluid input portion and a fluid output portion of the fluid-carrying tube so that, when in place, the input and output fluid portions face substantially in the same direction when viewed from the top as the securing means and are parallel with the securing means.

8. A pumping device having a rotary portion to compel a movement of a fluid by peristaltic compression of a tubing containing the fluid, the pumping device comprising:

a base member;

a roller carriage mounted on the base member and adapted to make an occludable contact with the tubing; and

a removable pump race module including a flexible curved section, the pump race module being configured to be attached to said base member so as to generally surround said roller carriage and to define a passageway between said flexible curved section and the roller carriage, the tubing being positioned in said passageway;

wherein the pump race module further includes an adjusting member to adjust compression of the tubing against the roller carriage by pressing a surface the flexible curved section toward the roller carriage.

9. The device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the casing member further includes a second curved section positioned circumferentially with the flexible curved section, the adjusting member having a first end portion attached to the second curved section and a second end portion adjacent to the flexible curved section so that moving the first end portion generates a displacement of the flexible curved section relative to the second curved section.

10. The device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the adjusting member is a top screw, and the displacement of the flexible curved section is done by turning the top screw.

11. The device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the flexible curved section is shaped so as to accommodate contact with the top screw without damage to the surface of the flexible curved section.

12. The device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the flexible curved section includes a metal portion to relieve pressure exerted on its surface by the top screw.

13. A method of removing a fluid-carrying tube from a peristaltic pump, comprising:

detaching a removable pump race module from a base member, the base member supporting a roller carriage adapted to rotate around a central axis and configured to occludably contact a portion of the fluid-carrying tube extending along an inner portion of the pump race module, the pump race module being positioned to surround the roller carriage; and

removing the fluid-carrying tube from the detached pump race module.

14. The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the detaching of the removable pump race module includes removing a securing member used to attach the pump race module to the base member.

15. The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the removing of the fluid carrying tube includes holding the tubes as a bundle and pulling them away from the pump.

16. A method for adjusting flow of a fluid in a fluid-carrying tube of a peristaltic pump, the method comprising:

adjusting a height of a passageway formed between an inner curved flexible portion of a pump race module and a rotor device configured to compress and occlude the fluid-carrying tube resting in the passageway;

wherein the adjusting includes displacing the inner curved flexible portion of the pump race module using an adjusting member; and

wherein the adjusting member includes a first end portion attached to a second curved portion partially surrounding the inner curved flexible portion of the pump race module, and a second end portion adjacent to the inner curved flexible portion so that moving the first end portion generates a displacement of the inner curved portion relative to the second curved portion.

17. The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein the adjusting member includes a top screw inserted into an opening having a threaded liner, and the adjusting is done by turning the screw head.

18. A removable pump race module to be attached to a base member of a pump having a rotating device which compels the movement of a fluid by peristaltic compression of a flexible tubing containing the fluid, the pump race module comprising:

a curved member including an outer curved portion partially surrounding an inner curved portion, one end of the inner curved portion being connected to the outer curved portion, and another end of the inner curved portion being free;

at least one connecting member for attaching the pump race module to the base member so that the pump race module generally encloses the rotating device; and

an adjusting device for adjusting a compression of the flexible tubing containing the fluid by displacing the inner curved portion of the pump race module relative to the outer curved portion.

19. The removable pump race module as claimed in claim 18, wherein the adjusting device has a first end portion connected to the first curved portion and a second end portion in contact with a surface of the inner curved portion.

20. The removable pump race module as claimed in claim 19, wherein the adjusting device is a top screw positioned adjacent to the free end of the inner curved portion.

21. A removable pump race module to be attached to a base member of a pump having a rotating device which compels the movement of a fluid by peristaltic compression of a flexible tubing containing the fluid, the pump race module comprising:

a curved member of polymer including an outer curved portion partially surrounding an inner curved portion, one end portion of the inner curved portion being fixed and another end portion of the inner curved portion being free when the outer curved portion is secured to the base member, the inner curved portion including at least one channel defining a circular path therealong configured to receive at least a portion of the flexible tubing containing the fluid;

at least one fastening member for attaching the pump race module to the base member so that the pump race module generally encloses the rotating device;

securing means to fasten a fluid input portion and a fluid output portion of the flexible tubing to the pump race module so that the fluid input portion and the fluid output portions are substantially parallel with the fastening member; and

an adjusting device for adjusting a compression of the flexible tubing containing the fluid by displacing the inner curved portion of the pump race module relative to the outer curved portion, the adjusting device positioned adjacent to the free end of the inner curved portion;

the curved member and flexible tubing being enclosed in a sterile package and forming a consumable component of a blood treatment system.

22. A tubing set for a blood treatment system, comprising:

a tubing support with clips and a curved surface forming a pump race, the tubing support having tubes wrapped therearound and held by the clips and further configured to attach to a pump having a roller carriage such that the tubes are compressed between the roller carriage and the pump race when the tubing support is attached to the pump;

the tubing support and tubes being wrapped in a sterile package and being sterile therewithin.

23. A blood treatment system, comprising:

a tubing support with clips and a curved surface forming a pump race, the tubing support having tubes wrapped therearound and held by the clips and further configured to attach to a pump having a roller carriage such that the tubes are compressed between the roller carriage and the pump race when the tubing support is attached to the pump;

the tubing support and tubes being wrapped in a sterile package and being sterile therewithin;

a blood treatment machine with a portion having an enclosure housing the pump, the enclosure having an access, the access having opposing sides whose size is substantially the size of the tubing support such that the support and tubes thereattached just fit the opposing sides.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein the enclosure houses components of a portable blood treatment machine.

25. The system of claim 23 or 24, wherein tubing support is attachable to the support by connecting screws having respective axes that are parallel, the tubing support having an adjustment screw for adjusting pressure of the pump race against the tubes, the adjustment screw having an axis that is parallel to the respective axes of the connecting screws.

26. The system of claim 25, wherein the adjustment and connecting screw axes are perpendicular to a line joining the opposing sides.

27. The system of claim 25, wherein the adjustment and connecting screw axes are accessible through the access.

28. The system of claim 25, wherein the access is an opening and the adjustment and connecting screw axes are perpendicular to a plane defined by the opening.

29. A pumping device having a rotary portion to compel a movement of a fluid by peristaltic compression of a tubing containing the fluid, the pumping device comprising:

a base member;

a roller assembly having a central axis of rotation, adapted to be mounted on said base member and to make an occludable contact with the tubing; and

a casing module attachable to said base member by screws so as to generally surround said roller assembly, said casing module having a flexible curved wall section including at least one guiding channel defining a cylindrical surface therealong;

wherein a portion of said tubing is held and supported by the casing module so that the tubing extends along said at least one guiding channel such that the tubing and casing module form an integral unit with the tubing extending generally parallel and away from the casing module and parallel to the screws.

30. A peristaltic pump for propelling a fluid, comprising:

a support assembly;

a motor device having a drive shaft and connected to said support assembly, the drive shaft adapted for rotation about a longitudinal axis;

a fluid-carrying flexible tube;

a rotation assembly mounted on said drive shaft to be carried by the driving member for movement in a circular path during rotation of the drive shaft about the longitudinal axis, the rotating assembly including a plurality of circumferentially spaced rollers for selective engagement of the rollers with the fluid-carrying flexible tube so that the rollers selectively compress and occlude said tube during rotation; and

a housing module removably mounted on the support assembly using securing means so that the housing module substantially encloses the rotation assembly, the housing module including a flexible curved member, an inner surface of the flexible curved member configured to receive at least a portion of the fluid-carrying tube;

wherein the housing module further includes fastening means to hold a fluid input portion and a fluid output portion of the fluid-carrying tube so that when in place, the input and output fluid portions face substantially in the same direction when viewed from the top as the securing means and are parallel with the securing means.

31. A pumping device having a rotary portion to compel a movement of a fluid by peristaltic compression of a tubing containing the fluid, the pumping device comprising:

a base member;

a roller assembly mounted on the base member and adapted to make an occludable contact with the tubing; and

a removable casing module including a flexible curved section, the casing module being configured to be attached to said base member so as to generally surround said roller assembly and to define a passageway between said flexible curved section and the roller assembly, the tubing being positioned in said passageway;

wherein the casing module further includes an adjusting member to adjust compression of the tubing against the roller assembly by pressing a surface the flexible curved section toward the roller assembly.

32. The device as claimed in claim 31, wherein the casing member further includes a second curved section positioned circumferentially with the flexible curved section, the adjusting member having a first end portion attached to the second curved section and a second end portion adjacent to the flexible curved section so that moving the first end portion generates a displacement of the flexible curved section relative to the second curved section.

33. The device as claimed in claim 32, wherein the adjusting member is a top screw, and the displacement of the flexible curved section is done by turning the top screw.

34. A method of removing a fluid-carrying tube from a peristaltic pump, comprising:

detaching a removable casing module from a base member, the base member supporting a roller assembly adapted to rotate around a central axis and configured to occludably contact a portion of the fluid-carrying tube extending along an inner portion of the casing module, the casing module being positioned to surround the roller assembly; and

removing the fluid-carrying tube from the detached casing module.

35. The method as claimed in claim 34, wherein the detaching of the removable casing module includes removing a securing member used to attach the casing module to the base member.

36. A method for adjusting flow of a fluid in a fluid-carrying tube of a peristaltic pump, the method comprising:

adjusting a height of a passageway formed between an inner curved flexible portion of a casing module and a rotor device configured to compress and occlude the fluid-carrying tube resting in the passageway;

wherein the adjusting includes displacing the inner curved flexible portion of the casing module using an adjusting member; and

wherein the adjusting member includes a first end portion attached to a second curved portion partially surrounding the inner curved flexible portion of the casing module, and a second end portion adjacent to the inner curved flexible portion so that moving the first end portion generates a displacement of the inner curved portion relative to the second curved portion.

37. A removable housing module to be attached to a base member of a pumping arrangement having a rotating device which compels the movement of a fluid by peristaltic compression of a flexible tubing containing the fluid, the housing module comprising:

a curved member including an outer curved portion partially surrounding an inner curved portion, one end of the inner curved portion being connected to the outer curved portion, and another end of the inner curved portion being free;

at least one connecting member for attaching the housing module to the base member so that the housing module generally encloses the rotating device; and

an adjusting device for adjusting a compression of the flexible tubing containing the fluid by displacing the inner curved portion of the housing module relative to the outer curved portion.

38. The removable housing module as claimed in claim 39, wherein the adjusting device has one end portion connected to the first curved portion and a second end portion in contact with a surface of the inner curved portion.

39. The removable housing module as claimed in claim 38, wherein the adjusting device is a top screw positioned adjacent to the free end of the inner curved portion.

40. A removable housing module to be attached to a base member of a pumping arrangement having a rotating device which compels the movement of a fluid by peristaltic compression of a flexible tubing containing the fluid, the housing module comprising:

a curved member including an outer curved portion partially surrounding an inner curved portion, one end portion of the inner curved portion being fixed and another end portion of the inner curved portion being free, the inner curved portion including at least one channel defining a circular path therealong configured to receive at least a portion of the flexible tubing containing the fluid;

at least one fastening member for attaching the housing module to the base member so that the housing module generally encloses the rotating device;

securing means to fasten a fluid input portion and a fluid output portion of the flexible tubing to the housing module so that the fluid input portion and the fluid output portions are substantially parallel with the fastening member; and

an adjusting device for adjusting a compression of the flexible tubing containing the fluid by displacing the inner curved portion of the housing module relative to the outer curved portion, the adjusting device positioned adjacent to the free end of the inner curved portion.

41. A removable pump race module to be attached to a base member of a pump having a rotating device which compels the movement of a fluid by peristaltic compression of a flexible tubing containing the fluid, the pump race module comprising:

a curved member of polymer including an outer curved portion partially surrounding an inner curved portion, one end portion of the inner curved portion being fixed and another end portion of the inner curved portion being free when the outer curved portion is secured to the base member, the inner curved portion including at least one channel defining a circular path therealong configured to receive at least a portion of the flexible tubing containing the fluid;

at least one fastening member for attaching the pump race module to the base member so that the pump race module generally encloses the rotating device;

securing means to fasten a fluid input portion and a fluid output portion of the flexible tubing to the pump race module so that the fluid input portion and the fluid output portions are substantially parallel with the fastening member; and

an adjusting device for adjusting a compression of the flexible tubing containing the fluid by displacing the inner curved portion of the pump race module relative to the outer curved portion, the adjusting device positioned adjacent to the free end of the inner curved portion.

42. The module as claimed in claim 41, wherein the adjusting device includes a first end portion connected to the outer curved portion and a second end portion in contact with a surface of the inner curved portion.

43. The module as claimed in claim 42, wherein the adjusting device is a top screw positioned adjacent to the free end of the inner curved portion.

44. The module as claimed in claim 43, wherein the curved member and flexible tubing being enclosed in a sterile package and forming a consumable component of a blood treatment system.