Patent ID: 6607368
Filing Date: 2003-08-19
Classification: A61M,F04B

Abstract:
A fluid pump for pumping a fluid, comprising:a pump frame having a central axis extending axially between an inlet end and an outlet end; an inlet end cap and an outlet end cap each secured to the pump frame and spaced axially from each other; a plurality of circumferentially spaced support ribs each extending between the inlet end cap and the outlet end cap, each support rib having a central portion between the end caps radially moveable with respect to the central axis; a plurality of linear motors each connected to a respective support rib, each linear motor including a stator and a shaft linearly moveable relative to the stator to cyclically increase and decrease an effective length of the rib to radially move the central portion of the rib; a conforming generally tubular bladder radially positioned by the plurality of support ribs and interconnected at one end to said inlet end cap and at an opposite end to said outlet end cap, the bladder defining an inner chamber therein and between the end caps, the inner chamber having a volume; an inner chamber inlet check valve fluidly interconnecting the fluid with the inner chamber; an inner chamber outlet check valve fluidly interconnecting the inner chamber with the fluid; and a power supply for powering each of the plurality of linear motors to cyclically move the plurality of support ribs and thereby vary the volume of the inner chamber to pump fluid.