Patent ID: 6881043

Claim:
A pump for use with a flexible tube operably disposed therein for delivering liquid to a patient, the pump comprising: a first tube-clamping member having a range of motion to block the flexible tube; a first set of tube squeezing members, each of the first set of tube squeezing member having a range of motion limited to constrict the flexible tube; a second tube-clamping member having a range of motion to block the flexible tube; a second set of tube squeezing members, each of the second set of tube squeezing member having a range of motion limited to constrict the flexible tube, said first tube-clamping, first set of tube squeezing, second tube-clamping and second set of tube squeezing members being sequentially arranged in a direction from upstream to downstream; a motor; and a synchronizing device operably associated with said motor and said first tube-clamping, first set of tube squeezing, second tube-clamping and second set of tube squeezing members, said synchronizing device operable to activate said first tube-clamping, first set of tube squeezing, second tube-clamping and second set of tube squeezing members in a sequential order to engage the flexible tube such that liquid in the flexible tube is pumped in a downstream direction.