Clamping device for medical apparatus

A device for clamping a flexible tube and determining the presence of the flexible tube in the device, comprising:

• a bearing element comprising a bearing surface configured to accept the flexible tube for being clamped;
• a clamping element comprising a clamping surface facing the bearing surface, the clamping element configured to move with respect to the bearing element between at least one open position where the flexible tube placed between the bearing surface and the clamping surface is not deformed, an obturation position where the flexible tube placed between the bearing surface and the clamping surface is obstructed and a closed position where the bearing surface and the clamping surface are in contact;
• a drive member coupled to one end of the clamping element and configured to linearly displace the clamping element, the drive member being arranged to produce a movement and transmit said movement to the clamping element through the coupling;
• wherein the clamping element comprises a body in the form of a plate and a spring positioned inside the body, the plate coupled at a first end to the drive member, and comprising at a second end a curved portion ending with the clamping surface, the clamping surface being displaced towards the bearing surface along an axis that is distinct from an axis wherein the body in the form of a plate is displaced;
• and
• a control unit configured to implement the following operations:
• actuating the clamping element from the open position towards the closed position until the clamping element is blocked,
• detecting the position of the clamping element as blocked with a position detector,
• determining the presence or the absence of the flexible tube according to the position of the clamping element.