Adjustable preload for spring-loaded pumping elements in an infusion pump

A method comprising:

• causing one or more pumping elements of an infusion pumping mechanism to periodically compress a fluid tubing against a rigid support surface to pump a fluid through the fluid tubing in a predetermined direction of flow, each pumping element being biased by a respective preloaded spring element positioned between a portion of the pumping element and a movable support reference to exert a corresponding compression force on the fluid tubing;
• and
• causing, by an actuator device, the movable support reference to, while the one or more pumping elements is periodically compressing the fluid tubing, move towards or away from the fluid tubing and the portion of the at least one pumping element so as to increase or reduce the preload of the respective preloaded spring elements and the corresponding compression force exerted on the fluid tubing by the one or more pumping elements.

A non-transitory machine readable medium storing instructions thereon that, when executed by a machine, cause the machine to perform operations comprising:

• causing one or more pumping elements of an infusion pumping mechanism to periodically compress a fluid tubing against a rigid support surface to pump a fluid through the fluid tubing in a predetermined direction of flow, each pumping element being biased by a respective preloaded spring element positioned between a portion of the pumping element and a movable support reference to exert a corresponding compression force on the fluid tubing;
• and
• causing, by an actuator device, the movable support reference to, while the one or more pumping elements is periodically compressing the fluid tubing, move towards or away from the fluid tubing and the portion of the at least one pumping element so as to increase or reduce the preload of the respective preloaded spring elements and the corresponding compression force exerted on the fluid tubing by the one or more pumping elements.