Fluid pumping system and apparatus

A fluid pumping cartridge for particular use in a single surgical procedure in order to deliver and maintain sterile condition of the pumped fluid, comprising:

• a pumping chamber formed in a cartridge housing adapted for manually replaceable connection to and disconnection from a pump control structure;
• and pump means integrally contained in said cartridge housing arranged for pumping sterile fluid from said pumping chamber and adapted for connection to a pump drive structure provided by said pump control structure, wherein said pump means comprises a resilient diaphragm member clamped between first and second portions of said cartridge housing, said cartridge further comprising a pulsation controlling accumulator chamber including a selectively displaceable diaphragm defining one wall thereof which is capable of selective oscillation and absorption of fluid flow pulses driven by said pump drive structure in order to produce selectively continuous flow of said sterile fluid from said accumulator chamber and cartridge.

A fluid pumping cartridge for particular use in a single surgical procedure in order to deliver and maintain sterile condition of the pumped fluid, comprising:

• a pumping chamber formed in a cartridge housing adapted for replaceable connection to and disconnection from a pump control structure, and an accumulator chamber in flow communication with said pumping chamber, wherein said cartridge housing comprises first and second housing portions, between said housing portions is clamped an integral diaphragm structure including a first diaphragm portion resiliently oscillating within said pumping chamber to produce said pumping action, and a second diaphragm portion forming at least one wall of said accumulator chamber which is selectively displaceable to enable selectively variable volume of said accumulator chamber in order to generate selective discharge of said fluid from said cartridge in either a continuous flow or pulsating flow of said fluid.

A fluid pumping assembly for particular use in surgical procedures in order to deliver and maintain sterile condition of a pumped fluid, comprising in combination a pump control structure and a replaceable pump cartridge, such that said pump control structure is designed to have the fluid pump cartridge connected and disconnected thereto, to enable convenient replacement thereof;

• said pump control structure including a pump drive means;
• said pump cartridge containing fluid pump means adapted for connection to said pump drive structure, in order to pump sterile fluid through said pumping cartridge flowing entirely isolated from said pump control structure to ensure that said fluid is maintained sterile during said pumping action, and a pulsation controlling accumulator chamber including a selectively deflectable diaphragm defining one wall thereof which is capable of selective oscillation and absorption of fluid flow pulses driven by said pump drive structure in order to produce selectively continuous flow of said sterile fluid from said accumulator chamber and cartridge.

A cartridge for particular use in a single surgical procedure in order to deliver and maintain sterile condition of the pumped fluid, comprising:

• a cartridge housing adapted for replaceable connection to a pump control structure in order to isolate therefrom pumping of sterile fluid through the cartridge;
• and
• a pulsation controlling, accumulator chamber including a deflectable diaphragm defining one wall thereof which is capable of oscillation and absorption of pumped fluid flow pulses in order to produce continuous flow of said sterile fluid from said accumulator chamber and cartridge.

A fluid pumping cartridge for particular use in a single surgical procedure in order to deliver and maintain sterile condition of the pumped fluid, comprising:

• a pump means integrally arranged within a cartridge housing adapted for replaceable connection to a pump drive structure in order to isolate from the pump drive structure, pumping of sterile fluid through the cartridge;
• and a pulsation controlling, accumulator chamber in flow communication with said pump means, said accumulator chamber having a diaphragm defining one wall thereof and pulsation control means for selectively enabling said diaphragm to oscillate and absorb fluid flow pulses pumped from said pump means and to selectively produce continuous flow of said fluid from said cartridge.

A cartridge for particular use in a single surgical procedure in order to deliver and maintain sterile condition of pumped surgical fluid, comprising:

• a cartridge housing a pulsation controlling, accumulator chamber including a deflectable diaphragm defining one wall thereof which is capable of oscillation and absorption of pumped fluid flow pulses in order to produce continuous flow of said sterile fluid from said accumulator chamber and cartridge.