Device for conversion of a unidirectional rotational motion into reciprocating back and forth motion and pump device comprising same

A pump device comprising:

• a casing separate d into first and second interior volumes by a diaphragm;
• at least one inlet valve and at least one outlet valve in fluid communication with the first interior volume;
• a disc rotatably mounted in the second interior volume in a plane which is generally parallel with the diaphragm;
• a unidirectional rotation mechanism arranged to rotate the disk in a single direction about a rotational axis;
• a rotatable wobble pin rotationally mounted to the disc and extending at an angle α in relation to the plane of the disc, wherein the angle α is not equal to 90°;
• a swivel pin rigidly mounted to the wobble pin and extending therefrom, said swivel pin connected to one or more pressing elements at a distal end thereof for pressing the diaphragm;
• means for preventing rotation of the swivel pin about the rotational axis of the disc as the disc is rotated by the unidirectional rotation mechanism;
• wherein rotation of the disc results in movement of said pressing elements along an arc in a direction which is generally parallel to the rotational axis of the disc, said pressing elements alternately pressing and releasing the diaphragm with the rotation of the disc by the unidirectional rotation mechanism.

A method for pumping blood, comprising:

• providing a pump device comprising:
• a casing separated into first and second interior volumes by a diaphragm;
• at least one inlet valve and at least one outlet valve in fluid communication with the first interior volume;
• a disc rotatably mounted in the second interior volume in a plane which is generally parallel with the diaphragm;
• a unidirectional rotation mechanism arranged to rotate the disk in a single direction about a rotational axis;
• a rotatable wobble pin rotationally mounted to the disc and extending at an angle α in relation to the plane of the disc, wherein the angle α is not equal to 90°;
• a swivel pin rotatably mounted to the wobble pin and extending therefrom, said swivel pin comprising one or more pressing elements at a distal end thereof for pressing the diaphragm;
• means for preventing rotation of the swivel pin about the rotational axis of the disc as the disc is rotated by the unidirectional rotation mechanism;
• coupling the inlet valve to a blood source;
• coupling the outlet valve to a blood destination;
• rotating the disc to move the pressing elements along an arc in a direction which is generally parallel to the rotational axis of the disc, said pressing elements alternately pressing and releasing the diaphragm, wherein the pressed diaphragm expels blood from the first interior volume through the outlet valve, and the released diaphragm permits and/or causes blood to enter the first interior volume tough the inlet valve.