Methods and apparatuses for joining a pumping cartridge to a pump drive

A method for reversibly coupling a pumping cartridge to a driveshaft of a reusable pump drive system, the method comprising:

• providing the reusable pump drive system with a first pumping cartridge retaining component configured and positioned to enable it to engage a first portion of the cartridge, the first pumping cartridge retaining component being adjustable between a retaining position and a non-retaining position;
• providing a driveshaft of the reusable pump drive system with a second pumping cartridge retaining component configured and positioned to enable it to engage a second portion of the cartridge comprising a portion of a piston shaft of the pumping cartridge, the second pumping cartridge retaining component being adjustable between a retaining position and a non-retaining position;
• inserting the pumping cartridge into the pump drive system;
• adjusting the first pumping cartridge retaining component to the retaining position;
• moving the driveshaft of the pump drive system to a first end of its range, wherein the driveshaft is in its distal-most position in which a distance between a distal end of the driveshaft and the cylinder is as small as possible;
• and
• engaging said second pumping cartridge retaining component with the second portion of the cartridge comprising a portion of the piston shaft of the pumping cartridge, so as to couple the piston shaft to the driveshaft.

A method for coupling a presterilized pumping cartridge to a reusable pump drive assembly, the method comprising:

• positioning a piston assembly portion of the pumping cartridge in a first position within the cylinder, the first position being proximal to an operating region of the cylinder in which a piston reciprocates during operation;
• sterilizing at least a cylinder assembly portion of the pumping cartridge;
• inserting the cartridge sterilized in the sterilizing step into the pump drive assembly;
• engaging a first retaining component of the pump drive assembly with a first portion of the cartridge;
• and
• engaging a second retaining component of a driveshaft of the pump drive assembly with the piston assembly portion of the cartridge.