阅读说明：本技术 耗散蠕动泵管路 (Dissipative peristaltic pump tubing ) 是由 扎卡里·加恩西 查尔斯·S·戈卢布 约瑟夫·E·盖斯曼 马克·汉普登-史密斯 理查德·罗登比 于 2020-04-30 设计创作，主要内容包括：本公开提供一种耗散蠕动泵管,所述耗散蠕动泵管包括耗散层,所述耗散层包括热塑性弹性体和抗静电添加剂,其中所述耗散蠕动泵管的表面电阻率为至少约10～(6)欧姆/平方。本公开进一步涉及一种蠕动泵,所述蠕动泵包括所述耗散蠕动泵管。(The present disclosure provides a dissipative peristaltic pump tube comprising a dissipative layer comprising a thermoplastic elastomer and an antistatic additive, wherein the surface resistivity of the dissipative peristaltic pump tube is at least about 10 6 Ohm/square. The present disclosure further relates to a peristaltic pump comprising the dissipative peristaltic pump tube.)

1. A dissipative peristaltic pump tube comprising a dissipative layer comprising a thermoplastic elastomer and an antistatic additive, wherein the surface resistivity of the dissipative peristaltic pump tube is at least about 10⁶Ohm/square.

2. The dissipative peristaltic pump tube of claim 1, wherein the antistatic additive comprises an inherent dissipative additive, a liquid additive, a conductive additive, or a combination thereof.

3. The dissipative peristaltic pump tube of claim 2, wherein the conductive additive comprises an onium salt, carbon black, silver ions, silver metal, quaternary ammonium salt, gold alloy, copper alloy, or a combination thereof.

4. The dissipative peristaltic pump tube of claim 3, wherein the conductive additive is present in an amount of about 0.05% to about 15% of the total weight of the dissipative layer.

5. The dissipative peristaltic pump tube of claim 2, wherein the inherent dissipative additive comprises polyether block amide (PEBA), urethane block copolymer, or a combination thereof.

6. The dissipative peristaltic pump tube of claim 5, wherein the inherent dissipative additive is present in an amount from about 1% to about 90% of the total weight of the dissipative layer.

7. The dissipative peristaltic pump tube of claim 2, wherein the liquid additive comprises stearic acid, ethoxylated amines, diethanolamide, glycerol monostearate, glycerol esters, alkyl sulfonates, ethoxylated fatty acid esters, ethoxylation, sorbitan esters, zinc stearate, or combinations thereof.

8. The dissipative peristaltic pump tube of claim 7, wherein the liquid additive is present in an amount of about 0.1% to about 35% of the total weight of the dissipative layer.

9. A dissipative peristaltic pump tube according to claim 1, wherein the thermoplastic elastomer comprises polystyrene, polyester, silicone copolymer, silicone thermoplastic vulcanizate, copolyester, polyamide, fluoropolymer, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyetherester copolymer, thermoplastic polyurethane, polyetheramide block (PEBA) copolymer, polyamide copolymer, styrene block copolymer, polycarbonate, polyolefin elastomer, thermoplastic vulcanizate, ionomer, Polyoxymethylene (POM), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), acetal, acrylic, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), blends or combinations thereof.

10. The dissipative peristaltic pump tube of claim 1, wherein the dissipative layer has an inner surface defining a central lumen of the tube.

11. The dissipative peristaltic pump tube of claim 1, wherein the dissipative layer is a coating on an outer surface of the inner layer.

12. The dissipative peristaltic pump tube of claim 1, wherein the tube is used in conjunction with an electrocardiogram.

13. The dissipative peristaltic pump tube of claim 1, wherein the tube has less charge than a tube without the antistatic agent.

14. The dissipative peristaltic pump tube of claim 1, wherein the dissipative peristaltic pump tube has at least about 10⁶Surface resistivity of ohm/square, such as about 10⁶Ohm/square to about 10¹²Ohm/square.

15. A peristaltic pump, comprising:

a dissipative peristaltic pump tube comprising a dissipative layer comprising a thermoplastic elastomer and an antistatic additive, wherein the surface resistivity of the dissipative peristaltic pump tube is at least about 10⁶Ohm/square.

Technical Field

The present disclosure generally relates to peristaltic pump tubes.

Background

Many industries use peristaltic pump tubing to deliver and remove fluids. Peristaltic pump tubing is used in various industries, such as the medical and pharmaceutical industries, and therefore typically uses thermoplastic elastomers that are non-toxic, flexible, thermally stable, have low chemical reactivity, and can be produced in a variety of sizes. For peristaltic pumps, metal rollers are in contact with the tubing. Unfortunately, the rollers of a peristaltic pump generate an electrical charge when they contact the tubing. This can present a problem when using medical devices that are sensitive to electrical noise. For example, when a patient is connected to an electrocardiogram and a peristaltic pump, electrical noise from the peristaltic pump may be detected by the electrocardiogram. Therefore, it is necessary for the doctor who reads the result to take such electrical noise into consideration in the acquired medical data. In fact, if the patient is connected to a peristaltic pump, the physician, according to the training received, takes into account the electrical noise when reading the electrocardiogram results. However, it would be advantageous to reduce this electrical noise to obtain a more accurate reading.

Accordingly, there is a need for an improved tube that at least reduces the charge generated by the rollers on the tube.

Disclosure of Invention

In one embodiment, a dissipative peristaltic pump tube comprises a dissipative layer comprising a thermoplastic elastomer and an antistatic additive, wherein the surface resistivity of the dissipative peristaltic pump tube is at least about 10⁶Ohm/square.

In another embodiment, a peristaltic pump comprises a dissipative peristaltic pump tube comprising a dissipative layer comprising a thermoplastic elastomer and an antistatic additive, wherein the surface resistivity of the dissipative peristaltic pump tube is at least about 10⁶Ohm/square.

Drawings

The present disclosure may be better understood, and its numerous features and advantages made apparent to those skilled in the art by referencing the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 and 2 include illustrations of exemplary dissipative peristaltic pump tubing.

The use of the same reference symbols in different drawings indicates similar or identical items.

Detailed Description

The following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings is provided to assist in understanding the teachings disclosed herein. The following discussion focuses on specific embodiments and examples of the present teachings. This emphasis is provided to help describe the teachings and should not be construed as limiting the scope or applicability of the present teachings.

As used herein, the terms "comprising," including, "" having, "or any other variation thereof, are open-ended terms and are to be construed to mean" including, but not limited to. These terms include the more restrictive terms "consisting essentially of and" consisting of. In one embodiment, a method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of features is not necessarily limited to only those features but may include other features not expressly listed or inherent to such method, article, or apparatus. In addition, "or" means an inclusive "or" rather than an exclusive "or" unless expressly specified otherwise. For example, any of the following conditions a or B may be satisfied: a is true (or present) and B is false (or not present), a is false (or not present) and B is true (or present), and both a and B are true (or present).

Also, the use of "a" or "an" is used to describe elements and components described herein. This is done merely for convenience and to give a general sense of the scope of the invention. Unless clearly indicated otherwise, such description should be understood to include one or at least one and the singular also includes the plural or vice versa. For example, when a single item is described herein, more than one item may be used in place of a single item. Similarly, where more than one item is described herein, a single item may be substituted for more than one item.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. The materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting. Many details regarding specific materials and processing methods are conventional and can be found in the references and other sources within the field of construction and corresponding manufacturing, regarding aspects not described herein. All measurements were about 25 ℃ unless otherwise stated. For example, the viscosity number is a value at 25 ℃ unless otherwise specified.

The present disclosure relates generally to a tube, and in particular to a dissipative peristaltic pump tube. The dissipative peristaltic pump tube includes a dissipative layer comprising a thermoplastic elastomer and an antistatic additive. As used herein, "dissipative" with respect to dissipative peristaltic pump tubing and a dissipative layer refers to at least static dissipation. In one embodiment, the dissipative peristaltic pump tube and the dissipative layer are electrically dissipative. The dissipative peristaltic pump tube has a desired surface resistivity, particularly when in contact with a roller of the peristaltic pump, such that the dissipative peristaltic pump tube has a reduced charge compared to the peristaltic pump tube without the antistatic additive. In one embodiment, the dissipative peristaltic pump tube has at least about 10⁶Surface resistivity in ohms/square. As used herein, "surface resistivity" is defined as the resistance to current leakage along the outer surface of the tube.

In one embodiment, a dissipative peristaltic pump tube includes a dissipative layer of a thermoplastic elastomer and an antistatic additive. Any thermoplastic elastomer can be envisaged. In a particular embodiment, the thermoplastic elastomer comprises polystyrene, polyester, silicone copolymer, silicone thermoplastic vulcanizate, copolyester, polyamide, fluoropolymer, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyetherester copolymer, thermoplastic polyurethane, polyetheramide block (PEBA) copolymer, polyamide copolymer, styrene block copolymer, polycarbonate, polyolefin elastomer, thermoplastic vulcanizate, ionomer, Polyoxymethylene (POM), Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), acetal, acrylic, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), blends, or combinations thereof. In more particular embodiments, the thermoplastic polymer is polyvinyl chloride, polyurethane, PEBA, styrene block copolymer, blend, or combinations thereof. The thermoplastic elastomer provides a matrix in which the antistatic additive is uniformly dispersed.

The antistatic additive provides at least static dissipative properties, or even electrically dissipative properties, to the dissipative layer. In one embodiment, any antistatic additive can be envisioned. Any suitable amount of antistatic additive can be envisioned to provide at least static dissipative properties, or even electrically dissipative properties, to the dissipative peristaltic pump tube. For example, the antistatic additive includes an inherently dissipative additive, a liquid additive, a conductive additive, or a combination thereof. Any inherently dissipative additive can be envisaged. In one embodiment, the inherent dissipative additive includes, but is not limited to, polyether block amide (PEBA), urethane block copolymer, or combinations thereof. In one example, the inherent dissipative additive is present in an amount from about 1% to about 90% of the total weight of the dissipative layer. In one embodiment, the antistatic additive is a liquid additive including, but not limited to, stearic acid, ethoxylated amines, diethanolamides, glycerol monostearate, glycerol esters, alkyl sulfonates, ethoxylated fatty acid esters, ethoxylates, sorbitan esters, zinc stearates, or combinations thereof. In one embodiment, the liquid additive is present in an amount from about 0.1% to about 35% by total weight of the dissipative layer. In one embodiment, the antistatic additive can be any suitable conductive additive. Exemplary conductive additives include, but are not limited to, onium salts, carbon black, silver ions, silver metal, quaternary ammonium salts, gold alloys, copper alloys, or combinations thereof. In a particular embodiment, the onium salt comprises a nitronium salt. In one embodiment, the conductive additive is present in an amount from about 0.05% to about 15% by total weight of the dissipative layer. It will be appreciated that the amount of antistatic additive can be within a range between any of the minimum and maximum values noted above. In one embodiment, it is contemplated that a combination of antistatic agents provides a synergistic effect such that relatively small amounts of additives may be used to provide the desired surface resistivity.

The thermoplastic elastomer may be formed from any suitable components, such as any precursors with any suitable additives added. Additional additives include, for example, catalysts, fillers, plasticizers, lubricants, antioxidants, colorants, optically clear conductive additives, adhesion promoters, heat stabilizers, acid scavengers, UV stabilizers, processing aids, or combinations thereof. In a particular embodiment, the precursors, additional additives (such as catalysts, fillers, plasticizers, lubricants, antioxidants, colorants, optically clear conductive additives, adhesion promoters, heat stabilizers, acid scavengers, UV stabilizers, processing aids, or combinations thereof) depend on the thermoplastic elastomer selected and the desired final properties of the dissipative peristaltic pump tube.

Any suitable catalyst capable of initiating crosslinking of the thermoplastic elastomer is envisaged. Exemplary catalysts include catalysts that can be thermally cured, IR radiation cured, electron beam cured, or combinations thereof, such as peroxides, benzophenones, or combinations thereof. The catalyst may or may not be used in combination with a crosslinker promoter, such as Triallylcyanurate (TAC), Triallylisocyanurate (TAIC), or a combination thereof. In one embodiment, the additive comprises any suitable optically transparent conductive additive. Exemplary optically transparent conductive additives include, but are not limited to, indium tin oxide particles, silver nanowires, carbon nanotubes, or combinations thereof. In one embodiment, the additive includes any suitable adhesion promoter. Any suitable adhesion promoter that promotes adhesion of adjacent layers is contemplated and will depend on the adjacent layers. Exemplary lubricants include silicone oils, waxes, slip aids, antiblocking agents, and the like, or any combination thereof. Exemplary lubricants further include silicone grafted polyolefins, polyethylene or polypropylene waxes, oleamide, erucamide, stearates, fatty acid esters, and the like, or any combination thereof. Exemplary antioxidants include phenolic, hindered amine antioxidants. Exemplary fillers include calcium carbonate, talc, radiopaque fillers (such as barium sulfate, bismuth oxychloride, any combination thereof, and the like). Exemplary plasticizers include any known plasticizer, such as citrate, phthalate, trimellitate, diisoacyl 1, 2-cyclohexanedicarboxylate (DINCH), adipate, polymeric plasticizer, castor oil derivatives, mineral oil, soybean oil (such as epoxidized soybean oil, and the like, or any combination thereof).

Typically, the additional additives may be present in an amount of no greater than about 50% by total weight of the thermoplastic elastomer, such as no greater than about 40% by total weight of the thermoplastic elastomer, or even no greater than about 30% by total weight of the thermoplastic elastomer. In an alternative embodiment, the thermoplastic elastomer may be substantially free of additional additives, such as catalysts, lubricants, fillers, plasticizers, antioxidants, colorants, optically clear conductive additives, adhesion promoters, heat stabilizers, acid scavengers, UV stabilizers, processing aids, or combinations thereof.

In one embodiment, the material content of the dissipative layer is substantially 100% of the thermoplastic elastomer and the antistatic agent. In some embodiments, the dissipative layer consists essentially of the respective thermoplastic elastomer and antistatic additive described above. As used herein, the phrase "consisting essentially of," used in conjunction with a layer, excludes the presence of materials that affect the basic and novel properties of the thermoplastic elastomer, although common processing aids and additives may be used in the layer.

FIG. 1 is a view of a dissipative peristaltic pump tube 100 according to one embodiment. In one particular embodiment, a dissipative peristaltic pump tube 100 can include a body 102 having an outer diameter 104 and an inner diameter 106. The inner diameter 106 may form a hollow bore 108 of the body 102. The hollow bore 108 defines a central lumen of the tube. Further, the body 102 is shown as a dissipative layer comprising a thermoplastic elastomer and an antistatic additive. The dissipative layer can include a layer thickness 110, which is measured by the difference between the outer diameter 104 and the inner diameter 106.

In a particular embodiment, the outer diameter 104 of the body 102 is about 0.25 inches to about 5.0 inches, such as about 0.5 inches to about 2.0 inches. It will be appreciated that the outer diameter 104 can be within a range between any of the minimum and maximum values noted above. In one embodiment, the inner diameter 106 of the body 102 is about 0.03 inches to about 4.0 inches, such as about 0.06 inches to about 1.0 inches. It should be appreciated that the inner diameter 106 can be within a range between any of the minimum and maximum values noted above.

Further, the body 102 may have a length 112 that is the distance between the distal end 114 and the proximal end 116 of the dissipative peristaltic pump tube 100. In further embodiments, the length 112 of the body 102 may be at least about 2 meters, such as at least about 5 meters, such as at least about 10 meters. The length 112 is generally limited by practical issues such as storage and long distance transport or customer requirements.

Although in the exemplary embodiment shown in fig. 1, the cross-section of the hollow bore 108 perpendicular to the axial direction of the body 102 has a circular shape, the cross-section of the hollow bore 108 perpendicular to the axial direction of the body 102 may have any cross-sectional shape contemplated.

In an alternative embodiment, and as shown in fig. 2, the dissipative peristaltic pump tube 200 is an elongated annular structure with a hollow central bore. Dissipative peristaltic pump 200 includes an inner layer 202 and a dissipative layer 204. The dissipative layer 204 is shown as a coating covering the inner layer 202. Inner layer 202 may be in direct contact with and may be directly bonded to dissipation layer 204 along outer surface 206 of inner layer 202. As shown, the dissipative layer 204 provides an outer surface 208 of the dissipative peristaltic pump tube 200. For example, the inner layer 202 may be bonded directly to the dissipative layer 204 without intervening adhesive layers, such as primers. In one exemplary embodiment, dissipative peristaltic pump tube 200 includes two layers, an inner layer 202 and a dissipative layer 204. As shown, the inner layer 202 includes an inner surface 210 that defines a central lumen of the tube. In one embodiment, the dissipative layer 204 includes a thermoplastic elastomer and an antistatic agent. In one embodiment, the inner layer 202 may be the same or different material as the dissipative layer 204. For example, the inner layer 202 may include the same or different thermoplastic elastomer as the dissipative layer 204, and may or may not include an antistatic additive. In one example, the inner layer 202 is an exemplary thermoplastic elastomer as described above with or without an antistatic additive. In one embodiment, the inner layer 202 includes an antistatic additive to provide at least static dissipative or even electrically dissipative properties to the peristaltic pump tube. In an alternative embodiment, the inner layer 202 does not include an antistatic additive.

Any size dissipative peristaltic pump tube 200 is contemplated. For example, any thickness of the layers 202, 204 may be envisioned and generally depends on the desired final properties of the dissipative peristaltic pump tube 200. In one embodiment, the thickness ratio of the inner layer 202 to the dissipation layer 204 may be 20: 1 to 1: 20, such as 10: 1 to 1: 10. It will be appreciated that the thickness ratio can be within a range between any of the minimum and maximum values noted above.

Although single and double layer tubes are illustrated, any number of layers is contemplated. For example, a dissipative peristaltic pump tube includes one, two, three, or even more layers. Typically, the dissipation layer has a thickness of at least about 0.002 inches to about 0.060 inches. It will be appreciated that the thickness of the dissipative layer can be within a range between any of the minimum and maximum values noted above. Regardless of the number of layers present, the outer and inner diameters of the dissipative peristaltic pump tube can have any of the values defined for the single layer tube 100 defined in fig. 1. The number of layers depends on the final properties required for the dissipative peristaltic pump tube.

In one embodiment, the dissipative peristaltic pump tube may further comprise other layers. Other layers include, for example, polymer layers, reinforcing layers, adhesive layers, barrier layers, chemical resistant layers, metal layers, any combination thereof, and the like. Any suitable method of providing any additional layers may be envisaged and will depend on the material selected. For example, the additional layer may be an additional polymer layer of a thermoplastic elastomer, which may or may not be extruded. In one embodiment, any number of polymer layers is contemplated. Any number of dissipative layers is also contemplated. Further, while fig. 1 and 2 show the dissipative layer as having an inner surface defining a central lumen of the tube or as an outer surface of the tube, respectively, the dissipative layer can be disposed anywhere on a multi-layer tube, such as sandwiched between multiple layers.

In one embodiment, the dissipative layer of the dissipative peristaltic pump tube can be formed by any suitable means, such as extrusion or injection molding. In a particular embodiment, the layer of dissipative peristaltic pump tubing is formed by extrusion. Any suitable extrusion system is envisaged. Extrusion systems typically include a pumping system and may include a plurality of devices that may be used to form at least one layer of a dissipative peristaltic pump tube. For example, the pumping system may include a pumping device, such as a gear pump, a static mixer, an extruder, a tube die, a radiation curing device, a post-treatment device, or any combination thereof. In one embodiment, the thermoplastic elastomer and antistatic additive may be melt processed by dry blending or compounding. The dry blend may be in the form of a powder, granules or pellets. In one particular embodiment, to form the dissipative layer of a dissipative peristaltic pump tube, pellets of the corresponding monomer or polymer can be compounded with the antistatic additive through a co-rotating intermeshing twin screw extruder, cooled with a water bath, and cut into composite pellets. The dissipative layer can be made by a continuous compounding process or a batch related process. The resulting blend pellets were fed into an extruder with a tube die. The tube is extruded through a tube die and has an inner surface defining a central lumen of the tube.

In one embodiment, the thermoplastic elastomer of the dissipative layer is cured. Any curing conditions may be envisaged, such as radiation curing, thermal curing or a combination thereof. In a particular embodiment, the heat source is sufficient to substantially cure the thermoplastic material. As used herein, "substantially cured" refers to a final crosslink density of > 90%, as measured, for example, by rheometer data (90% cure means that the material achieves 90% of the maximum torque measured by ASTM D5289). Any suitable source of radiation, such as actinic radiation, is contemplated. In one embodiment, the radiation source is Ultraviolet (UV). In a particular embodiment, curing the thermoplastic material includes irradiating with ultraviolet energy having a wavelength of about 10 nanometers (nm) to about 410 nm. Further, any amount of radiant energy may be applied using the same or different wavelengths. Any heat curing conditions can be envisaged and will depend on the thermoplastic elastomer selected.

When the dissipative peristaltic pump tube comprises multiple layers, each of the individual layers of the dissipative peristaltic pump tube can be formed in any reasonable manner and depends on the material and configuration location of each of the individual layers. In one example, an inner layer of thermoplastic elastomer is provided with a dissipation layer formed thereon, as shown in fig. 2. Typically, the thermoplastic elastomer is provided by any reasonable means, such as extrusion or injection molding as described for the dissipative layer. The thermoplastic elastomer forms a layer, such as an inner layer of a dissipative peristaltic pump tube.

After forming the inner layer, the inner layer may be surface treated on the outer surface adjacent to the dissipative layer. In a particular embodiment, the inner layer is surface treated prior to forming the dissipative layer over the inner layer. The surface treatment is to increase the adhesion of the inner layer to the dissipative layer when the inner layer is in direct contact with the dissipative layer. In one embodiment, the surface treatment enables adhesion between the two layers to provide a cohesive bond, i.e., a cohesive failure occurs, wherein the structural integrity of the inner layer and/or the dissipative layer fails before the bond between the two materials fails. The surface treatment may include radiation treatment, chemical etching, physical mechanical etching, plasma etching, corona treatment, chemical vapor deposition, or any combination thereof. In one embodiment, the outer surface of the inner layer is free of any surface treatment. In one embodiment, the adhesion between the inner layer and the dissipative layer can be improved by using an adhesive layer (such as a primer). In an alternative embodiment, the surface between the inner layer and the dissipative layer is free of primer.

In one embodiment, the dissipative layer is formed by the extrusion system described, which may be the same or different from the extrusion system used for the first layer. For example, when the inner layer has an inner surface defining a central lumen of the tube, the dissipative layer is extruded over the inner layer. In one embodiment, a crosshead die is used to allow extrusion of at least one layer over adjacent layers.

Although in this embodiment the dissipation layer is described as being delivered after the inner layer is provided, any order of delivering the inner layer and delivering the dissipation layer is contemplated. In one embodiment, the inner layer and the dissipation layer may be coextruded.

Once formed, the dissipative peristaltic pump tube advantageously can be subjected to a sterilization process. In one embodiment, the dissipative peristaltic pump tube is sterilized by any contemplated method. Exemplary sterilization methods include steam, gamma, ethylene oxide, electron beam techniques, combinations thereof, and the like. In a particular embodiment, the dissipative peristaltic pump tube is sterilized by steam sterilization. In one exemplary embodiment, the dissipative peristaltic pump tube is heat-resistant steam sterilized at a temperature of up to about 121 ℃ for a period of up to about 30 minutes. In one embodiment, the dissipative peristaltic pump tube is heat-resistant steam sterilized at a temperature of up to about 135 ℃ for a period of up to about 20 minutes. In one embodiment, the dissipative peristaltic pump tube may be sterilized by gamma sterilization up to about 50 kGy.

This embodiment can produce dissipative peristaltic pump tubing with desired characteristics. In particular, dissipative peristaltic pump tubes have less charge than tubes without an antistatic agent. In one embodiment, the dissipative peristaltic pump tube has at least about 10⁶Desired surface resistivity of ohm/square, such as about 10⁶Ohm/square to about 10¹²Ohm/square. Due to the desired surface resistivity, the charge and electrical noise generated when the peristaltic pump tube is in contact with the peristaltic pump rollers is significantly reduced. In addition, the medical data obtained when peristaltic pump tubing is used in conjunction with an electrocardiogram is more accurate than when tubing without an antistatic agent is used. Further, the addition of the antistatic agent provides the desired volume resistivity of the dissipative peristaltic pump tube compared to a tube without the antistatic agent. "volume resistivity" is defined as the resistance to current leakage through the thickness of the tube (i.e., through the inner surface to the outer surface). In one embodiment, the dissipative peristaltic pump tube has at least about 10⁶Desired volume resistivity of ohm/square, such as about 10⁶Ohm/square to about 10¹²Ohm/square.

In a particular embodiment, the resulting dissipative peristaltic pump tube has a desired flexibility, substantial clarity or translucency, reduced flow, and the like. The flexibility of the final dissipative peristaltic pump tube typically has a shore a hardness of about 25 to about 90, such as about 35 to about 80 as measured by ASTM D2250. Visual inspection of the definition of the dissipative peristaltic pump tubing was classified into four grades by transparency: transparent, translucent, hazy, and opaque. In one embodiment, the dissipative peristaltic pump tube is not opaque and can be transparent or translucent. In a particular embodiment, the dissipative peristaltic pump tube is transparent. In one embodiment, the dissipative peristaltic pump tube has a light transmittance of greater than about 1%, such as greater than about 20%, or even greater than about 50%, in the visible wavelength range. In one exemplary embodiment, the dissipative peristaltic pump tube may have an average flow reduction of less than about 50% of the initial starting value in the water.

In exemplary embodiments, dissipative peristaltic pump tubing may be used in a variety of applications. The applications for dissipative peristaltic pump tubing are numerous. In particular, the non-toxic nature of the dissipative peristaltic pump tube allows the dissipative peristaltic pump tube to be used in any application where toxicity is not desired. For example, dissipative peristaltic pump tubing has the potential to obtain FDA, ADCF, USP Class VI, NSF, european pharmacopeia standards, United States Pharmacopeia (USP) standards, USP physicochemical standards, ISO 10993 standards for assessing biocompatibility of medical devices, and other regulatory approval. In a particular embodiment, the dissipative peristaltic pump tube is non-cytotoxic, non-hemolytic, non-pyrogenic, non-animal derived component, non-mutagenic, non-bacteriostatic, or any combination thereof.

In one embodiment, the dissipative peristaltic pump tube may be used in applications such as industrial, medical, healthcare, biopharmaceutical, drinking water, food and beverage applications, dairy applications, laboratory applications, FDA applications, and the like. In one exemplary embodiment, dissipative peristaltic pump tubing may be used in applications such as fluid delivery tubing in food and beverage processing equipment, fluid delivery tubing in healthcare, biopharmaceutical manufacturing equipment, and peristaltic pump tubing for medical, laboratory, and biopharmaceutical applications. In one particular embodiment, dissipative peristaltic pump tubing may be used in conjunction with an electrocardiogram in a peristaltic pump.

In a particular embodiment, a fluid source (such as a container, reactor, reservoir, tank, or bag) is coupled to a dissipative peristaltic pump tube. The dissipative peristaltic pump tube may engage a pump, a fitting, a valve, a dispenser or another container, reactor, reservoir, tank or bag. In one example, a dissipative peristaltic pump tube may be coupled to a water container and may have a dispenser fitment at a distal end. In another example, a dissipative peristaltic pump tube may be coupled to the fluid bag and coupled to the valve at the distal end. In a further example, a dissipative peristaltic pump tube may be coupled to the container, engaged in the pump, and coupled at a distal end to the second container.

Many different aspects and embodiments are possible. Some of these aspects and embodiments are described herein. After reading this description, those skilled in the art will appreciate that those aspects and embodiments are illustrative only and do not limit the scope of the present invention. Embodiments may be in accordance with any one or more of the items listed below.

Embodiment 1. a dissipative peristaltic pump tube comprising a dissipative layer comprising a thermoplastic elastomer and an antistatic additive, wherein the surface resistivity of the dissipative peristaltic pump tube is at least about 10⁶Ohm/square.

Embodiment 2. a peristaltic pump comprising a dissipative peristaltic pump tube comprising a dissipative layer comprising a thermoplastic elastomer and an antistatic additive, wherein the surface resistivity of the dissipative peristaltic pump tube is at least about 10⁶Ohm/square.

Embodiment 3. the dissipative peristaltic pump tube of any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the antistatic additive comprises an inherently dissipative additive, a liquid additive, a conductive additive, or a combination thereof.

Embodiment 4. the dissipative peristaltic pump tube of embodiment 3, wherein the conductive additive comprises an onium salt, carbon black, silver ions, silver metal, quaternary ammonium salt, gold alloy, copper alloy, or a combination thereof.

Embodiment 5. the dissipative peristaltic pump tube of embodiment 4, wherein the onium salt comprises a nitronium salt.

Embodiment 6. a dissipative peristaltic pump tube according to embodiment 4, wherein the conductive additive is present in an amount of about 0.05% to about 15% by total weight of the dissipative layer.

Embodiment 7. the dissipative peristaltic pump tube of embodiment 3, wherein the inherent dissipative additive comprises polyether block amide (PEBA), urethane block copolymer, or a combination thereof.

Embodiment 8. the dissipative peristaltic pump tube of embodiment 7, wherein the inherent dissipative additive is present in an amount from about 1% to about 90% of the total weight of the dissipative layer.

Embodiment 9 the dissipative peristaltic pump tube of embodiment 3, wherein the liquid additive comprises stearic acid, ethoxylated amine, diethanolamide, glycerol monostearate, glycerol ester, alkyl sulfonate, ethoxylated fatty acid ester, ethoxylation, sorbitan ester, zinc stearate, or a combination thereof.

Embodiment 10. the dissipative peristaltic pump tube of embodiment 9, wherein the liquid additive is present in an amount from about 0.1% to about 35% of the total weight of the dissipative layer.

Embodiment 11 the dissipative peristaltic pump tube of any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the thermoplastic elastomer comprises polystyrene, polyester, silicone copolymer, silicone thermoplastic vulcanizate, copolyester, polyamide, fluoropolymer, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyetherester copolymer, thermoplastic polyurethane, polyetheramide block (PEBA) copolymer, polyamide copolymer, styrene block copolymer, polycarbonate, polyolefin elastomer, thermoplastic vulcanizate, ionomer, Polyoxymethylene (POM), Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), acetal, acrylic, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), blend, or a combination thereof.

Embodiment 12 the dissipative peristaltic pump tube of embodiment 11, wherein the thermoplastic elastomer comprises polyvinyl chloride, polyurethane, PEBA, styrene block copolymer, blend, or a combination thereof.

Embodiment 13. the dissipative peristaltic pump tube of any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the dissipative layer has an inner surface defining a central lumen of the tube.

Embodiment 14. the dissipative peristaltic pump tube of any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the dissipative layer is a coating on the outer surface of the inner layer.

Embodiment 15. a dissipative peristaltic pump tube according to any of the preceding embodiments, having a shore a hardness of about 25 to about 90, such as about 35 to about 80.

Embodiment 16. the dissipative peristaltic pump tube of any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the dissipative layer has a thickness of at least about 0.002 inch to about 0.060 inch.

Embodiment 17. a dissipative peristaltic pump tube according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the tube has an inner diameter of about 0.03 inch to about 4.0 inches, such as about 0.06 inch to about 1.0 inch.

Embodiment 18. a dissipative peristaltic pump tube according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the tube has an outer diameter of about 0.25 inch to about 5.0 inches, such as about 0.5 inch to about 2.0 inches.

Embodiment 19. the dissipative peristaltic pump tube of any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the tube has a length of at least about 2 meters, such as at least about 5 meters, such as at least about 10 meters.

Embodiment 20. a dissipative peristaltic pump tube according to any of the preceding embodiments, the dissipative peristaltic pump tube having formulation components that are biocompatible and animal-derived component free.

Embodiment 21. a dissipative peristaltic pump tube according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the tube is for biopharmaceutical applications, FDA applications, medical applications, laboratory applications, or a combination thereof.

Embodiment 22. the dissipative peristaltic pump tube of embodiment 21, wherein the tube is used in combination with an electrocardiogram.

Embodiment 23. the dissipative peristaltic pump tube of any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the tube has less charge than a tube without the antistatic agent.

Embodiment 24. a dissipative peristaltic pump tube according to any of the preceding embodiments, having a flow reduction of less than about 50% of an initial starting value.

Embodiment 25. the dissipative peristaltic pump tube of any of the preceding embodiments, further comprising an optically clear conductive additive.

Embodiment 26 the dissipative peristaltic pump tube of embodiment 25, wherein the optically transparent conductive additive comprises indium tin oxide particles, silver nanowires, carbon nanotubes, or a combination thereof.

Embodiment 27. the dissipative peristaltic pump tube of any of the preceding embodiments, having greater than about 1% light transmittance in the visible wavelength range.

Embodiment 28. the dissipative peristaltic pump tube of any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the dissipative peristaltic pump tube has at least about 10⁶Surface resistivity of ohm/square, such as about 10⁶Ohm/square to about 10¹²Ohm/square.

The concepts described herein will be further described in the following examples, which do not limit the scope of the disclosure as claimed. The following examples are provided to better disclose and teach the methods and compositions of the present invention. They are for illustrative purposes only and it must be recognized that minor modifications and changes may be made without materially affecting the spirit and scope of the invention as described in the claims below.

Examples of the invention

Example 1

Several materials were tested for surface resistivity. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) samples were tested in which various amounts of antistatic additives were added as a masterbatch based on the total weight percent of the dissipative layer. The antistatic additive comprises up to 10% by weight of the masterbatch of an onium salt conductive additive. The dissipative layer is a coating (i.e. a sheath) covering the PVC inner layer (without any antistatic additives). All measurements of surface resistivity and surface resistance were performed at 21 ℃ using ASTM D257. The electrode configuration included placing two stainless steel rings 10mm apart on the 500 volt section of the tube. The results and test conditions are shown in table 1. "% RH" is the relative humidity percentage.

TABLE 1

Material	％RH	Surface resistance	Surface resistivity (ohm/sq)
				Flexible PVC pipe of 55 Shore A hardness	25	1.76E+12	5.23E+12
0.008' sheath composed of 20% tubular master batch	25	1.55E+10	4.61E+10
				0.015' sheath, consisting of 85% tubular masterbatch	26	3.21E+08	9.6E+08
0.015' sheath, consisting of 65% tubular masterbatch	26	8.17E+08	2.4E+09
				0.008 "jacket consisting of 15% tubular masterbatch	26	2.63E+10	7.8E+10
0.015' sheath, consisting of 15% tubular masterbatch	26	1.84E+10	5.5E+10
				0.015' sheath, consisting of 20% tubular masterbatch	26	8.13E+09	2.4E+10

As shown in table 1, the addition of the antistatic additive to the thermoplastic elastomer improved the static dissipative properties of the material compared to the control.

The volume resistivity of the material was also tested. All tests for volume resistivity used astm d 257. The electrode configuration included placing one 4.0cm stainless steel sleeve (electrode 1) and two stainless steel guard rings (electrode 2) on the Outer Diameter (OD) of the tube. A conductive rod (electrode 3) was inserted into the Inner Diameter (ID) of the tube, and a voltage of 500 v was applied. The results and test conditions are shown in table 2. "% RH" is the relative humidity percentage.

TABLE 2

Volume resistivity is desirable for the resulting pipe with a dissipative coating.

It is noted that not all of the activities in the general descriptions or examples above are required, that a portion of a specific activity may not be required, and that one or more further activities may be performed in addition to those described. Further, the order in which the acts are listed are not necessarily the order in which they are performed.

Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described above with regard to specific embodiments. The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any feature(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced, however, are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential feature or feature of any or all the claims.

The description and illustrations of the embodiments described herein are intended to provide a general understanding of the structure of the various embodiments. The description and drawings are not intended to serve as an exhaustive or comprehensive description of all the elements and features of apparatus and systems that utilize the structures or methods described herein. Separate embodiments may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment, and conversely, various features that are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any sub-combination. Further, reference to values expressed as ranges includes each and every value within that range. Many other embodiments will be apparent to the skilled person only after reading this description. Other embodiments may be utilized and derived from the disclosure, such that structural substitutions, logical substitutions, or other changes may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure. The present disclosure is, therefore, to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive.