Redesign and Validation of an Accessible and 3D-Printable 24-Channel Peristaltic Pump

Peristaltic pumps are essential for research applications in many labs, but they are not accessible to all of them. Labs in the Global South are affected by the time and cost barriers that commercial peristaltic pumps pose. These commercial pumps have high purchasing costs and become more expensive when shipping and importation are considered. When these commercial pumps incur damage, the costs of repairing them are also expensive. As her Master’s Degree project, Erin Huitema, M.S., designed and produced a 3D printable 24-channel peristaltic pump using ABS-M30 material and off-the-shelf components. The project aimed to make the pump accessible, easy to use and able to function properly in an incubator while keeping flow rates between its channels consistent. User safety was also considered in the design. Although it operates continuously, the pump needs further development on some of its features. The pump’s motor-driver pair is unable to generate enough torque to power all 24 channels, and there is a fatigue component to the loading of the shaft introduced by a middle ball bearing, which was inserted to sustain a constant flow rate across all channels. A stronger, compatible motor driver providing ample current replaced the old one and has been proven to meet the 24-channel requirement. To eliminate the fatigue component on the shaft and still retain a consistent flow rate across all channels, the old 4mm rollers were replaced by 10mm rollers. These changes entailed redesigning some 3D printed parts to fit the new design. The modified pump design has been fabricated, and overall functionality has been tested. Validation and reliability testing are in progress. There is potential for an enhanced electronic system that allows the pump’s flow rate to be adjusted via control buttons and monitored in real time through an integrated LCD. An accessible, affordable and reliable 24-channel peristaltic pump has been designed, fabricated, and tested. Drawings are available upon request to the Queen’s Bone and Joint and Biomechanics Lab.