Development of an exsufflation system for peristaltic pump based on bowel peristalsis

Abstract

Pumps capable of transporting high-viscosity fluids and solid- liquid mixtures are required during disasters such as floods and liquefactions, and in various industrial settings including sewage treatment and food processing plants. Moreover, it should be easy possible to install such pump systems. Today, turbine-, piston-, and squeeze-type pumps are often used to transport high-viscosity fluids and solid-liquid mixtures. However, these pump types have disadvantages. Turbine-type pumps cannot exert a high discharge pressure and stones often cause some damage to turbines. Piston-type pumps are usually quite large, because a high pressure is needed to transport large quantities of fluid, and squeeze-type pumps are large and complex. Furthermore, it may be difficult to arrange the bent pipes required by these systems because of the high friction between the fluid and pipe walls. Hence, an innovative transport system is desirable. In this study, we focus on bowel peristalsis as a model for a mechanism that can transport fluids, such as sludge with little water. We developed and confirmed the capabilities of a peristaltic pump based on the bowel mechanism by using an artificial rubber muscle. In addition, we developed an exsufflation system to improve the peristaltic pump performance. Finally, we measured the water, high-viscosity liquid, and solid-liquid mixture flow rates and compared the exsufflation system with a previous system.