Linear peristaltic pump for pumping a fluid through a flexible tube (13) comprises a rotatable central member (34) with a plurality of radially disposed planetary gears (51-53). An offset roller (61-63) is disposed on each of the planetary gears (51-53). The flexible tube (13) is inserted between a generally flat compression surface (40) and at least one of the plurality of rollers (61-63). Rotation of the central member (34) enables the plurality of rollers (61-63) to serially collapse the flexible tube (13) and to move in a substantially linear motion along the generally flat compression surface (40) for pumping the fluid through the flexible tube (13).
