Abstract:
A drive train (110) for advancing a syringe plunger (132) in at least one direction is disclosed (e.g., to deliver fluid). This drive train (110) includes a first drive source (116a) and a second drive source (116b). The advancement of the syringe plunger (132) is dependent upon the output (118a) of the first drive source (116a), as well as on the output (118b) of the second drive source (116b). The sum of the outputs (118a, 118b) may be used to advance the syringe plunger (132), the differential of these outputs (118a, 118b) may be used to advance the syringe plunger (132), or each of the outputs (118a, 118b) may be made available to individually advance the syringe plunger (132).
Abstract:
Syringes for use with medical fluid injectors. In certain aspects, the syringe includes a body having a longitudinal axis, a forward end, and a rearward end. At least one syringe mating section is coupled to the body of the syringe and is adapted to operatively engage an injector. In some embodiments, the syringe mating section includes first, second, and third flanges extending outwardly from the body along a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. In some embodiments, the syringe mating section includes a first flange having a cross-section of a parallelogram and a second flange having a tapered surface. In some embodiments, the syringe mating section includes a flange having an L-shaped cross-section. Other embodiments of the syringe mating section may include yet other appropriate designs.
Abstract:
A disclosed contrast media injection system may perform a patency check and/or test injection, and/or may determine flow rate and/or flow volume from a programmed protocol. Tubing that connects syringes to a patient may share only a short common section near to the patient. Appropriate injection steps may be taken to compensate for tubing elasticity. A wireless remote control and/or a touch screen control may be provided, improving functionality and/or information delivery. The display brightness may be controlled based on ambient light, and the display panel may include a double swivel permitting re-orientation. The orientation of the display may be controlled based on various factors. The display may be customizable to identify the type of fluid on either side of the injector, to provide matched color coding, and/or to provide a folder/tab analogy for retrieving injection protocol parameters.
Abstract:
A dual head contrast media injection system performs a patency check or test injection, determining flow rate and/or flow volume from the programmed protocol. The tubing that connects syringes to a patient shares only a short common section near to the patient. Appropriate injection steps are taken to compensate for tubing elasticity. A wireless remote control and a touch screen control are provided, improving functionality and information delivery. The display brightness is controlled based on the ambient light, and the display panel includes a double swivel permitting re-orientation. The orientation of the display may also be controlled based on, e.g., the current step, the tilt angle of the powerhead, or a manual control. Furthermore, the display is customizable to identify the type of fluid (contrast, saline, etc.) on either side of the injector, to provide matched color coding, and to provide a folder/tab analogy for retrieving injection protocol parameters.
Abstract:
A hand-held remote (12) for a medical fluid injector (10) includes a syringe (50) and a conduit (52), which may be coupled to a pressure transducer (54) on a control circuit (42) of the injector (10). Movement of a plunger (62) within a syringe body (64) on the syringe (50) creates a pressure which is sensed by the pressure transducer (54) and the control circuit (42) responds to the sensed pressure by causing fluid to be ejected from, or drawn into, a syringe (24) mounted to the injector (10). The pressure developed by the remote (12) provides tactile feedback to an operator for improved control over injections.
Abstract:
An intravenous contrast injector which stores different syringe definitions in firmware includes a software routine that permits a service technician to update the syringe definitions without requiring the installation of new firmware. These syringe definitions can then be used when the injector performs operational routines such as filling a syringe.
Abstract:
A medical fluid delivery system (300) includes workflow construction logic (304) to create one or more workflows (307) from a plurality of available workflow components (306). The created workflows (307) may each contain a proper subset of workflow components from the plurality of available workflow components (306). The workflows (307) may be created using the workflow construction logic (304) and a user interface (302) by selecting and arranging graphical elements representing workflow components (306). The constructed workflows (307) may correspond with the practices of a given care group. The medical fluid delivery system (300) may further include workflow execution logic (305) operable to execute the workflows (307). When executed, the workflows (307) may sequentially guide a user through each of the included workflow components (306) using a simplified interface. The nomenclature displayed by the workflow components (306) during workflow execution may be customizable.
Abstract:
An injector calibration apparatus (110) is disclosed operable to be interconnected to, and impart a predeterminable force on, a ram (74) of a power injector (10). The injector calibration apparatus (110) may include a ram (118) operable to interface with the ram (74) of the power injector (10). A force gauge (122) may be disposed to measure the amount of force imparted on the ram (74) by the ram (118) of the injector calibration apparatus (110). In one embodiment, the output of the force gauge (122) may be amplified and fed into the power injector (10). The power injector (10) may be operable to control the level of force imparted on the ram (74) by the injector calibration apparatus (110) such that a series of powerhead motor (58) current levels for a variety of powerhead ram (74) speed and force combinations may be measured and recorded in a calibration look up table.
Abstract:
A powered injector that stores energy at a low rate when not in use and delivers energy at a high rate during injection. Energy may be stored in a highly responsive energy storage device, such as a capacitor, for rapid delivery of power to the injector motor. In certain embodiments, wires connecting the powered injector to a power supply may be relatively small and inexpensive because the current and voltage loads placed on the wires are relatively low.
Abstract:
A multi-dose injection system (108) is disclosed that allows for vacuum-assisted removal of air from an interconnected tubing set (110) and syringes (126, 127) and subsequent filling with fluid. The injection system (108) may include a bulk fluid container holder module (116) operable to hold one or more bottles (118, 120) of fluid for administration to a patient. The holder module (116) may include a vacuum source (240) that is selectively fluidly interconnectable to the tubing set (110). Air may be removed from the tubing set (110) and syringes (126, 127) by fluidly interconnecting the vacuum source (240) to the tubing set (110). Then the vacuum source (240) may be fluidly isolated from the tubing set (110) and the bottles (118, 120) fluidly interconnected to the tubing set (110), thereby allowing fluid from the bottles (118, 120) to fill the at least partially evacuated tubing set (110) and syringes (126, 127).