Front load pressure jacket system with syringe holder and light illumination

• US 20040122369A1
• Filed: 12/20/2002
• Published: 06/24/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bayer Healthcare LLC (Bayer AG)
• Original Assignee: Medrad Incorporated (Bayer AG)
• Inventors: Haury, John A., Jongewaard, Mark Paul, Spohn, Michael A., Grubic, Herbert M., Schriver, Ralph H., Joyce, Thomas P., Critchlow, Richard G.
• Granted Patent: US 7,549,977 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/152
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/2437 by clamping means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/587 Lighting arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14546 Front-loading type injectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14566 with a replaceable reservoir for receiving a piston rod of the pump

Abstract

The fluid injection apparatus for use with a syringe includes an injector and a pressure jacket assembly associated with the injector. The injector includes a housing defining a central opening and a drive piston extendable through the central opening for imparting motive forces to a syringe plunger disposed within the syringe. The pressure jacket assembly includes a pressure jacket and at least one support arm associated with and extending outward from the housing. A syringe retaining member is attached to the at least one support arm. The syringe-retaining member defines a syringe receiving slot for receiving at least a portion of the syringe. A light source is located on the support arm and faces the pressure jacket for illuminating the syringe. The syringe includes an alignment flange defining a bulged air bubble viewing window (see A). The alignment flange is used to properly orient the syringe in the pressure jacket.

Claims

1. A fluid injection apparatus for use with a syringe having an injection section with an injection neck, the fluid injection apparatus comprising:

a housing defining an opening and a drive piston extendable through the opening for imparting motive forces to a syringe plunger disposed within the syringe; and

a pressure jacket assembly associated with the housing for securing the syringe during an injection procedure, the pressure jacket assembly comprising;

a pressure jacket associated with the housing and aligned with the opening;

at least one support arm associated with and extending outward from the housing; and

a syringe retaining member associated with the at least one support arm, the syringe retaining member defining a syringe receiving slot for receiving the injection neck of the syringe and viewing at least a portion of the injection section of the syringe, the at least one support arm movable selectively between a first position wherein the syringe retaining member prevents removal of the syringe from the pressure jacket and a second position wherein the syringe is removable from the pressure jacket.

2. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pressure jacket has a distal end defining a syringe receiving opening for receiving the syringe and a proximal end associated with the housing.

3. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a faceplate associated with the housing, the faceplate defining a passage aligned with the opening and through which the drive piston is extendable.

4. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 1, wherein the drive piston further comprises an axially directed light source for illuminating the syringe.

5. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pressure jacket is removably associated with a faceplate connected to the housing.

6. The fluid injector apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pressure jacket assembly further comprises a coupling member adapted to removably associate the pressure jacket with a faceplate connected to the housing.

7. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 6, wherein the pressure jacket is removably associated with the coupling member by a threaded connection.

8. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 6, wherein the coupling member is removably associated with the faceplate by a bayonet socket connection.

9. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one support arm comprises a pair of support arms adapted to support the syringe retaining member, the support arms each having a distal end and a proximal end.

10. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 9, wherein the support arms pivotally support the syringe retaining member.

11. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 9, further comprising an axle assembly adapted to connect the proximal ends of the support arms together in the housing and configured to selectively move the support arms between the first and second positions.

12. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 9, wherein the support arms extend laterally along longitudinal sides of the pressure jacket in the first position.

13. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 9, wherein at least one of the support arms comprises at least one light source positioned to illuminate the syringe received in the pressure jacket.

14. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 9, wherein the syringe retaining member comprises at least one light source positioned to illuminate the syringe received in the pressure jacket.

15. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 9, wherein the axle assembly comprises an axle linkage extending between the proximal ends of the support arms, the axle linkage comprising a base member and two outward extending axles.

16. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 15, wherein the base member defines a recess through which the drive piston is extendable and retractable in any position of the support arms.

17. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 1 wherein the proximal ends of the support arms each define a circular aperture, and wherein the axle assembly comprises an axle linkage and a pair of circular members rotatably received in the circular apertures, respectively, the circular members supported on the axle linkage.

18. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 17, wherein a central axis of the axle linkage is offset from a rotational axis of the circular members for converting rotational movement of the circular members to translational movement of the support arms.

19. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 18, wherein the axle linkage is supported on a faceplate associated with the housing by a pair of support brackets, the circular members associated with the support brackets, respectively, to limit the rotational movement of the circular members in the circular apertures.

20. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 19, wherein the circular members each comprise a ball detent adapted for a mating connection with detent openings defined in the support brackets for providing at least a tactile indication that the support arms are in the first position.

21. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 9, wherein the proximal ends of the support arms are associated with a faceplate connected to the housing to guide the movement of the support arms between the first and second positions.

22. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 21, wherein the proximal ends of the support arms define guide tracks and the faceplate comprises cross pins cooperating with the guide tracks, respectively, to guide the movement of the support arms between the first and second positions.

23. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a faceplate connected to the housing, the faceplate comprising a pair of ball detents adapted for a mating connection with detent openings defined in the proximal ends of the support arms, respectively, to prevent uncontrolled movement of the support arms to the second position.

24. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one support arm comprises at least one light source positioned to illuminate the syringe received in the pressure jacket.

25. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 1, wherein the syringe retaining member comprises at least one light source positioned to illuminate the syringe received in the pressure jacket.

26. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pressure jacket is removably associated with a faceplate connected to the housing, and movable axially with respect to the faceplate.

27. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one support arm extends laterally along a longitudinal side of the pressure jacket in the first position.

28. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pressure jacket is made of substantially clear plastic.

29. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 29, wherein the pressure jacket comprises a light-diffusing device for diffusing light from a light source external to the pressure jacket.

30. A fluid injection apparatus for use with a syringe, the fluid injection apparatus comprising:

a housing; and

a pressure jacket assembly associated with the housing for securing the syringe during an injection procedure, the pressure jacket assembly comprising;

a pressure jacket associated with the housing;

at least one support arm extending outward from the housing; and

at least one light source associated with the at least one support arm and positioned to illuminate the syringe received in the pressure jacket.

31. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 30, wherein the light source is selected from the group consisting of light emitting diodes, a mini-fluorescent light bar, and a fiber-optic bed.

32. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 30, wherein the at least one support arm comprises a pair of support arms, and wherein at least one of the support arms comprises the at least one light source.

33. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 32, wherein the support arms are movable between a first position extending laterally along longitudinal sides of the pressure jacket and a second position depending below the pressure jacket, such that in the first position of the support arms the syringe is illuminated substantially along a central axis thereof.

34. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 32, wherein the at least one light source is selected from the group consisting of a plurality of light emitting diodes, a mini-florescent bar, and a fiber-optic bed.

35. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 30, further comprising a light-diffusing device associated with the pressure jacket for diffusing light passing through the wall of the pressure jacket.

36. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 35, wherein the light-diffusing device is associated with an inner surface or an outer surface of the pressure jacket.

37. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 35, wherein the light-diffusing device is disposed between an inner surface and an outer surface of the pressure jacket.

38. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 35, wherein the light-diffusing device comprises a lens.

39. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 38, wherein the lens extends longitudinally along an inner surface of the pressure jacket.

40. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 35, wherein the light-diffusing device comprises an etched area formed on the pressure jacket.

41. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 40, wherein the etched area extends longitudinally along an inner surface of the pressure jacket.

42. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 35, wherein the light-diffusing device comprises a light-diffusing strip.

43. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 42, wherein the light-diffusing strip comprises white polycarbonate material.

44. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 30, wherein the wall of the pressure jacket defines a groove in an inner surface thereof, and wherein the pressure jacket assembly comprises a light-diffusing strip disposed in the groove for diffusing light passing through the wall of the pressure jacket.

45. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 44, wherein the light-diffusing strip comprises white polycarbonate material.

46. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 44, wherein the groove is trapezoidal shaped in cross section having two inward facing projections for retaining the light-diffusing strip in the groove.

47. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 44, wherein the groove extends longitudinally along the inner surface of the pressure jacket.

48. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 30, wherein the pressure jacket is made of substantially clear plastic.

49. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 48, wherein the substantially clear plastic is selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, polyethylene, and polycarbonate.

50. A fluid injection apparatus, comprising:

a syringe, comprising;

a cylindrical body with an injection section comprising a conical portion and an injection neck, the conical portion defining an alignment flange; and

a syringe plunger movably received in the body and having a coupling end comprising a pair of coupling members defining a slot therebetween, the slot substantially aligned with the alignment flange such that the alignment flange provides an indication of the orientation of the slot; and

an injector, comprising;

a housing defining an opening and a drive piston extendable through the opening for imparting motive forces to the syringe plunger disposed within the body; and

a pressure jacket assembly associated with the housing for securing the syringe during an injection procedure, the pressure jacket assembly comprising a pressure jacket associated with the housing and aligned with the opening, at least one support arm associated with and extending outward from the housing, and a syringe retaining member associated with the at least one support arm, the syringe retaining member defining a syringe receiving slot for receiving the injection neck of the syringe and viewing at least a portion of the injection section, the at least one support arm movable selectively between a first position wherein the syringe retaining member prevents removal of the syringe from the pressure jacket and a second position wherein the syringe is removable from the pressure jacket;

wherein alignment of the alignment flange with the syringe receiving slot in the syringe retaining member orients the coupling members in a desired mounting position oriented to receive the drive piston.

51. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 50, wherein the conical portion further comprises a light-sensitive fluid dot as an optical aid.

52. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 50, wherein the alignment flange extends outward sufficiently from the conical portion to be grasped by a user of the syringe and used as a handle for manipulating the syringe.

53. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 50, wherein the coupling members each have an inward projecting engagement arm for engaging the drive piston.

54. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 50, wherein the coupling members comprise flexible coupling members.

55. A pressure jacket for use with a syringe used in a fluid injection procedure, comprising:

an elongated body formed of substantially clear plastic; and

a light-diffusing device provided on the body and adapted to diffuse light passing therethrough emitted by an externally located light source.

56. The pressure jacket of claim 55, wherein the light-diffusing device comprises a lens.

57. The pressure jacket of claim 56, wherein the lens extends longitudinally along an inner surface of the body.

58. The pressure jacket of claim 55, wherein the light-diffusing device comprises an etched area on the body.

59. The pressure jacket of claim 58, wherein the etched area extends longitudinally along an inner surface of the body.

60. The pressure jacket of claim 55, further comprising a groove defined in an inner surface of the body, and the light-diffusing device comprising a light-diffusing strip disposed in the groove.

61. The pressure jacket of claim 60, wherein the groove extends longitudinally along the inner surface of the body.

62. The pressure jacket of claim 60, wherein the light-diffusing strip comprises white polycarbonate material.

63. The pressure jacket of claim 60, wherein the groove is trapezoidal shaped in cross section having two inward facing projections for retaining the light-diffusing strip in the groove.

64. The pressure jacket of claim 55, wherein the substantially clear plastic is selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, polyethylene, and polycarbonate.

65. A syringe, comprising:

a cylindrical main body, a conical portion connected to the main body, and a discharge outlet connected to the conical portion;

a plunger movably disposed within at least a portion of the main body; and

an alignment flange disposed on and extending outward from at least a portion of the conical portion, the alignment flange defining a hollow area therein.

66. The syringe of claim 65, wherein the plunger has a coupling end comprising a pair of coupling members defining a slot therebetween, the slot substantially aligned with the alignment flange such that the alignment flange provides an indication of the orientation of the slot.

67. The syringe of claim 66, wherein the coupling members comprise flexible coupling members.

68. The syringe of claim 65, wherein the conical portion further comprises a light-sensitive fluid dot as an optical aid.

69. The syringe of claim 65, wherein the alignment flange extends outward sufficiently from the conical portion to be grasped by a user of the syringe and used as a handle for manipulating the syringe.

70. A syringe, comprising:

a body having a distal end and a proximal end, the body comprising an injection section at the distal end and an expansion section at the proximal end, the injection section and the expansion section connected by a center section of relatively uniform outer diameter; and

wherein a wall thickness of the body narrows to a reduced wall thickness at the expansion section such that an inner diameter of the expansion section is larger than the inner diameter of the center section for allowing the expansion section to expand when a plunger is disposed in the expansion section.

71. The syringe of claim 70, wherein the reduced wall thickness allows the expansion section to expand to an outer diameter no greater than approximately the outer diameter of the center section when the plunger is disposed in the expansion section.

72. The syringe of claim 70, wherein the body is made of a deformable material permitting the expansion section to expand to an outer diameter no greater than approximately the outer diameter of the center section when the plunger is disposed in the expansion section.

73. The syringe of claim 70, wherein an outer surface of the body is tapered or stepped inward toward a central axis of the body and an inner surface of the body is tapered or stepped outward away from the central axis of the body to form the reduced wall thickness.

74. The syringe of claim 70, wherein at least one of an outer surface of the body is tapered or stepped inward toward a central axis of the body and an inner surface of the body is tapered or stepped outward away from the central axis of the body to form the reduced wall thickness.

75. A syringe, comprising:

a body having a distal end and a proximal end, the body comprising an injection section at the distal end and an expansion section at the proximal end, the injection section and the expansion section connected by a center section of relatively uniform outer diameter; and

a plunger movably received in the body and seated for storage in the expansion section; and

wherein a wall thickness of the body narrows to a reduced wall thickness at the expansion section such that an inner diameter of the expansion section is larger than the inner diameter of the center section allowing the expansion section to expand under radial outward force exerted by the plunger.

76. The syringe of claim 75, wherein the reduced wall thickness allows the expansion section to expand to an outer diameter no greater than approximately the outer diameter of the center section when the plunger is seated in the expansion section.

77. The syringe of claim 75, wherein the body is made of a deformable material permitting the expansion section to expand to an outer diameter no greater than approximately the outer diameter of the center section when the plunger is seated in the expansion section.

78. The syringe of claim 75, wherein an outer surface of the body is tapered or stepped inward toward a central axis of the body and an inner surface of the body is tapered or stepped outward away from the central axis of the body to form the reduced wall thickness.

79. The syringe of claim 75, wherein at least one of an outer surface of the body is tapered or stepped inward toward a central axis of the body and an inner surface of the body is tapered or stepped outward away from the central axis of the body to form the reduced wall thickness.

80. The syringe of claim 75, wherein the injection section comprises a conical portion and an injection neck, and wherein the conical portion comprises an alignment flange extending outward from at least a portion of the conical portion, the alignment flange defining a hollow area therein.

81. The syringe of claim 80, wherein the plunger has a coupling end comprising a pair of coupling members defining a slot therebetween.

82. The syringe of claim 81, wherein the slot defined between the coupling members is substantially aligned with the alignment flange such that the alignment flange provides an indication of the orientation of the slot.

83. The syringe of claim 81, wherein the coupling members comprise flexible coupling members.

84. The syringe of claim 80, wherein the conical portion further comprises a light-sensitive fluid dot as an optical aid.

85. A syringe, comprising:

a cylindrical body having a distal end and a proximal end, the body comprising an injection section at the distal end and an expansion section at the proximal end, the injection section and expansion section connected by a cylindrical center section of relatively uniform outer diameter, the injection section comprising a conical portion and an injection neck, the conical portion comprising an alignment flange extending outward from at least a portion of the conical portion;

a plunger movably received in the body and having a coupling end with a pair of flexible coupling members defining a slot therebetween for engaging a drive piston of an injector, the slot substantially aligned with the alignment flange such that the alignment flange provides an indication of the orientation of the slot, the plunger seated for storage in the expansion section;

wherein a wall thickness of the body narrows to a reduced wall thickness at the expansion section such that an inner diameter of the expansion section is larger than the inner diameter of the center section for allowing the expansion section to expand under radial outward force exerted by the plunger.

86. The syringe of claim 85, wherein the reduced wall thickness allows the expansion section to expand to an outer diameter no greater than approximately the outer diameter of the center section under the radial outward force exerted by the plunger.

87. The syringe of claim 85, wherein the body is made of a deformable material permitting the expansion section to expand to an outer diameter no greater than approximately the outer diameter of the center section under the radial outward force exerted by the plunger.

88. The syringe of claim 85, wherein the body is made of substantially clear plastic selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, polyethylene, and polycarbonate.

89. The syringe of claim 85, wherein an outer surface of the body is tapered or stepped inward toward a central axis of the body and an inner surface of the body is tapered or stepped outward away from the central axis of the body to form the reduced wall thickness.

90. The syringe of claim 85, wherein at least one of an outer surface of the body is tapered or stepped inward toward a central axis of the body and an inner surface of the body is tapered or stepped outward away from the central axis of the body to form the reduced wall thickness.

91. The syringe of claim 85, wherein the coupling members each have an inward projecting engagement arm for engaging the drive piston.

92. The syringe of claim 85, wherein the alignment flange extends outward sufficiently from the conical portion to be grasped by a user of the syringe and used as a handle for manipulating the syringe.

93. A method of loading a syringe comprising a cylindrical main body, a conical portion connected to the main body, and a discharge outlet connected to the conical portion, a plunger movably disposed within at least a portion of the main body, and an alignment flange extending outward from at least a portion of the conical portion, to an injector comprising a pressure jacket assembly comprising a pressure jacket associated with the injector, at least one support arm associated with and extending outward from the injector, and a syringe retaining member associated with the at least one support arm, the syringe retaining member defining a syringe receiving slot for receiving the discharge outlet of the syringe, the at least one support arm movable between a first position wherein the syringe retaining member prevents removal of the syringe from the pressure jacket and a second position wherein the syringe is removable from the pressure jacket, the method comprising:

inserting a proximal end of the syringe into the pressure jacket;

aligning the alignment flange on the syringe with the syringe receiving slot in the syringe retaining member; and

moving the at least one support arm and syringe retaining member from the second position to the first position.

94. The method of claim 93, further comprising:

moving the at least one support arm and the syringe retaining member from the first position to the second position; and

removing the syringe from the pressure jacket.

95. The method of claim 93, further comprising:

connecting the plunger to a drive piston of the injector; and

advancing the drive piston to move the plunger within the syringe.

96. The method of claim 95, further comprising retracting the plunger within the syringe with the drive piston.

97. A fluid injection apparatus for use with a syringe having a syringe body and an injection section with an injection neck, the fluid injection apparatus comprising:

a housing defining an opening and a drive piston extendable through the opening for imparting motive forces to a syringe plunger disposed within the syringe; and

a pressure jacket assembly associated with the housing for securing the syringe during an injection procedure, the pressure jacket assembly comprising;

a pressure jacket associated with the housing and aligned with the opening;

at least one support arm pivotally associated with and extending outward from the housing; and

a syringe retaining member pivotally associated with the at least one support arm, the syringe retaining member defining a syringe receiving slot for receiving the injection neck of the syringe and viewing at least a portion of the injection section, the at least one support arm movable between a first position wherein the syringe retaining member prevents removal of the syringe from the pressure jacket and a second position wherein the syringe is removable from the pressure jacket.

98. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 97, wherein the syringe retaining member is pivotal between a syringe retaining position cooperating with the injection section of the syringe and preventing removal of the syringe from the pressure jacket and a pivoted position disengaged sufficiently from the injection section to allow the at least one support arm to pivot to the second position.

99. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 97, wherein the at least one support arm comprises a proximal end pivotally associated with the housing and a distal end extending outward from the housing, the proximal end having an increased cross section relative to the distal end such that an upward moment is created about the pivotal association with the housing for maintaining the at least one support arm in the first position.

100. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 97, further comprising a spring acting between the syringe retaining member and the at least one support arm for orienting the syringe retaining member with respect to the at least one support arm.

101. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 100, wherein the spring is adapted to bias the syringe retaining member to a position substantially perpendicular to the at least one support arm.

102. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 100, wherein the spring is selected from the group consisting of a leaf spring, a coil spring, and a torsion spring.

103. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 100, wherein the spring is positioned in a cavity defined in the syringe retaining member adjacent a distal end of the at least one support arm.

104. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 97, wherein the at least one support arm comprises a pair of support arms each having a proximal end pivotally associated with the housing and a distal end extending outward from the housing, the proximal ends of the support arms having increased cross sections relative to the distal ends such that an upward moment is created about the pivotal associations with the housing for maintaining the support arms in the first position.

105. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 104, wherein the syringe retaining member is pivotally connected to the distal ends of the support arms and interconnects the distal ends of the support arms

106. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 104, further comprising a pair of springs acting between the support arms, respectively, and the syringe retaining member for orienting the syringe retaining member with respect to the support arms.

107. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 106, wherein the springs are adapted to bias the syringe retaining member to a position substantially perpendicular to the support arms.

108. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 106, wherein the springs are selected from the group consisting of a leaf spring, a coil spring, and a torsion spring.

109. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 106, wherein the springs are positioned in respective cavities defined in the syringe retaining member adjacent the distal ends of the support arms.

110. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 97, wherein the drive piston further comprises an axially directed light source for illuminating the syringe.

111. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 97, wherein the at least one support arm is pivotally connected to a faceplate connected to the housing.

112. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 97, wherein the pressure jacket is removably associated with a faceplate connected to the housing.

116. The fluid apparatus of claim 97, wherein the pressure jacket assembly further comprises a coupling member adapted to removably associate the pressure jacket with the faceplate.

117. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 116, wherein the pressure jacket is removably associated with the coupling member by a threaded connection.

118. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 116, wherein the coupling member is removably associated with the faceplate by a bayonet socket connection.

119. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 97, wherein the pressure jacket has a distal end defining a syringe receiving opening for receiving the syringe, the distal end of the pressure jacket defining a beveled portion forming an acute angle with a central axis of the pressure jacket.

120. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 119, wherein the syringe retaining member has a syringe facing side formed to cooperate with the injection section of the syringe, and wherein with the at least one support arm in the first position the syringe retaining member is pivotal between a syringe retaining position wherein the syringe facing side cooperates substantially with the injection section preventing removal of the syringe from the pressure jacket, and a pivoted position pivoted away from the injection section and toward the beveled position for allowing the at least one support arm to pivot to the second position.

121. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 119, wherein the beveled portion defines an acute angle of about 60°

or less with the central axis of the pressure jacket.

122. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 97, wherein the at least one support arm comprises at least one light source positioned to illuminate the syringe received in the pressure jacket.

123. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 97, wherein the at least one support arm comprises a pair of support arms, the support arms pivotally supporting the syringe retaining member, at least one of the support arms comprising at least one light source positioned to illuminate the syringe received in the pressure jacket.

124. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 123, wherein the support arms extend laterally along longitudinal sides of the pressure jacket in the first position.

125. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 97, wherein the syringe retaining member comprises at least one light source positioned to illuminate the syringe received in the pressure jacket.

126. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 97, wherein the pressure jacket is removably associated with a faceplate connected to the housing, and movable axially with respect to the faceplate.

127. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 97, wherein the at least one support arm extends laterally along a longitudinal side of the pressure jacket in the first position.

128. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 97, wherein the pressure jacket is made of substantially clear plastic.

129. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 128, wherein the substantially clear plastic is selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, polyethylene, and polycarbonate.

130. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 97, wherein the pressure jacket comprises a light-diffusing device for diffusing light from a light source external to the pressure jacket.