Medical device for injecting liquids

• US 20040167495A1
• Filed: 02/12/2004
• Published: 08/26/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/1996
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SMC-Swiss Medical Care S.A.
• Original Assignee: Debiotech S.A.
• Inventors: Neftel, Frederic
• Granted Patent: US 7,553,304 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/500
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/007 for contrast media
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/142 Pressure infusion, e.g. using pumps

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for injecting liquid, comprising a piece of tubing on which there is situated at least a first liquid occlusion system. According to the invention, a regulation system (4) is situated upstream from the first occlusion system, the two systems defining an intermediate segment in which the pressure, in the absence of injection, is greater than the pressure that exists downstream from the first occlusion system so as to direct any leak of liquid from the first occlusion system downstream. The invention is applicable to a pump used for injecting contrast liquid for medical imaging.

Claims

1. A method of injecting liquid under pressure to a patient, the method comprising:

a) providing liquid under pressure to a patient through a length of tubing, the tubing including a first occlusion system and a regulation system located upstream from the first occlusion system, the first occlusion system and the regulation system defining an intermediate segment having an intermediate pressure, the tubing also including a segment downstream of the first occlusion system having a downstream pressure; and

b) when injection to the patient is desired to be stopped, closing the regulation system and the first occlusion system to produce a greater intermediate pressure than the downstream pressure.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising c) measuring the intermediate pressure in the intermediate segment in the absence of injection to the patient;

and d) providing an output indicative of any leakage from the intermediate segment.

3. The method according to claim 2, further comprising e) activating an alarm in response to an output indicative of a leakage of liquid from the intermediate segment.

4. The method according to claim 2, further comprising f) responsive to the output indicative of a leakage from the intermediate segment, maintaining the intermediate pressure greater than the downstream pressure.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein maintaining the intermediate pressure includes increasing the intermediate pressure in the intermediate segment in response to a drop in intermediate pressure.

6. The method according to claim 4, wherein maintaining the intermediate pressure comprises activating a pump.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein maintaining the intermediate pressure comprises activating a pump in the regulation system.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the pump is a peristaltic cassette pump.

9. The method according to claim 6, wherein the pump includes a syringe and a syringe driver.

10. The method according to claim 2, wherein the intermediate segment includes a disconnection system having an upstream piece for multiple use and a downstream piece for single use, the method further comprising g) disconnecting the upstream piece from the downstream piece.

11. The method according to claim 10, further comprising h) decreasing in a controlled manner the intermediate pressure in the intermediate segment prior to disconnecting the upstream piece from the downstream piece to reduce leakage of liquid after disconnection.

12. The method according to claim 1, further comprising providing an opening pressure of the regulation system greater than an opening pressure of the first occlusion system to prevent any fluids in the intermediate segment from moving upstream through the regulation system.

13. The method according to claim 1, wherein the regulation system includes a non-return valve.

14. The method according to claim 1, wherein the regulation system includes a system for flattening the tubing.

15. A method of injecting liquid under pressure to a patient, the method comprising:

a) providing liquid under pressure to a patient through a length of tubing, the tubing including a first occlusion system and a regulation system located upstream from the first occlusion system, the first occlusion system and the regulation system defining an intermediate segment having an intermediate pressure, the tubing also including a segment downstream of the first occlusion system having a downstream pressure;

b) when injection to the patient is desired to be stopped, closing the regulation system to prevent liquid flow therethrough; and

c) after closing of the regulation system, closing the first occlusion system to produce a greater intermediate pressure than the downstream pressure.

16. The method according to claim 15, further comprising d) measuring the intermediate pressure in the intermediate segment in the absence of injection to the patient;

and e) providing an output indicative of any leakage from the intermediate segment.