Fluid injection apparatus with front load pressure jacket, light illumination, and syringe sensing

• US 20040254533A1
• Filed: 04/05/2004
• Published: 12/16/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bayer Healthcare LLC (Bayer AG)
• Original Assignee: Medrad Incorporated (Bayer AG)
• Inventors: Spohn, Michael A., Grubic, Herbert M., Schriver, Ralph H., Joyce, Thomas P., Critchlow, Richard G.
• Granted Patent: US 7,563,249 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/131
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/14 Detection of the presence or absence of a tube, a connector or a container in an apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/587 Lighting arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/007 for contrast media
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1458 Means for capture of the plunger flange

Abstract

The fluid injection apparatus is adapted for use with a syringe and includes an injector and a pressure jacket associated with the injector. The injector includes a housing defining an opening for a drive piston extendable from the housing. The pressure jacket secures the syringe during an injection procedure. The pressure jacket has a distal end defining a syringe receiving opening for receiving the syringe, and a proximal end associated with the housing and generally aligned with the opening. The apparatus includes a syringe sensor adapted for engagement by the syringe when loaded into the pressure jacket. The housing may have an engagement tab adapted to engage an engagement recess in the pressure jacket to removably engage the pressure jacket with the housing. The apparatus may have one or more light sources associated with the housing for illuminating the syringe received in the pressure jacket.

Claims

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

an injector comprising a housing defining an opening for a drive piston extendable from the injector housing for imparting motive forces to a syringe plunger disposed within the syringe;

a pressure jacket associated with the injector for securing the syringe during an injection procedure, the pressure jacket having a distal end defining a syringe receiving opening for receiving the syringe and a proximal end associated with the injector housing and generally aligned with the opening; and

a syringe sensor adapted to be engaged by the syringe when the syringe is loaded into the pressure jacket, the syringe sensor adapted to generate a signal indicating the presence of the syringe in the pressure jacket.

2. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one light source associated with the injector housing and positioned to illuminate the syringe received in the pressure jacket.

3. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 2, wherein the at least one light source is contained within a light source housing associated with the injector housing.

4. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 3, wherein the at least one light source includes at least one light emitting diode disposed within the light source housing.

5. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 2, wherein the at least one light source includes opposing light sources disposed substantially at opposite sides of the pressure jacket.

6. The fluid injector apparatus of claim 5, wherein the opposing light sources are contained within respective light source housings associated with the injector housing.

7. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 5, wherein the opposing light sources each include at least one light emitting diode disposed within the respective light source housings.

8. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 2, wherein the pressure jacket includes a light-diffusing structure substantially at the proximal end thereof for diffusing light from the at least one light source into the syringe.

9. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 8, wherein a recessed portion of the pressure jacket forms the light-diffusing structure, the recessed portion defining a beveled surface for diffusing the light into the syringe.

10. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 9, wherein the beveled surface extends at least partially about the circumference of the pressure jacket.

11. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 9, wherein the light-diffusing structure is located substantially opposite from the at least one light source.

12. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 1, wherein the syringe sensor is spring-loaded, such that contact by the syringe and axial displacement of the syringe into the pressure jacket activates the syringe sensor.

13. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 1, wherein the proximal end of the pressure jacket defines an engagement recess and the injector housing includes an engagement tab adapted to cooperate with the engagement recess for removably associating the pressure jacket and the injector housing.

14. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 13, wherein the engagement tab is biased to engage the engagement recess.

15. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 14, wherein the proximal end of the pressure jacket defines a cam surface for displacing the engagement tab radially when the pressure jacket is connected to the injector housing.

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

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

a pressure jacket associated with the injector housing for securing the syringe during an injection procedure, the pressure jacket having a distal end defining a syringe receiving opening for receiving the syringe and a proximal end removably associated with the injector housing and generally aligned with the opening;

wherein the proximal end of the pressure jacket defines an engagement recess or an engagement tab and the injector housing further comprises a respective mating engagement tab or an engagement recess cooperating with the other of the engagement recess or engagement tab on the pressure jacket for maintaining the removable association between the pressure jacket and the injector housing.

17. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 16, wherein the injector housing comprises an engagement tab that is biased to engage an engagement recess defined on the pressure jacket.

18. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 17, wherein the proximal end of the pressure jacket defines a cam surface for displacing the engagement tab radially when the pressure jacket is connected to the injector housing.

19. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 16, further comprising at least one light source associated with the injector housing and positioned to illuminate the syringe received in the pressure jacket.

20. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 19, wherein the at least one light source is contained within a light source housing associated with the injector housing.

21. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 20, wherein the at least one light source includes at least one light emitting diode disposed within the light source housing.

22. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 20, wherein the at least one light source includes at least one light source directed toward the pressure jacket.

23. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 19, wherein the at least one light source includes opposing light sources disposed substantially at opposite sides of the pressure jacket.

24. The fluid injector apparatus of claim 23, wherein the opposing light sources are contained within respective light source housings associated with the injector housing.

25. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 24, wherein the opposing light sources each include at least one light emitting diode disposed within the respective light source housings.

26. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 19, wherein the pressure jacket includes a light-diffusing structure substantially at the proximal end thereof for diffusing light from the at least one light source into the syringe.

27. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 26, wherein a recessed portion of the pressure jacket forms the light-diffusing structure, the recessed portion defining a beveled surface for diffusing the light into the syringe.

28. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 27, wherein the beveled surface extends at least partially about the circumference of the pressure jacket.

29. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 26, wherein the light-diffusing structure is located substantially opposite from the at least one light source.

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

an injector comprising a housing defining an opening for a drive piston extendable from the injector housing for imparting motive forces to a syringe plunger disposed within the syringe;

a pressure jacket associated with the injector housing for securing the syringe during an injection procedure, the pressure jacket having a distal end defining a syringe receiving opening for receiving the syringe and a proximal end associated with the injector housing and generally aligned with the opening; and

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

31. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 30, wherein the at least one light source is contained within a light source housing associated with the injector housing.

32. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 31, wherein the at least one light source includes at least one light emitting diode disposed within the light source housing.

33. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 32, wherein the at least one light source includes at least one light source directed toward the pressure jacket and at least one forward directed light source.

34. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 30, wherein the at least one light source includes opposing light sources disposed substantially at opposite sides of the pressure jacket.

35. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 34, wherein the opposing light sources are contained within respective light source housings associated with the injector housing.

36. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 35, wherein the opposing light sources each include at least one light emitting diode disposed within the respective light source housings.

37. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 30, wherein the pressure jacket includes a light-diffusing structure substantially at the proximal end thereof for diffusing light from the at least one light source into the syringe.

38. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 37, wherein a recessed portion of the pressure jacket forms the light-diffusing structure, the recessed portion defining a beveled surface for diffusing the light into the syringe.

39. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 38, wherein the beveled surface extends at least partially about the circumference of the pressure jacket.

40. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 37, wherein the light-diffusing structure is located substantially opposite from the at least one light source.

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

42. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 41, wherein the substantially clear plastic is selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, polyethylene, and polycarbonate.

43. A pressure jacket for use with a syringe, comprising:

a body formed of substantially clear plastic and adapted to receive the syringe; and

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

44. The pressure jacket of claim 43, wherein a recessed portion of the body forms the light-diffusing structure.

45. The pressure jacket of claim 44, wherein the recessed portion defines a beveled surface for diffusing the light into the syringe when loaded in the pressure jacket.

46. The pressure jacket of claim 45, wherein the beveled surface extends at least partially about the circumference of the pressure jacket.

47. A syringe comprising:

a body comprising a distal end and a proximal end, the proximal end comprising an expansion section and an outward extending lip.

48. The syringe of claim 47, further including a plunger movably disposed in the body, and substantially seated in the expansion section in a pre-use state of the syringe.

49. The syringe of claim 48, wherein the plunger has a coupling end comprising a pair of coupling members.

50. The syringe of claim 49, wherein the coupling members comprise flexible coupling members.

51. The syringe of claim 47, wherein the distal end of the body includes a conical portion forming a discharge outlet.

52. The syringe of claim 51, wherein the conical portion includes a light-sensitive fluid dot as an optical aid.

53. The syringe of claim 51, further including an alignment flange formed on the conical portion, the alignment flange defining a hollow area therein.

54. The syringe of claim 53, wherein the alignment flange extends outward from the conical portion sufficiently to be grasped by a user of the syringe and used as a handle for manipulating the syringe.

55. The syringe of claim 53, further including a plunger movably disposed in the body, and substantially seated in the expansion section in a pre-use state of the syringe, the plunger comprising a coupling end with 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.

56. The syringe of claim 47, wherein the outward extending lip has an outer diameter no greater than the outer diameter of a center section of the body.

57. The syringe of claim 47, 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 a center section of the body generally connecting the distal and proximal ends of the body, for allowing the expansion section to expand when a plunger is disposed in the expansion section.

58. The syringe of claim 57, 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 a syringe plunger is disposed in the expansion section.

59. The syringe of claim 57, 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 a syringe plunger is disposed in the expansion section.

60. The syringe of claim 57, 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.

61. The syringe of claim 57, 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.

62. A method of associating a syringe with a fluid injection apparatus, comprising:

providing an injector comprising a housing defining an opening for a drive piston extendable from the housing for imparting motive forces to a syringe plunger disposed within the syringe, the injector further comprising a pressure jacket associated with the injector for securing the syringe during an injection procedure, the pressure jacket having a distal end defining a syringe receiving opening for receiving the syringe and a proximal end, the injector further comprising a syringe sensor associated with the housing;

loading the syringe into the syringe receiving opening in the distal end of the pressure jacket; and

engaging the syringe sensor with the syringe when the syringe is substantially fully received in the pressure jacket.

63. The method of claim 62, further comprising the syringe sensor generating a signal indicating the presence of the syringe in the pressure jacket when the syringe engages the syringe sensor.

64. The method of claim 62, further comprising illuminating the syringe with at least one light source associated with the housing.

65. The method of claim 62, further comprising associating the proximal end of the pressure jacket with the housing.

66. The method of claim 65, wherein the proximal end of the pressure jacket is removably associated with the housing.

67. The method of claim 65, wherein the proximal end of the pressure jacket defines an engagement recess and the housing comprises a mating engagement tab, such that the engagement tab engages the engagement recess when the proximal end of the pressure jacket is associated with the housing.

68. An anti-rotation connection between an injector and a syringe plunger disposed within a syringe, comprising:

a drive piston extendable from the injector and having a plunger engaging end; and

a syringe plunger having a distal end and a proximal end adapted for engagement by the plunger engaging end of the drive piston;

wherein the plunger engaging end of the drive piston comprises an anti-rotation element adapted to interact with the proximal end of the plunger to prevent or limit rotation of the syringe plunger in the syringe.

69. The anti-rotation connection of claim 68, wherein the anti-rotation element comprises at least one pin extending between the plunger engaging end of the drive piston and the proximal end of the syringe plunger when the drive piston is engaged with the syringe plunger.

70. The anti-rotation connection of claim 69, wherein the at least one pin engages at least one pin receiving opening in the proximal end of the syringe plunger when the drive piston is engaged with the syringe plunger.

71. The anti-rotation connection of claim 69, wherein the at least one pin extends from an end plate forming the plunger engaging end of the drive piston.

72. The anti-rotation connection of claim 68, wherein the proximal end of the syringe plunger comprises at least one coupling member adapted for engagement by the plunger engaging end of the drive piston.

73. The anti-rotation connection of claim 72, wherein the anti-rotation element comprises at least one pin extending from the plunger engaging end of the drive piston and associated with the at least one coupling member when the drive piston is engaged with the syringe plunger.

74. The anti-rotation connection of claim 73, wherein the at least one pin extends from an end plate forming the plunger engaging end of the drive piston.

75. The anti-rotation connection of claim 72, wherein the anti-rotation element comprises opposing pins extending from the plunger engaging end of the drive piston and the at least one coupling member comprises a pair of coupling members, such that the opposing pins are associated with the respective coupling members when the drive piston is engaged with the syringe plunger.

76. The anti-rotation connection of claim 75, wherein the coupling members comprise flexible coupling members.

77. The anti-rotation connection of claim 72, wherein the anti-rotation element comprises at least one tab formed on the plunger engaging end of the drive piston and associated with the at least one coupling member when the drive piston is engaged with the syringe plunger.

78. The anti-rotation connection of claim 77, wherein the at least one tab extends from an end plate forming the plunger engaging end of the drive piston.

79. The anti-rotation connection of claim 72, wherein the anti-rotation element comprises opposing tabs formed on the plunger engaging end of the drive piston and the at least one coupling member comprises a pair of coupling members, such that the opposing tabs are associated with the respective coupling members when the drive piston is engaged with the syringe plunger.

80. The anti-rotation connection of claim 79, wherein the coupling members comprise flexible coupling members.

81. The anti-rotation connection of claim 72, wherein the anti-rotation element comprises an edge formed on the drive piston and adapted to be engaged by the at least one coupling member when the drive piston is engaged with the syringe plunger to prevent rotation of the syringe plunger in the syringe.

82. The anti-rotation connection of claim 81, wherein the drive piston includes an end plate forming the plunger engaging end, and wherein the edge is formed on the end plate.

83. The anti-rotation connection of claim 72, wherein the anti-rotation element comprises opposing edges formed on the drive piston, and the at least one coupling member comprises a pair of coupling members, the opposing edges adapted to be engaged by the respective coupling members when the drive piston is engaged with the syringe plunger to prevent rotation of the syringe plunger in the syringe.

84. The anti-rotation connection of claim 83, wherein the drive piston includes an end plate forming the plunger engaging end, and wherein the opposing edges are formed on the end plate.

85. The anti-rotation connection of claim 83, wherein the coupling members comprise flexible coupling members.

86. A fluid injection system comprising:

an injector comprising a drive piston having a plunger engaging end;

a syringe comprising a body and a plunger movably disposed within the body, the plunger having a proximal end adapted for engagement by the plunger engaging end of the drive piston; and

an anti-rotation connection formed by complementary anti-rotation elements associated with the proximal end of the plunger and the plunger engaging end of the drive piston to limit rotation of the plunger within the syringe body.

87. The fluid injection system of claim 86 wherein the anti-rotation elements comprise at least one pin extending from the plunger engaging end of the drive piston and at least one pin receiving opening formed in the proximal end of the plunger.