Powerhead of a Power Injection System

• US 20070106153A1
• Filed: 10/23/2006
• Published: 05/10/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/13/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Liebel-Flarsheim Company (Mallinckrodt plc)
• Original Assignee: Mallinckrodt Incorporated (Mallinckrodt plc)
• Inventors: Brooks, David, Wagner, Gary, Neer, Charles, Ziemba, Robert, Small, James, Gibbs, Jonathan, Bruce, John
• Granted Patent: US 7,725,168 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/432
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/548 Remote control of the apparatus or devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3306 Optical measuring means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3317 Electromagnetic, inductive or dielectric measuring means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3389 Continuous level detection A61M2205/3393 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/502 User interfaces, e.g. screens or keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/52 with memories providing a history of measured variating parameters of apparatus or patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/587 Lighting arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/6054 Magnetic identification systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/6063 Optical identification systems
• 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 5/16827 controlling delivery of multiple fluids, e.g. sequencing, mixing or via separate flow-paths infusion of multiple fluids without using a controller A61M5/1407
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1785 comprising radioactive shield means syringe shields or holders for storage of radioactive sources G21F5/018

Abstract

A contrast media injection system includes detects the absolute position of the syringe ram using a non-contact sensor. A series of magnets and Hall-Effect sensors may be used or an opto-reflective system. Illuminated knobs that are connected to the drive mechanism for the syringe ram rotate with the drive and provide visual feedback on operation through the illumination. Analog Hall-Effect sensors are used to determine the presence or absence of magnets that identify the type of faceplate being used. The faceplates include control electronics, connected to the powerhead through connectors, which may be interchangeably used by the two faceplates. The faceplate electronics include detectors for automatically detecting the capacity of pre-filled syringes. Additional features include using historical data to provide optimum pressure limit values during an injection protocol, a removable memory device for storing and transferring information such as injection protocols and injector statistics, and password protection of such protocols.

Claims

1. A contrast media injector system comprising:

a syringe ram;

a drive mechanism coupled with the syringe ram and configured to move the syringe ram;

a magnet coupled with the drive mechanism; and

a plurality of magnetic sensors arranged along a path in which the magnet travels, the sensors configured to detect a presence of the magnet.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensors are arranged such that two adjacent sensors detect the magnet.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the magnet travels along a path passing over the plurality of sensors.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one said sensor generates a signal representative of the analog magnetic field strength detected by said sensor, the detected analog magnetic field strength being used to determine a relative position of said magnet.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising a memory configured to store a respective position of the drive mechanism associated with a state of the sensors.

6. The system of claim 5, further comprising:

a position detector configured to;

determine a detected state of the sensors;

search in the memory for the respective position associated with the detected state; and

determine a position of the syringe ram based on the respective position.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein said sensors are analog Hall effect sensors, said memory stores a level of magnetic flux at a sensor as part of a sensor state, and said position detector compares a level of magnetic flux from sensors to levels of magnetic flux stored in said memory and uses interpolation between states in said memory to determine a position of the syringe ram.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein:

each sensor has an overlap length Y,

the magnet has a length L;

the syringe ram travel extends over a distance D;

a number of sensors is substantially equal to D/(L-Y).

9. The system of claim 7, wherein a spacing distance between adjacent sensors is substantially equal to (L-Y).

10. Within a contrast media injector system, a method comprising the steps of:

positioning a syringe ram at a plurality of different locations;

acquiring at each location;

a) a first value of the syringe ram position from an encoder, and

b) a second value of a magnet from a plurality of sensors configured to detect the magnet, the magnet arranged to move with the syringe ram;

associating the first and second values for each different location.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising the steps of:

detecting a state of the sensors representing an analog amount of magnetic flux detected by the sensors;

locating a second value substantially similar to the state and identifying its associated first value; and

determining a position of the syringe ram based on the first value.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the sensors are arranged such that two adjacent sensors detect the magnet.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the magnet travels along a path adjacent to the plurality of sensors.

14. A contrast media injector system comprising:

a syringe ram;

a drive mechanism coupled with the syringe ram and configured to move the syringe ram;

a reflective surface coupled with the drive mechanism; and

a optical sensor configured to transmit radiation towards the reflective surface and detect a reflection therefrom.

15. The system of claim 14, further comprising a computing circuit configured to estimate a distance to the reflective surface based on the detected reflection.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein the optical sensor has a range substantially between 1 cm and 30 cm.

17. The system of claim 14, further comprising:

an encoder configured to determine a position of the drive mechanism;

a memory configured to store a respective position of the drive mechanism associated with a detected reflection of the optical sensor.

18. The system of claim 17, further comprising:

a position detector configured to;

determine a detected reflection of the optical sensor;

search in the memory for the respective position associated with the detected reflection; and

determine a position of the syringe ram based on the respective position.

19. Within a contrast media injector system, a method comprising the steps of:

positioning a syringe ram at a plurality of different locations;

acquiring at each location;

a) a first value of the syringe ram position from an encoder, and

b) a second value of a level of a reflected signal at an optical sensor, the optical sensor configured to transmit radiation to a reflective surface that moves with the syringe ram and determine an amount of reflective radiation that returns therefrom;

associating the first and second values for each different location.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising the steps of:

detecting a level of radiation reflected from the reflected surface;

locating a second value substantially similar to the level of radiation and identifying its associated first value; and

determining a position of the syringe ram based on the first value.

21. A powerhead of a contrast media injector system comprising:

a syringe ram;

a drive mechanism configured to move the syringe ram;

a manual knob operatively coupled to the drive mechanism such that movement of the syringe ram results in rotation of the manual knob corresponding to a speed the syringe ram is moving; and

a illumination source illuminating a portion of the control knob.

22. The powerhead of claim 21, wherein the illumination source comprises one or more LEDs.

23. The powerhead of claim 21, wherein the illumination source illuminates said control knob in different colors in response to an operative mode of said powerhead.

24. The powerhead of claim 21, wherein the control knob further comprises:

a light guiding region coupled with the illumination source;

a substantially transparent or translucent portion coupled with the light guiding region; and

a substantially opaque region surrounding the transparent or translucent portion, the opaque region having one or more opening through which the transparent or translucent portion is visible.

25. The powerhead of claim 22, wherein the visible transparent or translucent portion and opaque region comprise longitudinal stripes along the periphery of the control knob, the opaque region made from a material with one or more of greater surface friction and softer surface than the transparent or translucent portion.

26. The powerhead of claim 21 wherein the powerhead is a dual head injector system that includes a second control knob substantially similar to the first, wherein the control knobs operate independently of each other.

27. A contrast media injector system comprising:

a faceplate mounting region at which magnetic sources of a faceplate may be located;

a Hall effect sensor associated with a location of said faceplate mounting region at which a magnetic source of a faceplate may be located; and

an analog circuit for measuring an analog signal representative of the magnetic flux impinging upon said Hall effect sensor.

28. The system of claim 27 wherein the faceplate mounting region is configured to attach to a faceplate having one or more magnets associated with a one of the magnetic conductor such that a presence, absence and/or polarity of at least one magnet on the faceplate is detected by a respective Hall effect sensor.

29. The system of claim 27, further comprising:

a memory configured to store for a plurality of faceplates, a respective state representing an analog signal representative of magnetic flux impinging on said Hall effect sensor.

30. Within a contrast media injector system, a method comprising the steps of:

attaching a faceplate to a powerhead of a contrast media injector system, wherein the faceplate includes one or more magnets;

acquiring with a Hall effect sensor a first analog signal representative of magnetic flux impinging on said Hall effect sensor with the faceplate attached;

acquiring with a Hall effect sensor a second analog signal representative of magnetic flux impinging on said Hall effect sensor with the faceplate detached; and

storing a signature for the faceplate based on the plurality of first and second signals.

31. The method of claim 30 wherein the signature includes an analog threshold value, for each sensor, substantially between the first and second signals for that sensor.

32. The method of claim 31, further comprising the step of:

storing a respective signature for a plurality of faceplates.

33. The method of claim 31, further comprising the steps of:

attaching an unknown faceplate to the powerhead;

determining a detected analog signal level and/or polarity for said Hall effect sensor; and

identifying the unknown faceplate based on the detected signal levels and the stored signatures.

34. Within a contrast media injector system, a method comprising the steps of:

selecting an injection protocol;

determining a pressure limit value associated with the selected protocol based on pressures achieved during a previous execution of the selected protocol; and

using the pressure limit value while executing the selected protocol.

35. The method of claim 34, further comprising the steps of:

performing a particular injection protocol; and

storing historical pressure information associated with the particular injection protocol.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein the historical pressure information includes a highest experienced pressure during the particular protocol.

37. The method of claim 35, wherein the historical pressure information includes an average pressure experienced during the particular protocol.

38. The method of claim 35, wherein a pressure limit value is determined based upon statistical analysis of historical pressure information for the particular protocol.

39. The method of claim 34, further comprising the steps of:

presenting the pressure limit value to an operator;

receiving a change, if any, to the pressure limit value; and

executing the selected protocol according to the changed pressure limit value.

40. A contrast media injector system comprising:

a processor;

a non-volatile storage coupled with the processor;

an application stored within the non-volatile storage configured to execute on said processor to;

select an injection protocol;

determine a pressure limit value associated with the selected protocol based on previous execution of the selected protocol; and

use the pressure limit value while executing the selected protocol.

41. The system of claim 40, wherein the application is further configured to:

perform a particular injection protocol; and

store historical pressure information associated with the particular injection protocol.

42. The system of claim 41, wherein the historical pressure information includes a highest experienced pressure during the particular protocol.

43. The method of claim 41, wherein the historical pressure information includes an average pressure experience during the particular protocol.

44. A contrast media injector system comprising:

a syringe cradle configured to hold a syringe;

a syringe detection circuit including a plurality of sensors and configured to detect the relative positions of features of said syringe adjacent to each of said sensors to determine a filled volume of the syringe; and

a sensor support structure configured to hold the sensors in a fixed position relative to a syringe to detect a relative positions of features of said syringe using said sensors.

45. The system of claim 44 wherein the syringe detection circuit includes a plurality of sensors, each sensor located along a longitudinal direction, and aligned with, the pre-filled syringe.

46. The system of claim 45, wherein each sensor transmits a respective signal and detects its reflection;

and based on the reflection, each sensor determines a relative position of a feature of the syringe adjacent that sensor.

47. The system of claim 46, wherein a capacity of a pre-filled syringe is determined based on the sensors.

48. The system of claim 44, wherein the syringe detection circuit further comprises:

a plurality of sensors each arranged to detect a presence of a plunger disc of the syringe, wherein the capacity of the pre-filled syringe is determined based on which sensor detects the plunger disc.

49. The system of claim 44, further comprising a syringe cradle overlying the syringe detection circuit and shielding ambient light.

50. The system of claim 44, wherein each sensor is configured to modulate an output radiation signal and to ignore a reflected signal that is unmodulated.

51. The system of claim 44, further comprising:

a transmitter arranged near a front of the syringe, configured to transmit a signal toward the syringe; and

a receiver located on an opposite side of the syringe as the transmitter, and configured to detect the signal when the syringe is empty.

52. Within a contrast media injector system, a method comprising the steps of:

positioning a pre-filled syringe adjacent a plurality of sensors;

detecting a position of a plunger disc of the syringe using the plurality of sensors; and

identifying a capacity of the syringe based on the position.

53. The method of claim 52, wherein the sensors are arranged such that only a single sensor detects the plunger disc for each different capacity syringe.

54. The method of claim 52, wherein the step of detecting further includes the steps of:

transmitting a respective signal from each sensor;

detecting a respective reflected signal at each sensor; and

determining if the plunger disc is adjacent a particular sensor based on the respective reflected signal.

55. A contrast media injector system comprising:

one or more housings;

within a housing, a syringe ram movable within one said housing and engageable to a plunger of a syringe, and a drive mechanism configured to move the syringe ram; and

within a housing, circuitry for controlling said drive mechanism in a programmed manner to effect an injection into a patient, and a removable memory device socket connected to said circuitry and positioned internally to said housing to permit a removable memory device to be inserted from outside said housing into said socket, said circuitry interacting with said removable memory device to store information into and/or retrieve information from said removable memory device.

56. The injector of claim 55 wherein said removable memory device utilizes a memory storage technology selected from Memory Stick and Secure Digital Multimedia Memory Card (SD/MMC).

57. The injector of claim 55 wherein said circuitry interacts with said removable memory device to store and/or retrieve one or more of injector configuration information, injector usage statistics, and injector software updates.

58. The injector of claim 57 wherein said circuitry interacts with said removable memory device to store and/or retrieve injection sequences that may be configured for operation of the injector.

59. The injector of claim 57 wherein said injector usage statistics comprise one or more of hours of operation, number of injections, pressures and flow rates achieved and protocols utilized.

60. Within a contrast media injector system, a method of transferring injection sequence information from a control circuit of said injector system, comprising the steps of:

connecting a removable memory device to said control circuit, said control circuit interacting with said removable memory device to store injection sequence information into said removable memory device.

61. The method of claim 60 further comprising transferring injection sequence information to a control circuit of a second injector system, comprising the steps of

connecting said removable memory device to said control circuit of said second injector system, said control circuit of said second injector system interacting with said removable memory device to store injection sequence information from said removable memory device into said control circuit of said second injector system.

62. A contrast media injector system comprising:

a drive movable and engageable to a fluid container to fill or expel fluid therein;

circuitry for controlling said drive in a programmed manner to effect an injection into a patient; and

a memory, said circuitry interacting with said memory to store information into and/or retrieve information from said memory relating to injection sequences to be carried out by said drive, said memory associating at least a given injection sequence with authentication data, said circuitry permitting operator retrieval of said given injection sequence from said memory and modification thereof without requiring operator authentication, said circuitry requiring operator authentication by reference to said authentication data before permitting storage of changes to said given injection sequence in said memory.

63. A powerhead of a contrast media injector system comprising:

a housing;

first and second syringe rams movable within said housing and engageable to plungers of first and second syringes;

a drive mechanism within the housing configured to move the syringe rams;

a syringe accessory for association with a syringe, including electrical components for interacting with said syringe, and a connector for connecting said electrical components to said powerhead; and

circuitry within the housing for controlling said drive mechanism in a programmed manner to effect an injection into a patient, said circuitry including at least a first and a second connector for connecting to a syringe accessory, said circuitry including circuitry distinguishing whether a syringe accessory connected to one of said first or second connectors is associated with said first or said second syringe.

64. The powerhead of claim 63 wherein said syringe accessory comprises a magnetic sensor for detecting a magnet associated with a syringe mounting, said magnetic sensor interacting with said electrical components of said syringe accessory to identify whether said syringe accessory is associated with said first or second syringe based upon the detected presence or absence of a magnet.