Powerhead of a Power Injection System

• US 20080114302A1
• Filed: 01/14/2008
• Published: 05/15/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/13/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Liebel Flarsheim Co LLC (Mallinckrodt plc)
• Original Assignee: Mallinckrodt Incorporated (Mallinckrodt plc)
• Inventors: Neer, Charles
• Granted Patent: US 7,727,196 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/154
• 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 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 powerhead of a contrast media injector system, the powerhead comprising:

a housing;

a first syringe ram movable within said housing, said first syringe ram configured to engage a plunger of a first syringe;

a second syringe ram movable within said housing, said second syringe ram configured to engage a plunger a second syringe;

a drive mechanism within said housing, said drive mechanism configured to move said first syringe ram and said second syringe ram;

a syringe accessory for association with the first syringe and the second syringe, said syringe accessory including electrical components configured for interacting with the first and second syringes and a connector for connecting said electrical components to said powerhead; and

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

2. The powerhead of claim 1 wherein said syringe accessory includes a magnetic sensor configured 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 syringe or said second syringe based upon the detected presence or absence of the magnet.