ADAPTER FOR POWER INJECTORS

• US 20090043257A1
• Filed: 10/02/2007
• Published: 02/12/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/10/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Coeur, Inc. (Illinois Tool Works Inc.)
• Original Assignee: US Bank National Association (US Bancorp)
• Inventors: Cude, J. Michael
• Granted Patent: US 7,658,722 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/131
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/6018 providing set-up signals for the apparatus configuration
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/6036 characterised by physical shape, e.g. array of activating switches
• 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

Abstract

A syringe adapter includes an adapter body having a first connecting portion that may be received into a power injector unit used to deliver contrast media. The adapter also includes a second connecting portion configured to receive the rearward end of an associated syringe. The adapter includes means for encoding information about the associated syringe that may be communicated to the power injector unit through one or more sensors. The means for encoding information may include a mechanism that moves linearly laterally back and forth to activate an actuator used to convey the encoded information. In particular, the action of installing the adapter may be decoupled from the action of encoding information.

Claims

1. An adapter for an associated power injector unit used to inject fluid, comprising:

an adapter body having a first connecting portion for installing the adapter onto the associated power injector unit, wherein the adapter body includes a second connecting portion for receiving an associated syringe;

a mechanism for encoding information about the associated syringe received at least partially within the adapter body; and

,

wherein activation of the mechanism for encoding information is decoupled from connecting the adapter body to the associated power injector unit.

2. The adapter as defined in claim 1, wherein the mechanism for encoding information is linearly actuated with respect to the adapter body.

3. The adapter as defined in claim 1, wherein associated information about an associated syringe is operable to be communicated to the associated power injector unit after the adapter has been installed into the associated power injector unit.

4. The adapter as defined in claim 1, wherein the mechanism for encoding information comprises a lever received at least partially within the adapter body.

5. The adapter as defined in claim 4, wherein the associated power injector unit includes one or more associated sensor inputs, and further comprising:

at least a first pin slidably received at least partially within the adapter body.

6. The adapter as defined in claim 5, wherein the lever is a cam member for actuating the at least a first pin.

7. The adapter as defined in claim 5, wherein the lever in includes a cam slot, and,

wherein the at least a first pin includes a first end operatively communicated to the cam slot.

8. The adapter as defined in claim 7, wherein the at least a first pin is L-shaped.

9. The adapter as defined in claim 1, further comprising:

an indicator for indicating an operating status of the mechanism for encoding information.

10. The adapter as defined in claim 9, wherein the indicator comprises indicator markings applied to an outer surface of the mechanism for encoding information.

11. A system for injecting contrast media in a subject, comprising:

a power injector unit having a plunger driver movably received at least partially within the power injector unit, wherein the power injector unit includes one or more sensors for reading information about an associated syringe;

an adapter including an adapter body having a first connecting portion for selectively connecting the adapter to the power injector unit, wherein the adapter body includes a second connecting portion for receiving the associated syringe, the adapter including a mechanism for communicating information to the one or more sensors, the mechanism for communicating information being operatively received at least partially within the adapter body; and

,

wherein activation of the mechanism for communicating information is decoupled from connecting the adapter body to the power injector unit.

12. The system as defined in claim 11, wherein mechanism for communicating information communicates information about the associated syringe to the one or more sensors.

13. The system as defined in claim 11, wherein activation of the mechanism for communicating information is decoupled from connecting the adapter body to the power injector unit and from installing an associated syringe onto the adapter body.

14. The system as defined in claim 11, wherein the mechanism for communicating information comprises a lever received at least partially within the adapter body.

15. The system as defined in claim 14, further comprising:

at least a first pin slidably received at least partially within the adapter body.

16. The system as defined in claim 15, wherein the lever is a cam member for actuating the at least a first pin.

17. The system as defined in claim 15, wherein the lever in includes a cam slot, and,

wherein the at least a first pin includes a first end operatively communicated to the cam slot.

18. The system as defined in claim 17, wherein the at least a first pin is L-shaped.

20. The method as defined in claim 18, wherein activating the mechanism for encoding information is decoupled from installing the adapter body, and,

wherein the mechanism for encoding information is linearly actuated with respect to the adapter body.

19. A method for communicating information about an associated syringe to an associated power injector unit, the steps comprising:

providing an adapter body having a first and second connecting portions;

providing a mechanism for encoding information about the associated syringe;

installing the adapter body onto the associated power injector unit; and

,

subsequently activating the mechanism for encoding information.