NON-MAGNETIC MEDICAL INFUSION DEVICE

• US 20110009733A1
• Filed: 07/12/2010
• Published: 01/13/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/17/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Iradimed Corporation
• Original Assignee: Iradimed Corporation
• Inventors: Susi, Roger E.
• Granted Patent: US 8,150,493 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/411
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/007 for contrast media
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14228 with linear peristaltic action, i.e. comprising at least three pressurising members or a helical member

Abstract

Liquid infusion apparatus includes non-magnetic materials in a pumping structure and drive motor therefore, and in a controller that supplies drive signals to the motor to facilitate convenient operation in intense magnetic fields without distorting the magnetic fields and without radiating objectionable radio-frequency interference.

Claims

1. A patient infusion and imaging system, the system comprising:

a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan room shielded from electromagnetic interference;

image acquisition equipment positioned within the MRI scan room, the image acquisition equipment comprising a magnetic source; and

an IV liquid infusion apparatus configured to be positioned at any location within the MRI scan room without introducing image degrading RF interference and without being affected by magnetic fields produced by the magnetic source, the IV liquid infusion apparatus comprising;

a pump disposed to receive a liquid conduit and to transfer IV liquid through the liquid conduit from a liquid IV container source;

a non-magnetic ultrasonic motor configured to provide mechanical movement to the pump in response to applied multiphasic electrical signals; and

a non-magnetic controller configured to selectively actuate the motor to drive the pump, and thereby transfer liquid from the IV container source through the liquid conduit at a controllable volumetric rate.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the non-magnetic controller is disposed within an electrically conductive shielding structure to inhibit radiation of radio frequency interference during operation of the controller.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the liquid infusion apparatus is housed in one RF shielded housing

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the IV liquid infusion apparatus further comprises a display formed of non-magnetic and RF-shielding material.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the pump comprises a peristaltic pump.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the standalone liquid infusion apparatus is not anchored to the ground.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the standalone liquid infusion apparatus is positioned close to a patient during image acquisition by the image acquisition equipment.

8. An IV liquid infusion delivery apparatus capable of operating within an MRI scan room having a source that generates an intense magnetic field, the apparatus comprising:

a housing;

a non-magnetic, peristaltic, positive-displacement pump configured to administer IV fluid to a patient within an MRI scan room;

a controller configured to receive input control information from a keypad disposed on the housing;

drive circuitry configured to receive control signals from the controller and to output multiphasic electrical signals; and

a non-magnetic, ultrasonic motor configured to drive the peristaltic positive-displacement pump in response to the multiphasic electrical signals output by the drive circuitry.

9. The IV liquid infusion delivery apparatus of claim 8, wherein the pump, the controller, the drive circuitry, and the motor are housed in the housing.

10. The IV liquid infusion delivery apparatus of claim 8, wherein the housing is an RF-shielded housing.

11. The IV liquid infusion delivery apparatus of claim 8, wherein the controller and the drive circuitry are disposed within an electrically conductive shielding structure to inhibit radiation of radio frequency interference therefrom during operation of the liquid infusion apparatus.

12. The IV liquid infusion delivery apparatus of claim 8, wherein the ultrasonic motor is configured to rotate at a controlled speed based on the multiphasic electrical signals received from the drive circuitry.

13. A method for administering IV infusion of liquids to a patient in an MRI environment without significantly distorting a homogeneous magnetic field around an MRI scanner, the method comprising:

providing an IV liquid infusion device comprising a non-magnetic ultrasonic motor, a non-magnetic peristaltic pump, and a non-magnetic controller disposed within an RF shielded housing;

positioning the infusion device to be in close proximity to a patient within an MRI scan room;

inputting control information to set infusion parameters of the pump; and

acquiring images of the patient with the MRI scanner without disrupting operation of the IV liquid infusion device.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising initiating operation of the pump.

15. The method of claim 13, further comprising adjusting the infusion parameters of the pump with a remote control.

16. The method of claim 13, further comprising displaying operational parameters of the pump.