Power Injector with Help Functionality

• US 20110016392A1
• Filed: 02/27/2009
• Published: 01/20/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/11/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Liebel-Flarsheim Company (Mallinckrodt plc)
• Original Assignee: Liebel-Flarsheim Company (Mallinckrodt plc)
• Inventors: Humeniuk, David P.
• Granted Patent: US 9,336,352 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/705
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/548 Remote control of the apparatus or devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/14553 comprising a pressure jacket
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/502 User interfaces, e.g. screens or keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14546 Front-loading type injectors
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/17 delivered via infusion or injection
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation

Abstract

A power injector (10) with help functionality is disclosed. What may be characterized as a ‘help output’ may be displayed on a graphical user interface (11) in response to a request for help. This help output may be based upon a current state of the power injector (10), may be accompanied by a cross-reference to an operator'"'"'s manual for the power injector (10), may be expanded to provide additional detail, or any combination thereof. At least one system screen that relates to the help output may be displayed (e.g., simultaneously, sequentially). The help functionality may be in the form of having the power injector (10) incorporate help mode logic (256) that is configured to allow a user to view and obtain information on the various system screens that would be presented when using the power injector (10) to deliver a fluid, but without actually operating the power injector (10) to deliver fluid.

Claims

1. A power injector, comprising:

a powerhead, wherein a syringe may be installed on said powerhead;

a syringe plunger drive assembly;

a first graphical user interface;

a first help output that is presentable on said first graphical user interface; and

at least one cross-reference regarding said first help output that is presentable on said first graphical user interface.

2. The power injector of claim 1, wherein said first help output comprises a first help topic, and wherein said at least one cross-reference comprises at least one system screen that relates to said first help topic.

3. The power injector of claim 2, wherein said at least one system screen is selectively presentable after said first help output is presented on said first graphical user interface.

4. The power injector of claim 2, wherein said at least one system screen is simultaneously presentable along with said first help output on said first graphical user interface.

5. The power injector of claim 1, wherein said first help output comprises a first help topic, and wherein said at least one cross-reference comprises each said system screen that relates to said first help topic.

6. The power injector of claim 1, wherein said at least one cross-reference comprises an identification of at least one section of an operator'"'"'s manual for said power injector that relates to said first help output.

7. The power injector of claim 1, wherein an operator'"'"'s manual for said power injector is electronically stored, and wherein said at least one cross-reference comprises an electronic link to at least one section of said operator'"'"'s manual that relates to said first help output.

8. The power injector of claim 1, wherein said first help output comprises a first level of help information, and wherein said at least one cross-reference comprises a link to a second level of help information that is more detailed than said first level.

9. The power injector of claim 1, wherein said first help output comprises a first level of help information, and wherein said at least one cross-reference comprises a second level of help information that is more detailed than said first level.

10. The power injector of claim 1, wherein a help topic is presentable on said first graphical user interface based upon a current state of said power injector.

11. The power injector of claim 10, wherein said current state is selected from the group consisting of that said power injector is powered on and that no syringes are installed on said powerhead, that at least one syringe is installed on said powerhead, that said powerhead is in a tilted up position, that an air purge operation is being executed, that an air purge operation has been completed, that said powerhead is in a tilted down position, that said power injector is ready to be enabled, that said power injector is enabled, that a patency check injection is being executed, that a patency check has been completed, that a drip mode injection is being executed, that a drip mode injection has been terminated, that a timing bolus injection is being executed, that a timing bolus injection has been completed, that an injection is being executed, that an injection has been interrupted, that an injection has failed, that an injection has been completed, that each syringe has been removed from said powerhead, that a “

return each syringe plunger driver to a home position”

operation is being executed, and that said power injector is ready to accept a number of syringes for which said power injector is configured.

12. The power injector of claim 10, wherein said first help output comprises said help topic.

13. The power injector of claim 1, further comprising:

power injector control logic comprising a fluid delivery logic and a help mode logic, wherein said power injector may be separately operated in accordance with each of said fluid delivery and help mode logics, and wherein fluid is not deliverable by said power injector when operating in accordance with said help mode logic.

14. The power injector of claim 13, wherein when said power injector is operated in accordance with said help mode logic, at least one system screen from when said power injector is operated in accordance with said fluid delivery logic is presentable on said first graphical user interface, and wherein selecting a selectable object from said at least one system screen on said first graphical user interface presents a related help topic on said first graphical user interface.

15. The power injector of claim 14, wherein when said power injector is operated in accordance with said help mode logic, each said system screen from when said power injector is operated in accordance with said fluid delivery logic is presentable on said first graphical user interface, and wherein selecting a selectable object from said system screen currently being presented on said first graphical user interface presents a related help topic on said first graphical user interface.

16. The power injector of claim 14, wherein said first help output comprises said related help topic.

17. A power injector, comprising:

a powerhead, wherein a syringe may be installed on said powerhead;

a syringe plunger drive assembly;

a first graphical user interface; and

a first help output that is presentable on said first graphical user interface and that is based upon a current state of said power injector.

18-25. -25. (canceled)

26. A power injector, comprising:

a powerhead, wherein a syringe may be installed on said powerhead;

a syringe plunger drive assembly;

a first graphical user interface; and

power injector control logic comprising a fluid delivery logic and a help mode logic, wherein said power injector may be separately operated in accordance with each of said fluid delivery and help mode logics, and wherein fluid is not deliverable by said power injector when operating in accordance with said help mode logic.

27-50. -50. (canceled)