Power Injector with Keep Vein Open Functionality

• US 20110137161A1
• Filed: 08/25/2009
• Published: 06/09/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/26/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Liebel-Flarsheim Company (Mallinckrodt plc)
• Original Assignee: Liebel-Flarsheim Company (Mallinckrodt plc)
• Inventors: Kasako, Andrew K.
• Granted Patent: US 9,165,119 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 2005/1404 Keep vein-open rate [KVO], i.e. low flow rate
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/14208 with a programmable infusion control system, characterised by the infusion program
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/14553 comprising a pressure jacket
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/007 for contrast media
• 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 30/20 for handling medical images, e.g. DICOM, HL7 or PACS
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/60 for the operation of medical equipment or devices

Abstract

Disclosed are systems and methods for power injectors incorporating a keep vein open functionality that is operable when an injection protocol (112) is suspended. The injector includes control logic (110) configured to include the injection protocol (112), and a separate drip mode injection protocol (114) executable only during a suspension of the injection protocol (112). In one embodiment, the drip mode injection protocol (114) is automatically or manually initiated immediately after and in response to the suspension of the injection protocol (112). In another embodiment, the drip mode injection protocol (114) is automatically initiated after a predetermined delay from start of the suspension of the injection protocol (112). The configuration parameters for the drip mode injection protocol (114) may be programmable prior to the initiation of an injection procedure, immediately prior to the execution of the drip mode injection protocol (114), or hard-coded into the injector.

Claims

1. A power injector comprising:

a syringe plunger driver comprising a motorized drive source; and

power injector control logic comprising;

an injection protocol; and

a drip mode injection protocol, wherein said power injector control logic is configured to execute said drip mode injection protocol during a suspension of said injection protocol.

2. The power injector of claim 1, wherein said power injector control logic comprises a logic operator, and wherein said logic operator is configured to transfer control from said injection protocol to said drip mode injection protocol upon an occurrence of a first condition.

3. The power injector of claim 1, wherein said power injector control logic comprises a drip mode injection protocol trigger condition.

4. A power injector comprising:

a syringe plunger driver comprising a motorized drive source; and

power injector control logic comprising;

an injection protocol;

a drip mode injection protocol; and

a logic operator, wherein said logic operator is configured to transfer control from said injection protocol to said drip mode injection protocol upon an occurrence of a first condition.

5. The power injector of claim 4, wherein said first condition comprises a suspension of said injection protocol.

6. A power injector comprising:

a syringe plunger driver comprising a motorized drive source; and

power injector control logic comprising;

an injection protocol;

a drip mode injection protocol, wherein said injection protocol excludes said drip mode injection protocol; and

a drip mode injection protocol trigger condition.

7. The power injector of claim 6, wherein said drip mode injection protocol trigger condition comprises a suspension of said injection protocol.

8. The power injector of claim 6, wherein said injection protocol comprises a first programmed sequence, and wherein said drip mode injection protocol comprises a second programmed sequence that is not part of said first programmed sequence.

9. The power injector of claim 6, wherein said injection protocol comprises a first set of phases that excludes said drip mode injection protocol.

10. The power injector of claim 6, wherein said injection protocol is configurable.

11. The power injector of claim 6, further comprising:

a graphical user interface, wherein at least one of said injection protocol and said drip mode injection protocol may be configured through said graphical user interface.

12. The power injector of claim 7, wherein said drip mode injection protocol is automatically initiated upon an occurrence of said suspension of said injection protocol.

13. The power injector of claim 7, wherein said drip mode injection protocol is automatically initiated immediately following an occurrence of said suspension of said injection protocol.

14. The power injector of claim 7, wherein said drip mode injection protocol is automatically initiated after a predetermined delay following an occurrence of said suspension of said injection protocol.

15. The power injector of claim 7, wherein said drip mode injection protocol is manually initiated following an occurrence of said suspension of said injection protocol.

16. The power injector of claim 15, further comprising:

a graphical user interface; and

a first prompt on said graphical user interface to initiate said drip mode injection protocol.

17. The power injector of claim 16, wherein said drip mode injection protocol is configurable after said suspension of said injection protocol.

18. The power injector of claim 6, wherein said drip mode injection protocol is hard-coded.

19. The power injector of claim 6, wherein said drip mode injection protocol is configurable prior to execution of said injection protocol.

20. A method of operation for a power injector comprising:

executing an injection protocol that comprises a first predetermined sequence;

suspending said injection protocol; and

executing a drip mode injection after said suspending step, wherein said first predetermined sequence excludes said drip mode injection.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein said first predetermined sequence comprises a plurality of phases.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein each phase of said plurality of phases utilizes a fluid selected from the group consisting of contrast media and a flushing medium.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein each phase of said plurality of phases is selected from the group consisting of a contrast media injection and a saline injection.

24. The method of claim 20, further comprising:

configuring said injection protocol prior to said executing an injection protocol step.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein said configuring said injection protocol step is executed through a graphical user interface.

26. The method of claim 20, wherein said suspending step is selected from the group consisting of being automatically initiated and manually initiated.

27. The method of claim 20, wherein said executing a drip mode injection step is initiated in response to said suspending step.

28. The method of claim 20, wherein said executing a drip mode injection step is automatically initiated in response to said suspending step.

29. The method of claim 20, wherein said executing a drip mode injection step is automatically initiated immediately after and in response to said suspending step.

30. The method of claim 20, wherein said executing a drip mode injection step is automatically initiated in response to said suspending step and after an expiration of a predetermined amount of time from a start of said suspending step.

31. The method of claim 20, wherein said executing a drip mode injection step is automatically initiated after a programmed delay from a start of said suspending step.

32. The method of claim 20, wherein said executing a drip mode injection step is manually initiated.

33. The method of claim 32, further comprising:

issuing a prompt regarding said drip mode injection after said suspending step.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein said issuing a prompt step is in response to initiating said suspending step.

35. The method of claim 33, wherein said issuing a prompt step is on a graphical user interface.

36. The method of claim 20, further comprising:

configuring said drip mode injection after said suspending step.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein said configuring said drip mode injection step is executed through a graphical user interface.

38. The method of claim 20, wherein said drip mode injection protocol is hard-coded.

39. The method of claim 20, further comprising:

configuring said drip mode injection protocol before said executing an injection protocol step.

40. The method of claim 39, wherein said configuring said drip mode injection step is executed through a graphical user interface.