Fluid delivery systems, injector systems and methods of fluid delivery

• US 6,471,674 B1
• Filed: 04/21/2000
• Issued: 10/29/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/21/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bayer Healthcare LLC (Bayer AG)
• Original Assignee: Medrad Incorporated (Bayer AG)
• Inventors: Rhinehart, Edward J., Callan, Gerald W., Havrilla, Joseph B., Trombley, Frederick III, Urich, Klaus, Emig, Michael F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Walberg, Teresa
• Assistant Examiner(s): DAHBOUR, HENRY
• Application Number:
  US09/553,822
• Time in Patent Office: 921 Days
• Field of Search: 604/30, 604/31, 604/43, 604/35, 604/181, 604/523, 604/284, 604/533, 604/131, 604/256
• US Class Current: 604/131
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/26 Valves closing automatically on disconnecting the line and opening on reconnection thereof check valves A61M39/24
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/007 for contrast media
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1407 Infusion of two or more substances
• 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: Y10S 128/01 Motorized syringe

Abstract

A fluid delivery system for delivery of an injection fluid to a patient generally includes a pump system to pressurize the injection fluid, a patient interface in removable fluid connection with the pump system, and a connector in fluid connection between the pump system and the patient interface. The pump system is connected to an inlet of the connector, and the patient interface is removably connected to an outlet of the connector. The connector includes a sealing member at least partly disposed within a housing of the connector that is biased to close the outlet when the patient interface is removed.

Claims

1. A fluid delivery system comprising:

at least a first pump system to pressurize an injection fluid;

a patient interface in removable fluid connection with the first pump system; and

a fluid path in fluid connection between the at least first pump system and the patient interface, the fluid path comprising a connector comprising a housing defining at least one inlet and an outlet and a sealing member at least partially disposed within the housing, the sealing member being adapted to extend outward from an interior of the housing of the connector to be at least generally flush with the outlet of the connector to facilitate aseptic cleaning of an outward facing surface of the sealing member and being biased to close the outlet when the patient interface is disconnected from the connector, the at least first pump system being in fluid connection with the at least one inlet of the connector and the patient interface being in removable fluid connection with the outlet of the connector.

2. The fluid delivery system of claim 1 wherein the sealing member substantially prevents contaminants from entering the interior of the connector housing when the patient interface is disconnected from the connector.

3. The fluid delivery system of claim 1 wherein an increase of pressure within the connector housing acts to improve a seal created by the sealing member when the patient interface is disconnected from the connector.

4. The fluid delivery system of claim 3 wherein the increase in pressure increases a force with which the sealing member is biased to close the outlet of the connector.

5. The fluid delivery system of claim 1 wherein the at least first pump system comprises a syringe that includes sufficient injection fluid for multiple injection procedures.

6. The fluid delivery system of claim 5 wherein the syringe comprises a prefilled, disposable syringe.

7. The fluid delivery system of claim 1, further comprising a second pump system to pressurize saline, the second pump system being in fluid connection with the patient interface through the at least one inlet of the connector.

8. The fluid delivery system of claim 7, further comprising a first and a second check valve to control flow of fluid into the respective first and second pump systems, an outlet of the first pump system being in fluid connection with the first check valve and an outlet of the second pump system being in fluid connection with the second check valve.

9. A kit for use in a fluid delivery procedure, the kit comprising:

at least a first fluid container having a volume containing sufficient injection fluid for at least two injection procedures;

multiple patient interfaces adapted to be in fluid connection with the at least first fluid container and a patient; and

a fluid path adapted to be disposed between a respective one of the multiple patient interfaces and the at least first fluid container, the fluid path comprising a connector defining at least one inlet and an outlet, a respective one of the multiple patient interfaces adapted to be connected to the outlet of the connector and the at least first fluid container adapted to be placed in fluid connection with the at least one inlet of the connector.

10. The kit of claim 9 wherein the connector further comprises a housing defining the at least one inlet and the outlet and a sealing member at least partially disposed within the housing, the sealing member being biased to close the outlet when the at least one patient interface is disconnected from the connector.

11. The kit of claim 9, further comprising a second fluid container for injection of a fluid other than the injection fluid.

12. The kit of claim 9 wherein the at least first fluid container comprises a syringe.

13. An injector system for injecting a fluid into a patient, the injector system comprising:

an injector comprising at least one drive member;

at least a first fluid container removably connected to the injector and operatively associated with the at least one drive member;

a patient interface in removable fluid connection with the at least first fluid container; and

a connector in fluid connection between the at least first fluid container and the patient interface, the connector comprising a housing defining at least one inlet and an outlet and a sealing member at least partially disposed within the housing, the sealing member being adapted to extend outward from an interior of the housing of the connector to be at least generally flush with the outlet of the connector to facilitate aseptic cleaning of an outward facing surface of the sealing member and being biased to close the outlet when the patient interface is disconnected from the connector, the at least first fluid container being in fluid connection with the at least one inlet of the connector and the patient interface being in removable fluid connection with the outlet of the connector.

14. The injector system of claim 13 wherein the sealing member substantially prevents contaminants from entering the interior of the connector housing when the patient interface is disconnected from the connector.

15. The injector system of claim 13 wherein an increase of pressure within the connector housing acts to improve a seal created by the sealing member when the patient interface is disconnected from the connector.

16. The injector system of claim 15 wherein the increase in pressure increases a force with which the sealing member is biased to close the outlet of the connector.

17. The injector system of claim 13 wherein the at least first fluid container defines a volume sufficient to contain injection fluid for at least two injection procedures.

18. The injector system of claim 13 wherein the at least first fluid container comprises a syringe.

19. The injector system of claim 18 wherein the syringe comprises a prefilled, disposable syringe.

20. The injector system of claim 13, further comprising a second fluid container removably connected to the injector and operatively associated with the at least one drive member, the second fluid container being in fluid connection with the patient interface through the at least one inlet of the connector.

21. The injector system of claim 20 wherein the second fluid container contains saline for injection into the patient.

22. The injector system of claim 20 wherein the second fluid container comprises a syringe.

23. The injector system of claim 20, further comprising a first and a second check valve to control flow of fluid into the respective first and second fluid containers, an outlet of the first fluid container being in fluid connection with the first check valve and an outlet of the second fluid container being in fluid connection with the second check valve.

24. A method of injecting a fluid into multiple patients, comprising:

providing a first pump system containing sufficient fluid to inject at least two patients, the first pump system operable to pressurize the injection fluid;

providing a second pump system containing a fluid;

providing a connector in fluid connection with the first and second pump systems, the connector comprising a housing defining at least one inlet and an outlet and a sealing member at least partly disposed within the housing, the sealing member being biased to close the outlet;

providing first and second check valves operatively associated with the at least one inlet of the connector to control flow of fluid into and from the respective first and second pump systems, an outlet of the first pump system being in fluid connection with the first check valve and an outlet of the second pump system being in fluid connection with the second check valve;

providing a patient interface operable to be removably connected to the outlet of the connector to deliver the fluid to a patient;

removably connecting the patient interface to the outlet of the connector, whereby the patient interface opens the sealing member to create a fluid path from the first and second pump systems to the patient;

injecting fluid from the first and second pump systems into the patient;

disconnecting the patient interface from the connector;

aseptically treating the connector; and

connecting a new patient interface to the connector.

25. The method of claim 24 wherein the at least first pump system comprises a syringe.

26. A fluid delivery system comprising:

at least a first pump system to pressurize an injection fluid;

a patient interface in removable fluid connection with the first pump system; and

a fluid path in fluid connection between the at least first pump system and the patient interface, the fluid path comprising a connector comprising a housing defining at least one inlet and an outlet and a sealing member at least partially disposed within the housing, the sealing member being biased to close the outlet when the patient interface is disconnected from the connector, the at least first pump system being in fluid connection with the at least one inlet of the connector and the patient interface being in removable fluid connection with the outlet of the connector, wherein an increase of pressure within the connector housing acts to improve a seal created by the sealing member when the patient interface is disconnected from the connector.

27. The fluid delivery system of claim 26 wherein the sealing member extends outwardly from an interior of the housing of the connector when the patient interface is disconnected therefrom to be at least generally flush with the outlet of the connector to facilitate aseptic cleaning of an outward facing surface of the sealing member.

28. The fluid delivery system of claim 27 wherein the sealing member substantially prevents contaminants from entering the interior of the connector housing when the patient interface is disconnected from the connector.

29. The fluid delivery system of claim 26 wherein the increase in pressure increases a force with which the sealing member is biased to close the outlet of the connector.

30. The fluid delivery system of claim 26 wherein the at least first pump system comprises a syringe that includes sufficient injection fluid for multiple injection procedures.

31. The fluid delivery system of claim 30 wherein the syringe comprises a prefilled, disposable syringe.

32. The fluid delivery system of claim 26, further comprising a second pump system to pressurize saline, the second pump system being in fluid connection with the patient interface through the at least one inlet of the connector.

33. The fluid delivery system of claim 32, further comprising a first and a second check valve to control flow of fluid into the respective first and second pump systems, an outlet of the first pump system being in fluid connection with the first check valve and an outlet of the second pump system being in fluid connection with the second check valve.

34. A fluid delivery system comprising:

a first pump system for pressurizing a fluid;

a second pump system for pressurizing a fluid;

a patient interface in removable fluid connection with the first and second pump systems;

a fluid path in fluid connection between the first and second pump systems and the patient interface, the fluid path comprising a connector comprising a housing defining at least one inlet and an outlet and a sealing member at least partially disposed within the housing, the sealing member being biased to close the outlet when the patient interface is disconnected from the connector, the first and second pump systems being in fluid connection with the at least one inlet of the connector and the patient interface being in removable fluid connection with the outlet of the connector.

35. The fluid delivery system of claim 34 wherein the sealing member extends outwardly from an interior of the housing of the connector when the patient interface is disconnected therefrom to be at least generally flush with the outlet of the connector to facilitate aseptic cleaning of an outward facing surface of the sealing member.

36. The fluid delivery system of claim 35 wherein the sealing member substantially prevents contaminants from entering the interior of the connector housing when the patient interface is disconnected from the connector.

37. The fluid delivery system of claim 34 wherein an increase of pressure within the connector housing acts to improve a seal created by the sealing member when the patient interface is disconnected from the connector.

38. The fluid delivery system of claim 37 wherein the increase in pressure increases a force with which the sealing member is biased to close the outlet of the connector.

39. The fluid delivery system of claim 34 wherein the first pump system comprises a syringe that includes sufficient injection fluid for multiple injection procedures.

40. The fluid delivery system of claim 39 wherein the syringe comprises a prefilled, disposable syringe.

41. The fluid delivery system of claim 34, further comprising a first and a second check valve to control flow of fluid into the respective first and second pump systems, an outlet of the first pump system being in fluid connection with the first check valve and an outlet of the second pump system being in fluid connection with the second check valve.

42. A kit for use in a fluid delivery procedure, the kit comprising:

a first fluid container having a volume containing sufficient injection fluid for at least two injection procedures;

a second fluid container for injection of a fluid other than the injection fluid;

at least one patient interface adapted to be in fluid connection with the first and second fluid containers and a patient; and

a fluid path adapted to be disposed between the at least one patient interface and the first and second fluid containers, the fluid path comprising a connector defining at least one inlet and an outlet, the at least one patient interface adapted to be connected to the outlet of the connector and the first and second fluid containers adapted to be placed in fluid connection with the at least one inlet of the connector.

43. The kit of claim 42 wherein the connector further comprises a housing defining the at least one inlet and the outlet and a sealing member at least partially disposed within the housing, the sealing member being biased to close the outlet when the at least one patient interface is disconnected from the connector.

44. The kit of claim 42 wherein the at least one patient interface comprises multiple patient interfaces.

45. The kit of claim 42 wherein the first fluid container comprises a syringe.

46. An injector system for injecting a fluid into a patient, the injector system comprising:

an injector comprising at least one drive member;

at least a first fluid container removably connected to the injector and operatively associated with the at least one drive member;

a patient interface in removable fluid connection with the at least first fluid container; and

a connector in fluid connection between the at least first fluid container and the patient interface, the connector comprising a housing defining at least one inlet and an outlet and a sealing member at least partially disposed within the housing, the sealing member being biased to close the outlet when the patient interface is disconnected from the connector, the at least first fluid container being in fluid connection with the at least one inlet of the connector and the patient interface being in removable fluid connection with the outlet of the connector, wherein an increase of pressure within the connector housing acts to improve a seal created by the sealing member when the patient interface is disconnected from the connector.

47. The injector system of claim 46 wherein the sealing member extends outwardly from an interior of the housing of the connector when the patient interface is disconnected therefrom to be at least generally flush with the outlet of the connector to facilitate aseptic cleaning of an outward facing surface of the sealing member.

48. The injector system of claim 47 wherein the sealing member substantially prevents contaminants from entering the interior of the connector housing when the patient interface is disconnected from the connector.

49. The injector system of claim 46 wherein the increase in pressure increases a force with which the sealing member is biased to close the outlet of the connector.

50. The injector system of claim 46 wherein the at least first fluid container defines a volume sufficient to contain injection fluid for at least two injection procedures.

51. The injector system of claim 46 wherein the at least first fluid container comprises a syringe.

52. The injector system of claim 51 wherein the syringe comprises a prefilled, disposable syringe.

53. The injector system of claim 46, further comprising a second fluid container removably connected to the injector and operatively associated with the at least one drive member, the second fluid container being in fluid connection with the patient interface through the at least one inlet of the connector.

54. The injector system of claim 53 wherein the second fluid container contains saline for injection into the patient.

55. The injector system of claim 53 wherein the second fluid container comprises a syringe.

56. The injector system of claim 53, further comprising a first and a second check valve to control flow of fluid into the respective first and second fluid containers, an outlet of the first fluid container being in fluid connection with the first check valve and an outlet of the second fluid container being in fluid connection with the second check valve.

57. An injector system for injecting a fluid into a patient, the injector system comprising:

an injector comprising at least one drive member;

a first fluid container removably connected to the injector and operatively associated with the at least one drive member;

a second fluid container removably connected to the injector and operatively associated with the at least one drive member;

a patient interface in removable fluid connection with the first and second fluid containers; and

a connector in fluid connection between the first and second fluid containers and the patient interface, the connector comprising a housing defining at least one inlet and an outlet and a sealing member at least partially disposed within the housing, the sealing member being biased to close the outlet when the patient interface is disconnected from the connector, the first and second fluid containers being in fluid connection with the at least one inlet of the connector and the patient interface being in removable fluid connection with the outlet of the connector.

58. The injector system of claim 57 wherein the sealing member extends outwardly from an interior of the housing of the connector when the patient interface is disconnected therefrom to be at least generally flush with the outlet of the connector to facilitate aseptic cleaning of an outward facing surface of the sealing member.

59. The injector system of claim 58 wherein the sealing member substantially prevents contaminants from entering the interior of the connector housing when the patient interface is disconnected from the connector.

60. The injector system of claim 57 wherein an increase of pressure within the connector housing acts to improve a seal created by the sealing member when the patient interface is disconnected from the connector.

61. The injector system of claim 60 wherein the increase in pressure increases a force with which the sealing member is biased to close the outlet of the connector.

62. The injector system of claim 57 wherein the first fluid container defines a volume sufficient to contain injection fluid for at least two injection procedures.

63. The injector system of claim 57 wherein the first fluid container comprises a syringe.

64. The injector system of claim 63 wherein the syringe comprises a prefilled, disposable syringe.

65. The injector system of claim 57 wherein the second fluid container contains saline for injection into the patient.

66. The injector system of claim 57 wherein the second fluid container comprises a syringe.

67. The injector system of claim 57, further comprising a first and a second check valve to control flow of fluid into the respective first and second fluid containers, an outlet of the first fluid container being in fluid connection with the first check valve and an outlet of the second fluid container being in fluid connection with the second check valve.

68. A method of injecting multiple patients using an injector system comprising a first pump system containing sufficient fluid to inject at least two patients, a second pump system containing a fluid, a connector in fluid connection with the first and second pump systems, the connector comprising a housing defining at least one inlet and an outlet and a sealing member at least partly disposed within the housing, the sealing member being biased to close the outlet, first and second check valves operatively associated with the at least one inlet of the connector to control flow of fluid into and from the respective first and second pump systems, an outlet of the first pump system being in fluid connection with the first check valve and an outlet of the second pump system being in fluid connection with the second check valve, and a patient interface adapted to be removably connected to the outlet of the connector to deliver the fluid to a patient, the method comprising:

removably connecting the patient interface to the outlet of the connector, whereby the patient interface opens the sealing member to create a fluid path from the first and second pump systems to the patient;

injecting fluid from the first and second pump systems into the patient;

disconnecting the patient interface from the connector;

aseptically treating the connector; and

connecting a new patient interface to the connector.

69. The method of claim 68 wherein at least one of the first and second pump systems comprises a syringe.