Adapters, adapter systems and method for use in connection with powered injectors for agitation of multi-component fluids

• US 6,821,013 B2
• Filed: 12/11/2002
• Issued: 11/23/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Medrad Incorporated (Bayer AG)
• Original Assignee: Medrad Incorporated (Bayer AG)
• Inventors: Reilly, David M., Griffiths, David M.
• Primary Examiner(s): SOOHOO, TONY GLEN
• Application Number:
  US10/316,379
• Publication Number:
  US 20030117888A1
• Time in Patent Office: 713 Days
• Field of Search: 366/162.3, 366/189, 366/190, 222/386, 604/416, 604/131
• US Class Current: 366/162.3
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 2101/2202 Mixing compositions or mixers in the medical or veterinary field
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 29/10 with receptacles rotated about two different axes, e.g. receptacles having planetary motion
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 29/321 of test-tubes or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 29/34 Constructional details of holders for the individual packages or containers
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 29/4031 horizontal
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 29/62 without bars, i.e. without mixing elements; characterised by the shape or cross section of the receptacle, e.g. of Y-, Z-, S- or X- shape; with cylindrical receptacles rotating about an axis at an angle to their longitudinal axis
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 31/10 with a mixing receptacle rotating alternately in opposite directions
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 31/80 Mixing by means of high-frequency vibrations above one kHz, e.g. ultrasonic vibrations
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/754251 reciprocating in the mixing receptacle

Abstract

An adapter for use with a powered injector imparts agitating motion to a syringe, which is connectable to the powered injector. The powered injector includes a drive member to impart motion to a plunger slidably disposed within the syringe. The adapter includes an injector attachment mechanism to attach the adapter to the powered injector and a syringe interface to attach the syringe to the adapter. The adapter preferably further includes an intermediate drive member having a drive attachment to attach the intermediate drive member to the drive member of the powered injector and a plunger attachment member to attach the intermediate drive member to the syringe plunger. The intermediate drive member is operable to translate motion of the drive member of the powered injector to the syringe plunger. The adapter also includes at least one powered agitator to provide agitating motion the syringe interface.

Claims

1. An adapter for use with a powered injector to impart agitating motion to a syringe which is connectable to the powered injector, the powered injector having a drive member to impart motion to a plunger slidably disposed within the syringe;

the adapter comprising;

an injector attachment mechanism to attach the adapter to the powered injector;

a syringe interface to attach the syringe to the adapter;

an intermediate drive member including a drive attachment to attach the intermediate drive member to the drive member of the powered injector and a plunger attachment member to attach the intermediate drive member to the syringe plunger; and

at least one powered agitator to provide agitating motion the syringe interface.

2. The adapter of claim 1 wherein the powered agitator rotates the syringe interface to rotate the syringe about its longitudinal axis.

3. The adapter of claim 1 wherein the powered agitator rotates the syringe interface to rotate the syringe about an axis perpendicular to its longitudinal axis.

4. The adapter of claim 3 wherein the agitator includes a motor and a drive belt in operative connection with the syringe interface.

5. The adapter of claim 1 wherein the powered agitator orbits the syringe interface about an orbital axis to orbit the syringe about the orbital axis.

6. The adapter of claim 5 wherein the agitator includes a motor and a drive belt in operative connection with the syringe interface.

7. The adapter of claim 1 wherein the intermediate drive member includes a flexible connector.

8. The adapter of claim 7 wherein the adapter includes a first hydraulic cylinder to which the injector attachment mechanism is connected, the first hydraulic cylinder being in fluid connection via at least one flexible line with a second hydraulic cylinder to which the syringe interface is connected.

9. The adapter of claim 7 wherein the agitator includes a motor and a drive belt in operative connection with the syringe interface.

10. The adapter of claim 9 wherein the adapter includes a first section to which the injector attachment mechanism is connected and a second section to which the syringe interface is connected, the second section being connected to the first section at an angle, the drive belt being in operative connection with the first section to rotate the first section about its longitudinal axis.

11. The adapter of claim 1 further including a syringe configuration sensing mechanism.

12. The adapter of claim 11 wherein the syringe configuration sensing mechanism is in operative connection with the powered agitator to effect control of the powered agitator as a function of syringe configuration.

13. A powered injector system comprising:

a powered injector including a drive member to impart motion to a syringe plunger slidably disposed in a syringe that is connectable to the powered injector; and

an adapter for use with the powered injector to impart agitating motion to a syringe which is connectable to the powered injector;

the adapter including;

an injector attachment mechanism to attach the adapter to the powered injector;

a syringe interface to attach the syringe to the adapter;

an intermediate drive member including a drive attachment to attach the intermediate drive member to the drive member of the powered injector and a plunger attachment member to attach the intermediate drive member to the syringe plunger; and

at least one powered agitator to provide agitating motion the syringe interface.

14. A method of providing a powered injector system with the capability to impart the agitating motion to a syringe, which is connectable to a powered injector of the powered injector system, the method comprising the step of:

attaching an adapter the powered injector, the adapter including;

an injector attachment mechanism to attach the adapter to the powered injector;

a syringe interface to attach the syringe to the adapter;

an intermediate drive member including a drive attachment to attach the intermediate drive member to the drive member of the powered injector and a plunger attachment member to attach the intermediate drive member to the syringe plunger; and

at least one powered agitator to provide agitating motion the syringe interface.

15. The method of claim 14 further including the steps of:

attaching a syringe to the syringe interface; and

activating the powered agitator.

16. The method of claim 14 further including the step of sensing the syringe configuration of a syringe attached to the syringe interface.

17. The method of claim 16 further including the step of controlling the powered agitator in correspondence with the sensed syringe configuration.