Interface unit for use with injectors and imaging systems and related devices

• US 8,055,328 B2
• Filed: 08/04/2009
• Issued: 11/08/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/21/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bayer Medical Care Inc. (Bayer AG)
• Original Assignee: Medrad Incorporated (Bayer AG)
• Inventors: Rhinehart, Edward J., Uber, Arthur E. III, Sciulli, Francis J., Grumski, Walter, Griffiths, David M., Pagano, Vera, Hirschman, Alan D., Zelenski, Karen, Almon-Martin, Rosemary
• Primary Examiner(s): Robinson; Daniel L
• Application Number:
  US12/534,987
• Publication Number:
  US 20090326370A1
• Time in Patent Office: 826 Days
• Field of Search: 600/431, 600432-435
• US Class Current: 600/431
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/481 involving the use of contrast agents
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/504 for diagnosis of blood vessels, e.g. by angiography
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/06 Measuring blood flow measuring volume flow in general G01F, e.g. G01F1/66, G01F1/72; measuring speed of fluids in general G01P5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/481 involving the use of contrast agent, e.g. microbubbles introduced into the bloodstream analysis of echo signal exploiting properties of a contrast enhancer in devices for short-range imaging with acoustic waves G01S7/52039
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/581 by audible feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/80 voice-operated command
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/007 for contrast media
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14546 Front-loading type injectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1723 using feedback of body parameters, e.g. blood-sugar, pressure measurement of body parameters A61B5/00
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/60 for patient-specific data, e.g. for electronic patient records
• 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

Abstract

An interface unit enables communication with an injector system that is used for pressurizing a fluid medium for injection into a patient during an injection procedure. The interface unit includes a processor and a storage unit. The processor controls operation of the interface unit and enables exchange of digital information between the interface unit and the injector system. The storage unit, under control of the processor, records the digital information gathered from the injector system during communication therewith. The digital information includes at least injection profile, history and dose data pertaining to the injection procedure. The processor enables at least the injection profile, history and dose data of the digital information recorded within the storage unit of the interface unit to be communicable to at least one of an imaging system linked thereto and an external device linked thereto.

Claims

1. An interface unit for enabling communication with an injector system, the injector system for pressurizing a fluid medium for injection into a patient during an injection procedure, the interface unit comprising:

(a) a processor for controlling operation of the interface unit and enabling exchange of digital information between the interface unit and the injector system; and

(b) a storage unit, under control of the processor, for recording the digital information gathered from the injector system during communication therewith, the digital information including at least injection profile, history and dose data pertaining to the injection procedure;

wherein the processor enables at least the injection profile, history and dose data of the digital information recorded within the storage unit of the interface unit to be communicable to at least one of an imaging system linked thereto and an external device linked thereto.

2. The interface unit of claim 1 wherein the processor thereof is adapted to allow the external device via an operator thereof access to the digital information recorded in the storage unit via at least one of a wired and wireless media using at least one of a unidirectional, paired unidirectional and bidirectional networking or communication protocol.

3. The interface unit of claim 1 wherein the processor thereof is adapted to allow the external device via an operator thereof access to the digital information recorded in the storage unit for patient record keeping and documentation purposes.

4. The interface unit according to claims 2 or 3 wherein the external device to which the processor grants access to the digital information is a hospital information system.

5. The interface unit according to claims 2 or 3 wherein the external device to which the processor grants access to the digital information is a computer device.

6. The interface unit according to claims 2 or 3 wherein the external device to which the processor grants access to the digital information is a printer device for the patient record keeping and documentation purposes.

7. The interface unit of claim 1 wherein the processor thereof is adapted to allow the imaging system via an operator thereof access to the digital information recorded in the storage unit via at least one of a wired and wireless media using at least one of a unidirectional, paired unidirectional and bidirectional networking or communication protocol.

8. The interface unit of claim 1 wherein the processor thereof is adapted to allow the imaging system via an operator thereof access to the digital information recorded in the storage unit for patient record keeping and documentation purposes.