Powerhead of a power injection system

• US 8,282,595 B2
• Filed: 01/14/2008
• Issued: 10/09/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/13/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Liebel-Flarsheim Company (Mallinckrodt plc)
• Original Assignee: Mallinckrodt LLC (Mallinckrodt plc)
• Inventors: Wagner, Gary S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sirmons, Kevin C
• Assistant Examiner(s): GILBERT, ANDREW M
• Application Number:
  US12/013,644
• Publication Number:
  US 20080108943A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,730 Days
• Field of Search: 604 65- 67, 604/151, 604/131, 604/152, 604/154, 600431-432
• US Class Current: 604/67
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/548 Remote control of the apparatus or devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3306 Optical measuring means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3317 Electromagnetic, inductive or dielectric measuring means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3389 Continuous level detection A61M2205/3393 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/502 User interfaces, e.g. screens or keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/52 with memories providing a history of measured variating parameters of apparatus or patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/587 Lighting arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/6054 Magnetic identification systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/6063 Optical identification systems
• 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: 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: A61M 5/1785 comprising radioactive shield means syringe shields or holders for storage of radioactive sources G21F5/018

Abstract

A contrast media injection system detects the absolute position of the syringe ram using a non-contact sensor. A series of magnets and Hall-Effect sensors may be used or an opto-reflective system. Illuminated knobs that are connected to the drive mechanism for the syringe ram rotate with the drive and provide visual feedback on operation through the illumination. Analog Hall-Effect sensors are used to determine the presence or absence of magnets that identify the type of faceplate being used. The faceplates include control electronics, connected to the powerhead through connectors, which may be interchangeably used by the two faceplates. The faceplate electronics include detectors for automatically detecting the capacity of pre-filled syringes. Additional features include using historical data to provide optimum pressure limit values during an injection protocol, a removable memory device for storing and transferring information such as injection protocols and injector statistics, and password protection of such protocols.

Claims

1. Within a contrast media injector system, a method comprising:

selecting an injection protocol;

determining a pressure limit value for a next execution of said selected injection protocol, wherein said determining step is executed by said contrast media injector system, and wherein said determined pressure limit value is based on historical pressure data using the same said selected injection protocol;

suggesting said determined pressure limit value to an operator of said contrast media injector system for said next execution of said selected injection protocol;

implementing a pressure limit for said next execution of said selected injection protocol; and

injecting fluid into a patient'"'"'s vasculature in accordance with said selected injection protocol and using said implemented pressure limit, wherein said injecting step comprises said next execution of said selected injection protocol.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said implemented pressure limit is said determined pressure limit value.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

inputting a pressure limit value to said contrast media injector system by said operator, wherein said implemented pressure limit is said input pressure limit value.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said suggesting step comprises making said determined pressure limit value a default value.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said implementing step comprises said operator confirming said determined pressure limit value from said suggesting step.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said historical pressure data indicates a highest pressure encountered for said selected injection protocol.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein said determining step comprises applying a fixed percentage above said highest pressure to provide said determined pressure limit value.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein said historical pressure data indicates an average pressure encountered for said selected injection protocol.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein said determining step comprises using a fixed percentage above said average pressure to provide said determined pressure limit value.