Power injector with help functionality

• US 9,336,352 B2
• Filed: 02/27/2009
• Issued: 05/10/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/11/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Liebel Flarsheim Co LLC (Mallinckrodt plc)
• Original Assignee: Liebel Flarsheim Co LLC (Mallinckrodt plc)
• Inventors: Humeniuk, David P.
• Primary Examiner(s): KEATON, SHERROD L
• Application Number:
  US12/676,968
• Publication Number:
  US 20110016392A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,629 Days
• Field of Search: 715/705
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/548 Remote control of the apparatus or devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/14553 comprising a pressure jacket
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/502 User interfaces, e.g. screens or keyboards
• 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 40/63 for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation

Abstract

A power injector (10) with help functionality is disclosed. What may be characterized as a ‘help output’ may be displayed on a graphical user interface (11) in response to a request for help. This help output may be based upon a current state of the power injector (10), may be accompanied by a cross-reference to an operator'"'"'s manual for the power injector (10), may be expanded to provide additional detail, or any combination thereof. At least one system screen that relates to the help output may be displayed (e.g., simultaneously, sequentially). The help functionality may be in the form of having the power injector (10) incorporate help mode logic (256) that is configured to allow a user to view and obtain information on the various system screens that would be presented when using the power injector (10) to deliver a fluid, but without actually operating the power injector (10) to deliver fluid.

Claims

1. A power injector, comprising:

a powerhead, wherein a syringe may be installed on said powerhead;

a syringe plunger drive assembly;

a first graphical user interface;

a fluid delivery mode where fluid is delivered by said power injector;

a help mode, wherein said fluid delivery mode is suspended such that fluid is not deliverable by said power injector when said power injector is in said help mode; and

a help button, wherein activation of said help button suspends said fluid delivery mode and instead disposes said power injector in said help mode, wherein a selected help topic relates to at least one aspect of said power injector in conjunction with execution of a fluid delivery procedure, and wherein said selected help topic thereafter causes said help mode to generate each of the following on said first graphical user interface;

a first help output that relates to said selected help topic;

each system screen;

i) that is presented on said first graphical user interface when said power injector is in said fluid delivery mode and while said power injector is executing a fluid delivery procedure; and

ii) that relates to said selected help topic, wherein said first help output is separate from and in addition to each said system screen that is presented on said first graphical user interface while said power injector is in said help mode, and wherein each system screen that is generated on said first graphical user interface when said power injector is in said fluid delivery mode pertains to said power injector in conjunction with execution of said fluid delivery procedure; and

at least one cross-reference that provides additional help information on said selected help topic;

wherein said first help output is separate from and in addition to each said system screen that is presented on said first graphical user interface when said power injector is in said help mode;

wherein each said system screen that is displayed on said first graphical user interface during operation of said power injector in said help mode is also displayed on said first graphical user interface during operation of said power injector in said fluid delivery mode; and

wherein said first help output and one of said system screens are simultaneously presented on said first graphical user interface, from said power injector being in said help mode, and in response to said selected help topic.

2. The power injector of claim 1, wherein said activation of said help button presents a help screen on said first graphical user interface, wherein said help screen presents a plurality of help topics, and wherein said selected help topic is from said plurality of help topics and said selected help topic is generated by user input to said power injector.

3. The power injector of claim 1, wherein said selected help topic is based upon a current state of said power injector when said help button is activated.

4. The power injector of claim 3, wherein said current state is selected from the group consisting of that said power injector is powered on and that no syringes are installed on said powerhead, that at least one syringe is installed on said powerhead, that said powerhead is in a tilted up position, that an air purge operation is being executed, that an air purge operation has been completed, that said powerhead is in a tilted down position, that said power injector is ready to be enabled, that said power injector is enabled, that a patency check injection is being executed, that a patency check has been completed, that a drip mode injection is being executed, that a drip mode injection has been terminated, that a timing bolus injection is being executed, that a timing bolus injection has been completed, that an injection is being executed, that an injection has been interrupted, that an injection has failed, that an injection has been completed, that each syringe has been removed from said powerhead, that a “

return each syringe plunger driver to a home position”

operation is being executed, and that said power injector is ready to accept a number of syringes for which said power injector is configured.

5. The power injector of claim 1, further comprising:

power injector control logic comprising a fluid delivery logic and a help mode logic, wherein said power injector may be separately operated in accordance with each of said fluid delivery mode logic and said help mode logic, and wherein fluid is not deliverable by said power injector when operating in accordance with said help mode logic.

6. The power injector of claim 5, wherein when said power injector is operated in accordance with said help mode logic, a first said system screen from when said power injector is operated in accordance with said fluid delivery logic is presentable on said first graphical user interface and comprises a plurality of selectable objects, and wherein separately selecting each said selectable object from said first said system screen on said first graphical user interface presents corresponding help information on said first graphical user interface, and wherein each said selectable object on said first said system screen may be selected to present said corresponding help information on said first graphical user interface.

7. The power injector of claim 5, wherein when said power injector is operated in accordance with said help mode logic, each said system screen from when said power injector is operated in accordance with said fluid delivery logic is presentable on said first graphical user interface and each said system screen comprises a plurality of selectable objects, and wherein separately selecting each said selectable object from said system screen currently being presented on said first graphical user interface presents corresponding help information on said first graphical user interface.

8. The power injector of claim 1, wherein said activation of said help button allows said selected help topic to be identified from a plurality of available help topics and with said selected help topic being based upon user input to said power injector.

9. The power injector of claim 1, wherein said first graphical user interface is on said powerhead.

10. The power injector claim 1, further comprising a console operatively interconnected with said powerhead, wherein said console comprises said first graphical user interface.

11. A power injector, comprising:

a powerhead, wherein a syringe may be installed on said powerhead;

a syringe plunger drive assembly;

a first graphical user interface; and

power injector control logic comprising a fluid delivery logic and a help mode logic, wherein said power injector may be separately operated in accordance with each of said fluid delivery mode logic and said help mode logic, wherein fluid is not deliverable by said power injector when operating in accordance with said help mode logic and disposes said power injector in a help mode, and wherein when said power injector is operated in accordance with said help mode logic;

each system screen, from when said power injector is operated in accordance with said fluid delivery logic for execution of said fluid delivery procedure by said power injector, is presentable on said first graphical user interface prior to exiting said help mode and where each said system screen comprises a plurality of selectable objects with said power injector being in said help mode, wherein said power injector is configured to allow a user to access each said system screen having said plurality of selectable objects when said power injector is being controlled by said help mode logic and prior to exiting said help mode, and wherein each said system screen that is generated on said first graphical user interface when said power injector is in said fluid delivery mode pertains to said power injector in conjunction with execution of said fluid delivery procedure; and

separately selecting each said selectable object from said system screen that is currently being presented on said first graphical user interface, pursuant to said help mode logic, defines a corresponding selected object and presents both a first help output and at least one cross-reference to additional help information on said first graphical user interface that each relate to said corresponding selected object and that are each presented on said first graphical user interface in response to said corresponding selected object.

12. The power injector of claim 11, wherein said at least one cross-reference comprises an identification of at least one section of an operator'"'"'s manual for said power injector.

13. The power injector of claim 11, wherein said at least one cross-reference pertains to at least one section of an operator'"'"'s manual for said power injector that relates to said corresponding selected object, wherein said operator'"'"'s manual is electronically stored, and wherein said cross-reference comprises an electronic link to said at least one section of said operator'"'"'s manual.

14. The power injector of claim 11, wherein said first help output comprises a first level of help information, and wherein said at least one cross-reference comprises a link to a second level of help information that is more detailed than said first level.

15. The power injector of claim 11, wherein said at least one cross-reference comprises an electronic link to said at least one section of an operator'"'"'s manual for said power injector.

16. The power injector of claim 11, wherein said first graphical user interface is on said powerhead.

17. The power injector claim 11, further comprising a console operatively interconnected with said powerhead, wherein said console comprises said first graphical user interface.