Patient infusion system for use with MRI

• US RE37,602 E1
• Filed: 11/16/2000
• Issued: 03/26/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/26/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Bayer Medical Care Inc. (Bayer AG)
• Original Assignee: Medrad Incorporated (Bayer AG)
• Inventors: Stulen, John, Waddell, Seid, Newell, Gordon C., Manley, Jon E., Uber, Arthur E. III, Dedola, Salvatore J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Casler, Brian L.
• Application Number:
  US09/714,907
• Time in Patent Office: 495 Days
• Field of Search: 600/432, 600/410, 600/420, 604/154, 604/131, 604/27, 604/65-67, 604/890.1, 604/134, 128/DIG.1, 128/DIG.12
• US Class Current: 600/432
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/007 for contrast media
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14546 Front-loading type injectors
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 33/28 Details of apparatus provided for in groups G01R33/44 - G01R33/64
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 33/281 Means for the use of in vitro contrast agents G01R33/282 takes precedence; involving use of a contrast agent in MR imaging G01R33/5601; in vivo contrast agents A61K49/0002
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 33/283 Intercom or optical viewing arrangements, structurally associated with NMR apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 33/285 Invasive instruments, e.g. catheters or biopsy needles, specially adapted for tracking, guiding or visualization by NMR
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 33/421 of main or gradient magnetic field
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/01 Motorized syringe

Abstract

This invention relates generally to the field of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) systems for generating diagnostic images of a patient'"'"'s internal organs and more particularly, this invention relates to improved MRI systems with decreased interference between the magnetic field used for producing diagnostic images and the magnetic fields generated by the electric motors used for driving the pistons of the contrast media injectors. Additionally, the system employs an improved communication link between an externally located system controller and the injection head control unit located within the electromagnetic isolation barrier which defines the magnetic imaging room.

Claims

1. A patient infusion control apparatus for use in a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus to generate images of a patient, the patient infusion control apparatus comprising:

a) means for injecting fluid into the patient undergoing a MRI procedure;

b) an electric drive motor and motor control circuitry positioned remotely from the means for injecting to be substantially non-reactive with an electromagnetic field of the imaging apparatus; and

,

c) a non-rigid drive connection between the electric drive motor and the means for injecting comprising a flexible drive shaft.

2. The patient infusion control apparatus of claim 1 wherein the electric drive motor and motor control circuitry are enclosed within electromagnetic shielding.

3. The patient infusion control apparatus of claim 1, wherein the patient injection means is adapted to be located in close proximity to the patient.

4. The patient infusion control apparatus of claim 1, wherein said flexible drive shaft is comprised of hard brass.

5. The patient infusion control apparatus of claim 1, wherein the motor is positioned at least ten to fifteen feet from the patient injection means.

6. The patient infusion control apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electric drive motor and the motor control circuitry are enclosed in an electromagnetic shield.

7. The patient infusion control apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a rechargeable battery wherein the electric drive motor receives power from the rechargeable battery.

8. A patient infusion system for use with a magnetic resonance imaging system, the patient infusion system comprising:

a) a room shielded from electromagnetic interference;

b) a system controller located externally of the shielded room;

c) a patient infusion apparatus including infusion apparatus control means for controlling an infusion operation, the patient infusion apparatus located within the shielded room; and

,

d) a fiber optic communications control link between the system controller and the infusion apparatus control means.

9. A patient infusion system for use with a magnetic resonance imaging system, the patient infusion system comprising:

a) a room shielded from electromagnetic interference, which includes a viewing window;

b) a system controller external to the shielded room;

c) a patient infusion apparatus within the shielded room and including infusion apparatus control means for controlling an infusion operation; and

,

d) a communicating control link between the system controller and the infusion apparatus control means, the control link adapted to be substantially non-reactive with the magnetic field of the imaging system.

10. The patient infusion system of claim 9, wherein the communications link includes means for transmitting and receiving electromagnetic radiation through the viewing window.

11. The patient infusion system of claim 9, wherein the communications link includes means for transmitting and receiving infrared electromagnetic energy.

12. The patient infusion system of claim 9, wherein the communications link includes means for transmitting and receiving electromagnetic energy in the visual range.

22. A method of patient infusion for use with a magnetic resonance imaging system, the method comprising the steps of:

a) providing patient infusion apparatus having a patient infusion apparatus controller and means operable to inject fluid into a patient;

b) positioning the patient infusion apparatus controller away from the patient infusion apparatus to prevent interference in the image, the infusion apparatus controller including at least one electric motor and motor control circuitry; and

c) operably connecting the electric motor for controlling the patient infusion apparatus to the patient infusion apparatus with a non-rigid drive connection, the electric motor operating the patient infusion apparatus to infuse media into a patient. The patient infusion system of claim 9 wherein the communications link comprises a fiber optic line.

13. A patient infusion system for use with a magnetic resonance imaging system to generate images of a patient, the patient infusion system comprising:

a) a room shielded from electromagnetic interference by an electromagnetic shield including a viewing window;

b) a system controller located outside the room;

c) a patient infusion apparatus located inside the room including infusion apparatus control means for controlling an infusion operation;

d) a communications control link between the system controller and the infusion apparatus control means, the control link adapted to be substantially non-reactive with the magnetic field of the imaging system; and

,

e) an electric drive motor and motor control circuitry separated from the patient infusion apparatus and a non-rigid drive connection between the electric drive motor and the patient infusion apparatus whereby wherein the motor is positioned to be substantially non-reactive with an electromagnetic the magnetic field of the imaging system.

14. The patient infusion system of claim 13, wherein the communications link comprises an external transceiver located outside the room and an internal transceiver located inside the room, both said transceivers communicating electromagnetic energy through the viewing window in the room.

15. The patient infusion system of claim 14, wherein the electromagnetic energy communicated between said transceivers is in the visible light spectrum.

16. The patient infusion system of claim 14, wherein said electromagnetic energy communicated between said transceivers is in the infrared spectrum.

17. The patient infusion system of claim 13, further comprising a rechargeable battery located in the room and connected to the electric drive motor for providing power to the electric drive motor.

18. The patient infusion system of claim 13, wherein the electric drive motor and motor control circuitry are enclosed within the electromagnetic shield.

19. The patient infusion system of claim 13, wherein the infusion apparatus control means is adapted to be located at least ten to fifteen feet from the patient.

20. The patient infusion system of claim 13, wherein the non-rigid drive connection is comprised of hard brass.

21. The patient infusion system of claim 13, wherein the patient infusion apparatus is adapted to be located in close proximity to the patient.

23. A method of patient infusion for use with a magnetic resonance imaging system, the method comprising the steps of:

a) providing a room shielded from electromagnetic interference including a viewing window;

b) providing a system controller located outside the room;

c) providing a patient infusion apparatus including infusion apparatus control means for controlling an infusion operation, the patient infusion apparatus located inside the room; and

d) transmitting control signals from the system controller to the infusion apparatus control means through the viewing window.

24. The method of claim 23 wherein the control signals are transmitted via electromagnetic transceivers.

25. A patient infusion system for use with a magnetic resonance imaging system, the patient infusion system comprising:

26. The patient infusion system of claim 25 wherein the infusion apparatus further comprises an injector control unit positioned within the shielded room.

27. The patient infusion system of claim 26 wherein the injector control unit comprises a battery for powering the injector.

28. The patient infusion system of claim 26 wherein the injector control unit is remotely positioned from the injector.

29. The patient infusion system of claim 28 wherein the injector and the injector control unit are connected by a non-rigid drive connection.

30. The patient infusion system of claim 25 wherein the infusion apparatus and the system controller communicate with each other by means of a communication link disposed therebetween.

31. The patient infusion system of claim 30 wherein the communication link comprises a fiber optic line.

32. The patient infusion system of claim 30 wherein the communication link comprises means for transmitting and receiving electromagnetic radiation through a window in the shielded room.

33. A patient infusion system for use with a magnetic resonance imaging system, the patient infusion system comprising:

34. The patient infusion system of claim 33, further comprising at least one battery for powering the infusion apparatus.

35. The patient infusion system of claim 34 wherein the system controller comprises a battery charger for recharging the at least one battery.

36. The patient infusion system of claim 33 wherein the injector is adapted to accommodate at least two syringes mounted thereon.

37. A method of infusing a patient with fluid during a magnetic resonance imaging procedure, the method comprising the following steps:

38. A method of patient infusion for use with a magnetic resonance imaging system, the method comprising the following steps:

39. The method of claim 38 wherein the communication link comprises a fiber optic line.

40. The method of claim 38 wherein the communication link comprises electromagnetic transceivers that transmit the control signals through a window in the shielded room.

41. A patient infusion system for use with a magnetic resonance imaging system, the patient infusion system comprising:

42. The system of claim 41 wherein the electromagnetic energy is in the visible light spectrum.

43. The system of claim 41 wherein the electromagnetic energy is in the infrared spectrum.

44. The system of claim 41 wherein the electromagnetic energy comprises electromagnetic radiation.