Encoding of syringe information

• US 20010034506A1
• Filed: 06/22/2001
• Published: 10/25/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 06/15/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bayer Medical Care Inc. (Bayer AG)
• Original Assignee: Medrad Incorporated (Bayer AG)
• Inventors: Uber, Arthur E. III, Hirschman, Alan D.
• Granted Patent: US 6,743,202 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/207
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/14553 comprising a pressure jacket
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/6018 providing set-up signals for the apparatus configuration
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/6027 Electric-conductive bridges closing detection circuits, with or without identifying elements, e.g. resistances, zener-diodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/6036 characterised by physical shape, e.g. array of activating switches
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/6054 Magnetic identification systems
• 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 5/3146 Priming, e.g. purging, reducing backlash or clearance
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31511 Piston or piston-rod constructions, e.g. connection of piston with piston-rod A61M5/5066 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31515 Connection of piston with piston rod

Abstract

Apparatuses for sharing information on syringe configuration between syringes and injector systems comprise a storage system to store encoded information on syringe configuration. The encoded information is readable by a detection circuit in an injector. In one embodiment, the storage system is an electronic storage system in which information relevant to the syringe configuration is encoded. A method comprises the step of conveying syringe configuration information to a detector in an injector for use with the syringe.

Claims

1. An encoded element for use with a syringe and a powered injector in communication with a detector, the encoded element comprising:

an attachment mechanism to connect the encoded element to at least one of the syringe, the detector or the injector and a storage system to store encoded syringe information readable by the detector.

2. The encoded attachment element of

claim 1

wherein the attachment mechanism is adapted to detachably connect the encoded element to one of the syringe or the injector.

3. A syringe for use with a powered injector comprising a drive member and a detector, the syringe comprising:

an elongated body;

a plunger slidably disposed within the elongated body and operable to be driven by the drive member to inject a fluid into a patient; and

a member adapted to be connected to the plunger, the member comprising a mechanism for connecting the member to the plunger and an information storage system operable to convey syringe information to the detector.

4. The syringe of

claim 3

wherein the information storage system is operable to convey syringe information to the detector without physical contact being made between the information storage system and the detector.

5. The syringe of

claim 3

wherein the information storage system is operable to convey syringe information to the detector when contact is made between the information storage system and the detector.

6. The syringe of

claim 5

wherein the information storage system comprises at least one electrically conductive code contact member and the detector comprises at least one electrically conductive readout contact member.

7. The syringe of

claim 6

wherein the at least one code contact member comprises a plurality of code contact members.

8. The syringe of

claim 6

wherein the at least one code contact member is in communication with a memory, the memory being readable by the detector.

9. The syringe of

claim 8

wherein the memory is a ROM, an EPROM or an EEPROM memory.

10. The syringe of

claim 5

wherein the position of the plunger within the syringe is determined when the information storage system contacts the detector.

11. The syringe of

claim 4

wherein the syringe information is transmitted from the information storage system via a radio frequency signal.

12. The syringe of

claim 4

wherein the information storage system comprises a transponder.

13. The syringe of

claim 12

wherein the transponder is in communication with a memory.

14. The syringe of

claim 4

wherein the information storage system comprises a plurality of tuned circuits.

15. The syringe of

claim 12

wherein the detector comprises a transmitter for transmitting electromagnetic signals to the transponder and a receiver for receiving electromagnetic signals from the transponder.

16. The syringe of

claim 15

wherein the transmitter and the receiver are embodied in a transceiver.

17. The syringe of

claim 12

wherein the transponder is in communication with an antenna.

18. The syringe of

claim 15

wherein the transmitter and the receiver are in communication with an antenna.

19. The syringe of

claim 14

wherein the tuned circuits comprise resonant circuits.

20. The syringe of

claim 19

wherein the tuned circuits are disposed on a printed circuit board.

21. The syringe of

claim 4

wherein the information storage system comprises one or more optical readout devices.

22. The syringe of

claim 4

wherein the information storage system comprises one or more ultrasonic resonators.

23. The syringe of

claim 4

wherein the information storage system comprises one or more magnetic elements.

24. The syringe of

claim 3

wherein the connection mechanism of the member is adapted to detachably connect the member to the plunger of the syringe.