Abstract: The present syringe adapter (100), which permits use of syringes (40) of various types, sizes and configurations to be used with a front-loading injector (10), includes a removable injector face plate (120) having a releasable mounting mechanism (122a, 122b) for attaching the adapter face plate (120) to a front-load injector (10), a reducing sleeve (140) having a recess (190) for receiving the distal flange (44) of syringe (40), locking pivot arms (220, 240) pivotly attached to the reducing sleeve (140) to releasably engage syringe flange (44), and a piston extension (320) provided for extending the injector drive piston (16) for engagement with syringe plunger (46).

Abstract: A microwave antenna senses the temperature of tissue into which a fluid is to be injected. The fluid is injected by a needle or other vascular entry device connected to a fluid injector by a connector tube. The fluid temperature is measured by a temperature sensor attached to the connector tube. An alarm processor determines whether an extravasation occurs by comparing a temperature discrimination function derived from tissue temperature taken at different times with a calculated threshold value. The threshold value is calculated from the tissue temperature and the fluid temperature. The threshold value is recalculated and updated continuously during the fluid injection.

Abstract: The present syringe adapter (100), which permits use of syringes (40) of various types, sizes and configurations to be used with a front-loading injector (10), includes a removable injector face plate (120) having a releasable mounting mechanism (122a, 122b) for attaching the adapter face plate (120) to a front-load injector (10), a reducing sleeve (140) having a recess (190) for receiving the distal flange (44) of syringe (40), locking pivot arms (220, 240) pivotly attached to the reducing sleeve (140) to releasably engage syringe flange (44), and a piston extension (320) provided for extending the injector drive piston (16) for engagement with syringe plunger (46).

Abstract: The pressure jacket systems of the invention are used to permit the front loading and removal of a syringe from an injector and include a first jacket segment and a second jacket segment surrounding the exterior surface of the syringe, interior surfaces comformable to the exterior surface of the syringe, a mechanism which allows movement of the first jacket segment in relation to the second jacket segment to permit insertion and removal of the syringe from the pressure jacket, and a mechanism for securing the first and second jacket segments in a fixed relationship upon insertion of the syringe.

Abstract: A microwave antenna senses the temperature of tissue into which a fluid is to be injected. The fluid is injected by a needle or other vascular entry device connected to a fluid injector by a connector tube. The fluid temperature is measured by a temperature sensor attached to the connector tube. An alarm processor determines whether an extravasation occurs by comparing a temperature discrimination function derived from tissue temperature taken at different times with a calculated threshold value. The threshold value is calculated from the tissue temperature and the fluid temperature. The threshold value is recalculated and updated continuously during the fluid injection.

Abstract: The present invention provides an injection system and a pump system for use therein for pressurizing a liquid medium for injection into a patient. In general, the pump system comprises a pressurizing unit having at least one chamber. Each chamber has disposed therein a pressurizing mechanism to pressurize liquid medium within the chamber. Preferably, the pressurizing mechanism positively displaces the liquid medium through generally linear motion of the pressurizing mechanism within the chamber. Through reciprocating linear motion of the pressurizing mechanism (for example, a piston), the liquid medium is alternatively drawn into the chamber from a source of liquid medium (for example, a container) and forced out of the chamber under a desired pressure. Each chamber comprises an inlet port and an outlet port.

Abstract: The plunger systems for use in an injector-actuated syringe of the present invention include a dynamic wedge seal which improves the sealing engagement between the plunger cover and syringe barrel, and flexible capture members extending from the rear surface of the plunger which permit the engagement and disengagement of the plunger from the injector drive means at any plunger position within the syringe. Further, the plunger systems include a contrast saving tip which expells the injection liquid from the syringe tip.

Abstract: The present invention provides a number of pumping systems and injection systems particularly useful for injecting a liquid medium into a patient. In general, the pumping systems comprise a removable pumping unit. The removable pumping unit includes means for pressurizing the liquid medium via the rotational displacement of the liquid medium. The present invention also provides a pumping system comprising a pumping unit for pressurizing the liquid medium and a feedback-controlled drive means in connection with the pumping unit for providing a controlled powered drive to the pumping unit. The pumping system further comprises a flow meter for measuring the flow rate of the pressurized liquid medium exiting the pumping system and control means in communicative connection with the drive means for providing a control signal to control the powered drive provided to the pumping unit.

Abstract: The present invention provides pressure measuring devices comprising a sensor to detect the force upon at least a portion of a contact surface of a syringe plunger during pressurization of a fluid medium within the syringe. A determination of the pressure of the fluid medium within the syringe is thereby enabled.

Abstract: The pressure jacket systems of the invention are used to permit the front loading and removal of a syringe from an injector and include a first jacket segment and a second jacket segment surrounding the exterior surface of the syringe, interior surfaces comformable to the exterior surface of the syringe, a mechanism which allows movement of the first jacket segment in relation to the second jacket segment to permit insertion and removal of the syringe from the pressure jacket, and a mechanism for securing the first and second jacket segments in a fixed relationship upon insertion of the syringe.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for manufacturing articles, such as syringe barrels, substantially free from contaminants. The apparatus is an enclosure defining at least a class 100 and MCB-3 environment, and includes a molding isolation module and a packaging isolation module. Any contaminants that may exist within the enclosure are removed by the use of horizontal and vertical laminar airflows directed into air filter units. Further, the molding temperature may be selected such that it renders the fabricated articles substantially free from contaminants. The molding isolation module and packaging isolation module keep the fabricated articles substantially free from contaminants from the time the articles are molded to the time the articles are placed in sealed containers for shipment.

Abstract: The adapters of the present invention are used for releasably attaching syringes of various types having a body, a plunger reciprocally mounted therein, and a flange near the rear end of the syringe body, to a front-loading injector head. In a preferred embodiment, the adapter includes a syringe carrier having a front end, a rear end, and syringe retaining channel located between the carrier front and rear ends for engaging at least a portion of the syringe flange; mounting flanges near the carrier rear end for releasably mounting the carrier in a desired position relative to the front wall of the injector head; a follower reciprocally mounted within the carrier having a front end engagable with the syringe plunger when the syringe is installed in the carrier; and a drive head opening communicating with a pair of drive head slots positioned proximate to the rear end of the follower for releasably mounting the follower in a desired position relative to the drive head of the injector head.

Abstract: The invention is a tunable drum including a moveable bearing member positioned under the drum head and above the drum body, at least one alignment peg located between the bearing member and the drum body, and a mechanism engaging the moveable bearing member for moving the bearing member relative to the drum body so as to adjust the tension in the head.

Abstract: An angiographic injector has an injector portion which includes a rotating turret for housing two angiographic syringes in readiness for injection. The injector further employs a driving mechanism for connecting with and controlling the movement of a syringe plunger once one of the syringes is in place for injection. Through the use of guide means on each syringe and corresponding alignment means on a pressure jacket, the syringe is alignably and securely mounted within the pressure jacket on the rotating turret. Each syringe plunger is releasably connected to the driving mechanism for an injection operation, and released from the driving mechanism when the injection operation has been completed, such that the driving mechanism can be withdrawn from the syringe relative to the plunger without drawing body fluid of a patient into the syringe. Various types of plunger release mechanisms for this purpose are disclosed.The questions raised in reexamination request No. 90/003,918 filed Aug.