Abstract: Some injectors of the invention may include a fluid drive responsive to pressure of a working fluid (e.g., liquid, pneumatic, or both) to impart a sequence of forces to drive a delivery device (e.g., a syringe) to deliver a medical fluid (e.g., a contrast agent, a radiopharmaceutical, a drug, or a combination thereof). Some injectors may include a multimedia tube configured to pass a working fluid (e.g., air) and a light signal (e.g., infrared). Some injectors may include a peristaltic drive responsive to pressure of a working fluid.

Abstract: Various embodiments of syringe plunger driver or ram retraction protocols for a power injector are disclosed. In a first ram retraction protocol (184a), a first ram may be partially retracted (232), followed by a full retraction of a second ram (234), followed by a completion of the retraction of the first ram (238). In a second ram retraction protocol (184b), a first ram may be partially retracted (252), followed by a partial retraction of a second ram (254), and sometime thereafter each of the first and second rams may be completely retracted (260, 262). In a third ram retraction protocol (184c), the first and second rams are simultaneously and partially retracted (272), and sometime thereafter each of the first and second rams are completely retracted (276). In a fourth ram retraction protocol (184d), the first and second rams are simultaneously and fully retracted (292) based upon a programmed input or the like.

Abstract: The invention relates to the handling of radioactive material. For instance, a radiation shield of the invention may include a body having a cavity therein for receiving radioactive material. An opening to the cavity may be defined in the body. A base may be releasably attachable to the body (generally toward the opening) to at least partially enclose the radioactive material in the cavity. In the case that the radiation shield includes a plurality of interchangeable bases, one of the bases may have at least one of a shorter length and a lighter weight than another of the bases. The base(s) may be designed to enclose more than one size and/or shape of container in the cavity. The base(s) may include a hand grip to facilitate manual gripping of the radiation shield. The base(s) may include a guard to reduce exposure to radiation from manual handling of the radiation shield.

Abstract: A patency check protocol (150) for evaluating a patency check injection (156) is disclosed. The protocol (150) incorporates a pressure standard (152) (e.g., a pressure threshold; a target pressure curve). A pressure associated with the patency check injection is monitored (160) and compared against this pressure standard (164). If a first condition is identified (166) (e.g., if the pressure threshold is reached; if the monitored pressure deviates from the target pressure curve by more than a certain predetermined amount), one or more actions may be undertaken (168) (e.g., one or more notifications or alerts may be issued; the flow rate may be reduced for the patency check injection; the patency check injection may be suspended/terminated).

Abstract: A contrast media injection system includes 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.

Abstract: The present invention relates to management of information relating to medical fluids, containers therefor, and medical fluid administration devices for administering such medical fluids to patients. Data tags (e.g., RFID tags) are generally associated with containers of the invention and may be electromagnetically read from and/or written to using an electromagnetic device, for example, that may be associated with a medical fluid administration device of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to management of information relating to medical fluids, containers therefor, and medical fluid administration devices for administering such medical fluids to patients. Data tags (e.g., RFID tags) are generally associated with containers of the invention and may be electromagnetically read from and/or written to using an electromagnetic device, for example, that may be associated with a medical fluid administration device of the invention.

Abstract: A contrast media injection system includes 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.

Abstract: The present invention embodies a method and an injector adapted to incorporate this method, for keeping a patient's vein open during an intravenous contrast injector procedure without injecting a saline solution from a separate syringe. The injector includes a controller having a programmable software module to allow an operator to configure the injector to push some contrast media fluid through an injection site and then retract a plunger drive ram. A syringe is adapted to allow a patient's blood pressure to move the syringe plunger back towards its starting position, thus enabling a patient's blood to pass through the injection site. Alternatively, the syringe is adapted with an elastic plunger which as it enlarges and contracts facilitating fluid communication through the injection site. Additionally, the plunger drive ram can be adapted to gradually pull as well as push the plunger, thereby causing fluid to flow across the injection site.

Abstract: The present invention embodies a method and an injector adapted to incorporate this method, for keeping a patient's vein open during an intravenous contrast injector procedure without injecting a saline solution from a separate syringe. The injector includes a controller having a programable software module to allow an operator to configure the injector to push some contrast media fluid through an injection site and then retract a plunger drive ram. A syringe is adapted to allow a patient's blood pressure to move the syringe plunger back towards its starting position, thus enabling a patient's blood to pass through the injection site. Alternatively, the syringe is adapted with an elastic plunger which as it enlarges and contracts facilitates fluid communication through the injection site. Additionally, the plunger drive ram can be adapted to gradually pull as well as push the plunger, thereby causing fluid to flow across the injection site.

Abstract: The invention, in one characterization, may be said to be directed to a radiopharmaceutical system. In some embodiments, the system may include a radioisotope elution component and a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag coupled to the radioisotope elution component. Other embodiments may include a radiation shielded enclosure having an interior, an exterior, and a radio-frequency identification (RFID) communication transmission passage extending between the interior and the exterior.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to systems and methods for accessing a radiation shielded enclosure at least partially made of a radiation shielding material. For example, some systems of the invention include a radiation shielded receptacle configured to receive a radiopharmaceutical and a cover that is removably disposable across an opening into the receptacle. A counter-force mechanism may be biasingly coupled to the receptacle or the cover or a combination thereof. This counter-force mechanism may be said to exhibit a range of positions including a closed position, in which the cover is disposed across the opening, and an open position, in which the opening is uncovered.

Abstract: The present invention relates to management of information relating to medical fluids, containers therefor, and medical fluid administration devices for administering such medical fluids to patients. Data tags (e.g., RFID tags) are generally associated with containers of the invention and may be electromagnetically read from and/or written to using an electromagnetic device, for example, that may be associated with a medical fluid administration device of the invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to the handling of radioactive material. For instance, a radiation shield of the invention may include a body having a cavity therein for receiving radioactive material. An opening to the cavity may be defined in the body. A base may be releasably attachable to the body (generally toward the opening) to at least partially enclose the radioactive material in the cavity. In the case that the radiation shield includes a plurality of interchangeable bases, one of the bases may have at least one of a shorter length and a lighter weight than another of the bases. The base(s) may be designed to enclose more than one size and/or shape of container in the cavity. The base(s) may include a hand grip to facilitate manual gripping of the radiation shield. The base(s) may include a guard to reduce exposure to radiation from manual handling of the radiation shield.

Abstract: One or more aspects of the invention is directed to a radiation-shielding container for housing a radiopharmaceutical. A labeling system is attached to an exterior surface of the container. The labeling system is adapted to selectively convert from a first state to a second state. In the first state, the labeling system indicates a first condition of the radiopharmaceutical. For example, in the first state, the labeling system can show that the radiopharmaceutical is ready for administering. In the second state, the labeling system indicates a second condition of the radiopharmaceutical. For example, in the second state, the labeling system can show that the radiopharmaceutical has been administered, and/or that a syringe that was used to administer the radiopharmaceutical is now a biohazard.

Abstract: The invention, in one characterization, may be said to be directed to an alignment adapter that may be utilized in radioisotope elution procedures. In some embodiments, the alignment adaptor may be utilized to at least assist in aligning various components of an elution system. For example, in some embodiments, the alignment adaptor may be utilized to at least generally assist in aligning an aperture defined in a lid of the elution system and an elution needle of a radioisotope generator. In some embodiments, the alignment adaptor may be utilized to at least generally assist in aligning an elution assembly (e.g., elution shield housing an eluate vial) and an elution needle of a radioisotope generator. Further, in some embodiments, the alignment adaptor may be utilized to at least generally assist in aligning an eluant container (e.g., bottle of eluant) and a needle of a radioisotope generator.

Abstract: In one characterization, the present invention relates to a radiation-shielding assembly for holding a container having a radioactive material disposed therein. The assembly may, at least in one regard, be referred to as an elution shield and/or a dispensing shield. The assembly includes a body at least partially defining a cavity. There is at least one opening through the body into the cavity. The assembly may include a cap that at least generally hinders escape of radiation from the assembly through the opening. The cap may be releasably attached to the body in one orientation and may establish non-attached engagement with the body in another orientation. The assembly may include an adjustable spacer system for adapting the assembly for use with containers having different heights.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention is directed to a system for power filling a syringe with a radiopharmaceutical from a vial while attempting to provide low exposure to radiation, and thereafter, power injecting the radiopharmaceutical. A radiation-shielded container of the system generally holds the vial. A filling and injecting device of the system generally includes a mounting structure adapted to support the syringe with a needle of the syringe located in the vial. An electromechanical drive of the system may be commanded by a control to pull a syringe plunger through a controlled motion, thereby filling the syringe.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a system includes an integral manifold syringe. The integral manifold syringe may include a multi-barrel body having a first barrel and a second barrel, a manifold having first, second, third, and fourth ports, wherein the first and second ports are coupled to the first and second barrels, respectively. The integral manifold syringe also may include a flow control core disposed rotatably inside the manifold at a plurality of positions, wherein the flow control core has different flow pathway arrangements between the first, second, third, and fourth ports at the plurality of positions.

Abstract: A system to provide a specified volume of a medical fluid from a bulk source to a dose and/or delivery container for injection into a patient. The fluid path between the bulk container and the delivery container is physically separated at a connecting site before fluid is injected from the delivery container into the patient. The bulk container may be a bag or bottle, and the delivery container may be a syringe or bag. A bag delivery container may be contained in a pressurizeable chamber and fluid may be delivered by providing pressure to a membrane in the chamber contacting a wall of the bag. The system may be automated.