Abstract: A pressure jacket for use with a fluid injector includes a barrel having a distal end, a proximal end, and a sidewall extending between the distal end and the proximal end along a longitudinal axis. The pressure jacket includes at least one engagement member protruding from a terminal portion of the proximal end of the barrel in a proximal direction along the longitudinal axis. The at least one engagement member tapers axially in a direction from the distal end toward the proximal end of the barrel. The at least one engagement member engages with a locking mechanism on the fluid injector to releasably lock the pressure jacket with the fluid injector. A taper of the at least one engagement member rotationally guides the barrel into self-alignment with the locking mechanism and axially ejects the barrel upon rotation of the barrel about the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A syringe includes a barrel having a distal end, a proximal end, and a sidewall extending therebetween along a longitudinal axis. At least one engagement member protrudes from a terminal portion of the sidewall in a proximal direction along the longitudinal axis. The at least one engagement member tapers axially in a direction from the distal end toward the proximal end. The at least one engagement member is configured for engagement with a locking mechanism of a fluid injector to releasably lock the syringe with the fluid injector. A taper of the at least one engagement member is configured to rotationally guide the syringe into alignment with the locking mechanism and axially eject the syringe upon rotation of the syringe. The locking mechanism operatively engages the at least one engagement member regardless of an orientation of the syringe about the longitudinal axis relative to the injector.

Abstract: A pressure jacket for use with a fluid injector includes a barrel having a distal end, a proximal end, and a sidewall extending between the distal end and the proximal end along a longitudinal axis. The pressure jacket includes at least one engagement member protruding from a terminal portion of the proximal end of the barrel in a proximal direction along the longitudinal axis. The at least one engagement member tapers axially in a direction from the distal end toward the proximal end of the barrel. The at least one engagement member engages with a locking mechanism on the fluid injector to releasably lock the pressure jacket with the fluid injector. A taper of the at least one engagement member rotationally guides the barrel into self-alignment with the locking mechanism and axially ejects the barrel upon rotation of the barrel about the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A selector valve for a medical fluid delivery device is disclosed. The valve includes a valve bore in fluid communication with an outlet channel, first and second outlet ports, and a selector valve body which includes a valve stem located within the valve bore and having a flow passage. The selector valve body is adapted to place the flow passage in fluid communication with one of the first outlet port, the second outlet port, and a shut-off position.

Abstract: A syringe includes a barrel having a distal end, a proximal end, and a sidewall extending therebetween along a longitudinal axis. At least one engagement member protrudes from a terminal portion of the sidewall in a proximal direction along the longitudinal axis. The at least one engagement member tapers axially in a direction from the distal end toward the proximal end. The at least one engagement member is configured for engagement with a locking mechanism of a fluid injector to releasably lock the syringe with the fluid injector. A taper of the at least one engagement member is configured to rotationally guide the syringe into alignment with the locking mechanism and axially eject the syringe upon rotation of the syringe. The locking mechanism operatively engages the at least one engagement member regardless of an orientation of the syringe about the longitudinal axis relative to the injector.

Abstract: A fluid pump device is operable by a drive and actuating system. The fluid pump device includes a pump manifold, a plurality of pump cylinders, a plunger reciprocally operable in each of the pump cylinders, and at least one inlet selector valve. The pump cylinders may extend proximally from the pump manifold and are in selective fluid communication with the pump manifold via, for example, respective inlet and outlet check valves. The plungers are reciprocally operable within the pump cylinders and are independently and reciprocally operable by respective piston linear actuators provided in the drive and actuating system. The inlet selector valve is used to establish selective fluid communication between one or more fluid source containers and the pump manifold to control fluid flow into the pump manifold. The inlet selector valve may be located laterally outboard of the pump cylinders and extend generally parallel to the pump cylinders.

Abstract: A fluid pump device is operable by a drive and actuating system. The fluid pump device includes a pump manifold, a plurality of pump cylinders, a plunger reciprocally operable in each of the pump cylinders, and at least one inlet selector valve. The pump cylinders may extend proximally from the pump manifold and are in selective fluid communication with the pump manifold via, for example, respective inlet and outlet check valves. The plungers are reciprocally operable within the pump cylinders and are independently and reciprocally operable by respective piston linear actuators provided in the drive and actuating system. The inlet selector valve is used to establish selective fluid communication between one or more fluid source containers and the pump manifold to control fluid flow into the pump manifold. The inlet selector valve may be located laterally outboard of the pump cylinders and extend generally parallel to the pump cylinders.

Abstract: A bladder syringe for a fluid delivery system includes a cylindrical body, a cap-bladder assembly, a plunger element disposed in the cylindrical body, and a mounting assembly to secure the cap-bladder assembly to the cylindrical body. The cylindrical body has a distal end and a proximal end and defines a throughbore. The cap-bladder assembly is adapted for connection to the distal end of the cylindrical body, and includes a cap body and a bladder. The cap body defines an interior cavity and a distal discharge conduit and is adapted to engage the distal end of the cylindrical body. A disc-shaped bladder is disposed within the interior cavity and typically includes a central membrane portion. The plunger element is disposed in the throughbore of the cylindrical body and is vented to enable evacuation of the space between the plunger element and the cap-bladder assembly in the cylindrical body.

Abstract: A syringe interface or adapter includes a first retaining member that pivots about an axis generally perpendicular to and offset from the axis of an injector piston when the syringe interface is attached to the injector. The first retaining member pivots in a rearward direction to engage a portion of the syringe flange. The syringe interface further includes a second retaining member slideably positioned within a passage in the syringe interface to slide in a direction generally perpendicular to the axis of the piston when the syringe interface is attached to the injector to engage a portion of the syringe flange. The first retaining member and the second retaining member preferably cooperate to engage the syringe flange around the entire perimeter of the syringe flange. The first retaining member is preferably biased toward an open position. The syringe interface can also include a rear portion having an attachment mechanism to attach the syringe interface to the injector.

Abstract: A syringe interface or adapter includes a first retaining member that pivots about an axis generally perpendicular to and offset from the axis of an injector piston when the syringe interface is attached to the injector. The first retaining member pivots in a rearward direction to engage a portion of the syringe flange. The syringe interface further includes a second retaining member slideably positioned within a passage in the syringe interface to slide in a direction generally perpendicular to the axis of the piston when the syringe interface is attached to the injector to engage a portion of the syringe flange. The first retaining member and the second retaining member preferably cooperate to engage the syringe flange around the entire perimeter of the syringe flange. The first retaining member is preferably biased toward an open position. The syringe interface can also include a rear portion having an attachment mechanism to attach the syringe interface to the injector.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to an apparatus for gathering analyte. The apparatus comprises a pumping mechanism for pumping solvent at supercritical pressure. The apparatus also comprises an extraction mechanism which receives a first sample and at least a second sample separate and distinct from the first sample and extract analyte from them essentially simultaneously. The extraction mechanism is connected to the pump mechanism to receive solvent at supercritical pressure for extracting the analyte from the samples. The apparatus additionally comprises a collection mechanism for collecting analyte from the solvent after the analyte has been extracted from the samples. The collection mechanism receives the supercritical solvent having the analyte extracted from the samples from the extraction mechanism. The present invention pertains to a method for extracting analyte. The method comprises the steps of pumping solvent at a supercritical pressure.

Abstract: A supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) system. The SFE system includes a mechanism for providing supercritical fluid for extracting analyte from a sample. The SFE system also includes an extraction vessel and a mechanism for moving the extraction vessel into fluidic communication with the SFE system so that supercritical fluid can flow through the extraction vessel and extract analyte from the sample. Preferably, the SFE system is additionally comprised of a mechanism for holding a plurality of extraction vessels and an extraction chamber assembly. In this design, the moving mechanism selectively moves an extraction vessel from the holding mechanism into the extraction chamber in fluidic communication with the SFE system. Preferably, the SFE system further includes a computer for controlling the functions of the SFE system. The computer, for instance, could automatically and sequentially control the supercritical fluid extractions of the samples within the holding mechanism.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to an apparatus for gathering analyte. The apparatus comprises a pumping mechanism for pumping solvent at supercritical pressure. The apparatus also comprises an extraction mechanism which receives a first sample and at least a second sample separate and distinct from the first sample and extract analyte from them essentially simultaneously. The extraction mechanism is connected to the pump mechanism to receive solvent at supercritical pressure for extracting the analyte from the samples. The apparatus additionally comprises a collection mechanism for collecting analyte from the solvent after the analyte has been extracted from the samples. The collection mechanism receives the supercritical solvent having the analyte extracted from the samples from the extraction mechanism. The present invention pertains to a method for extracting analyte. The method comprises the steps of pumping solvent at a supercritical pressure.

Abstract: A pump for liquefied gases is provided having a low thermal conductivity liner provided in the inner bore of the pump cylinder. The low thermal conductivity liner prevents transmission to the pump cylinder of heat generated during the compression of the liquefied gas. The liner is preferably formed from a ceramic, such as zirconium, or from a plastic. In addition to the provision of the low thermal conductivity liner, techniques for reducing the dead volume of retained gases in the pump chamber are utilized to prevent the transmission of retained heat from the these gases to the incoming charge of liquefied gases.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and a method for obtaining from the patient's body information pertaining to the blood pressure and heart rate of a patient for the purpose of enabling a physician to monitor and prescribe treatment intended to maintain a patient's blood pressure within a predetermined range, for encouraging the patient to follow the treatment and for collecting information relating to the patient's blood pressure and heart rate. Signals are generated that represent the level of blood pressure and pulse rate of a patient in a form suitable for telephonic communication. The signals are transmitted to a remote central digital processor for storage and analysis. Data resulting from the analysis is submitted to the patient or physician. An off hook and ring detect circuit is provided preventing actuation of the system when telephonic access is unavailable.