Abstract: A method for creating improved homogeneity in magnetic flux density in a radio frequency resonator for magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy of the human head. A tapered birdcage resonator is also provided. The tapered birdcage resonator includes two electrically conductive rings and a plurality of rods or conductor legs. The first electrically conductive ring forms an inferior end of the coil. The plurality of legs extends from the first electrically conductive ring. Each of the plurality of legs has a linear portion and a tapered portion. The second electrically conductive ring forms a superior end of the coil and is connected to the tapered portion of the plurality of legs.

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 present invention provides prefillable syringes and injectors for use therewith that expand and/or facilitate a variety of medical procedures involving the injection of a liquid medium. In several embodiments, the present syringes and injectors enable the use of current syringe materials at higher pressures than previously attainable or the use of other materials not previously usable with current high pressure-syringe and injector designs. In one embodiment, a syringe comprises an elongated cylindrical main body having a first pair and a second pair of mounting flanges encompassing collectively an arcuate length equal to at least approximately 180° of the circumference of the rear portion of the cylindrical main body for releasably mounting the syringe in a desired position relative to the front wall of the injector housing.

Abstract: A system for delivery of a medium having ultrasound contrast enhancement agents therein to a patient includes a pressurizing device for pressurizing the medium, a fluid path connecting the pressurizing device to the patient and a concentration sensor in communication with the fluid path. The concentration of the contrast enhancement agents is measured by the concentration sensor during injection of the medium into the patient to assist in controlling the delivery system and/or an imaging procedure.

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: The present invention provides a plunger for use in a syringe and a syringe comprising such a plunger. The plunger includes a pressure member extending around the circumference of a generally cylindrical body of the plunger. The pressure member is in substantially sealing contact with the plunger body. The pressure member is sufficiently flexible to be forced radially outwardly to exert force upon the inner wall of the syringe as a result of increased fluid pressure upon forward motion of the plunger. The pressure member thereby forms a substantially sealing engagement with the inner wall of the syringe. In one embodiment, the pressure member comprises a flange attached at a rearward portion of the flange to a body of the plunger. The flange extends forward and radially outward to form a circumferential channel between the flange and the body of the plunger. In another embodiment, the pressure member comprises a resilient O-ring seated in a seating formed around the circumference of the body of the plunger.

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: This invention relates to a process for manufacturing prefilled syringes where at least one of the syringe components is manufactured in at least a class 100 environment. The process includes the steps of manufacturing syringe components, such as the barrel and plunger substrate, within at least a class 100 and MCB-3 environment; manufacturing syringe components, such as the plunger cover and tip seal in an environment less clean than a class 100 environment; decontaminating the plunger cover and tip seal; lubricating at least one of the barrel, plunger substrate, plunger cover and tip seal; assembling the barrel and tip seal to form a barrel/tip seal combination; assembling the plunger cover and plunger substrate to form a plunger; filling the barrel/tip seal combination with a predetermined amount of fluid; and final assembling of the prefilled syringe by inserting the plunger into the barrel/tip seal combination.

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: An aseptic connector comprises a first member and a second member. The first member preferably includes a resilient septum, and the second member preferably includes a penetrating member. Preferably, the septum is formed from an elastomeric material such as a silicone elastomer. The penetrating member preferably includes an extending penetrating element to penetrate the resilient septum. The aseptic connector further comprises a resilient sealing element that contacts the penetrating member and one of an inner wall of the first member and an inner wall of the second member to create a seal between the penetrating member and one of the inner wall of the first member and the inner wall of the second member. The seal created is suitable to withstand relatively high pressures (for example, those experienced during the injection of contrast media in CT procedures). A fluid delivery system comprising at least a first aseptic connector as described above is also provided.

Abstract: A front-loading syringe which comprises a movable plunger for injecting liquid contrast media, is rotatably mountable on a front wall of an injector housing with an interference fit and in sealed relationship with respect thereto, with or without a pressure jacket, by a first-quick release mechanism. At the same time, the plunger is connected to an injector drive mechanism by a second readily releasable mechanism. During the mounting operation, a sensor reads injection information from an indicator device on the syringe and feeds it to an injector control. An audible-and-tactile indicating mechanism also is activated when the syringe is essentially in the desired mounted position. The syringe may include reinforcing ribs which also function as volumetric gradations, and liquid media presence-or-absence indicating dots which appear circular against a liquid media background and oval-shaped against an air background.

Abstract: A method of determining or assessing remaining life in insulation material includes using a computerized analytical model and supporting equipment to assess margin between an electrical insulation sample's given (i.e., known) void parameters (such as size and density) and void parameters corresponding to the threshold to integrity failure. The margin is then correlated to remaining life through use of known void growth rates, which are a function of temperature and other environmental service factors.

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: A syringe for use with a powered injector includes an elongated body having an interior surface, a plunger movably mounted in the elongated body for pressurizing the fluid medium, and a plunger extension connected to the plunger and extending rearward from the plunger. The plunger extension includes at least one spine member operable to engage at least one engagement member on the interior surface of the elongated body. The at least one spine member and the at least one engagement member cooperate to prevent relative rotation between the plunger extension and the elongated body.

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 conformable 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: 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.