Abstract: An interface device enables an intracavity probe to be used with a magnetic resonance (MR) system for the purpose of obtaining images or spectra of a region of interest within a cavity of a patient. The probe includes a shaft, a balloon at one end thereof, and a coil loop within the balloon. The coil loop preferably includes two drive capacitors and a tuning capacitor, all of which in series. A junction node between the drive capacitors serves as a ground for electrically balancing the coil loop. Diametrically opposite the junction node, the tuning capacitor enables the coil loop to resonate at the operating frequency of the MR system. Across each drive capacitor is connected an output cable having an electrical length of SL+n(?/4). The output cables terminate in a plug that is used to connect the coil loop to the interface device.

Abstract: A device for inserting a catheter into a blood vessel that uses fluid flow to aid the insertion of the catheter into a patient is described herein. The device includes a catheter retention device that houses a catheter and is configured to attach to an angiocatheter or other blood vessel access device. The catheter retention device receives fluid and guides the catheter into the blood vessel using the flow of fluid to carry the catheter into the blood vessel.

Abstract: A multi-fluid injector system and methods of operation thereof are presented. One embodiment of such a fluid injector system includes a powered injector, a pressure jacket support, a syringe pressure jacket, and a syringe. The pressure jacket support includes a front plate and a rear plate. The rear plate is connected to the injector and the front plate is spaced from the rear plate and defines a slot. The syringe pressure jacket has a proximal end pivotally connected to the rear plate so that a distal end of the pressure jacket pivots relative to the front plate. The syringe has a syringe body with a distally extending discharge conduit. With the syringe disposed in a barrel of the pressure jacket, pivotal movement of the pressure jacket results in the distal end thereof pivoting toward the front plate to place the discharge conduit within the slot in the front plate.

Abstract: A system for delivery of medical fluid to a patient which includes a pump system and a drive system. The pump system has at least three chambers, where each chamber includes an inlet for fluid intake and an outlet for fluid expulsion, a common outlet channel in fluid communication with the outlet of each chamber, and at least three pistons, where each piston is slidably disposed within one of the chambers. The drive system includes a cam shaft having at least three cam lobes, each having a profile, and at least three cam lobe followers, each in operative connection with one of the cam lobes and adapted to be placed in operative connection with a respective piston. The profile of each of the cam lobes is adapted to provide a transient increase or spike in calculated theoretical output of the pump system to reduce periodic variation in measured output thereof.

Abstract: A syringe for use in the pressurized injection of a fluid. The syringe includes a syringe barrel composed of a polymeric material having undergone expansion via blow molding, and an injection molded attachment mechanism which is integral with the syringe barrel and is located at the proximal end of the syringe barrel. The syringe barrel has a consistent wall thickness and is capable of withstanding pressures of at least 1200 psi. The syringe barrel includes a biaxial stretch sidewall as a result of the blow molding process while the attachment mechanism remains essentially unchanged by the blow molding process. The polymeric material can be, for example, polyethyleneterephthalate, cyclic olefin polymer, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyvinylidene chloride, polyethylene naphthalate and/or nylon.

Abstract: A plunger cover for use with a syringe includes a sealing portion adapted to form a seal with the syringe and a central portion adapted to contact fluid within the syringe. The central portion can, for example, be more rigid than the sealing portion. The sealing portion and the central portion are connected in an overmolding process. The sealing portion can, for example, be formed from a thermoplastic elastomer or a thermoplastic polyurethane. The central portion can, for example, be formed from polypropylene, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, polycarbonate or copolymers thereof.

Abstract: The fluid delivery system includes a pressurizing device for delivering a pressurized injection fluid, a low pressure fluid delivery system, and a pressure isolation mechanism adapted for fluid communication with the pressurizing device and low pressure fluid delivery system. The pressure isolation mechanism includes a housing body defining an inlet port, an isolation port, and an internal cavity, where the housing body defines a seal seat in the internal cavity between the inlet port and isolation port. A valve member is free floating in the internal cavity and is adapted to engage the seal seat. The valve member has an open position permitting fluid communication between the inlet port and isolation port, and is fluid flow responsive to fluid flow in the inlet port to engage the seal seat and attain a closed position preventing fluid communication between the inlet port and isolation port.

Abstract: A delivery apparatus useful for infusing a therapeutic agent into a body lumen, the apparatus including a lumenal body defining at least one infusion port for infusing the therapeutic agent into the body lumen, and a sensing element which is distal of the at least one infusion port and adapted to sense the amount of infused therapeutic agent or any compound derived therefrom in the body lumen. Another embodiment of the apparatus includes a lumenal body defining at least one infusion port for infusing the therapeutic agent into the body lumen, and a filtration element which is distal of the at least one infusion port and adapted to deliver a reaction agent which may react with the therapeutic agent in the body lumen. A sensing element may be provided distal of the filtration element for sensing the amount of infused therapeutic agent or compounds derived therefrom in the body lumen.

Abstract: A rotatable operating head for removal of obstructive material from a target site in a body lumen or cavity is operably connected to a rotatable, translatable drive shaft, that is driven by a drive motor and received through an elongated catheter. The operating head includes a plurality of differential cutting blades, with at least one of the cutting blades being a stepped blade, the stepped blade comprising a raised cutting surface positioned adjacent, or in proximity to, a shoulder region.

Abstract: A medical connector includes a body defining a lumen for fluid flow through the medical connector. The medical connector includes a luer member and an annular member disposed about the luer member. The annular member includes internal and/or external engagement structures. The medical connector may be provided on the outlet of a syringe or on a catheter. A fluid path is disclosed including a first section and a second section. The first and second sections may each include a medical connector to provide a removable connection with a syringe and a catheter, respectively. The medical connector may provide a removable connection between the first and second sections. A fluid delivery system is disclosed including an injector, a syringe operatively associated with the injector, and a fluid path connecting the syringe and a source of injection. The medical connector may provide a removable connection between the syringe and fluid path.

Abstract: A method of delivering a radioactive liquid, includes, performing an initialization, including; extracting at least a first amount of a radioactive liquid from a source of radioactive liquid, measuring a radioactivity level for the first amount of radioactive liquid, and performing a calibration phase. The calibration phase includes, extracting a second amount of radioactive liquid from the source of radioactive liquid wherein the second amount is calculated based on the radioactivity level of the first amount to provide a total dose of radioactive liquid having a predetermined radioactivity level, and delivering the total dose and performing at least one more calibration and delivery phases.

Abstract: A pressure isolation mechanism for use in a medical procedure includes a lumen, an isolation port in fluid connection with lumen, and a valve having a first state and a second state. The first state occurs when the lumen and the isolation port are connected. The second state occurs when the lumen and the isolation port are disconnected. The lumen remains open for flow of fluid therethrough in the first state and in the second state. The valve is normally in the first state and is switchable to the second state when fluid pressure in the lumen reaches a predetermined pressure level. A pressure transducer can be in fluid connection with the isolation port of the pressure isolation mechanism A fluid delivery system includes a manually operated syringe and a pressure isolation mechanism as described above.

Abstract: An injector system includes a powered injector, a pressurizing chamber in operative connection with the powered injection, a fluid path in fluid communication with the pressurizing chamber, and a manual control in fluid connection with the fluid path. The manual control includes at least one actuator for controlling the injector through application of force by an operator. The actuator provides tactile feedback of pressure in the fluid path to the operator via a fluid connection therewith. An injection system for use in angiography includes a source of saline, a pump in fluid connection with the source of saline to pressurized the saline, a source of contrast, a contrast valve in fluid connection with the source of contrast, a powered injector in fluid connection with the contrast valve, and a pressure isolation mechanism.

Abstract: A syringe for use with a powered injector to inject a fluid into a patient that includes a length of material adapted to transmit or propagate electromagnetic energy therethrough. The length of material includes at least a first indicator positioned along the length of material. The first indicator is adapted to interact with at least a portion of the energy being propagated through the length of material in a manner that is detectable. The presence (or absence) of the first indicator provides or corresponds to information about the syringe configuration. The indicator(s) of the present invention can, for example, provide information about syringe configuration by the number and/or position thereof. A plurality or set of such syringes can be provided, with the configuration of each such syringe being represented by the presence or absence of indicator(s) of that syringe.

Abstract: A syringe for use with an injector includes a body having a rear end and a front end, a plunger movably disposed within the body, an attachment member associated with the body and adapted to releasably engage a syringe retaining mechanism of the injector regardless of the orientation of the syringe with respect to the injector, and an encoding device operable to provide syringe information to the injector.

Abstract: The fluid injector system includes a source of injection fluid, a pump device, and a fluid path set in fluid connection with the source of injection fluid and the pump device. The fluid path set includes a drip chamber including an elongated body having a raised projection from substantially a top end to substantially a bottom end, the elongated body configured to receive and contain the injection fluid. A fluid level sensing mechanism is operably associated with a fluid control device, and includes a support for the drip chamber body, wherein the support is adapted such that the raised projection is in operational contact with a fluid level sensor associated with the support. The fluid level sensing mechanism is operable to transmit ultrasonic or light energy through the raised projection to be sensed by the fluid level sensor for sensing the injection fluid level in the drip chamber.

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: Filtration devices for collection and filtration of biological samples are disclosed. Devices having a filtration element oriented in a generally vertical orientation are provided, as well as filtration devices that incorporate a cooling mechanism to reduce the temperature of collected solids. Tissue collection devices, such as aspiration assemblies, tissue sampling devices, and the like incorporating filtration devices are disclosed. Methods of collecting biological samples and separating biological solids from a liquid/solids mixture are also disclosed, together with analytical techniques and protocols for analyzing biological samples.

Abstract: A syringe for use in a pressurized injection of a fluid includes a syringe barrel including a polymeric material having undergone expansion via blow molding. An inner diameter of the syringe barrel can, for example, be sufficiently constant (over at least a portion of the axial length of the syringe) that a plunger slidably positioned within the syringe barrel and in generally sealing contact with an inner wall of the syringe barrel can be used within the syringe barrel to generate a pressure of at least 1 psi within the syringe barrel. In several embodiment, the inner diameter of the syringe barrel is sufficiently constant to generate a pressure of at least 100 psi, at least 300 psi, or even at least 500 psi within the syringe barrel.

Abstract: An injector system includes a powered injector, a pressurizing chamber in operative connection with the powered injection, a fluid path in fluid communication with the pressurizing chamber, and a manual control in fluid connection with the fluid path. The manual control includes at least one actuator for controlling the injector through application of force by an operator. The actuator provides tactile feedback of pressure in the fluid path to the operator via a fluid connection therewith. An injection system for use in angiography includes a source of saline, a pump in fluid connection with the source of saline to pressurized the saline, a source of contrast, a contrast valve in fluid connection with the source of contrast, a powered injector in fluid connection with the contrast valve, and a pressure isolation mechanism.