Abstract: An injector 20 that may be used to deliver radiographic contrast media and/or flushing solution into a patient's vascular system for the purposes such as obtaining enhanced diagnostic x-ray images. The injector includes the following features: (1) a syringe mount 26 for attachment of a syringe 28 to the injector 20; (2) display 34 and controls 90 for volume and flow rates; (3) automatic limiting of the operating pressure of the injector 20 as determined by the selection of a flow rate; (4) a syringe cradle 48 having a warming capability; (5) a purge/retract trigger 36 for control of the injection procedure having intuitive direction (i.e.

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: A remotely powered magnetic resonance (NR) contrast media injector eliminates the use of batteries to power a power head in a shielded magnet room thereby eliminating inconvenient and costly charging and replacing of batteries. In particular, a power supply regulates and converts electrical power from a standard utility AC outlet available outside of the shielded magnet room to one or more forms of electrical power for supplying a power control for a power head inside the shielded magnet room. Advantageously, the power supply increases flexibility and convenience by using the same number of electrical cables as existing systems and by readily retrofitting existing battery-powered injector system that use a power control with battery receptacles.

Abstract: A method of operation for a magnetic resonance imaging suite. A power supply of magnetic resonance injector system receives electrical power from an AC power outlet, both of which are located outside of a shielded room of the magnetic resonance imaging suite. Electrical power from the power supply of the magnetic resonance injector system is conveyed (via an appropriate power connection) into the shielded room of the magnetic resonance imaging suite and to a component (e.g., a power head) of the magnetic resonance injector system located inside the shielded room. While this electrical power is being conveyed, radio frequency energy emitted from the power connection is being filtered.

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: An injector 20 that may be used to deliver radiographic contrast media and/or flushing solution into a patient's vascular system for the purposes such as obtaining enhanced diagnostic x-ray images. The injector includes the following features: (1) a syringe mount 26 for attachment of a syringe 28 to the injector 20; (2) display 34 and controls 90 for volume and flow rates; (3) automatic limiting of the operating pressure of the injector 20 as determined by the selection of a flow rate; (4) a syringe cradle 48 having a warming capability; (5) a purge/retract trigger 36 for control of the injection procedure having intuitive direction (i.e.

Abstract: A computer-controlled injector of the type having a motor which advances and retracts a plunger located within a syringe housing toward and away from a nozzle located in the front of the syringe to inject fluid into or out of an animal subject. Manual motion is induced by operating a manual motion control; the operator can manipulate the control to indicate the desired direction and velocity of motion. The manual motion control also has a locking mode in which manual motion of the plunger will continue once initiated without requiring the operator to continue manipulating the manual motion control. The injector performs injections in accordance with one of several pre-programmed protocols, and automatically tracks the fluid volume remaining. The injector compensates for plunger extenders found in some partially pre-filled syringes by applying a stored offset value to the computed plunger position.

Abstract: A computer-controlled injector of the type having a motor which advances and retracts a plunger located within a syringe housing toward and away from a nozzle located in the front of the syringe to inject fluid into or out of an animal subject. Manual motion is induced by operating a manual motion control; the operator can manipulate the control to indicate the desired direction and velocity of motion. The manual motion control also has a locking mode in which manual motion of the plunger will continue once initiated without requiring the operator to continue manipulating the manual motion control. The injector performs injections in accordance with one of several pre-programmed protocols, and automatically tracks the fluid volume remaining. The injector compensates for plunger extenders found in some partially pre-filled syringes by applying a stored offset value to the computed plunger position.

Abstract: A method of operation for a magnetic resonance imaging suite. A power supply of magnetic resonance injector system receives electrical power from an AC power outlet, both of which are located outside of a shielded room of the magnetic resonance imaging suite. Electrical power from the power supply of the magnetic resonance injector system is conveyed (via an appropriate power connection) into the shielded room of the magnetic resonance imaging suite and to a component (e.g., a power head) of the magnetic resonance injector system located inside the shielded room. While this electrical power is being conveyed, radio frequency energy emitted from the power connection is being filtered.

Abstract: A medical fluid injector, replaceable syringe, and coupling mechanism to engage the syringe plunger to the plunger drive ram of the injector are provided wherein coupling involves a cam cleat-like mechanism, thereby allowing for cooperative movement between the plunger drive ram and syringe plunger. The coupling mechanism of the plunger drive ram is provided with first and second movable members, each having toothed, arcuate surfaces, while the coupling mechanism of the syringe plunger is provided with a knurled cavity. Disengagement of the coupling mechanism is facilitated by translational movement of a face plate located on the forward end of the injector housing.

Abstract: A medical fluid injector, replaceable syringe, and coupling mechanism to engage the syringe plunger to the plunger drive ram of the injector are provided wherein coupling involves a cam cleat-like mechanism, thereby allowing for cooperative movement between the plunger drive ram and syringe plunger. The coupling mechanism of the plunger drive ram is provided with first and second movable members, each having toothed, arcuate surfaces, while the coupling mechanism of the syringe plunger is provided with a knurled extension. Disengagement of the coupling mechanism is facilitated by translational movement of a face plate located on the forward end of the injector housing.

Abstract: An animal fluid injector replaceable syringe and method of replacement of the syringe in the injector are provided in which the syringe is loadable and unloadable into and from the injector through the front of the injector, thereby permitting replacement without retraction of the syringe plunger drive or disconnection of the injection tubing. A mechanism in the injector, which includes, for example, a key on cam ring operated by a lever with one hand of an operator, interacts with structure such asymmetrically spaced notches on the back end of the syringe to, for example, rotate the syringe and simultaneously translate or rotate a coupling on the syringe plunger into and out of engagement with jaws of the plunger drive in the injector.

Abstract: An animal fluid injector, replaceable syringe and method of replacement of the syringe in the injector are provided in which the syringe is loadable and unloadable into and from the injector through the open front end of a pressure jacket of the injector, thereby permitting replacement without retraction of the syringe plunger drive or disconnection of the injection tubing. The syringe is provided with a pressure restraining front end, such as an integral or removable cap with structure such as threads that lock the syringe to the front end of the jacket by mating with threads on the jacket. A mechanism in the injector, which includes, for example, a key on cam ring operated by a lever with one hand of an operator, interacts with structure such asymmetrically spaced notches on the back end of the syringe to, for example, rotate the syringe and simultaneously translate or rotate a coupling on the syringe plunger into and out of engagement with the plunger drive in the injector.

Abstract: A syringe for an injector that has at its nozzle end a connection to the fluid delivery tubing that prevents, reduces, or eliminates fluid leaks, by virtue of a ridge on the external surfaces of the connector which engage to tubing. Furthermore, the syringe and injector are configured to permit the syringe to be oriented in more than one manner on the injector.

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: 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: A dual head contrast media injection system performs a patency check or test injection, determining flow rate and/or flow volume from the programmed protocol. The tubing that connects syringes to a patient shares only a short common section near to the patient. Appropriate injection steps are taken to compensate for tubing elasticity. A wireless remote control and a touch screen control are provided, improving functionality and information delivery. The display brightness is controlled based on the ambient light, and the display panel includes a double swivel permitting re-orientation. The orientation of the display may also be controlled based on, e.g., the current step, the tilt angle of the powerhead, or a manual control. Furthermore, the display is customizable to identify the type of fluid (contrast, saline, etc.) on either side of the injector, to provide matched color coding, and to provide a folder/tab analogy for retrieving injection protocol parameters.

Abstract: A dual head contrast media injection system performs a patency check or test injection, determining flow rate and/or flow volume from the programmed protocol. The tubing that connects syringes to a patient shares only a short common section near to the patient. Appropriate injection steps are taken to compensate for tubing elasticity. A wireless remote control and a touch screen control are provided, improving functionality and information delivery. The display brightness is controlled based on the ambient light, and the display panel includes a double swivel permitting re-orientation. The orientation of the display may also be controlled based on, e.g., the current step, the tilt angle of the powerhead, or a manual control. Furthermore, the display is customizable to identify the type of fluid (contrast, saline, etc.) on either side of the injector, to provide matched color coding, and to provide a folder/tab analogy for retrieving injection protocol parameters.