Abstract: Embodiments of an injector, syringe, syringe interface, syringe adapter, and piston/plunger assembly for an injector (of contrast medium, for example) are described. Preferably, the syringe is adapted to engage a syringe interface mechanism such that the syringe may be connected to an injector without regard to any particular orientation of the syringe to the injector or to the piston/plunger assembly. The injector piston or drive member includes a sensing pin positioned at a forward end thereof to sense contact with the syringe plunger during advancement of the piston or drive member to contact the plunger. The piston can be advanced automatically upon connection of, for example, the syringe to the injector, or piston advance can be automated to occur after operator initiation. The injector may include or be adapted to accommodate two syringes, which for example provide for simultaneous injection of fluid into separate injection sites on a patient.

Abstract: A fluid delivery system includes a fluid container, two or more pressurizing chambers in fluid connection with the fluid container, a drive mechanism in operative connection with the two or more pressurizing chambers to pump fluid from the fluid container and an outlet in fluid connection with the two or more pressurizing chambers. Each of the two or more pressurizing chambers is formed from a flexible, resilient material that is adapted to be compressed to pressurize fluid therewithin.

Abstract: A valve system for use in a system including a first source of a first pressurized fluid and a second source of a second pressurized fluid includes a valve housing including a first inlet port adapted to be placed in fluid connection with the first source, a second inlet port adapted to be placed in fluid connection with the second source and an outlet port. The valve system further includes a backflow prevention system to prevent flow of the first pressurized fluid through the second inlet and to prevent flow of the second pressurized fluid through the first inlet port. The valve system is adapted to provide a fluid path between at least the first inlet port and the outlet port to enable fluid to be drawn from the outlet port to the first inlet port. Several of the valve systems of the present invention provide for flow from the first inlet port to the outlet port and concurrent flow from the second inlet port to the outlet port.

Abstract: An interface unit enables communication with an injector system that is used for pressurizing a fluid medium for injection into a patient during an injection procedure. The interface unit includes a processor and a storage unit. The processor controls operation of the interface unit and enables exchange of digital information between the interface unit and the injector system. The storage unit, under control of the processor, records the digital information gathered from the injector system during communication therewith. The digital information includes at least injection profile, history and dose data pertaining to the injection procedure. The processor enables at least the injection profile, history and dose data of the digital information recorded within the storage unit of the interface unit to be communicable to at least one of an imaging system linked thereto and an external device linked thereto.

Abstract: A disposable flow set for use with a pump includes a first administration tube, at least one tube-segment having a first end and a second end, the first end connected to the first administration tube, a second administration tube connected to the second end of the at least one tube-segment; and an identifying key member connected to the at least one tube-segment. The identifying key member includes a number of teeth that define a unique code, including a combination of location and width. The teeth fit into compatible niches located in the pump.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a miniature flexible thrombectomy catheter having one or more flexible miniature noncollapsing tubular portions including pushable and torqueable structure for introduction into the smaller vessels in neurovascular regions. A jet body having an arcuate fluid jet emanator is incorporated in order to minimize size at the distal portion of a minimally sized catheter tube.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a miniature flexible thrombectomy catheter having one or more flexible miniature noncollapsing tubular portions including pushable and torqueable structure for introduction into the smaller vessels in neurovascular regions. A jet body having an arcuate fluid jet emanator is incorporated in order to minimize size at the distal portion of a minimally sized catheter tube.

Abstract: A system for collecting, managing and disseminating information relating to medical procedures includes a central computer and a plurality of medical devices each in communication with an injector, a scanner, a hospital system and/or at least one other device. Each medical device receives (I) before a procedure is performed, patient identification information from a user interface, the scanner and/or the hospital system and (II) during and/or after the procedure, injection information from the injector and imaging study information from the scanner. Each medical device has an associated database for storing as a record therein the patient identification information, the injection information and the imaging study information for each procedure performed on each patient.

Abstract: An intravascular platform for supporting an intravascular device includes two loops of wire each configured to assume a shape lying generally on a virtual cylinder of given diameter. The two loops are interconnected by at least one connecting wire which maintains the loops axially spaced from each other. Also disclosed are axially-extended loop forms, and associated intravascular devices.

Abstract: A catheter assembly includes a catheter body having a catheter lumen. A manifold assembly is coupled with a proximal catheter portion. A manifold lumen extends through the manifold assembly, and the manifold lumen includes an assembly cavity extending around the proximal catheter portion. A fluid jet loop is coupled with a high pressure tube at a distal catheter portion. The catheter assembly further includes a composite guide having first and second guide portions. The first guide portion includes a proximal guide insert near the proximal catheter portion, the proximal guide insert is positioned within the assembly cavity, and includes a guide insert surface flush with a catheter body interior wall. The second guide portion includes a distal guide near the distal catheter portion including a tapered loop guide surface and an intermediate guide surface of the catheter lumen flushly engaged with a leading edge of the tapered loop guide surface.

Abstract: An atherectomy system having a variably exposed cutter wherein a distally located positionable tip closely associated with the cutter and a high pressure fluid jet emanator can be variably and angularly deployed about a hinge mechanism subsequent to entry into the vasculature. The fixed cutter slices or parts atheromatous material and/or thrombotic material from a blood vessel for interaction with high pressure jets to macerate, break up or otherwise reduce the materials for evacuation from the site.

Abstract: A syringe assembly connectible to an injector including a syringe interface and a drive member includes a syringe portion including a barrel section to contain fluid to be pressurized and an outlet in fluid connection with the barrel section. The syringe assembly also includes an adapter formed separately from the syringe portion and including a plurality of sections. At least two sections of the plurality of sections are engageable to nonremovably connect the adapter to the syringe portion. In a number of embodiment, the adapter includes only two section the engage to nonremovably connect the adapter to the syringe portion. The adapter further includes a mounting mechanism adapted to be connected to the injector syringe interface.

Abstract: A thrombectomy catheter deployment system which greatly simplifies setup procedures and operation of a thrombectomy catheter includes a stand alone drive unit and a disposable pump/catheter assembly which is manually placed into a carriage assembly in the drive unit. The pump/catheter assembly has a plurality of preconnected components including tubular structure and a thrombectomy catheter connected thereto and is transported into or out of the interior of the drive unit for automatic high pressure pump piston head engagement or disengagement with a reciprocating linear actuator and for automatic engagement or disengagement of an effluent waste tube with a roller pump. A barcode reader senses specific operational data pertaining to an individual pump and provides an interface for operation of the reciprocating linear actuator. A bubble trap incorporated for effective debubbling of saline solution is closely coupled to an insert molded pump having an improved valve arrangement.

Abstract: A system for producing a contrast-enhanced medical image of a patient includes a source of a contrast or enhancement medium, a pressurizing unit in fluid connection with the source of contrast or enhancement medium, an energy source operable to apply energy to a region of the patient, an imaging unit providing a visual display of an internal view of the patient based upon a signal resulting from the energy applied to the region of the patient, and a control unit. In an embodiment, the signal is affected by a condition of the contrast or enhancement medium in the patient. To control the procedures, the control unit adjusts the condition of the contrast or enhancement medium in the patient based upon the signal. A communication interface preferably enables information between an injector subsystem and an imaging subsystem.

Abstract: A fluid injection apparatus includes at least one pressurizing mechanism and at least a first fluid container (for example, a syringe or a bulk container) operably associated with the at least one pressurizing mechanism. The first fluid container is adapted to contain a first fluid to be injected. The fluid injection apparatus also includes a controller operably associated with the at least one pressurizing mechanism. The controller includes a programming system to allow programming of an injection protocol including, for example, a plurality of phases. At least one parameter generator is provided to determine parameters of at least one of the plurality of phases of the protocol based at least in part upon a type of the injection procedure.

Abstract: A head coil for use with a parallel-imaging compatible MR system is disclosed, as is a method of making, and a neurovascular array (NVA) equipped with, same. The head coil includes conductive rings and rods configured to produce a plurality of electrically-adjacent primary resonant substructures about a birdcage-like structure, with each such primary resonant substructure including two rods neighboring each other and the short segment of each of the first and second rings interconnecting them. The primary resonant substructures are isolated from each other via a preamplifier decoupling scheme and an offset tuning scheme thereby enabling each primary resonant substructure (i) to receive an MR signal from tissue within its field of view and (ii) to be operatively couplable to one processing channel of the MR system for conveyance of the MR signal received thereby (iii) while being simultaneously decoupled from the other primary resonant substructures.

Abstract: An injection system includes a fluid delivery system, a drive mechanism, a controller and a tubing set. The fluid delivery system includes a fluid container and a pumping mechanism having an inlet in fluid connection with the fluid container and an outlet. The tubing set is adapted to be placed in removable fluid connection with the outlet of the pumping mechanism and a patient. The drive mechanism is in operative connection with the pumping mechanism to pump fluid from the fluid container. First and second information stores, such as bar codes or RFID tags, are associated with the pumping mechanism and the tubing set, respectively. The controller is in operative connection with the drive mechanism and adapted to read the first information store and the second information store to at least partly control the operation of the drive mechanism based thereon.

Abstract: A fluid connector includes an extending section including a spiked end to pierce the container port. The extending section includes at least one air conduit and at least one fluid conduit therethrough. The extending section further includes a first abutment member and second abutment member. The first abutment member is adapted to abut a first or air side of the container port upon piercing of the container port. The second abutment member is spaced from the first abutment member and is adapted to abut a second or fluid sided of the container port. The fluid connector can further include grasping members extending from the extending section to facilitate rotation of the extending section relative to the container port during piercing thereof. The fluid connector can also include a check valve in fluid connection with the air line. In several embodiments, the check valve is positioned within the extending section.

Abstract: A battery charger system, for use with an injector system, comprises a power supply and a battery pack. The power supply converts AC power to DC power. The battery pack includes a battery and a charging module. The module monitors the operating mode of the injector system. When the battery pack is disconnected from the injection control unit, the module enables the power supply to charge the battery with DC power. When the battery pack is connected to the injection control unit: (A) upon detecting the injector system in an idle mode, the module routes DC power from the power supply to both the battery for charging thereof and the injection control unit for operation thereof; and (B) upon detecting the injector system in a non-idle mode, the module prevents the power supply from charging the battery and enables the battery to provide DC power to the injection control unit.

Abstract: An adapter includes a syringe carrier adapted to seat at least a portion of the syringe. The syringe carrier includes at least one rearward facing abutmer member to abut at least one forward facing surface on a syringe. The syringe carrie includes an opening therein to allow a drive member of an injector to communicate forward force to the plunger through abutment without connective engagement between the drive member and the plunger. The adapter further includes a releasable mounting mechanism positioned to the rear of the syringe carrier to mount the adapter in a desired position relative to the front wall of the injector. An adapter includes a first section and a second section that are rotatable relative to each other about a hinge axis generally perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the adapter.