Abstract: An integrated radiopharmaceutical patient treatment system is disclosed including a patient support platform with an associated patient stimulus apparatus, an imager proximate the patient support platform, a radiopharmaceutical fluid delivery system for infusing a radiopharmaceutical fluid into a patient, a patient monitor to be associated with a patient, and an integrated system controller operably associated with the patient stimulus apparatus, imager, radiopharmaceutical fluid delivery system, and patient monitor to control and coordinate their operations. Within the patient treatment system the radiopharmaceutical fluid delivery system may be included comprising a radionuclide supply module, a radiopharmaceutical processing module, a quality control module, a patient injection module, and a controller. A hazardous fluid handling system including a docking station and a hazardous fluid transport device adapted to detachably dock with the docking station is further disclosed.

Abstract: A system for injecting fluid to a patient is provided. The system provides manual or automatic verification and identification of the fluid to be injected, prior to, during or after injection. The system includes: a fluid having at least one active compound and at least one tracer compound; an injector configured to deliver the fluid to the patient through a fluid path set; at least one sensor coupled to at least one of the syringe, the injector, or the patient, configured to measure at least one property of the tracer in the fluid, and a feedback path to adjust at least one injection parameter of the injector based on at least one measurement from the at least one sensor.

Abstract: Methods and systems for diluting a dose of a substance to be delivered to a patient and for determining a maximum deliverable dose of the substance and/or a partial fluid volume to be delivered to the patient to provide a desired dose amount are provided. The method includes the step of providing a first substance within a fluid reservoir having an initial unit value. The method also includes diluting the first substance with a second substance to produce the diluted solution. Once the first substance is diluted, a total volume (VTotal) of the diluted solution is measured. A concentration of the diluted solution is then calculated based on the initial unit value and the total volume (VTotal). A fluid delivery system including a fluid reservoir and fluid delivery device, which is configured to perform the method, is also provided.

Abstract: Methods and systems for controlled administration of a tracer and quantification of uptake of the tracer by a target organ are described. The method includes administering a tracer to a patient and imaging at least two regions of the patient's body that cannot be imaged simultaneously. An input function for the tracer can be determined by imaging a first region of the patient's body during selected times, and using an injector to administer the tracer in a manner that accurately estimates the input function when this first region is not being imaged. One or more additional regions of the body may then be imaged to create data that may be used to estimate the input function. One or more parameters may then be estimated from each additional region of the body based on the input function and the imaging data gathered from each region.

Abstract: A system which includes a pressurizing mechanism to pressurize a fluid including a contrast enhancement agent for delivery to a patient and a control system in operative connection with the pressurizing mechanism. The control system includes a system to adjust control of fluid injection based upon a measurement of renal function of the patient.

Abstract: A device for delivery of a radiopharmaceutical and delivery of a pharmaceutical agent are described. Various other components for delivery systems including tubing management systems, primer caps, diffusion chambers, radiation shields and syringe shields, needle handles, and other devices and methods are also described. Specifically, needle handles having a needle handle body attachable to a portion of a needle, and one or more wings or fins which are grasped by a user are described. The needle handle may be separated from the needle after insertion of the needle into a subject, and/or may provide access to a portion of tubing extending from the needle.

Abstract: A fluid delivery system includes a first container configured for storing a first fluid therein and a second container configured for storing a second fluid therein, wherein the second fluid is different from the first fluid. The fluid delivery system further includes at least one pump configured for delivering under pressure one or both of the first and second fluids. At least one valve is provided for selectively delivering one or both of the first and second fluids to the pump. The first and second containers, the pump, and the valve are contained within a cartridge that is removably insertable into a cartridge carrier of the fluid delivery system.

Abstract: A device for delivery of a radiopharmaceutical and delivery of a pharmaceutical agent are described. Various other components for delivery systems including tubing management systems, primer caps, diffusion chambers, radiation shields and syringe shields, needle handles, and other devices and methods are also described. Specifically, needle handles having a needle handle body attachable to a portion of a needle, and one or more wings or fins which are grasped by a user are described. The needle handle may be separated from the needle after insertion of the needle into a subject, and/or may provide access to a portion of tubing extending from the needle.

Abstract: A hazardous fluid handling system which includes a housing having a radiation shielded internal chamber disposed therein which may accommodate a container holding a radioactive fluid, one or more radioactivity detectors positioned within the shielded internal chamber in operational proximity to the radioactive fluid in the container, and a dosimeter control device electronically coupled to the radioactivity detector(s) is disclosed. The dosimeter control device is operational for determining information regarding the radioactive fluid in the container based on individual measurements received from the one or more radioactivity detectors. The hazardous fluid handling system may be integrated into a patient support platform which includes a patient stimulus apparatus, an imager proximate the patient support platform, a radiopharmaceutical fluid delivery system for infusing a radiopharmaceutical fluid into a patient, a patient monitor to be associated with the patient, and an integrated system controller.

Abstract: Vial containers including a collar which is attached to a vial or incorporated into a vial cap, a cap designed to receive a portion of the collar while covering the vial, and a container designed to receive a portion of the collar and encase the body of the vial are described herein. The collar, generally, includes a means for reversibly attaching to the cap and container.

Abstract: A syringe includes a barrel having a proximal end, a distal end, and a sidewall extending between the proximal end and the distal end along a longitudinal axis. At least one syringe retaining member protrudes radially outwardly relative to an outer surface of the sidewall. The at least one syringe retaining member tapers axially in a direction from the distal end toward the proximal end. The at least one syringe retaining member is configured for selective engagement with a locking mechanism on a fluid injector to releasably lock the syringe with the fluid injector. A taper of the at least one syringe retaining member is configured to rotationally guide the syringe into alignment with the locking mechanism.

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: Vial containers including a collar which is attached to a vial or incorporated into a vial cap, a cap designed to receive a portion of the collar while covering the vial, and a container designed to receive a portion of the collar and encase the body of the vial are described herein. The collar, generally, includes a means for reversibly attaching to the cap and container.

Abstract: A configurable fluid delivery system and methods for its use are disclosed. The system may include one or more control units, fluid delivery units, fluid actuator units, and disposable units. Data sources and sensors on each of the delivery units, actuator units, and disposable units may provide data to the control unit, thereby identifying the components along with the manner in which they may be configured. The control unit may notify a user regarding the status of any one or more of the delivery, actuator, and disposable units to indicate their appropriateness for delivering a fluid according to one or more selected procedures and protocols. Also disclosed are methods by which the configurable fluid delivery system may provide data to a user to assist the user in assembling and testing a particular configuration of the fluid delivery system for a specific use.

Abstract: A syringe shield used for containing radioactive drugs in order to reduce healthcare provider's exposure to radiation or to reduce or eliminate ambient light contamination to optically sensitive components in a syringe is described.

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 syringe includes a barrel having a proximal end, a distal end, and a sidewall extending between the proximal end and the distal end along a longitudinal axis. At least one syringe retaining member protrudes radially outwardly relative to an outer surface of the sidewall. The at least one syringe retaining member tapers axially in a direction from the distal end toward the proximal end. The at least one syringe retaining member is configured for selective engagement with a locking mechanism on a fluid injector to releasably lock the syringe with the fluid injector. A taper of the at least one syringe retaining member is configured to rotationally guide the syringe into alignment with the locking mechanism.

Abstract: A syringe shield useful for containing a syringe loaded with radioactive and/or light sensitive drugs is disclosed. The syringe shield may reduce a healthcare provider's exposure to radiation and/or may reduce or eliminate ambient light contamination to optically sensitive components in the syringe.

Abstract: Various methods for optimizing coating of medical devices, such as balloon catheters are disclosed. One method configures catheter balloon folds based on balloon diameter and volume. Other methods include using a specifically-sized protective sheath, using a vacuum, using pressure, pulling the balloon through a coating solution, using at least one spacer or a wick between at least one fold for metering a therapeutic coating into the folds of the balloon, placing an intermediate layer between the balloon and the therapeutic coating, placing a soluble film having a therapeutic agent around the catheter balloon or inside the folds, and any combination thereof. Balloon catheters and catheter balloons having a specific folding configuration, a specifically-sized protective sheath, an intermediate layer, or a soluble film are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for delivering fluid to a patient includes a container suitable for holding a fluid and an enclosure to shield the fluid. The system further includes a pump device capable of pumping fluid from the container and delivering the fluid to the patient, and the container adapted to be attachable to the pump device.