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 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: 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 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: 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: A method and device for the simultaneous or sequential introduction of multiple fluids into the bloodstream including a multiple lumen catheter with corresponding multiple hole sets. By introducing a second fluid such as saline, the concentration and bolus of a first fluid, such as a contrast agent, can be controlled and optimized.

Abstract: An MR system features an intracavity probe and associated interface device. The probe includes a shaft, a balloon at one end thereof, and a coil loop within the balloon. The loop has 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 loop. Diametrically opposite the node, the tuning capacitor enables the loop to resonate at the operating frequency of the MR system. The interface allows the MR system to couple the loop to a port of the MR system during a receive cycle thereof and decouple it from the port during a transmit cycle thereof. With its balloon inserted and inflated within a cavity of a patient, the probe allows the MR system to generate images and/or spectra of the region of interest using the MR signals received by the loop.

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: A system for connecting a conduit to a fluid path element, includes a length of conduit, a compressible sealing element positioned on a distal end of the length of conduit to be attached to the fluid path element, a first cooperating connector positioned around the length of conduit proximal to the sealing element and a second cooperating connector. The first cooperating connector includes a first cooperating connection mechanism and the second cooperating connector includes a second cooperating connection mechanism. The first cooperating connection mechanism and the second cooperating connection mechanism are adapted to form a connection between the first cooperating connector and the second cooperating connector. The connection causes the compression of the sealing element. The second cooperating connector further includes a passage therein in fluid connection with a connection for the fluid path element.

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 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 method of coordinating an imaging procedure and an injection procedure, the method comprising the steps of providing an injector system having first and second pressurizing units for pressurizing a contrast medium and a diluent for injection into a patient; providing an imaging system for producing an image of an internal region of the patient from a signal resulting from energy applied to the patient; and providing a data interface interconnecting the injector and imaging systems for enabling exchange of digital information therebetween such that the digital information transmitted between the systems is usable to enable closed loop control of at least one of the injection and the imaging procedures during which the contrast medium and the diluent injected into the patient is adjustable so as to achieve a desired level of enhancement within the internal region of the patient of which the images are acquired during the imaging procedure.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods towards improved diagnosis and therapy in connection with central venous catheters (including PICC lines). Included among the many improvements broadly contemplated herein are: arrangements via which a venous catheter can move passively into position in central venous circulation; arrangements via which a catheter can be actively guided without the use of a needle or guide wire; arrangements via which a catheter can be packaged to facilitate easy, rapid, and positionally accurate deployment by medical personnel while maintaining device sterility; and arrangements via which a catheter tip can be imaged during and after insertion.

Abstract: A system for delivering a fluid comprising cells to tissue of a patient, includes: a least a first container for holding an injection fluid in which the agent is carried; a first powered drive in operative connection with the container, the first powered drive being operable to pressurize contents of the container; a control system in operative connection with the first powered drive and operative to control the first powered drive; a fluid path in fluid connection with the container, the fluid path including a patient interface adapted to deposit the cells within tissue of the patient; a sensor system; and a communication system in connection with at least the control system and the sensor system. The communication system is adapted to provide information to the control system. The control system in adapted to transmit a control signal to at least the first powered drive based at least in part on information provided to the control system. The cells can for example be pregenitor cells or stem cells.

Abstract: A system for dispensing a medium includes at least a first container to hold the medium, a pressurizing device, such as a pump, in fluid connection with the container for pressurizing the medium, and an agitation mechanism or device to maintain the components of the medium in a mixed state. The container and the pressurizing device can be separate units, as in the case of an bag or bottle in fluid connection with a peristaltic or other type of pump. The container and the pump can also be combined in a single unit, as in the case of a syringe, wherein the syringe barrel of the syringe acts to contain the medium and the syringe plunger pressurizes the medium within the syringe barrel. A method of injecting a multi-component medium includes the step of agitating the medium (for example, as described above) before or during an injection procedure to maintain the components of the medium in a mixed state.

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: A system for dispensing a medium includes at least a first container to hold the medium, a pressurizing device, such as a pump, in fluid connection with the container for pressurizing the medium, and an agitation mechanism or device to maintain the components of the medium in a mixed state. The container and the pressurizing device can be separate units, as in the case of an bag or bottle in fluid connection with a peristaltic or other type of pump. The container and the pump can also be combined in a single unit, as in the case of a syringe, wherein the syringe barrel of the syringe acts to contain the medium and the syringe plunger pressurizes the medium within the syringe barrel. A method of injecting a multi-component medium includes the step of agitating the medium (for example, as described above) before or during an injection procedure to maintain the components of the medium in a mixed state.

Abstract: The plunger systems for use in an injector-actuated syringe of the present invention include a dynamic wedge seal which improves the sealing engagement between the plunger cover and syringe barrel, and flexible capture members extending from the rear surface of the plunger which permit the engagement and disengagement of the plunger from the injector drive means at any plunger position within the syringe. Further, the plunger systems include a contrast saving tip which expells the injection liquid from the syringe tip.

Abstract: A fluid delivery system for delivery of an injection fluid to a patient generally includes a first pump system, a second pump system, a patient interface in removable fluid connection with the first and second pump systems, and a fluid path in fluid connection between the first and second pump systems and the patient interface. The fluid path preferably includes a housing member defining a first inlet, a second inlet and an outlet. The first and second pump systems are placed in fluid connection with the respective first and second inlets of the housing member and the patient interface is placed in removable fluid connection with the outlet of the housing member. A first check valve is in fluid connection between an outlet of the first pump system and the first inlet of the housing member, and a second check valve is in fluid connection between an outlet of the second pump system and the second inlet of the housing member.

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.