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 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: The invention, in one characterization, may be said to be directed to a radiopharmaceutical system. In some embodiments, the system may include a radioisotope elution component and a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag coupled to the radioisotope elution component. Other embodiments may include a radiation shielded enclosure having an interior, an exterior, and a radio-frequency identification (RFID) communication transmission passage extending between the interior and the exterior.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to systems and methods for accessing a radiation shielded enclosure at least partially made of a radiation shielding material. For example, some systems of the invention include a radiation shielded receptacle configured to receive a radiopharmaceutical and a cover that is removably disposable across an opening into the receptacle. A counter-force mechanism may be biasingly coupled to the receptacle or the cover or a combination thereof. This counter-force mechanism may be said to exhibit a range of positions including a closed position, in which the cover is disposed across the opening, and an open position, in which the opening is uncovered.

Abstract: The invention, is directed to a system including a shielded container (16), a radioisotope generator disposed within the shielded container, and an elution supply mechanism. The elution supply mechanism may include an eluant supply container (4) at least partially external to the shielded container (16), a conduit (10) extending between an inlet (20) of the radioisotope generator and an outlet (6, 8) of the eluant supply container, and an eluant visualization portal.

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: According to at least one aspect, the present invention is directed a radiation-shielding container for holding a radiopharmaceutical syringe including a needle and a syringe cap covering the needle. This radiation-shielding container is equipped with what may be characterized as a cap retainer for selectively holding the syringe cap. The syringe cap may be held by the cap retainer so that an open end of the cap is oriented for insertion of the needle into the cap. The radiopharmaceutical syringe may be used to administer a radiopharmaceutical to a patient and thereby result in what is commonly referred to as a spent radiopharmaceutical syringe. The hypodermic needle of the spent radiopharmaceutical syringe may be inserted into the syringe cap while the syringe cap is held by the cap retainer to secure the syringe cap to the syringe.

Abstract: One or more aspects of the present invention relate to syringe having an intermediate plunger that includes a one-way valve having a fluid passage define therethrough. The syringe may be utilized to sequentially inject first and second medical fluids into a patient.

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: One aspect of the present invention is directed to a system for power filling a syringe with a radiopharmaceutical from a vial while attempting to provide low exposure to radiation, and thereafter, power injecting the radiopharmaceutical. A radiation-shielded container of the system generally holds the vial. A filling and injecting device of the system generally includes a mounting structure adapted to support the syringe with a needle of the syringe located in the vial. An electromechanical drive of the system may be commanded by a control to pull a syringe plunger through a controlled motion, thereby filling the syringe.

Abstract: In one characterization, the present invention relates to a radiation-shielding assembly for holding a container having a radioactive material disposed therein. The assembly may, at least in one regard, be referred to as an elution shield and/or a dispensing shield. The assembly includes a body at least partially defining a cavity. There is at least one opening through the body into the cavity. The assembly may include a cap that at least generally hinders escape of radiation from the assembly through the opening. The cap may be releasably attached to the body in one orientation and may establish non-attached engagement with the body in another orientation. The assembly may include an adjustable spacer system for adapting the assembly for use with containers having different heights.

Abstract: The present invention relates to heat-retaining syringe jackets for reducing the cooling rate of medical fluids held inside syringes and methods of using such syringe jackets. An exemplary syringe jacket of the invention may include a material that experiences a phase transition at a phase transition temperature. Additionally or alternatively, the exemplary syringe jacket may include a material exhibiting a high specific heat.

Abstract: The present invention relates to management of information relating to medical fluids, containers therefor, and medical fluid administration devices for administering such medical fluids to patients. Data tags (e.g., RFID tags) are generally associated with containers of the invention and may be electromagnetically read from and/or written to using an electromagnetic device, for example, that may be associated with a medical fluid administration device of the invention.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical pig is used to transport a syringe containing a liquid radiopharmaceutical from a radiopharmacy to a medical facility for administration to a patient. The pharmaceutical pig includes an elongate polymer cap that is removably attached to an elongate polymer base. The elongate polymer cap includes a cap shell that completely encloses a cap shielding element and the elongate polymer base includes a base shell that completely encloses a base shielding element. Preferably the polymer utilized for the cap shell and the base shell is polycarbonate resin, e.g., LEXAN®. An inner liner is not utilized and the cap shielding element and the base shielding element, which are preferably, but not necessarily, made of lead, are completely sealed and unexposed.

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: 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 device and method for providing a suspended agent such as a contrast agent without mechanical resuspension. A volume of agent is divided into sub-volumes in a network of tubes, cells, sponges, grooves, etc. A propellant fluid flows through the network to release the suspended agent. The network may be internal to a container for the propellant fluid. Alternatively, the network may be adjacent an exit port of a container for the propellant fluid, or may be in-line between a propellant fluid container and a patient. The invention reduces sedimentation of agents into one or a few aggregates and eliminates a mechanical mixing step. The invention thus provides a uniformly suspended agent, improving patient health and safety and increasing cost and time savings.

Abstract: A hand-held remote for a medical fluid injector includes a syringe and a conduit which may be coupled to a pressure transducer on a control circuit of the injector. Movement of a plunger within a syringe body on the syringe creates a pressure which is sensed by the pressure transducer and the control circuit responds to the sensed pressure by causing fluid to be ejected from, or drawn into, a syringe mounted to the injector. The pressure developed by the remote provides tactile feedback to an operator for improved control over injections.

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.