Liebel-Flarsheim Company LLC

Mallinckrodt, Inc.

Seabrook Medical Systems, Inc.

Liebel-Flarshiem Company

Charles S Neer

Frank M Fago

James H Goethel

Paul E Dieterlen

James R Small

David M Brooks

Gary S Wagner

Robert J Ziemba

James E Knipfer

John N Minnich

Peter F Staats

Robert G Bergen

Dane J Battiato

Pamela K Jacobs

Steve P Verdino

John Kevin Bruce

Jonathan D Gibbs

Jonathon D Gibbs

Chad M Gibson

Mitchell G Stern

Mitchell A Smith

Sean Lafferty

Elaine Borgemenke

A powerhead () of a power injector is disclosed that includes a syringe housing () that contains a capacitive fluid detector (). The capacitive fluid detector () may be operable to detect fluid within a syringe () installed on the syringe housing (). The output of the capacitive fluid detector () may be used to estimate the volume of fluid within the syringe (). The capacitive fluid detector () may include a plurality of discrete capacitors (-) arranged serially along a longitudinal axis () of the syringe (). Each of the plurality of capacitors (-) may be operable to produce an electric field extending into the syringe (). Each of the plurality of capacitors (-) may be formed on a printed circuit board ().

Injection system with capacitive sensing

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.

Hydraulic remote for a medical fluid injector

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. Additional features include using historical data to provide optimum pressure limit values during an injection protocol, a removable memory device for storing and transferring information such as injection protocols and injector statistics, and password protection of such protocols.

Powerhead of a power injection system

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.

Powerhead control in a power injection system

An injector automatic limiting of the operating pressure of the injector as determined by the selection of a flow rate; a syringe cradle having a warming capability; a purge/retract trigger for control of the injection procedure having intuitive direction (i.e., forward for injecting, reverse for filing), non-contact control transmission through the housing of an injector for an improved seal integrity, a speed lock, and/or the ability to change the concentration and/or flow rate of media or other fluid during an injection procedure; a switch to determine when the drive ram is in a 'home' position; a 'soft' on/off power switch separate from the injector; and a structure to prevent rotation of the drive ram about its axis of symmetry. Additionally, the injector system includes software for the control of various components.

Injector

A powered injector that stores energy at a low rate when not in use and delivers energy at a high rate during injection. Energy may be stored in a highly responsive energy storage device, such as a capacitor, for rapid delivery of power to the injector motor. In certain embodiments, wires connecting the powered injector to a power supply may be relatively small and inexpensive because the current and voltage loads placed on the wires are relatively low.

Injector having low input power

A medical fluid injector and methods for operation thereof. In certain embodiments, the medical fluid injector includes a medium that is expandable and contractible in response to a thermal gradient, a thermal device coupled to the medium, and a syringe interface coupled to the medium. The thermal device may include a heater, a cooler, or a combination thereof.

Medical fluid injector having a thermo-mechanical drive

An injection system () includes a sterilization port () operable to sterilize a tube set connector () inserted therein. The sterilization port () may include a single sterilization port opening () through which the tube set connector (), in an unconnected state, may be inserted. The sterilization port () may include an ultraviolet light source () capable of irradiating the tube set connector () with ultraviolet radiation when the tube set connector () is disposed within the sterilization port (). The sterilization port () may include a movable member or door () capable of closing around the inserted tube set connector () and/or a tubing () connected to the tube set connector () to reduce the amount of ultraviolet light that may escape from the sterilization port (). A sensor () may be included to determine if the tube set connector () has been inserted into the sterilization port ().

Ultraviolet tubing and tip sterilizer

A contrast media injection system 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. Additional features include using historical data to provide optimum pressure limit values during an injection protocol, a removable memory device for storing and transferring information such as injection protocols and injector statistics, and password protection of such protocols.

Growing community of inventors

Cincinnati, OH, United States of America

Charles S Neer