Medrad, Inc.

John Gardner

Jeffrey Thompson

Steven C Rygg

Scott R Griffith

Ronald Barbati

Douglas Mark Zatezalo

Doug Zatezalo

Michael A Spohn

Alan D Hirschman

David M Griffiths

Thomas P Joyce

Francis J Sciulli, Jr

Bruno Fazi, Jr

Richard G Critchlow

Frank A Lazzaro

Salvatore J Dedola

Paul Reynolds

William J Nolan

Michael G Frazier

An injector system for injection of a fluid medium into a patient within an electromagnetic isolation area. The injector system includes a powered injector, a system controller therefor, and a plurality of communication units. The powered injector is positioned within the isolation area. A first communication unit integral with the powered injector enables the first communication unit and the powered injector to be moved as a unit. The system controller is positioned outside the isolation area and has a second communication unit integral therewith. An intermediate communication unit ensures communication between the first and the second communication units and therethrough between the powered injector and the system controller using an authentication technique therewith. The first, second and intermediate communication units are adapted to communicate by transmission of radio frequency (RF) energy. The RF energy is chosen to avoid interfering with the operation of MRI scanners.

Communication systems for use with magnetic resonance imaging systems

A fluid injection arrangement in the context of patient imaging systems, in which phases of contrast medium injection and flushing medium injection can be freely and selectably ordered as to make available to the operator and patient a vast array of possible protocols that has hitherto been essentially unattainable. The arrangement provides a programmable KVO phase and the ability to program a first phase of injection procedure as a flushing medium phase.

Apparatus and method for programming a KVO phase and a first phase of an injection procedure as a flushing medium phase

An injector for use in injecting a fluid in a medical injection procedure includes a drive mechanism to pressurize the fluid; a sensor to measure a variable that is proportional to fluid pressure (that is, a direct or indirect measurement of fluid pressure); and a pressure monitor (for example, including hardwired circuitry and/or software) in communication with the sensor and the drive mechanism to stop the injection procedure when the sensor measures a value of the variable that corresponds to a pressure hazard limit. Preferably, the pressure monitor further limits power input to the drive mechanism to a power limit once the variable reaches a value that corresponds to a power limiting pressure that is below the pressure hazard limit.

Injectors, injector systems and injector control

A fluid injection arrangement, particularly involving a systematic fluid injection programming capability, in the context of patient imaging systems, in which phases of contrast medium infection and flushing medium injection can be freely and selectably ordered so as to make available to the operator and patient a vast array of possible protocols than has hitherto been essentially unattainable. Also contemplated is the use of a &ldquo;hold&rdquo; phase, involving an indefinite pause between phases of a protocol, in connection with such imaging systems. Further contemplated is the use of a &ldquo;pause&rdquo; phase in which a pause of fixed duration is pre-programmed into the protocols of MRI Injector systems.

Programmable injector control

A fluid injection arrangement, in the context of patient imaging systems, in which phases of contrast medium injection and flushing medium injection can be freely and selectably ordered so as to make available to the operator and patient a vast array of possible protocols that has hitherto been essentially unattainable. Also contemplated is the use of a &ldquo;hold&rdquo; phase, involving an indefinite pause between phases of a protocol, in connection with such imaging systems. Further contemplated is the use of a &ldquo;pause&rdquo; phase in which a pause of fixed duration is pre-programmed into the protocols of MRI injector systems.

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Wexford, PA, United States of America

John Gardner