Medical fluid injector having a thermo-mechanical drive

Abstract

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.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates generally to drives for powered medical fluid injectors, and more particularly to a thermo-mechanical drive for such injectors. Background technique [0002] This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of art that may be related to various aspects of the invention that are described and / or claimed below. This section of the Discussion is useful to provide the reader with background information to facilitate a better understanding of various aspects of the present invention. Accordingly, it should be understood that these statements should be read in this light, and not as illustrations of prior art. [0003] Power injectors are typically used to administer volumes of medical fluids, such as contrast media, into a patient prior to or during an examination of the patient with contrast equipment. Typically, the electric motor of the power injector is used to move the plunger of the syringe through th...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

For example, due to the presence of magnets and / or ferrous materials in the syringe, the syringe can be dragged and / or pulled toward the MRI machine, thereby causing injury to the patient and / or damage to the syringe and / or the MRI machine

As another example, electromagnetic fields from syringe electric motors can be picked up by the MRI machine and cause undesired artifacts in the results produced by the MRI machine

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