Adapters, adapter systems and method for use in connection with powered injectors for agitation of multi-component fluids

Abstract

An adapter for use with a powered injector imparts agitating motion to a syringe, which is connectable to the powered injector. The powered injector includes a drive member to impart motion to a plunger slidably disposed within the syringe. The adapter includes an injector attachment mechanism to attach the adapter to the powered injector and a syringe interface to attach the syringe to the adapter. The adapter preferably further includes an intermediate drive member having a drive attachment to attach the intermediate drive member to the drive member of the powered injector and a plunger attachment member to attach the intermediate drive member to the syringe plunger. The intermediate drive member is operable to translate motion of the drive member of the powered injector to the syringe plunger. The adapter also includes at least one powered agitator to provide agitating motion the syringe interface.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10 / 316,379 filed on Dec. 11, 2002, and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60 / 343,075, filed on Dec. 20, 2002, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates generally to creation and maintenance of multi-component fluids, and, especially, to adapters, adapter systems and methods of using adapters in connection with powered injectors for agitation of multi-component injection fluids. [0003] In a number of medical procedures, it is desirable to inject a multi-component injection medium into a patient. An example of such a medical procedure is ultrasound imaging. [0004] Ultrasound imaging creates images of the inside of the human body by broadcasting ultrasonic energy into the body and analyzing the reflected ultrasound energy. Differences in reflected energy (for example ampli...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0021] Unlike currently available agitation devices, systems and methods for agitating multi-component injection fluids, the adapters, systems and methods of the present invention do not require specific, dedicated and / or redesigned powered injectors. To the contrary, the adapters, systems and methods of the present invention can be used with virtually any currently available powered injector to add the capability to that injector to impart agitating motion to a syringe. The adapters, systems and methods of the present invention thereby provide a substantial improvement in the art. For example, operating personnel can continue to use existing powered injectors with which they have become acquainted, increasing operator efficiency and safety of operation as compared to deployment of a new injectors or injector systems. Moreover, the adapters of the present invention can provide cost savings as compared to deployment of new injectors or injector systems.

Problems solved by technology

Even though such spheres have a shell that is hard compared to a liquid, they are very small and relatively fragile.

If there are too few particles in a region of interest, for example, there is insufficient image contrast and the diagnosis cannot be made.

If too many particles are present, too much energy is reflected, resulting in blooming or saturation of the ultrasound receiver.

However, the small bubbles desired for image enhancement will also rise slowly.

If the concentration of particles changes over the volume of fluid, the image contrast will degrade.

Images