Syringe fluid delivery test system

Abstract

A disclosed example syringe test system includes a camera configured to view a needle of a syringe; and control circuitry configured to: determine a duration of fluid delivery by the injector based on the image captured by the camera; and determining a needle extension length at the beginning of fluid delivery by the syringe based on the image captured by the camera.

Description

[0001] Related Applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63 / 586,151, entitled “INJECTOR FLUID DELIVERY TESTING SYSTEMS,” filed on September 28, 2023. The entire contents of U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 63 / 586,151 are expressly incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure relates generally to injection device testing and, more particularly, to syringe fluid delivery testing systems. Background Art

[0004] The injection testing system may test one or more aspects of an injection device, including an autoinjector, such as cap removal force, plunger actuation force, injection depth, needle retraction, and / or delivered dose. Summary of the invention

[0005] There is disclosed a syringe fluid delivery test system substantially as shown and described by at least one of the accompanying drawings, as more fully set forth in the claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present disclosure will be better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

[0007] Figure 1 is an example injection testing system for performing fluid delivery testing of an injection device in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0008] Figure 2 is a block diagram of an example injection testing system in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0009] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 A front elevation view of an example implementation of elements of an injection testing system.

[0010] Figure 4 It is shown that before actuating the syringe, Figure 2 and Figure 3 Example images captured by the camera.

[0011] Figure 5 It is shown that after the needle of the syringe is extended and before fluid delivery begins, Figure 2 and Figure 3 Example images captured by the camera.

[0012] Figure 6 Demonstrated that during fluid delivery by syringe Figure 2 and Figure 3 Example images captured by the camera.

[0013] Figure 7 Demonstrated that when the last drop of fluid adhering to the needle at the end of fluid delivery by syringe can be Figure 2 and Figure 3 Example images captured by the camera.

[0014] Figure 8 shows that after the last drop of fluid is blown away from the needle, Figure 2 and Figure 3 Example images captured by the camera.

[0015] Fig. 9A and Fig. 9B A flow chart representing an example method for performing measurements during fluid delivery by a syringe is presented.

[0016] The drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. Where appropriate, similar or identical reference numerals are used to represent similar or identical components. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] Injection needle testing devices that measure the dose delivered by an injection needle (particularly by an autoinjector) include a flask or other container positioned to capture and measure fluid expelled from the needle. Some tests involve determining or verifying that a specified amount of fluid is delivered and / or that the fluid is delivered to a specific depth (e.g., relative to a predetermined point on the syringe).

[0018] Conventional methods of measuring the amount of fluid delivered involve determining the start and end of fluid delivery by measuring the change in mass using a scale. For example, a collection container captures the expelled fluid, and the scale is repeatedly monitored to determine when a change in mass occurs (indicating fluid is expelled from the syringe).

[0019] Conventional methods of determining whether fluid has been delivered to a particular depth include placing a membrane at or near a threshold depth such that fluid delivered by a syringe beyond the target depth is prevented by the membrane from being collected for measurement.

[0020] The conventional techniques discussed above are costly and time consuming to implement, at least in part because the membranes may need to be replaced and / or positioned periodically. Additionally, monitoring of fluid delivery via mass measurement may be relatively inaccurate.

[0021] The disclosed example injection fluid delivery test system and method provide a more reliable and accurate syringe fluid delivery test by analyzing an image of a syringe needle. The disclosed example system and method measure the needle extension length and detect the start and stop of fluid expulsion from the syringe needle. By using a camera to measure the needle length, the disclosed example system and method can determine the needle extension length at the beginning of fluid delivery, and can monitor the needle extension length throughout the duration of fluid delivery without the need for membranes involved in conventional methods.

[0022] Additionally, the disclosed example systems and methods enable traceability of results by storing images captured at specified points during the test and / or used to determine specified events during the test and / or associating the images with the test results. Examples of such specified points or events may include starting actuation before fluid delivery begins, detecting the start of fluid delivery, detecting the end of fluid delivery, intermediate start and / or stop of fluid delivery, and / or detecting the last drop of fluid.

[0023] The terms "expelling" and "delivering" are used interchangeably herein with respect to the output of a fluid from the needle of a syringe.

[0024] The disclosed example syringe testing system includes: a camera configured to observe a needle of a syringe; and a control circuit system configured to: determine the duration of fluid delivery by the syringe based on an image captured by the camera; and determine the extension length of the needle at the beginning of fluid delivery by the syringe based on the image captured by the camera.

[0025] Some example syringe testing systems further include a positioning surface configured to contact the body of the syringe and having an orifice through which the needle extends. In some example syringe testing systems, the control circuit system is configured to determine the needle extension length based on the position of the positioning surface, the position of the body, or a predetermined point. Some example syringe testing systems further include a syringe positioner configured to position the syringe to contact the positioning surface. Some example syringe testing systems further include a syringe actuator configured to actuate the syringe to discharge the fluid of the syringe via the needle.

[0026] In some example syringe testing systems, the control circuit system is configured to determine the duration of fluid delivery based on at least one of counting the number of frames in which the fluid is observed in the image or monitoring the time when the fluid is observed in the image. In some example syringe testing systems, the control circuit system is configured to analyze the image captured by the camera to detect at least one of the beginning of the fluid delivery duration or the end of the fluid delivery duration based on detecting the presence of a fluid stream discharged from the needle. Some example syringe testing systems further include a blow-off nozzle configured to direct gas toward the needle, wherein the control circuit system is configured to control the blow-off nozzle to direct gas toward the needle based on detecting the end of the fluid stream.

[0027] Some example syringe testing systems further include a scale configured to measure the mass of the expelled fluid. In some example syringe testing systems, the control circuit system is configured to control the scale to determine the mass of the expelled fluid after controlling the blow-off nozzle to direct the gas toward the needle. In some example syringe testing systems, the control circuit system is configured to determine whether the syringe meets a predetermined injection criterion based on whether the fluid delivery duration meets a threshold.

[0028] In some example syringe testing systems, the control circuit system is configured to determine whether the syringe meets the predetermined injection criteria based on whether the needle extension length at the start time is at least a threshold length. Some example syringe testing systems further include a second camera configured to record video of the needle of the syringe.

[0029] In some example syringe testing systems, the control circuit system is configured to determine the needle measurement position based on a predetermined search area within an image captured by the camera. In some example syringe testing systems, the control circuit system is configured to determine the fluid delivery duration as the total observed fluid delivery time or the total time from start to end. In some example syringe testing systems, the control circuit system is configured to monitor the needle extension length from the start time to the end time based on the image captured by the camera.

[0030] In some example syringe testing systems, the control circuit system is configured to determine the duration of fluid delivery by determining at least one of a start time or a start image frame when fluid begins to be expelled from the needle based on an image captured by the camera; and determining at least one of an end time or an end image frame when the needle has completed fluid expulsion based on an image captured by the camera. In some example syringe testing systems, the control circuit system is configured to determine the needle extension length by determining a measured position of the needle relative to a reference position at the start of fluid delivery based on an image captured by the camera.

[0031] In some example syringe testing systems, the control circuit system is configured to determine whether the syringe meets the predetermined injection criteria based on the duration and the needle extension length at the start of fluid delivery. In some example syringe testing systems, the control circuit system is configured to determine whether the syringe meets the predetermined injection criteria further based on whether the needle extension length between the start of fluid delivery and the end of fluid delivery meets a threshold length.

[0032] Figure 1 is an example injection testing system 100 for performing tests on an injection device, such as an autoinjector 102. The example injection testing system 100 may be configured, for example, to perform some or all tests to evaluate the requirements of the ISO 11608-5 standard. The example injection testing system 100 may be, for example, a general purpose testing system configured for injection testing.

[0033] Figure 1 The example injection testing system 100 includes: (multiple) positioning devices (e.g., for positioning the automatic injector 102 in one or more positions and / or orientations for automatic testing); (multiple) actuators (e.g., for actuating components of the automatic injector 102, for actuating (multiple) positioning devices, for positioning and / or orienting the test device, etc.); and / or sensors for measuring various aspects of the automatic injector 102 during testing (e.g., load sensors for measuring (multiple) actuation forces, auditory sensors for detecting audible events, mass scales for measuring the expelled dose, displacement sensors and / or position sensors for triggering test steps and / or for measuring displacement of components of the automatic injector 102, etc.). The example injection testing system 100 further includes one or more user interface devices, such as a display 104 and an input device 106.

[0034] Figure 2 is a block diagram of an example injection test system 200 including an injection needle blow-off device. The example injection test system 200 may be used to implement Figure 1 Some or all components of the injection testing system 100.

[0035] The example injection testing system 200 includes a syringe positioner 202, a syringe actuator 204, an injection collector 206, and a control circuit system 208. The syringe positioner 202 positions and / or orients a syringe 210 (e.g., an automatic syringe) to perform one or more tests in the injection testing system 200. For example, the syringe positioner 202 can grasp the syringe 210 and move and / or rotate the syringe 210 to perform the test. The position of the syringe positioner 202 and / or the syringe 210 can be measured by one or more displacement sensors 212, which provide displacement and / or position information to the control circuit system 208.

[0036] The syringe actuator 204 actuates one or more aspects of the syringe 210, such as a plunger or other injection mechanism of the syringe 210. The force applied by the syringe actuator 204 may be measured by a force sensor 214, which provides the force measurements to the control circuitry 208.

[0037] The syringe collector 206 includes a positioning surface (e.g., a positioning plate 216), a blow-off nozzle 218, and a collection container 220. The collection container 220 and the syringe 210 are positioned so that when the syringe 210 is actuated to discharge the fluid contained in the syringe 210, the fluid is discharged into the collection container 220. The collection sensor 222 measures the mass and / or volume collected in the collection container 220 and provides the mass or volume measurement results to the control circuit system 208. An example collection sensor 222 can be a scale, which can be calibrated for the presence of the collection container 220.

[0038] The positioning plate 216 allows the needle 224 of the syringe 210 to extend through the positioning plate 216 toward the collection container 220. The positioning plate 216 can block the body of the syringe 210 from extending through the positioning plate 216 using an orifice that is appropriately sized for the needle 224 and the body of the syringe 210. To test the dispensing of the contained fluid, the syringe positioner 202 can position the syringe 210 to contact or abut the positioning plate 216 so that the needle 224 extends through the orifice of the positioning plate 216. When the syringe 210 is positioned, the syringe 210 can be actuated (e.g., manually or automatically via the syringe actuator 204) to expel the contents of the syringe 210 into the collection container 220.

[0039] While the examples disclosed herein use the positioning plate 216 as a loading surface, other examples may use a different type of loading surface against which the syringe 210 may be actuated to expose the needle 224 and / or expel the contents of the syringe 210. For example, a rod or other structural member may be used that is positioned to contact the body of the syringe 210 on the top side of the loading surface and avoid obstructing the needle 224. In some such examples, the blow-off nozzle 218 may be coupled to another surface within the syringe collector 206 adjacent to the bottom side of the loading surface and / or adjacent to the location of the needle 224, or otherwise be adjustably supported.

[0040] When the actuation of the syringe 210 is completed, the blow-off nozzle 218 is controlled to blow the last drop of fluid from the needle tip or near it into the collection container 220. The gas supply device 226 provides gas, such as nitrogen or air, to the blow-off nozzle 218. The gas supply device 226 can be, for example, a compressed gas source, a pneumatic pump or a blower. The blow-off nozzle 218 can be positioned and / or oriented to adjust the position of the blow-off gas impacting the needle 224, and / or can be positioned and / or oriented to cause the blow-off gas to impact the needle 224 over a certain range of needle lengths. In some examples, the blow-off nozzle 218 is omitted.

[0041] The example control circuit system 208 can be a general purpose computer, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, and / or any other type of processing system configured to communicate with the sensors and actuators of the injection test system 200. For example, the control circuit system 208 includes a processor 228, a memory 230, and a storage device 232. The example processor 228 can be any general purpose central processing unit (CPU) from any manufacturer. In some other examples, the processor 228 can include one or more special processing units, such as a RISC processor with an ARM core, a graphics processing unit, a digital signal processor, and / or a system on a chip (SoC). The processor 228 executes machine-readable instructions 234, which can be stored locally at the processor (e.g., in an included cache or SoC), stored in a memory (e.g., a random access memory or other volatile memory, a read-only memory, or other non-volatile memory such as flash memory), and / or stored in a storage device 232. The example storage device 232 can be a hard disk drive, a solid state storage drive, a hybrid drive, a RAID array, and / or any other mass data storage device.

[0042] The control circuit system 208 communicates with one or more cameras 236. An example camera 236 is a digital camera that can have at least a threshold frame rate to facilitate determining fluid delivery time with at least a threshold accuracy. The one or more cameras 236 are arranged to view the needle 224, including the range of needle extension lengths that can be used by the syringe 210. In some examples, a first camera captures still images at a predetermined rate and / or in response to an event, and a second camera captures video at a predetermined frame rate.

[0043] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 2 is a front elevation view of an example implementation of elements of an injection testing system 200. Figure 32 and 3. The needle 224 of the syringe 210 and the camera 236 are shown, wherein the camera 236 is arranged to observe the extension of the needle 224 (e.g., the extension of the needle occurs within the field of view 302 of the camera 236). The body 225 of the syringe 210 is shown in contact with the positioning plate 216. The upper surface 304 of the positioning plate 216 provides the positioning surface. The body 225 of the syringe 210 is in contact with the upper surface 304 to provide a consistent measurement position for different types of syringes.

[0044] Based on the images captured by the camera 236, the control circuit system 208 determines the duration of the fluid delivery by the syringe 210 and determines the needle extension length at the beginning of the fluid delivery by the syringe 210. For example, the control circuit system 208 can implement machine vision technology to identify and measure the needle 224 and / or the fluid 306 discharged from the needle 224 from the images (e.g., video frames) captured by the camera 236.

[0045] To detect and / or measure needle 224, control circuit system 208 may first determine a background image. For example, a background of screen 308 may be positioned within field of view 302. Screen 308 may be light or dark, or a light source, to provide a desired contrast with needle 224 and / or fluid 306. Figure 4 It is shown that before the syringe 210 is actuated, Figure 2 and Figure 3 4. Example image 400 captured by camera 236 of FIG. 4. Image 400 may be a filtered version of an image generated by camera 236, such as to reduce coloring, enhance or reduce contrast, sharpen or blur edges, and / or perform any other desired filtering.

[0046] The example image 400 includes a background 402, a detected reference location 404, and a detected measurement location 406. The background 402 is based on the screen 308. The detected reference location 404 can be identified by the control circuit system 208 by using a user-defined area and / or by observing and identifying the positioning plate 216, the body 225 of the syringe 210, and / or any other reference point or positioning surface in the image 400.

[0047] The detected measurement position 406 is determined by the control circuit system 208 based on the image 400. In the example image 400, the needle 224 is not observed within the image (e.g., because the needle 224 has not yet been extended from the syringe 210). As discussed below, the control circuit system 208 updates the measurement position 406 in response to detecting the needle 224, such as a predetermined feature of the needle (e.g., a tip of the needle 224, an opening of the needle 224, etc.).

[0048] The control circuit system 208 may search for the needle measurement position within a predetermined needle search area 408 within the image generated by the camera 236. The needle search area 408 may be a user-selected, calibrated, determined via machine learning, and / or otherwise determined area within the image captured by the camera 236. The control circuit system 208 may use the needle search area 408 to search exclusively for the needle 224 or primarily for the needle 224. In some examples, in the absence of a needle 224 being detected, the control circuit system 208 sets or calculates the measurement position 406 to a predetermined point in the image 400 and / or a predetermined point of the needle search area 408 (e.g., the top of the needle search area 408). The measurement position may be a predetermined position, a marked position on the needle 224, and / or a calculated point on the needle 224 whose length is measured relative to the reference position 404.

[0049] To determine the duration of the fluid delivery by the syringe 210, the control circuit system 208 determines the start of the fluid delivery and the end of the fluid delivery. For example, the fluid delivery may be identified in the image and / or distinguished from the needle 224 based on the amount of contrast between the fluid and the background. While the needle 224 may have a higher contrast with the background, the fluid 306 may have a smaller, but still identifiable, contrast with the background.

[0050] Figure 5 It is shown that after the needle 224 of the syringe 210 is extended and before the fluid delivery begins, it can be Figure 2 and Figure 3 4. In the example image 500, the control circuit system 208 detects the needle 224 based on the contrast between the needle 224 and the background 402. The control circuit system 208 determines the measurement location 406 based on, for example, the lowest detection point of the needle 224 of at least a threshold width (e.g., in pixels or units of length). In some examples, the control circuit system 208 can use additional parameters to identify the object in the image 500 as the needle 224, such as having at least the threshold width at a specific point and / or at any point along the visible length of the object. In some examples, the measurement location 406 is bounded by a needle search area 408. The measurement location 406 and / or the needle search area 408 can be limited or defined based on user input indicating a nominal needle length (e.g., from manufacturer specifications, based on previous testing, etc.) and / or based on a lower limit and / or upper limit of the needle length (e.g., from manufacturer specifications, based on previous testing, etc.).

[0051] Using the measured position 406 and the reference position 404, the control circuit system 208 determines a needle extension length 410. The control circuit system 208 may repeatedly and / or continuously update the needle extension length 410 to determine the needle extension length 410 at the beginning of a fluid delivery by the needle 224 and / or to monitor the needle extension length 410 during the duration of a fluid delivery by the needle 224 and / or during the duration of an injection event.

[0052] Figure 6 It is shown that during fluid delivery by syringe 210, Figure 2 and Figure 3 402. The control circuit system 208 identifies the presence of the fluid 306, such as a droplet or a stream, in the image 600. For example, the fluid 306 can be detected based on edge detection (e.g., higher contrast at the edge of the fluid 306) and / or the contrast between the fluid 306 and the background 402.

[0053] At the first frame or image where the fluid 306 is detected, the example control circuit system 208 identifies the start of fluid delivery. The control circuit system 208 may start a timer or store an identifier (e.g., a frame number) for a particular frame. The control circuit system 208 may continue to run a timer and / or count frames while observing the fluid 306 to determine the duration of the fluid delivery.

[0054] Figure 7 The embodiment shows that when the last drop of fluid 306 adheres to the needle 224 at the end of the fluid delivery by the syringe 210, it can be Figure 2 and Figure 3 236 of the camera 236. The control circuit system 208 can detect the last drop or distinguish the last drop from the flow of fluid 306 based on the width and / or length of the fluid detected in the image 700.

[0055] In response to detecting the last drop, control circuit system 208 can trigger gas supply device 226 and / or blow-off actuator 238 to blow the last drop off needle 224, and / or can determine that fluid delivery has ended. For example, control circuit system 208 can store the frame number at which fluid delivery ends, and / or store the timer value at the end of fluid delivery. When the frame number is used in conjunction with the frame rate, control circuit system 208 can calculate the approximate time between the fluid delivery start frame and the fluid delivery end frame to determine the fluid delivery duration.

[0056] In some examples, the control circuit system 208 can identify intermediate interruptions in the fluid delivery and subtract the interruptions from the total duration to determine the total observed fluid delivery time (e.g., excluding the interruptions in the fluid delivery). In other examples, the control circuit system 208 determines the duration as the total time from the start to the end of the fluid delivery, which includes any interruptions in the fluid delivery.

[0057] Figure 8 It is shown that after the last drop of fluid is blown away from the needle 224, Figure 2 and Figure 3 Example image 800 captured by a camera of FIG. 200 . Control circuit system 208 may use the identification of the removal of the last drop of fluid as a trigger to store the measured mass (or volume) of the fluid in collection container 220 (via the collection sensor).

[0058] In some examples, the control circuit system 208 can omit the blow-off to reduce evaporation of the fluid collected in the collection container 220. In the case where the collected fluid is more susceptible to evaporation, the blow-off is omitted and in response to detecting the last drop ( Figure 7 ) triggering the measurement of the collected fluid can obtain a more accurate measurement of the fluid delivered by the syringe 210.

[0059] When the actuation of the syringe 210 and the delivery of the fluid 306 are completed, the example control circuit system 208 can compare one or more of the fluid delivery duration, the needle extension length 410 at the beginning of the fluid delivery, the needle extension length 410 during the fluid delivery duration, the delivered fluid mass and / or volume, and / or any other measured parameters with corresponding thresholds to determine whether the syringe 210 meets the predetermined injection standard. The injection standard can be specific to a specific syringe 210, and / or can be set by a standard (such as the ISO 11608-5 standard). For example, the control circuit system 208 can determine whether the calculated fluid delivery duration (whether including or excluding interruptions in the fluid delivery) meets the upper and / or lower limits of the duration. Additionally or alternatively, the control circuit system 208 can determine whether the needle extension length 410 at the beginning of the fluid delivery and / or during the fluid delivery duration meets the threshold length (e.g., minimum length, length range). The control circuit system 208 can also determine whether the delivered fluid is at least a threshold mass and / or volume.

[0060] Based on the comparison(s), control circuitry 208 may store and / or output an indication of the comparison result(s). For example, control circuitry 208 may output an alert for criteria that are not met.

[0061] In some examples, the control circuit system 208 can determine the modified dose as the dose delivered to the specified treatment area. For example, in the case where the syringe 210 begins to discharge fluid when the needle 224 is outside the treatment area, the control circuit system 208 ignores or corrects the portion of the fluid that is discharged outside the treatment area while measuring the fluid that is discharged into the treatment area. In some such examples, the control circuit system 208 obtains or determines a first timestamp when the needle 224 extends into the treatment area and associates the timestamp with the measurement obtained from the collection sensor 222. The control circuit system 208 then obtains or determines a second timestamp when the flow ends or the needle crosses out of the treatment area, and associates the second timestamp with a second measurement from the collection sensor 222. The difference between the timestamps corresponds to the delivery time, and the difference between the obtained measurements determines the fluid delivered.

[0062] Additionally or alternatively, when the test procedure begins, the control circuit system 208 controls or commands the collection sensor 222 to zero (or tare) the scale for each frame until the needle 224 steps into the treatment area (regardless of whether fluid is expelled). Then, when the flow ends or when the needle 224 leaves the treatment area, the control circuit system 208 can obtain a measurement from the collection sensor 222 to measure the expelled fluid that occurred within the treatment area.

[0063] Fig. 9A and Fig. 9B A flowchart representing example machine readable instructions 900 is shown, which may be executed by Figure 2 The control circuit system 208 executes to perform measurements during fluid delivery by the injector 210. The example instructions 900 may implement Figure 2 The instructions 234 and / or are stored in the memory 230 and / or the storage device 232 and executed by the processor 228.

[0064] At block 902, the control circuit system 208 controls the syringe positioner 202 to position the syringe 210 in contact with the positioning surface (e.g., the positioning plate 216). At block 904, the control circuit system 208 controls the syringe actuator 204 to actuate the syringe 210. For example, the syringe actuator 204 may actuate a plunger, a button, or other triggering device of the syringe 210 and / or push down the body 225 of the syringe 210 to activate a push trigger.

[0065] At block 906, the camera 236 captures image(s) of the needle 224. For example, the camera 236 may capture image(s) of the field of view 302 of the camera 236 to observe the extension of the needle 224.

[0066] At block 908, control circuit system 208 determines whether fluid discharge from needle 224 can be detected in the image. For example, control circuit system 208 can use machine vision technology to determine whether fluid 306 is observed in the image. If discharge of fluid is not detected (block 908), control returns to block 906.

[0067] If the discharge of the fluid is detected (block 908), then at block 910, the control circuit system 208 determines the needle extension length 410 at the start time of the fluid delivery. For example, the control circuit system 208 can identify the reference position 404 and the measured position 406 of the detected needle 224 based on the image (e.g., using machine vision techniques). In some examples, the control circuit system 208 can maintain an array, table, or register of the extension lengths determined for the image of the needle captured by the camera in block 906. The extension length at the start time can be determined as the most recent measurement before the fluid discharged from the needle is detected at block 908.

[0068] At block 912, control circuitry 208 starts an injection timer. The timer may be a clock or other register used to track the duration of fluid delivery by injector 210. In some other examples, control circuitry 208 may track frames instead of or in addition to running a timer.

[0069] At block 914, control circuitry 208 captures additional images via camera 236. At block 916, control circuitry 208 determines whether fluid 306 is still being expelled from needle 224 in the captured images. Block 916 may be implemented in a similar or identical manner as block 908.

[0070] If there is still fluid 306 discharged from the needle 224 in the captured image (block 916), then at block 918, the control circuit system 208 determines the extended length 410 of the needle 224. For example, the control circuit system 208 can identify the reference position 404 and the detected measurement position 406 of the needle 224 based on the image (e.g., using machine vision techniques).

[0071] At block 920, the control circuit system 208 determines whether the determined extension length of the needle 224 (block 918) is greater than the stored extension length. For example, the control circuit system 208 may store the observed maximum extension length 410 (e.g., separate from the measured initial extension length). If the determined extension length of the needle 224 is greater than the stored extension length (block 920), at block 922, the control circuit system 208 stores the extension length as the observed maximum length and returns control to block 914 to continue monitoring.

[0072] Additionally or alternatively, the control circuit system 208 determines the shortest needle extension length during the duration of fluid delivery 410. For example, the control circuit system 208 may store the observed shortest needle extension length and update the stored observed shortest needle extension length when a shorter needle extension length is observed.

[0073] Go to Fig. 9B If no more fluid 306 is discharged from the needle 224 in the captured image (e.g., the last drop is detected, or no fluid is detected) (block 916), then at block 924, the control circuit system 208 determines the extended length 410 of the needle 224 at the end time based on the image. Block 924 can be implemented in a similar manner to block 918.

[0074] In some examples, the control circuit system 208 may determine whether one or more end-of-injection criteria have been met before determining that the injection is complete and proceeding to block 924. For example, the end-of-injection criteria may include determining whether at least a threshold amount of fluid has been expelled, whether at least a threshold time (or number of frames) has passed since the initial detection of fluid cessation, and / or whether at least a threshold time (or number of frames) has passed since the injection was started (block 912), and / or any other criteria for determining that the injection is complete. Failure to meet the end criteria may cause the control circuit system 208 to revert control to block 914.

[0075] At block 926, control circuitry 208 determines the fluid delivery duration based on the end of fluid delivery detected in the image. In some other examples, control circuitry 208 may monitor the frame number of the video of camera 236 and determine the duration based on the frame number of camera 236 and a known frame rate.

[0076] At block 928, the control circuit system 208 controls the gas supply device 226 to provide gas to the (multiple) blow-off nozzles 218. For example, the blow-off nozzle 218 can blow the last drop of fluid away from the needle 224 to collect and measure the mass. The blow-off can be implemented using one or more air pulses (which can have any desired pulse length). In some other examples, the blow-off can be implemented by the blow-off actuator 238 and / or the blow-off can be omitted.

[0077] At block 930, control circuit system 208 determines whether needle blow-off is complete. For example, control circuit system 208 may determine whether the last drop is still present in the captured image. If needle blow-off is not complete (block 930), control returns to block 928. In some examples, determining the extended length at the end time (block 924) may occur after needle blow-off at block 930.

[0078] When the needle blow-off is completed (block 930), at block 932, the control circuit system 208 measures the mass of the discharged fluid (e.g., via the collection sensor 222). At block 934, the control circuit system 208 determines whether the syringe 210 meets one or more test criteria. For example, the test criteria can be compared with the start time and / or end time of fluid delivery, the duration of fluid delivery, the needle extension length at the start time, the stored maximum needle extension length (and / or the stored minimum needle extension length), and / or the measured mass. The control circuit system 208 can store and / or output (e.g., display) the results of the comparison (s).

[0079] The example instructions 900 then end.

[0080] The present method and system can be implemented with hardware, software, and / or a combination of hardware and software. The present method and / or system can be implemented in a centralized manner in at least one computing system, or in a distributed manner with different elements spread over several interconnected computing systems. Any type of computing system or other device adapted to perform the method described herein is suitable. A typical combination of hardware and software may include a general computing system with a program or other code, which controls the computing system when loaded and executed so that the computing system performs the method described herein. Another typical implementation may include a dedicated integrated circuit or chip. Some implementations may include a non-transitory machine-readable (e.g., computer-readable) medium (e.g., a flash drive, an optical disk, a magnetic storage disk, etc.), which stores one or more lines of code that can be executed by a machine, so that the machine performs the process described herein. As used herein, the term "non-transitory machine-readable medium" is defined as including all types of machine-readable storage media and excluding propagation signals.

[0081] As used herein, the terms "circuit" and "circuitry" refer to physical electronic components (i.e., hardware) and any software and / or firmware ("code") that can configure hardware, be executed by hardware, and / or otherwise be associated with hardware. As used herein, for example, a specific processor and memory may constitute a first "circuit" when executing a first line or more lines of code, and may constitute a second "circuit" when executing a second line or more lines of code. As used herein, "and / or" refers to any one or more of the multiple items in a list connected by "and / or". As an example, "x and / or y" refers to any element in a three-element set {(x), (y), (x, y)}. In other words, "x and / or y" refers to "one or both of x and y". As another example, "x, y, and / or z" refers to any element in a seven-element set {(x), (y), (z), (x, y), (x, z), (y, z), (x, y, z)}. In other words, "x, y, and / or z" refers to "one or more of x, y, and z". As used herein, the term "exemplary" means serving as a non-limiting example, instance, or illustration. As used herein, the terms "such as" and "for example" introduce a list of one or more non-limiting examples, instances, or illustrations. As used herein, a circuit system is "operable" to perform a function as long as the circuit system includes the necessary hardware and code (if necessary) to perform the function, regardless of whether the performance of the function is disabled or not enabled (e.g., by a user-configurable setting, a factory adjustment, etc.).

[0082] Although the present method and / or system has been described with reference to certain embodiments, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the scope of the present method and / or system. For example, the frames and / or components of the disclosed examples may be combined, divided, rearranged and / or otherwise modified. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt specific circumstances or materials to the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the present method and / or system is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed. On the contrary, the present method and / or system will include all embodiments that fall within the scope of the appended claims, whether literally or according to the principle of equivalents.

Claims

1. A syringe testing system, comprising: a camera configured to view a needle of a syringe; as well as A control circuit system, the control circuit system being configured to: determining a duration of fluid delivery by the syringe based on images captured by the camera; as well as A needle extension length at the start of fluid delivery by the syringe is determined based on the image captured by the camera. 2 . The syringe testing system of claim 1 , further comprising a locating surface configured to contact a body of the syringe and having an aperture through which the needle extends.

3. The syringe testing system of claim 2, wherein: The control circuit system is configured to determine the needle extension length based on a position of the positioning surface, a position of the body, or a predetermined point. 4 . The syringe testing system of claim 2 , further comprising a syringe locator configured to position the syringe in contact with the locating surface. 5 . The syringe testing system of claim 2 , further comprising a syringe actuator configured to actuate the syringe to expel fluid from the syringe through the needle.

6. The syringe testing system of claim 1, wherein: The control circuitry is configured to determine the fluid delivery duration based on at least one of counting a number of frames in which fluid is observed in the image, or monitoring a time when fluid is observed in the image.

7. The syringe testing system of claim 1, wherein: The control circuitry is configured to analyze the image captured by the camera to detect at least one of a start of the fluid delivery duration or an end of the fluid delivery duration based on detecting the presence of a fluid stream expelled from the needle.

8. The syringe testing system of claim 7, further comprising a blow-off nozzle configured to direct gas toward the needle, wherein The control circuitry is configured to control the blow-off nozzle to direct the gas toward the needle based on detecting the end of the fluid flow.

9. The syringe testing system of claim 8, further comprising a scale configured to measure the mass of the expelled fluid.

10. The syringe testing system of claim 9, wherein: The control circuitry is configured to control the scale to determine a mass of the expelled fluid after controlling the blow-off nozzle to direct the gas toward the needle.

11. The syringe testing system of claim 1, wherein: The control circuitry is configured to determine whether the syringe meets predetermined injection criteria based on whether a fluid delivery duration meets a threshold.

12. The syringe testing system of claim 1, wherein: The control circuit system is configured to determine whether the syringe meets a predetermined injection criterion based on whether the needle extension length at the start time is at least a threshold length.

13. The syringe testing system of claim 1, further comprising a second camera configured to record video of the needle of the syringe.

14. The syringe testing system of claim 1, wherein: The control circuitry is configured to determine the needle measurement location based on a predetermined search area within the image captured by the camera.

15. The syringe testing system of claim 1, wherein: The control circuitry is configured to determine the fluid delivery duration as a total observed fluid delivery time or as a total start to end time.

16. The syringe testing system of claim 1, wherein: The control circuitry is configured to monitor the needle extension length from the start time to the end time based on the image captured by the camera.

17. The syringe testing system of claim 1, wherein: The control circuit system is configured to determine the fluid delivery duration by: determining at least one of a start time or a starting image frame when fluid begins to be expelled from the needle based on images captured by the camera; and At least one of an end time or an end image frame when the needle has completed expulsion of the fluid is determined based on the image captured by the camera.

18. The syringe testing system of claim 1, wherein: The control circuitry is configured to determine the needle extension length by determining a measured position of the needle relative to a reference position at the start of the fluid delivery based on an image captured by the camera.

19. The syringe testing system of claim 1, wherein: The control circuitry is configured to determine whether the syringe meets predetermined injection criteria based on the duration and the needle extension length at the start of the fluid delivery.

20. The syringe testing system of claim 19, wherein: The control circuit system is configured to determine whether the syringe meets the predetermined injection criteria further based on whether the needle extension length between the start of the fluid delivery and the end of the fluid delivery meets a threshold length.

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