CARTRIDGE-BASED IN-TUBE INFUSION DEVICE

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONField of the Invention

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to devices, systems, and methods for delivery of a fluid, and, particularly, for infusion or injection of a fluid contained in a cartridge, such as a syringe, vial, or other suitable fluid delivery device, into a patient.Description of Related Art

[0002] A number of injector-actuated syringes and powered injectors for use in medical procedures such as angiography, computed tomography (CT), ultrasound, and NMR / MRI have been developed. United States Patent No. 4,006,736, for example, discloses an injector and syringe for injecting fluid into the vascular system of a human being or an animal. Typically, such injectors comprise drive members, such as pistons, that connect to a syringe plunger. For example, United States Patent No. 4,677,980 discloses an angiographic injector and syringe wherein the drive member of the injector can be connected to, or disconnected from, the syringe plunger at any point along the travel path of the plunger via a releasable mechanism. A front-loading syringe and injector system is also disclosed in United States Patent No. 5,383,858.

[0003] Although significant advances have been made in the design and operation of powered injectors, a number of problems persist which can limit their use. For example, each year in the United States several million MRI procedures are performed. However, powered injectors are used in only a relatively small percentage of such procedures. In MRI procedures in which there is no need to accurately control the timing of contrast injection or the flow rate of injection, powered injectors are almost never used. In that regard, MRI procedures are relatively expensive and patient throughput is a primary concern. It is perceived that use of powered injectors in such procedures will require additional time, while providing little benefit. Thus, in contrast-enhanced procedure in which timing and flow rate control are not important, contrast is currently injected manually. Typically, the patient is placed in the MRI bore and a baseline scan is performed. The patient is then removed from the bore of the imaging device and the contrast is injected.

[0004] The patient is then once again placed in the bore and the contrast-enhanced imaging is performed.

[0005] A number of problems often arise with the manual injection of contrast in an MRI procedure. For example, after injection it is often difficult to reposition the patient in the same position in which the baseline measurement was made. Even if repositioning can be achieved with success, removal of the patient from the bore to manually inject contrast and subsequent repositioning require a substantial amount of time. Moreover, in some instances, particularly with claustrophobic patients, the patient refuses to reenter the bore. Furthermore, it is sometimes difficult with some patients to properly inject the contrast manually. In such cases, it may become necessary to call for the services of an IV specialist team, greatly increasing the amount of time required for the scan.

[0006] Even in imaging procedures other than MRI procedures (such as CT, angiography, and ultrasound), there may be reluctance to use powered injectors in certain procedures because of perceived or actual burdens with such use.

[0007] WO9201484 relates to an apparatus for controlled delivery of a liquid consists of a delivery unit which comprises a liquid container having at least one movable wall and a liquid outlet which is provided with a flow restriction, and a power unit which comprises a second container which also has at least one movable wall and wherein a vacuum may be established, and a mechanical coupling between the movable wall of the liquid container and the movable wall of the second container. The delivery unit and the power unit are connected together coaxially when the apparatus is prepared for delivery, and in this connecting together, the movable wall of the second container is displaced by means of the mechanical coupling such that the vacuum is established. The ambient atmospheric pressure then acts against this vacuum, and this pressure is transmitted by said mechanical coupling, which is directly acting on the movable wall of the liquid container such that the liquid is forced out through the outlet and the restriction therein.

[0008] US 2006 / 079834 concerns a device having a chamber within a syringe. A fluid passageway extends through a syringe piston. A valve is associated with the passageway controlling fluid passage through the piston. The invention includes a piercing structure having a head segment and a body portion, with a channel through the body portion and through at least one surface of the head without passing through the tip. In another aspect the invention encompasses a method of preparing an agent for administration to an individual. A first component is provided within a syringe and a second component is provided within a vial. A closed valve is associated with a fluid passageway between the vial and the syringe barrel through a piston. Valve repositioning allows fluid passage and sliding of the piston joins the first and second components. Repeated sliding of the piston mixes the components to produce the medication agent.

[0009] US 2006 / 184137 provides for an assembly for transferring a fluid between a vessel having a body with an open end and a slidable piston positioned within the body and a vial having a penetrable seal. The assembly includes a housing having first and second open ends, and a bore extending between the first and second open ends. The housing is removably connectable to the piston. The assembly also includes a conduit having first and second ends and first and second apertures adjacent to the first and second ends, respectively. The conduit is longitudinally slidable within the bore between a retracted position in which the first aperture is The present invention provides for an assembly for transferring a fluid between a vessel having a body with an open end and a slidable piston positioned within the body and a vial having a penetrable seal. The assembly includes a housing having first and second open ends, and a bore extending between the first and second open ends. The housing is removably connectable to the piston. The assembly also includes a conduit having first and second ends and first and second apertures adjacent to the first and second ends, respectively. The conduit is longitudinally slidable within the bore between a retracted position in which the first aperture is positioned within at least one of the housing and the piston when the housing is connected to the piston, and an activated position in which the first aperture protrudes through the piston into the body of the vessel when the housing is connected to the piston. The assembly further includes a vial socket assembly having a vial socket for receiving and engaging at least a portion of the vial including the penetrable seal and a hollow piercing member having a first open end in fluid communication with the conduit and a second open end for piercing the penetrable closure. The vial socket assembly is moveable longitudinally relative to the housing in concert with the conduit.

[0010] US 2010 / 305507 describes an assembly which includes an infusion device coupled to a standard medication syringe. The medication syringe may be coupled to a stopcock valve having multiple ports and to which syringes, vial adapters, infusion tubing, and multiple other items may be coupled. The infusion device includes a source of power based on a resistance force such as vacuum, spring or gas power. The infusion device converts the resistance based force to usable work in the form of a force applicator. The force applicator includes a driver section on one section of a reciprocating arm and an attachment to the power source on another section of the arm. The driver is pulled outward (excursion) to increase the size of the chamber, creating a force that tends to return the driver back inward, causing incursion. The driver can be attached removably to the syringe plunger to induce the infusion process.

[0011] WO 2006 / 045215 relates to a safety syringe that mainly includes a barrel and an actuator. A piston is disposed within the barrel, and the piston is provided with a groove on the rear end, and a stopper is annularly disposed in the inner edge near to the rear side of the barrel. The rear side of the piston is stopped by the stopper. A hub for inserting the needle is disposed on the anterior end of the barrel. The actuator is an electric magnet providing with a magnet at its front end. The electric magnet has a magnetic pole opposed to the magnetic pole of the magnet. The actuator is stuffed in the rear side of the barrel, and the magnet of the front end of the actuator is stuffed in the recess of the rear end of the piston. By translating the magnetic pole of the electric magnet, the piston is effected by the magnet to produce a forward or backward motion.

[0012] For the above reasons and others, it is desirable to develop improved devices, systems, and methods for the injection of fluids into patients.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] An object of the invention described hereinafter is to provide an injection device that is readily fabricated to be fully in-bore compatible for MR procedures. A further object is to provide an injection device that can, for example, be applied to a patient outside the scanning room such that there is no need to remove a patient from the scanner bore to perform an injection. An additional object is to keep the time required for set up of the devices described hereinafter minimal.

[0014] According to the present invention there is provided a fluid delivery device according to claim 1.

[0015] As disclosed herein, the fluid delivery device may be provided as a prepackaged system that is autoclaved sterilized. In such an embodiment, the fluid-filled cartridge may be a vial and the connection mechanism may be a spike. The vial may be positioned within the cartridge receiving chamber and a flexible seal may be positioned over the second end of the plunger rod. In use, the vial is engaged with a spike by pressing the flexible seal.

[0016] In an embodiment, the fluid-filled cartridge may be a syringe and the connection mechanism may be a female luer connector.

[0017] As disclosed herein, the first syringe chamber may have a first diameter and the second syringe chamber may have a second diameter that is greater than the first diameter. In addition, a mechanism of the actuator may include a rotary valve, a pinch valve with tubing, a ratchet valve, a fusible link, a trumpet valve, a port closing valve, a pump system, or a drive system. The fluid delivery device may further include a controller configured to remotely control the state of the actuator. The controller may be configured to control the state of the actuator via ultrasound, via a protocol of an imaging scanner, via microwave energy, via a mechanical link, via infrared light, via fiber optic cable, via pneumatic power, via hydraulic power, via voice activation, via movement of a scanner table, via time delay, via an RF gradient trigger from a scanner, via a photo cell, via optical light, via an RF signal, or via line power.

[0018] The fluid-filled cartridge, the syringe, the plunger rod, and the actuator may be configured to be MR compatible, thereby making the device suitable for use in or near a bore of an MR scanner.

[0019] These and other features and characteristics of the device of the present disclosure, as well as the methods of operation and functions of the related elements of structures and the combination of parts and economies of manufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of the following description and the appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this specification, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts in the various figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the device of the present disclosure. As used in the specification and the claims, the singular form of "a", "an", and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a fluid delivery device of the present invention; FIGS. 2A-2C are a series of cross-sectional views of a first embodiment of the fluid delivery device of the present invention; FIGS. 3A and 3B are a series of cross-sectional views of a second example, not according to the invention, of the fluid delivery device of the present invention; and FIGS. 4A-4C are a series of cross-sectional views of a third embodiment of the fluid delivery device of the present invention. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] For purposes of the description hereinafter, the terms "upper", "lower", "right", "left", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "lateral", "longitudinal", and derivatives thereof, shall relate to the device of the present disclosure as it is oriented in the drawing figures. However, it is to be understood that the device of the present disclosure may assume various alternative variations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the device of the present disclosure. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics related to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting.

[0022] In general, the present invention provides infusion or injection devices and systems that are relatively easy to operate. The injection devices disclosed herein are related to the injection devices disclosed in United States Patent No. 7,632,245 and United States Patent Application Serial No. 13 / 826,483 (US patent No. 9,486,573).

[0023] In the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 1, an injection or infusion device 10 includes a fluid-filled cartridge 40 (for example, a vial, a prefilled syringe, or another suitable fluid delivery device) in which a fluid for injection into a patient is stored. Injection device 10 includes an outlet 30 in fluid connection with a syringe and plunger rod combination 20 and through which fluid exits the syringe to be injected into the patient. Injection device 10 also includes the syringe and plunger rod combination 20 through which force / pressure, via a vacuum, is applied to the fluid that is drawn from the fluid-filled cartridge 40 into a portion of the syringe to cause the pressurized fluid to exit outlet 30. Injection device 10 further includes an actuator 50 to initiate (and, possibly, terminate) flow. Actuator 50 can, for example, be operated by a controller 70 via a remote controller 71 from, for example, control room 90.

[0024] The actuator 50 can, for example, include a rotary valve at a syringe tip, a pinch valve with tubing, a ratchet valve, a fusible link, a trumpet valve, a port closing valve, a pump system, or a drive system to allow fluid to flow through outlet 30. The mechanism for operating the actuator 50 (or imparting motion thereto to change a state) can, for example, include a vacuum drive, a piezoelectric drive, an electric motor drive (for example, an inside-MRI bore air core motor in which the magnet of the bore forms part of the motor), a solenoid drive, an electric motor drive outside of the bore, an electro-resistive pump, a charged ion pump (available, for example, from Exigent), a magneto restrictive material (to which a voltage is applied), a thermochemical activated motion (TCAM) material or device, a nitinol material, a state transition (liquid to gas), a bimetallic material (with different rates of expansion for each metal), an electro-active polymeric material, pneumatic or hydraulic pressure, and / or gravity. Power can be supplied via, for example, vacuum power, chemical power, electrical power (for example, battery power, wall outlet power), power from the scanner, human / manual power, compressed or pressurized gas (for example, CO 2 or air) power, hydraulic power, spring power, gravity power, or light / photoelectric power. In the embodiments described hereinafter, the actuator 50 is desirably a normally-closed valve.

[0025] The controller 70 can, for example, control the state of the actuator 50 via ultrasound (for example, via a piezo tweeter operating through glass); via a scanner coil protocol (for example, GE / Siemens scanners comprise approximately 85% of the axial market and include two 15 volt connections); via microwave energy (for example, a glass smart link); via a mechanical or cable link (for example, via camera-type cable link using a plastic cable); via infrared light; via fiber optic cable; via pneumatic power; via hydraulic power; via patient operation; via voice activation; via movement of a table upon which a patient is positioned; via time delay; via an RF gradient trigger from scanner (for example, 5th shim tune); via a photo cell; via optical light control; via line power (for example, via audio frequency through panel); via an RF link, or via operator manual control (that is, sending the operator into the MRI room to activate the device).

[0026] For use in an MR environment, the components of the injection device 10 are desirably fabricated from materials that are non-magnetic, non-ferrous, and / or otherwise suitable or compatible for use in an MRI environment. In general, many devices, including but not limited to many injectors and infusion pumps, that contain electric actuators such as DC brush motors, step motors, brushless DC motors, or other wound coil motors and solenoids, often fail in a strong magnetic field as a result of damage to internal permanent magnets. Moreover, currents induced within the field windings of such devices from electromagnetic fields can cause overheating and potential damage to the windings and any connected electronic circuitry. The MRI magnetic field can also interfere with the device-created magnetic field and prevent accurate operation.

[0027] Furthermore, differences in magnetic permeability of materials within the actuator and eddy currents induced within actuator windings can affect the homogeneity or uniformity of the MRI magnetic field, generating image artifacts. Actuators that use mechanical commutation, such as DC brush motors, can also generate radio frequency energy during switching, which can induce unwanted artifacts upon the acquired MRI images.

[0028] With reference to FIGS. 2A-2C and with continued reference to FIG. 1, the injection device 10 is desirably provided as a prepackaged system that is autoclaved sterilized. The injection device 10 includes an MR contrast vial 100 (as the fluid-filled cartridge) having a septum sealed outlet 102. The injection device 10 also includes a syringe 104 having a substantially cylindrical syringe barrel 106 an open end 108 and a fluid dispensing end 110; and a plunger rod 111 configured to be received within the open end 108 of the syringe barrel 106. As discussed in greater detail hereinafter, the cylindrical syringe barrel 106 is divided into a delivery chamber 112 and a vacuum drive chamber 114. Desirably, the delivery chamber 112 may have a first diameter and the vacuum drive chamber 114 may have a second diameter that is greater than the first diameter as shown in FIGS. 2A-2C; however, this is not to be construed as limiting the present invention as both chambers may have the same diameter.

[0029] The plunger rod 111 includes: a first end 116 having a sealing member, such as O-ring 118, provided in sealing engagement with an inner wall 120 of the syringe barrel 106 to form the delivery chamber 112 between the first end 116 of the plunger rod 111 and the fluid dispensing end 110 of the syringe barrel 106; and a second end 122 extending out of open end 108 of the syringe barrel 106. The second end 122 of the plunger rod 111 has a vial-receiving chamber 124 formed therein. A connection mechanism, such as a spike 126, is positioned within the vial-receiving chamber 124 for connecting the outlet 102 of the vial 100 thereto. In the prepackaged system described hereinabove, the vial 100 is provided in the vial-receiving chamber 124 during the manufacturing process and a flexible seal 128 is positioned over the second end 122 of the plunger rod 111 to maintain sterility of the contrast provided in the vial 100. In operation, a user engages the outlet 102 of the vial 100 with the spike 126 by applying pressure to the flexible seal 128. However, this is not to be construed as limiting the present invention as the vial 100 and the syringe / plunger rod combination may be provided as separate components with the second end 122 of the plunger rod 111 having an opening to allow the user to position a vial 100 within the vial-receiving chamber 124.

[0030] The plunger rod 111 further includes an intermediate sealing member 130 in sealing engagement with the inner wall 120 of the syringe barrel 106. The intermediate sealing member 130 is positioned between the first end 116 and the second end 122 of the plunger rod 111 such that the vacuum drive chamber 114 is provided between the intermediate sealing member 130 and the first end 116 of the plunger rod 111. In addition, if the vacuum drive chamber 114 and the delivery chamber 112 are provided with different diameters as discussed hereinabove and shown in FIGS. 2A-2C, then the first end 116 of the plunger rod 111 may be provided with a different diameter than the intermediate sealing member 130 and second end 122 of the plunger rod 111 as shown in FIGS. 2A-2C.

[0031] The plunger rod 111 also includes: a fluid channel 132 extending from the spike 126 to the first end 116 of the plunger rod 111; and a one-way check valve 134 positioned at the first end 116 of the plunger rod 111. While the plunger rod is disclosed herein as including a one-way check valve 134 positioned at the first end 116 of the plunger rod 111. Not according to the invention as claimed, the valve 134 may be positioned anywhere along the length of the channel 132, and, in addition, rather than utilizing a one-way check valve, a stopcock, a spring-loaded valve, or any other suitable valve may be utilized.

[0032] In addition, the fluid delivery device 10 includes an actuator 50, as discussed hereinabove, connected to the fluid dispensing end 110 of the syringe barrel 106. Desirably, the actuator 50 is a normally closed valve that may be manually operated or operated remotely via a controller 70 and remote controller 71.

[0033] In operation, fluid is dispensed from the vial 100 by connecting the outlet 102 thereof to the spike 126 by either applying force to the flexible seal 128 for the prepackaged system as discussed hereinabove or by positioning the vial 100 manually into the vial-receiving chamber 124 and engaging the outlet 102 thereof with the spike 126. This positions the outlet 102 of the vial 100 in fluid communication with fluid channel 132. Next, the second end 122 of the plunger rod 111 is pulled back in the direction of arrow A 1 to form a vacuum within the vacuum drive chamber 114. Due to the one-way check valve 134 at the first end 116 of the plunger rod 111 and the fluid channel 132 extending through the vacuum drive chamber 114 to the spike 126, the fluid from the vial 100 is drawn (by the vacuum) from the vial 100 into the delivery chamber 112 as shown by arrow A 2 . Also, since the one-way check valve 134 is positioned at the first end 116 of the plunger rod 111 and the actuator 50 embodied as a normally closed valve positioned at the fluid dispensing end 110 of the syringe barrel 106, the device stays charged (due to the vacuum in the vacuum drive chamber 114) and does not deliver the fluid in the delivery chamber 112 until the actuator 50 is switched. At this point, the operator switches the actuator 50 (e.g., by opening the normally closed valve) from a first state in which fluid is prevented from flowing through the fluid dispensing end 110 of the syringe barrel 106 to a second state causing the plunger rod 111 to move in the direction of arrow A 3 to force the fluid within the delivery chamber 112 out of the fluid dispensing end 110.

[0034] Furthermore, two or more of injection device 10 described hereinabove can be "ganged together" with appropriate fluid path sets (not shown) to deliver multiple fluids to a patient (e.g., contrast followed by saline, stress agent followed by contrast followed by saline, etc.).

[0035] While the fluid-filled cartridge 40 has been described hereinabove as a contrast vial 100, this is not to be construed as limiting the present invention as any suitable fluid delivery device may be utilized. For instance, a syringe (not shown) may be utilized. In such an instance, the connection mechanism may be embodied as a female luer connector (not shown) instead of a spike 126.

[0036] With reference to FIG. 3A and 3B, an example of an injection device 200 includes: a syringe 202, a drive mechanism 204, and an actuator 50. The syringe 202 includes a substantially cylindrical syringe barrel 206 having a fluid dispensing end 208 and an open end 210 and a plunger 212 configured to be received within the open end 210 of the syringe barrel 206.

[0037] The drive mechanism 204 includes a substantially cylindrical body 214 having a movable member 216 positioned therein to form a chamber 218 between the movable member 216 and a substantially closed first end 220 of the cylindrical body 214. The movable member 216 includes a seal 222 which extends around a circumference thereof to fluidly isolate the chamber 218 from a second end of the cylindrical body 214.

[0038] The drive mechanism 204 also includes a plunger rod 224 connected to a first side 226 of the movable member 216 and extends through the first end 220 of the body 214. A seal 228 is provided between the first end 220 and the plunger rod 224 to prevent fluid from leaving the cylindrical body 214. The plunger rod 224 is configured to operatively engage a rear end 230 of the plunger 212 through a threaded or other type of connection. The drive mechanism 204 further includes a locking mechanism 232 configured to secure the open end 210 of the syringe 202 to the substantially closed first end 220 of the body 214. The drive mechanism 204 may be embodied as a disposable device where the locking mechanism 232 locks the syringe 202 onto the body 214 such that it cannot be removed.

[0039] In addition, the fluid delivery device 200 includes an actuator 50, as discussed hereinabove, connected to the fluid dispensing end 208 of the syringe barrel 206. Desirably, the actuator 50 is a normally closed valve that may be manually operated or operated remotely via a controller 70 and remote controller 71.

[0040] In operation, fluid is dispensed from the syringe 202 by connecting the syringe 202 to the plunger rod 224 by threadedly connecting a first end of the plunger rod 224 to the plunger 212. Thereafter, the open end 210 of the syringe 202 is forced into the locking mechanism 232 by moving the syringe 202 in the direction of arrow B1, thereby moving the movable member 216 towards the second end of the cylindrical body 214 which forms a vacuum within the chamber 218. At this point, the operator switches the actuator 50 (e.g., by opening the normally closed valve) from a first state in which fluid is prevented from flowing through the fluid dispensing end 208 of the syringe barrel 206 to a second state causing the movable member 216, the plunger rod 224, and the plunger 212 to move in the direction of arrow B2 to force the fluid within the syringe 202 out of the fluid dispensing end 208.

[0041] The syringe 202 for the injection fluid (generally an MR contrast fluid) can, for example, be a polymeric or glass MR syringe available, for example, from Bayer HealthCare LLC of Indianola, Pa. Such syringes can be purchased "prefilled" with injection fluid or can be purchased empty and filled at the MRI site. The fluid in such syringes is pressurized via the plunger 212, which is slidably disposed within the syringe barrel 206.

[0042] With reference to FIGS. 4A-4C, another alternative embodiment of the injection device 300 is illustrated. The injection device 300 is desirably provided as a prepackaged system that is sterilized. The injection device 300 includes an MR contrast vial 301 (as the fluid-filled cartridge) having a septum sealed outlet 302. The injection device 300 also includes a syringe 304 having a substantially cylindrical syringe barrel 306 that includes a fluid receiving end (i.e., open end 308) and a fluid dispensing end 310 and a plunger rod 311 configured to be received within the open end 308 of the syringe barrel 306. As discussed in greater detail hereinafter, the cylindrical syringe barrel 306 is divided into a delivery chamber 312 (in FIGS. 4A-4C the plunger rod is positioned within the deliver chamber) and a vacuum drive chamber 314. Desirably, the delivery chamber may have a first diameter and the vacuum drive chamber 314 may have a second diameter that is greater than the first diameter as shown in FIGS. 4A-4C; however, this is not to be construed as limiting the present invention as both chambers may have the same diameter. In addition, while the injection device 300 is described hereinabove, this is not to be construed as limiting the present invention as any suitable fluid container may be utilized.

[0043] The plunger rod 311 includes: a first end 316 having a sealing member, such as O-ring 318, provided in sealing engagement with an inner wall of the syringe barrel 306 to form the delivery chamber 312 between the first end 316 of the plunger rod 311 and the fluid dispensing end 310 of the syringe barrel 306; and a second end 322 extending out of open end 308 of the syringe barrel 306. The second end 322 of the plunger rod 311 has a connection mechanism, such as a spike 323, extending therefrom and comprising a fluid path extending from a first end 324 of the spike 323 to a second end 325 of the spike 323 in fluid communication with the delivery chamber 312 of the syringe 304. A compressible member 326 extends from the outlet 302 of the vial 301 to the open end 308 of the syringe barrel 306 and surrounds at least the first end 324 of the spike 323. A removable retention mechanism 327 is positioned between the outlet 302 of the vial 301 and the open end 308 of the syringe barrel 306 over the compressible member to prevent the outlet 302 of the vial 301 from contacting the spike 323.

[0044] In operation, a user removes the retention mechanism in the direction of arrow C1 as shown in FIG. 4B. A user then engages the outlet 302 of the vial 301 with the spike 323 by applying pressure to the vial 301 in the direction of arrow C2 as shown in FIG. 4C, thereby compressing the compressible member 326.

[0045] The plunger rod 311 further includes an intermediate sealing member 330 in sealing engagement with the inner wall of the syringe barrel 306. The intermediate sealing member 330 is positioned between the first end 316 and the second end 322 of the plunger rod 311 such that the vacuum drive chamber 314 is provided between the intermediate sealing member 330 and the first end 316 of the plunger rod 311. In addition, if the vacuum drive chamber 314 and the delivery chamber 312 are provided with different diameters as discussed hereinabove and shown in FIGS. 4A-4C, then the first end 316 of the plunger rod 311 may be provided with a different diameter than the intermediate sealing member 330 and second end 322 of the plunger rod 311 as shown in FIGS. 4A-4C.

[0046] The plunger rod 311 also includes: a fluid channel 332 extending from the second end 325 of the spike 323 to the first end 316 of the plunger rod 311; and a one-way check valve positioned at the first end 316 of the plunger rod 311.

[0047] In addition, the injection device 300 includes an actuator 50, as discussed hereinabove, connected to the fluid dispensing end 310 of the syringe barrel 306. Desirably, the actuator 50 is a normally closed valve that may be manually operated or operated remotely via a controller 70 and remote controller 71.

[0048] In operation, fluid is dispensed from the vial 301 by connecting the outlet 302 thereof to the spike 323 as discussed hereinabove. This positions the outlet 302 of the vial 301 in fluid communication with fluid channel 332. Next, the injection device 300 is operated in the same manner as the injection device 10 as discussed in detail hereinabove.

[0049] Desirably, the injection devices discussed hereinabove are suitable to be placed within one foot of the MRI bore. More desirably, the injection devices of the present disclosure are suitable to be placed within the bore, thereby providing close access to the injection site on the patient and eliminating lengthy connective tubing used with many currently available injection devices. In general, to be "MR compatible" as that phrase is used herein, the materials of injection device 10, injection device 200, and injection device 300 should not interfere with the operation of an MR scanner in a substantial manner (for example, to cause image artifacts). Additionally, the MR environment (for example, the powerful magnetic field) should not substantially interfere with the operation of the injection device 10, injection device 200, and injection device 300. Examples of suitable MRI compatible materials for injection device 10, injection device 200, and injection device 300 include, but are not limited to, polymeric materials, glass materials, and aluminum.

[0050] While specific embodiments of the device of the present disclosure have been described in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and alternatives to those details could be developed in light of the overall teachings of the disclosure. Accordingly, the particular arrangements disclosed are meant to be illustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of the device of the present disclosure which is to be given the full breadth of the claims appended.

Claims

1. A fluid delivery device (10) comprising: a fluid-filled cartridge (100) comprising an outlet (102); a syringe (104) comprising a cylindrical syringe barrel (106) having an open end (108) and a fluid dispensing end (110); a plunger rod (111) configured to be received within the open end (108) of the syringe barrel (106), the plunger rod (111) comprising: a first end (116) having a sealing member (118) provided in sealing engagement with an inner wall (120) of the syringe barrel (106) such that a first syringe chamber (112) is provided between the first end (116) of the plunger rod (111) and the fluid dispensing end (110) of the syringe barrel (106); a one-way check valve positioned at the first end (116) of the plunger rod (111); a second end (122) extending out of the open end (108) of the syringe barrel (106) and having a cartridge-receiving chamber (124) having a connection mechanism (126) positioned therein for connecting the outlet (102) of the cartridge (100) thereto; an intermediate sealing member (130) in sealing engagement with the inner wall (120) of the syringe barrel (106), the intermediate sealing member (130) positioned between the first end (116) and the second end (122) of the plunger rod (111) such that a second syringe chamber (114) is provided between the intermediate sealing member (130) and the first end (116) of the plunger rod (111); and a fluid channel (132) extending from the connection mechanism (126) to the first end (116) of the plunger rod (111); and an actuator (50) connected to the fluid dispensing end (110) of the syringe barrel (106), wherein the outlet (102) of the cartridge (100) is connected to the connection mechanism (126) to place the outlet of the cartridge (100) in fluid communication with the fluid channel (132), wherein the plunger rod is arranged such that pulling the second end (122) thereof away from the open end (108) of the syringe barrel (106) forms a vacuum within the second syringe chamber (114) to draw fluid from the cartridge (100) through the fluid channel (132) and into the first syringe chamber (112) due to the one-way check valve (134) at the first end (116) of the plunger rod (116), and wherein, after the vacuum is formed within the second syringe chamber (114), the actuator (50) is switched from a first state in which fluid is prevented from flowing through the fluid dispensing end (110) of the syringe (104) to a second state configured to allow the fluid to flow through the fluid dispensing end (110).

2. The fluid delivery device (10) of claim 1, wherein the fluid-filled cartridge (100) is a vial and the connection mechanism (126) is a spike.

3. The fluid delivery device (10) of claim 2, wherein the vial (100) is positioned within the cartridge receiving chamber (124), a flexible seal (128) is positioned over the second end (122), and the vial (100) is engaged with the spike (126) by pressing the flexible seal (128).

4. The fluid delivery device (10) of claim 1, wherein the fluid-filled cartridge (100) is a syringe and the connection mechanism (126) is a female luer connector.

5. The fluid delivery device (10) of claim 1, wherein the first syringe chamber (112) has a first diameter and the second syringe chamber has a second diameter that is greater than the first diameter.

6. The fluid delivery device (10) of claim 1, wherein a mechanism of the actuator (50) comprises one of: a rotary valve, a pinch valve with tubing, a ratchet valve, a fusible link, a trumpet valve, a port closing valve, a pump system and a drive system.

7. The fluid delivery device (10) of claim 1, further comprising a controller (70) configured to remotely control the state of the actuator (50).

8. The fluid delivery device (10) of claim 7, wherein the controller (70) controls the state of the actuator (50) by one of: ultrasound, a protocol of an imaging scanner, microwave energy, a mechanical link, infrared light, a fiber optic cable, pneumatic power, hydraulic power, voice activation, movement of a scanner table, a time delay, an RF gradient trigger from a scanner, a photo cell, an optical light, an RF signal, and line power.

9. The fluid delivery device (10) of claim 1, wherein the fluid-filled cartridge (100), the syringe (104), the plunger rod (111), and the actuator (50) are MR compatible, thereby making the device suitable for use in or near a bore of an MR scanner.

10. The fluid delivery device (10) of claim 1, further comprising a removable retention mechanism (327) for preventing the outlet (102) of the fluid-filled cartridge (100) from contacting the connection mechanism (126) until the retention mechanism (327) is removed.

11. The fluid delivery device (10) of claim 1, wherein the plunger rod (111) further comprises the valve (134) positioned along the fluid channel (132) thereof.