Liquid medicine injection device for angiographic examination

Abstract

To provide a liquid medicine injection device for angiographic examination, even when a plurality of procedures for angiographic examination is supposed, capable of setting injection conditions of a liquid medicine and performing operation control with excellent operability.SOLUTION: A liquid medicine injection device 100 comprises a control unit 210 that provides a graphical user interface for setting operation conditions or controlling an operation of a piston drive mechanism. The graphical user interface includes: (a) a screen for selecting any of a first angiographic examination mode and a second angiographic examination mode, where at least any of the first and second angiographic examination modes includes a plurality of sub-modes for different injection procedures; and (b) a screen for setting one of the plurality of sub-modes as a default. When the first or second angiographic examination mode including the plurality of sub-modes is selected, the sub-mode set as the default is selected.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a liquid medicine injection device for angiography, and more particularly to a liquid medicine injection device for angiography that is easy to use and allows setting of liquid medicine injection conditions and operation control even when multiple procedures for angiography are expected. [Background technology]

[0002] Currently, known medical imaging diagnostic devices include CT (Computed Tomography) scanners, MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) devices, PET (Positron Emission Tomography) devices, ultrasound diagnostic devices, angiography imaging devices, etc. When using such imaging devices, a contrast agent, saline solution, etc. (hereinafter, these may be simply referred to as "medicinal liquids") may be injected into the subject.

[0003] Various types of devices for automatically injecting a liquid medicine have been known in the past. The configuration and performance of the device vary depending on the type of examination the device is used for (in other words, the type of imaging device it is used with), but an example of a liquid medicine injector for angiography is known, such as that shown in Patent Document 1. In angiography, a hollow tube called a thin catheter is usually introduced into a blood vessel, the tip of the catheter is positioned near the target blood vessel, and then a contrast agent or the like is injected into the blood vessel and an image is taken. The blood vessels thus imaged are displayed on a display or the like, and a doctor performs diagnosis and treatment while viewing the image. In angiography, a liquid medicine is injected through a thin catheter, so that the injection pressure is very high, which is one of the major differences between liquid medicine injectors for CT examinations and liquid medicine injectors for MR examinations. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] WO2016 / 208611 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Angiography procedures include, for example, coronary angiography, which is performed to diagnose stenosis of the coronary arteries of the heart, and angiography to image other vascular sites. In angiography, the liquid injector basically operates in a mode in which the injection amount (injection speed) changes according to the amount of pressing of a hand switch button, etc. Meanwhile, in recent years, procedures have been proposed in which liquid is automatically injected under preset injection conditions.

[0006] In this way, when angiography is expected to be used for multiple procedures, it is desirable to be able to easily set injection conditions and control operations in the examination mode appropriate for each procedure.

[0007] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a drug solution injection device for angiography that is easy to use and allows for setting drug solution injection conditions and controlling operation, even when multiple procedures for angiography are expected. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above problems, a liquid medicine injection device according to one embodiment of the present invention is as follows: A liquid medicine injection device for angiography, comprising: a drive mechanism for pumping out a liquid medicine from a liquid medicine container; and a control unit for providing a graphical user interface for setting operating conditions of the drive mechanism or for controlling the operation of the drive mechanism, the liquid medicine being delivered via a catheter inserted into a blood vessel, the liquid medicine injection device comprising: The graphical user interface includes: a: a screen for selecting either a first angiography mode or a second angiography mode, at least one of the first and second angiography modes including a plurality of submodes for different injection procedures; b: a screen for setting one of the plurality of submodes as a default; Including, and when the first or second angiography examination mode including the plurality of submodes is selected, the submode set as a default is selected. A drug injection device for angiography examinations.

[0009] (Terminology explanation) The "medicinal solution" refers to, for example, a contrast medium, a physiological saline solution, or a mixture thereof. The term "medicinal liquid container" refers to a container that contains a medicinal liquid, and includes not only a syringe but also a medicinal liquid bag and the like. The term "catheter" refers to an object that is, for example, several centimeters in length (eg, 30 cm or more) that is introduced into a blood vessel and used for angiography. The term "icon" includes both (i) an icon that displays predetermined information and can be selected by the user, and (ii) an icon that is simply configured to display predetermined information and is not selectable. All or some of the icons displayed on the screen can be selected by touching the respective display locations with a touch pen or the operator's finger, or with a cursor on the screen. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a liquid injection device for angiography, which is capable of setting liquid injection conditions and controlling operation with good operability even when multiple procedures are involved in angiography. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of an imaging system including a liquid injector; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an injection head of a liquid medicine injector for angiography. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a protective case and an angiographic syringe. [Figure 4A] 1 is a block diagram illustrating components of a chemical liquid injector; [Figure 4B] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a chemical liquid circuit. [Figure 5A] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of a hand switch. [Figure 5B] 1 is a graph showing a characteristic curve of a hand switch. [Figure 5C] 11 is a graph showing a specific example of a characteristic curve of a hand switch. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen for setting injection conditions. [Figure 7] This is an example of the screen that is displayed before injection begins (checked state). [Figure 8] This is an example of the screen displayed before injection begins (standby state). [Figure 9] This is an example of the screen that is displayed before injection begins (start OK state). [Figure 10] 13 is an example of a screen displayed during liquid medicine injection. [Figure 11] 13 is an example of a screen displayed during flash injection. [Figure 12] 13 is an example of a screen displayed during aspirating of a medicinal liquid. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] 13 is an example of a screen for setting one of the submodes as the default. [Figure 15] 13 is an example of an image showing an open state of a valve. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that, although a specific example of a liquid injector and the like is disclosed below, the present invention is not necessarily limited to this specific configuration.

[0013] 1. First embodiment As shown in Fig. 1, liquid injector 100 of the present embodiment includes injection head 110 and console 210 connected thereto. A power supply unit 190 may also be provided to supply power to injection head 110 and console 210. In the example of Fig. 1, two imaging devices 300-1 and 300-2 (also simply referred to as imaging device 300) are provided. However, the number of imaging device 300 may be only one.

[0014] As an example, power supply unit 190 may incorporate a control circuit that is connected to at least one of injection head 110 and console 210 and exchanges signals. Liquid injector 100 in FIG. 1 is composed of three devices, but may also be composed of console 210 and injection head 110.

[0015] The imaging device 300 may include, for example, an X-ray CT imaging device 300-1 and an angiographic imaging device 300-2. The angiographic imaging device 300-2 may have a C-arm. The imaging device 300 is connected to the liquid injector 100 so as to cooperate with each other, and exchanges predetermined information therebetween. For example, the imaging device 300 may be configured such that the start or end of one operation is synchronized with the start or end of the other operation.

[0016] [A. Angiography Syringe and Protective Case] The angiographic syringe and its protective case may be as shown in Fig. 3. Angiographic syringe 800 (800A, 800B) has a cylindrical cylinder member 810 and a piston member 820 (see Fig. 4) inserted slidably inside the cylinder member 810. The capacity of syringe 800 is not limited, but may be, for example, about 50 ml to 300 ml (in this specification, "a to b" means greater than or equal to a and less than or equal to b).

[0017] The material of the cylinder member 810 may be resin, glass, metal, or the like. The cylinder member 810 has a flange portion 811f formed at or near its base end. The flange portion 811f may have any contour shape, for example, a circle, an ellipse, a polygon, or a shape in which the outer periphery of each of these shapes is partially cut off by a straight line. A thin and long nozzle portion 811a may be formed at the tip of the cylinder member 810. A lure lock structure for connecting a drug solution tube may be formed at the tip of the nozzle portion 811a. The piston member 820 (see FIG. 4) is a so-called rodless type plunger, and a locking projection 814 is formed on the back surface of the piston member 820 to which a predetermined rod (not shown) or a ram member 131 of a piston drive mechanism can be connected.

[0018] Incidentally, a guaranteed pressure resistance of the product is usually set for the angiography syringe 800. The guaranteed pressure resistance may be, for example, 600 psi or more, 800 psi or more, 1000 psi or more, or 1200 psi or more.

[0019] Syringe 800 for angiography is attached to injection head 110 in a state where it is inserted into protective case 840 as shown in FIG. 3. Such protective case 840 may have a hollow body member 841 having a substantially cylindrical shape, for example. Body member 841 is configured with a closed tip end and an open rear end. Syringe 800 is inserted from the opening on the rear end side of protective case 840. An opening 841h is formed on the tip surface of body member 841 for passing nozzle portion 811a of the syringe. A flange portion 841f is formed on the base end of protective case 840. Flange portion 841f is designed to have a shape and / or strength suitable for being held by a holding structure (e.g., a clamping mechanism) on the injection head side. The material of protective case 840 is not particularly limited, and may be resin, glass, metal, or the like.

[0020] The syringe may be a prefilled type filled with a liquid medicine (contrast medium or saline solution, etc.) in advance, or may be a suction type in which the liquid medicine is sucked into an empty syringe. In the case of the suction type, the liquid medicine circuit 880 may be used, for example, as shown in FIG. 4B, but is not limited thereto. The liquid medicine circuit 880 has a first flow path 881a through which the liquid medicine flows from one syringe 800A, and a second flow path 881b through which the liquid medicine flows from the other syringe 800B. These flow paths are joined at a connector 883. The connector 883 may be, for example, a mixing device having a function of generating a swirling flow inside to mix two liquid medicines. The liquid medicine from the connector 883 is sent via a third flow path 881c, and is delivered into the blood vessel of the subject through a catheter 885 connected to the end of the third flow path.

[0021] A flow path 882a through which the liquid medicine flows from the first liquid medicine container 890A during suction is connected to the middle of the first flow path 881a. Similarly, a flow path 882b through which the liquid medicine flows from the second liquid medicine container 890B during suction is connected to the middle of the second flow path 881b. In addition to these flow paths, some predetermined one-way valves (not shown) are provided so that when the piston members of the syringes 800A and 800B are pulled, a predetermined amount of liquid medicine is sucked into the syringes from the respective liquid medicine containers 890A and 890B as necessary. On the other hand, when the liquid medicine is pushed out from the respective syringes 800A and 800B toward the subject, backflow to the flow paths 882a and 882b is prevented.

[0022] [B. Injection head] 2, injection head 110 has a housing 111, and two syringes 800A, 800B (see FIG. 4) are attached to the front end of housing 111. Note that although a two-cylinder injection head is described here, the present invention is also applicable to a single-type injection head that holds a single syringe.

[0023] Injection head 110 has a syringe holding portion 140 that holds syringe 800 while it is housed in protective case 840 (see Figure 3), a piston driving mechanism 130 (see Figure 4A) arranged within housing 111, and a control circuit 150 (see Figure 4) electrically connected to piston driving mechanism 130.

[0024] The syringe holding section 140 has a pair of clampers 145 and a protective case receiver 141. The clamper 145 is a holding means for holding a part of the protective case 840. The holding means may have any configuration as long as it can stably hold the protective case 840, and may be, for example, the method disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 5492873. The protective case receiver 141 is located on the tip side of the clamper 145 and has a recess for holding the outer peripheral surface of the protective case 840. This recess is formed, for example, in an arc shape (approximately semicircular) corresponding to the shape of the outer peripheral surface of the protective case 840, and holds the lower side of the protective case 840. The protective case receiver 141 may be formed of a transparent or semitransparent material, or may be formed of an opaque material.

[0025] (Piston drive mechanism) 4A, the piston drive mechanism 130 has a motor 139 as an actuator, a transmission mechanism 137 that transmits the rotational output of the motor 139, a ball screw 135 rotated by the transmission mechanism 137, a ball nut unit 132, a ram member 131 that moves forward and backward in accordance with the movement of the ball nut unit 132, and a frame (not shown) that holds at least a part of these elements. In one embodiment, an encoder (not shown) is provided on the ball screw 135, and the amount and angle of rotation can be detected.

[0026] A DC motor can be used as the motor 139, and among them, a DC brushless motor can be preferably used. A brushless motor has the advantage of being quiet and durable because it does not have a brush. Generally, a brushless motor has a sensor to detect the position of an internal magnet. Therefore, the amount of rotation and the rotation speed of the motor may be detected using the output from this sensor. However, a rotation sensor 139s for detecting the amount of rotation and / or the rotation speed of the motor may be provided separately. Specifically, a rotary encoder, a resolver, or the like can be used. In order to inject a contrast medium at a relatively high pressure in angiography, it is also preferable to use a high-output motor, for example, one with an output of 70W or more, 150W or more, 250W or more, 300W or more, or 450W or more.

[0027] The output of the motor 139 is transmitted to the ball screw 135 via a transmission mechanism 137. The transmission mechanism 137 may be of any type, but as an example, it may have a first pulley (not shown) directly or indirectly connected to the output shaft of the motor 139, a second pulley (not shown) directly or indirectly connected to the ball screw 135, and a belt (not shown) wound around these two pulleys. Note that instead of such a belt transmission mechanism, a gear device, a chain transmission mechanism, or the like may be used.

[0028] (Explanation of the block diagram) 4A, injection head 110, for example, includes control circuit 150, memory unit 168, physical button 161 as an input device, operation knob 170 as another input device, various sensors 162-165, display 146, heater 141a, indicator 173, etc. Furthermore, in this example, one or more hand switches 158 (described in detail later) for controlling the operation of piston drive mechanism 130 are provided. Note that hand switch 158 need only be capable of communicating with at least one device (a console in one example) of liquid injector 100, and does not necessarily have to be connected to injection head 110.

[0029] Operation knob 170 may be physically linked to a predetermined mechanism inside housing 111 of injection head 110, and may be configured such that when operation knob 170 is rotated, the force is transmitted to piston drive mechanism 130 to move ram member 131 forward or backward. Alternatively, operation knob 170 may not be physically linked (non-contact) to a predetermined mechanism inside housing 111, but may electrically detect the rotation and use the detection result to operate the drive source of piston drive mechanism 130 to move ram member 131 forward or backward.

[0030] (Control circuit) The control circuit 150 has a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that performs arithmetic processing, a memory, an interface, etc., and realizes various functions by executing computer programs stored in the memory. The control circuit 150 may be equipped with a processor such as a one-chip microcomputer. The processor may be mounted on a predetermined board, and various electric circuits (e.g., a motor drive circuit) may be provided on the board. The control circuit 150 is electrically connected to various elements of the injection head.

[0031] In one example, the control circuitry 150 may be configured (programmed) to: -Performs predetermined calculations and control based on signals from various sensors. - Sending a predetermined motor control signal to the piston drive mechanism to control the operation; - Displaying predetermined information on the display; -Accepts input from an operator through input devices such as physical buttons, hand switches, etc.; -Controlling the operation of heaters, etc.

[0032] (Various sensors, etc.) (a1) Position sensor The position sensor 162 is for defining the movable range of the ram member 131. For example, the position sensor 162 may have a first sensor for detecting that the ram member 131 has moved to the most forward position, and a second sensor for detecting that the ram member 131 has moved to the most backward position. These sensors may be of a contact type or a non-contact type. As a non-contact type, an optical sensor having a light emitting element and a light receiving element may be used. Specifically, a photointerrupter may be used that detects a decrease in the amount of light received by the light receiving element when light is blocked by a detected object. Alternatively, a reflective photointerrupter may be used. As shown in FIG. 4A, the first sensor may be disposed on the front side (see symbol p1) in the direction along the moving direction of the ram member, and the second sensor may be disposed on the rear side (see symbol p2). Other position sensors may be used, such as a contact sensor that uses physical contact, an electric sensor that electrically detects an object, a magnetic sensor, a hall sensor, or a proximity sensor.

[0033] (a2) Clamper sensor The clamper sensor 163 may be a contact sensor configured to come into contact with a part of the clamper 145 when it is closed to a predetermined closed position. Alternatively, it may be a non-contact sensor that optically or magnetically detects the position of a part of the clamper 145 when it is closed to a predetermined closed position. For example, the following types of sensors can be used: a contact sensor that uses physical contact, an electric sensor that electrically detects an object, a magnetic sensor, a hall sensor, a proximity sensor, etc.

[0034] (a3) Syringe detection sensor Syringe sensor 164 is used to detect whether a syringe and / or a protective case is attached. Furthermore, it may be capable of determining what type of syringe and / or protective case is attached. Such a sensor may be of either a contact type or a non-contact type, and examples of such sensors include a contact sensor that uses physical contact, an electric sensor that electrically detects an object, a magnetic sensor, a Hall sensor, and a proximity sensor.

[0035] (a4) Pressure sensor The pressure sensor 165 is for calculating the pressure pressing the piston member 820 of the syringe, and thus an estimated pressure value of the liquid medicine can be obtained. The pressure sensor 165 may be a load cell, for example. The load cell may be provided at a position where it can detect the pressure of the ram member 131 of the piston drive mechanism 130 pressing the piston member. When using the detection result of the load cell to obtain an estimated pressure value of the liquid medicine when the liquid medicine is being injected, for example, the calculation may be performed taking into consideration the size of the needle or catheter, the shape of the liquid medicine tube, the concentration of the liquid medicine, the injection conditions, and the like. The calculation of the pressure may be performed based on the motor current of the piston drive mechanism, in addition to using the pressure sensor as described above, and such a motor current method may be used in combination with a pressure sensor, or may be implemented alone without providing a pressure sensor.

[0036] (a5) Display One or more display units 146 for displaying predetermined information may be provided on the injection head or separately from the injection head. Display unit 146 may be an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or may utilize an organic EL (Organic Electro-Luminescence) display.

[0037] Next, the content displayed on the display unit 146 is not particularly limited, but may be at least one of the following: - Self-check information, - Display of a given state before the start of injection, - prescribed indications regarding head posture, -Prescribed indications regarding syringe installation, - Predetermined status indication during injection operation, - Display of the conditions for injecting the planned drug solution, - Display of injected chemical injection conditions, -Warning display in case of abnormality, etc.

[0038] (a6) Heater The injection head of this embodiment may be provided with a heating element for heating the liquid medicine in the syringe, and as one example, transparent heater 141a using an ITO film may be provided.

[0039] (a7) Interface Interface 169 is a connection unit for exchanging signals with console 210. The connection between console 210 and injection head 110 may be wired or wireless.

[0040] (a8) Storage section Storage unit 168 may be any storage medium capable of storing data, and may be configured with a memory, a hard disk, etc. Storage unit 168 may store information relating to the basic operation of the injection head (operation algorithms, etc.), data tables, etc. Some of this information may be stored in storage unit 261 on the console side, rather than on the injection head side.

[0041] (a9) Physical button The physical button 161 is not particularly limited, but may be the following: - an advance button for advancing the ram member; - a retract button for advancing the ram member; - Accelerator button (acceleration button) that increases the movement speed of the ram when pressed simultaneously with the forward or reverse button; - a return button that returns the ram member to its retracted position; - A stop button to stop the head movement, etc.

[0042] (a10) Light-emitting part Indicator 173 in FIG. 4A is, for example, a light emitting diode (LED), and is used to inform the operator of the operating state of the injection head.

[0043] [C. Console] As shown in Fig. 4A, the console 210 may include a control unit 250, a storage unit 261, a communication unit 262, a slot 257, a touch panel 253, and a display 251. In one example, the console may be an integrated type in which the control unit 250 is disposed in a single housing and the display 251 is disposed on the front surface of the housing. A system using multiple consoles instead of one console may be used. A configuration in which some or multiple of the above components are omitted may also be used.

[0044] The shape of the case is not limited in any way, and may be any suitable shape depending on the situation in which the console is used. For example, the case may be of the following shape: -A stationary housing shape suitable for use on a table in an operation room; A housing shape that can be suitably attached to a predetermined support member or a wall (for example, a thin housing with a substantially flat rear side), etc. The display 251 of the console 210 may be a display unit that uses an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), an organic EL (Organic Electro-Luminescence) display, or the like.

[0045] The control unit 250 has a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that performs arithmetic processing, a memory, an interface, etc., and realizes various functions by executing computer programs stored in the memory. The control unit 250 may have hardware such as a CPU, ROM, RAM, and an I / F, and a processor in which a program is implemented. The control unit 250 has many functions according to the implemented programs, and examples of the console functions include the following: a GUI (Graphical User Interface) display function, an injection condition setting function, a screen display function during injection, a screen display function after injection, an injection control function, etc.

[0046] The computer program may be pre-stored in a storage unit of console 210, may be downloaded from an external source via a network or the like and stored in the storage unit, or may be read from an information storage medium inserted into a slot. The same is true for the computer program that controls the operation of injection head 110; it may be stored in the storage unit of the head or the storage unit of the console, or may be read from an external source.

[0047] Each of the above functions will be briefly explained. The GUI display function displays a screen for setting injection conditions and a screen for controlling the injection operation, etc. on the display. Detailed descriptions of the GUI screens will be given later with reference to other drawings.

[0048] The injection condition setting function sets the contents of the liquid injection conditions presented as described above as injection conditions after the liquid injection conditions are confirmed / corrected by a doctor or medical staff.

[0049] The screen display function during injection displays still images or animated images on the display while the liquid is being injected. Also, during the injection of the liquid, pressure information of the liquid is displayed on the display.

[0050] The post-injection screen display function displays information about the completed drug injection on the display.

[0051] The injection control function operates the piston drive mechanism to inject the medicinal liquid according to the set injection conditions and / or according to the operation of a hand switch, etc. Information regarding the operating conditions of the piston drive mechanism may be transmitted from the console to the injection head, and a control circuit in the injection head may control the piston drive mechanism based on that information.

[0052] The control unit 250 may further have an injection history generation function. The injection history generation function is a function for generating injection history data. The "injection history data" may be, for example, one or more of the following: - Data on heater operation (start time of heating, end time of heating), - An injection operation ID, which is a unique identification information for each injection operation; - Date and time of infusion start and end, - identification information of the drug injection device; -Information on the injection conditions, such as the drug solution and the imaging site, -Information on the injection solution and injection pressure as a result, etc.

[0053] 4A again, slot 257 is a portion into which a predetermined information storage medium is inserted, and console 210 can read predetermined data from this information storage medium. Interface 269 is a connection portion for connecting with injection head 110. Console 210 may also be connectable to an external network (e.g., a hospital system or the Internet) via communication portion 262.

[0054] In addition to the hand switch 158, the liquid injector 100 may have a foot switch (not shown).

[0055] (Example of a specific configuration for a hand switch) The hand switch 158 may be as shown in FIG. 5A, for example. The hand switch 158 has a housing 159 held by the operator's hand, and the housing 159 is provided with a plurality of push buttons 158a, 158b. The housing 159 may have a vertically long stick-like external shape, and more specifically, may be generally round bar-like. When providing a plurality of buttons 158a, 158b in this way, it is also possible to arrange these buttons together on the side or top of the housing 159, for example. However, in this example, one button 158a is arranged on the top, and the other button 158b is arranged on the side. By arranging in this way, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of the operator pressing the wrong button.

[0056] In order to allow the operator to operate both buttons 158a, 158b with the fingers of one hand, it is preferable that the distance between buttons 158a, 158b is not too far, and for example, the distance between the buttons (specifically, as an example, the straight-line distance connecting the top surfaces of the buttons) may be 100 mm or less, preferably 50 mm or less. Button 158a may be operated with the operator's thumb, and button 158b may be operated with the index finger.

[0057] Push button 158a is used to start or stop liquid injection and / or adjust the injection speed. In one embodiment, it is preferable to use a variable switch (one whose output value increases or decreases in multiple steps or steplessly) in which the injection speed increases the further push button 158a is pressed. However, a simple switch that switches between ON / OFF may also be used. Push button 158a is used, for example, to control the injection of a contrast medium.

[0058] The push button 158b is used, for example, to control injection of physiological saline, and may be, for example, an ON / OFF switch. If necessary, the push button 158b may also be a variable switch as described above. Although not limited thereto, a circular rib-shaped protrusion 159s may be formed around the periphery of the push button 158b. The protrusion 159 protrudes higher than the top surface of the push button 158b, which prevents the operator's finger from accidentally touching and pressing the push button 158b.

[0059] The characteristic of the output with respect to the amount of depression of the button of the hand switch 158 may be like the curve shown in FIG. 5B. The straight line of the curve B is a characteristic in which the output increases in proportion to the amount of depression. On the other hand, the curve A is an exponential curve type characteristic in which the output increases gradually in the first half but increases in the second half, and the curve C is a logarithmic curve type characteristic in which the output increases greatly in the first half but is suppressed in the second half. In the case of the curve A, the injection speed of the contrast medium is suppressed low when the amount of depression is small, and the injection speed of the contrast medium increases significantly as the amount of depression increases. In the case of the curve C, on the other hand, the injection speed is likely to increase when the amount of depression is small, but the rate of increase in the speed becomes gentle as the amount of depression increases. Furthermore, an S-shaped curve that combines the curves A and B (the first half shows characteristics like the curve A, and the second half shows characteristics like the curve B) may be used.

[0060] The characteristics of the A curve will be specifically described. As a specific example, the characteristic curve may be as shown in FIG. 5C. Here, the horizontal axis of the graph in FIG. 5C represents the amount of depression (mm) of the button of the hand switch, and the vertical axis represents the corresponding liquid injection speed (mL / sec). Although not limited to this, in this example, the liquid injection speed is suppressed to almost zero until the button is depressed by about 10 (mm), and a dead zone is set. In a button-depression type variable hand switch, it may be difficult to balance the pressing force at the initial stage of depression and the reaction force of a spring (which is disposed in the switch and provides a biasing force to return the button to its original position). As a result, it is relatively difficult to operate the button at the start of depression (i.e., during low-speed injection), and it is possible that the discharge amount may increase unintentionally. Therefore, by intentionally providing a dead zone at the initial depression position, the operability and controllability of the button-depression type variable hand switch in particular are improved, making it possible to perform more precise liquid injection. The stroke amount of the dead zone is not particularly limited, but as an example, it may be less than 1 / 4 or less than 1 / 5 of the total stroke amount of the button (for example, the stroke amount of the dead zone is approximately 10 mm for a total stroke amount of 60 mm).

[0061] In one aspect of the present invention, a configuration may be adopted in which a plurality of preset characteristics, such as the above-mentioned A to C curves and S curve, are prepared as characteristics when the button of hand switch 158 is pressed, and one of them can be selected for use. The button to which such a characteristic is assigned may be any button as long as it is a variable switch, and may be either push button 158a or 158b.

[0062] As a further alternative embodiment, the characteristic curve of the output relative to the amount of depression of the button may be freely set according to the operator's preference.

[0063] Also, a function may be provided that records the button pressing action of the operator during one injection of contrast medium and stores the record in memory.

[0064] D. Operation and Graphical User Interface Next, an example of the operation of the liquid injector 100 of this embodiment and an example of a graphical user interface will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0065] First, when liquid injector 100 has, for example, a "CARDIO" mode and an "ANGIO" mode as modes for angiography, it may be configured to display a home screen for mode selection as shown in Fig. 6. Icons 601a and 601b for mode selection are displayed on this screen. In addition, icon 601c for switching to a mode for displaying information on past injection results and icon 601d for switching to a mode for setting the environment may be displayed.

[0066] Although not limited thereto, the "CARDIO" mode may include multiple sub-modes such as "injection pattern single", "injection pattern dual", and "angio injection pattern". On the other hand, the "ANGIO" mode may include only the "angio injection pattern". The number of multiple sub-modes may be only two, or may be four or more.

[0067] Here, "single injection pattern" refers to a pattern in which only one of two liquid medicines is injected, and "dual injection pattern" refers to a pattern in which two liquid medicines are injected simultaneously. In these patterns, the injection speed changes according to how far the button on hand switch 158 is pressed. In the case of "single injection pattern," the injection speed changes according to how hard the button on hand switch 158 is pressed. In the case of "dual injection pattern," on the other hand, the dilution ratio between the contrast medium and saline is maintained, and only the injection speed changes.

[0068] On the other hand, in the "angio injection pattern", the drug solution is injected according to the injection conditions (for example, the injection speed, injection amount, and dilution ratio are set. For example, the injection speed may be a constant speed). For example, this injection may be performed only while a certain input (pressing a specific button) is being made by the operator. The specific button may be a button on the hand switch 158, or a button on another device. Input from another device (another hand switch) will be described later with reference to the drawings. Note that, for any of the "injection pattern single", "injection pattern dual", and "angio injection pattern", the operation that triggers the start of injection is not necessarily limited to pressing a "button". For example, the input may be made by operating a lever or a slide switch.

[0069] In this embodiment, when the icon 601a is selected to select the CARDIO mode, a submode with a default setting is selected. In order to set this default submode, a screen (user interface, not shown) may be provided that allows the user to select which submode is to be the default.

[0070] When the injection mode is selected, the liquid injector 100 displays a screen in the "check" state as shown in FIG. 7 as an example. The screen in FIG. 7 is an example of the injection pattern dual. In this screen, a status display icon 603a, a memory icon 603b, a priming icon 603c, and an end icon 603d are displayed in a status bar 602 at the top of the screen. The status display icon 603a displays "check", indicating that the current state is checked (more details on the checked state are given below). In this example, suction icons 604a and 604b are also displayed. When these icons are pressed (and, if necessary, subject to further input from the operator), suction is started at a preset suction speed, and is stopped by input from the operator. A toggle-type input method in which start and stop can be performed with a common icon may be used.

[0071] 7 also displays injection speed information 605a and injection amount information 605b as the set injection conditions. Specifically, the injection speed of the mixed liquid is "7.0" ml / sec as the injection speed information 605a, and the injection speed of each liquid is "3.5" ml / sec. Similarly, the injection amount is displayed as the injection amount of the mixed liquid is "10.0" ml / sec, and the injection amount of each liquid is "5.0" ml / sec. The icon 606 displays information on the dilution ratio (here, "50" %), and pressure limit information 607 is also displayed.

[0072] In this embodiment, the set injection rate (7.0 ml / sec) is displayed by an indicator 612 on the injection rate meter display 610 so that the set injection rate can be easily visually understood. The injection rate meter display 610 includes an arc-shaped scale display, and in this example, the range is 0 to 10 ml / sec, and values ​​are displayed in increments of 1.0 ml / sec. The shape of the indicator 612 is not particularly limited and may be any shape, but FIG. 7 shows an example of a triangular indicator.

[0073] The injection rate meter display unit 610 may display not only the current set injection rate (7.0 ml / sec) but also an indicator 613 indicating what the previous injection rate was. The screen in Fig. 7 displays information on the previous injection conditions (injection rate 10.0 ml / sec, injection amount 10.0 ml, dilution ratio 50%), and the indicator 613 indicates that the previous injection rate was 10.0 ml / sec. This configuration in which information on the previous injection rate is also displayed allows the previous injection rate to be compared with the current injection rate, and makes it possible to appropriately check, for example, whether the injection rate is set within a predetermined range.

[0074] Figure 7 shows the check state, which is a state in which both test injection and main injection are prohibited. Here, "test injection" refers to injecting a small amount of contrast medium (a smaller amount than the main injection. The injection speed may be slower than the main injection and / or the pressure conditions may be lower than the main injection) for the purpose of, for example, checking the tip position of the catheter. In the state of Figure 7, the execution of this test shot is prohibited.

[0075] By pressing the status display icon 603a on the screen of Fig. 7, the system transitions to the "standby state" as shown in Fig. 8, and test shots become possible. The "standby state" is a state in which test shots are possible but actual injections are prohibited. In the standby state, for example, after moving the catheter to a predetermined target position inside the subject's body, the operator presses the status display icon 603a again.

[0076] This will result in a transition to the "start OK state" (start-ready state) as shown in Figure 9. The "start OK state" is a state in which liquid injection can begin when there is a final input from the operator. In this state, for example, by pressing the hand switch (or foot switch), liquid injection will begin, and the injection head will operate according to the set injection conditions to perform the desired liquid injection.

[0077] In this embodiment, as an example, when the memory icon 603b displayed on the screens of Figs. 7 and 8 is pressed, a transition to a screen (not shown) for setting a submode to be selected as a default when "CARDIO" is selected is made. However, the screen for setting one of the submodes as a default is not limited to this, and may be one that is displayed in response to an arbitrary input from the operator and / or one that is automatically displayed at a predetermined timing. Specific examples of the screen will be described later with reference to other drawings.

[0078] During liquid injection, a screen as shown in FIG. 10 may be displayed. In this example, the current injection speed is indicated by a current speed display line 620a. The current speed display line 620a is a line that rotates around one point like the hands of a clock. Although not limited to this, a speed display image 620 having a substantially fan-like shape with the current speed display line 620a as its radius may be displayed. This speed display image 620 may be colored in a color different from the background color for easy viewing. According to this display mode, a wider range is displayed as a colored image compared to a mode in which only the current speed display line 620a on a straight line is displayed, so that the current speed can be visually confirmed more easily.

[0079] When flushing the inside of the liquid tube with saline, a screen as shown in FIG. 11 may be displayed. On this screen, the current injection speed is displayed in real time by a current speed display line 620a, as in the case of injecting a contrast medium. When injecting saline (or a second liquid different from the first liquid), the current speed display line and / or speed display image of the first liquid may be displayed in a different color from the current speed display line and / or speed display image of the second liquid. This makes it easier to visually confirm which liquid is currently being injected.

[0080] Also, as described with reference to FIG. 4B, in the case of a configuration in which contrast agent and / or saline is aspirated into a syringe, a screen like that of FIG. 12 may be displayed while the medicinal liquid is being aspirated.

[0081] According to the configuration of this embodiment as described above, even when multiple procedures are expected for an angiography examination, such as an examination targeting the coronary arteries and an examination targeting other vascular sites, the "CARDIO" mode and the "ANGIO" mode can be selected on the screen as shown in FIG. 6. Therefore, even when multiple procedures are expected for an angiography examination, it is possible to set the injection conditions of the medicinal liquid and control the operation with good operability.

[0082] A plurality of submodes are prepared for the "CARDIO" mode. In this case, a user interface may be adopted for selecting one of the plurality of submodes after the operator selects the "CARDIO" mode. However, according to the configuration in which one of the default settings is automatically selected as in the present embodiment, when the contents of the angiography examination to be performed are narrowed down to a certain extent, it is preferable in that the input work can be reduced and the injection conditions can be set and the operation can be controlled with good operability.

[0083] A screen for setting one of the submodes as a default may be as shown in FIG. 14, for example. In this example, a plurality of conditions can be set as the submode of "ANGIO", and the conditions of each submode are displayed in condition display section 627 of window 625. Although not limited thereto, condition display section 627 may be a horizontally long bar-shaped display section. In this example, condition display sections 627 from "1" to "4" are displayed, but as an example, the condition in the topmost condition display section 627 may be set as a default. Each of condition display sections 627 may be configured so that the order of the conditions can be arbitrarily changed. Note that such a screen for default setting is not necessarily displayed following the mode selection screen as shown in FIG. 6 (in other words, displayed as a result of mode selection), but may be displayed at an arbitrary timing for setting the default prior to using the liquid injector.

[0084] 2. Other embodiments As another example of the present invention, as shown in Fig. 13, a plurality of hand switches may be provided for the liquid injector 100. In this example, a first type hand switch 158 and a second type hand switch 158' are provided. The first type hand switch 158 may be the one described with reference to Fig. 5A. The second hand switch 158' may differ from the hand switch 158 in at least one of the shape, the number of buttons, and the function. Although not limited thereto, the second hand switch 158' may have a button for switching only ON / OFF.

[0085] In this way, different types of first hand switch 158 and second hand switch 158' may be provided, and for example, "CARDIO" may be set to be performed only by operation of first hand switch 158, and "ANGIO" may be set to be performed only by operation of second hand switch 158'. By using different hand switches according to the procedure in this way, a single liquid injector can be used satisfactorily even when multiple procedures are performed.

[0086] Furthermore, even if the same procedure (e.g., "CARDIO") has multiple submodes ("injection pattern single", "injection pattern dual") as in the above embodiment, the operation for starting injection may be different for each mode. Examples of different operations include a: a: a first device may be used for the first mode and a second device may be used for the second mode, and b: a common device may be used, but different input operations may be required for the first mode and the second mode (e.g., different number of times or time to press a button). Note that, although the case of only two modes is assumed here, the same applies to the case of three or more modes.

[0087] The number of hand switches can also be varied: For example, a configuration may be used that uses a plurality (e.g., two) of the first type hand switches 158. The hand switch 158 may be of a cordless type that has a built-in rechargeable battery and a wireless communication circuit (not shown) and does not have a power line or a signal line.

[0088] In such a configuration, the battery needs to be charged, but by preparing multiple hand switches and using them alternately (as an example), it is possible to avoid a situation in which the hand switches cannot be used due to a lack of battery power. Of course, instead of using them alternately, only one may be used as the main switch and the other as a backup. In addition, when using multiple hand switches in this way, both may be usable at the same time, but in one embodiment, it is preferable to configure the switch so that only one of them is usable. The criteria for which switch is given priority for use may be determined appropriately depending on the usage mode of the hand switches, the examination method, the environment of the hospital facility, etc.

[0089] There may be multiple consoles: In the example of FIG. 13, in addition to console 210, another console 210' is also provided. These consoles 210 are all for setting injection conditions and controlling the operation of injection head 110. A common graphical user interface may be used by each console. One console 210 and the other console 210' may be the same or different (having different shapes and / or functions). Each console 210, 210' may be located in a different room of the hospital facility (for example, one console 210 is located in an examination room and the other console 210' is located in an operation room).

[0090] Without limitation, a hand switch may be connected to either or both of the consoles 210, 210'.

[0091] As described above, in one embodiment of the present invention, there is a method in which the injection rate changes according to the amount of depression of a button, and a method in which pressing of a button is used as a trigger to start injection at a preset injection rate, but the former may be performed by hand switch 158 and the latter by hand switch 158'. When ON of hand switch 158' is detected, image capturing and liquid injection may be performed while liquid injector 100 and imaging device 300 are linked. As an input for starting this linked operation, in addition to hand switch 158', for example, a foot switch (not shown) provided as a part of imaging device 300 or liquid injector 100 may be used.

[0092] (Multiple console operation control) In a configuration having multiple consoles as described above, the following operational control may be performed: One of the consoles 210, 210' (see FIG. 13) may function as a master and the other as a slave.

[0093] The master console can receive data input by a user through an input device, data / signals output from the injection head, and data / signals output from a device (e.g., a hand switch) connected to the console or the injection head, and can execute a predetermined operation according to the received data / signals. The slave console may basically be configured not to receive these data / signals. However, the display on the display device may be synchronized with the display device of the main console.

[0094] The multiple consoles may be switchable between the master side and the slave side. In this case, a master / slave switching button (not shown) may be provided on any one of the multiple consoles, and a user may operate the master / slave switching button to switch between the master side and the slave side. A console having the master / slave switching button accepts the operation of the master / slave switching button regardless of whether it is the master side or the slave side. The master / slave switching button may be a mechanical push button switch, or may be displayed as an icon on a display device of the console. If the master / slave switching button is an icon, the master / slave switching button may be displayed only on the master side console.

[0095] Various types of liquid medicine circuit 880 (FIG. 4B) can be used, and although not shown, for example, a liquid medicine circuit having a one-way valve or a stopcock that can be switched mechanically or manually can be used. With regard to liquid medicine injection, for example, in order to prevent the subject's blood from flowing backward to the upstream side of the liquid medicine circuit, a pressure of a predetermined level or more may be applied to the liquid medicine in the liquid medicine circuit.

[0096] Such an operation is expressed as a pre-charge operation or a pressurizing operation. Specific conditions of the pressurizing operation may be changed in various ways depending on the type of liquid medicine used, the characteristics of the liquid medicine circuit, and the like, but as an example, the liquid medicine may be pressurized so as to push out a small amount of liquid medicine at a relatively high speed for a short period of time. As a specific example, the speed may be, for example, 4.0 mL / sec or more, 6.0 mL / sec or more, or 8.0 mL / sec or more. The time may be, for example, 50 msec to 500 msec, and more specifically, may be within a range of 100 msec to 200 msec.

[0097] It is also possible to perform the pressurization operation at a slower speed than the above example, for example at a speed of 2.0 mL / sec. For example, the presser may be advanced at a speed of 2.0 mL / sec for 150 msec (corresponding to an injection amount of 0.3 mL of the drug solution).

[0098] Following this pressurization operation, a medicinal liquid injection phase may be performed. With regard to the relationship between the pressurization operation and the timing of opening the stopcock or valve, the stopcock or valve may be configured to be opened after the pressurization operation has been completely completed, or after at least a portion of the pressurization operation has been completed. By using such timing, it is possible to apply pressure favorably to the medicinal liquid in the circuit, and as a result, it is possible to prevent backflow of the subject's blood, etc. In a configuration in which medicinal liquid injection is started by operating a hand switch, the pressurization operation as described above may be performed each time the hand switch button is pressed (as an example).

[0099] 7, as another example, the display mode may be such that the injection rate and injection amount of the medicinal liquid are not displayed within the display frames of the injection rate information 605a and the injection amount information 605b. Also, the pressure limit information 607 may be displayed as a bar extending vertically instead of a bar extending horizontally.

[0100] In the example of FIG. 7, information on the open / closed state of a specific valve on the liquid medicine circuit is also displayed in the status bar 602. This configuration is preferable in that the current state of the liquid medicine circuit can be visually confirmed on the screen. Such a valve state display may be performed using any image / icon, and as a specific example, an image as shown in FIG. 15 may be used. That is, in the example of FIG. 15, a valve image 633 showing the shape of the valve and an open state image 633a showing the open state of the valve are displayed. When the valve is open, the open state image 633a is displayed as shown in FIG. 15(a), for example, to show the direction of the fluid flow, and when the valve is closed, the image is displayed as shown in FIG. 15(b), showing the closed state of the valve.

[0101] Of course, the image as shown in Fig. 15 is not necessarily limited to being displayed in the status bar 602, but may be displayed at any position on the screen. For example, in the example of Fig. 7, such an image may be displayed in the injection rate meter display section 610.

[0102] Although an embodiment of the present invention has been described above with reference to the drawings, the present invention is not necessarily limited to the above content, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0103] For example, a first contrast medium may be used as the first liquid medicine, and a second contrast medium may be used as the second liquid medicine. All elements in the images shown as examples of a graphical user interface do not need to be displayed, and may be removed or added as appropriate. The screen displayed during liquid injection is not necessarily limited to the one shown in Fig. 10. However, in one embodiment, it is preferable that when the injection speed varies in response to the variable switch, the display showing the injection speed (indicator and / or text information, etc.) is changed accordingly. A display (indicator and / or text information, etc.) showing the maximum injection rate may be provided so that the maximum injection rate at which the drug was injected during a series of drug injections can be confirmed after the fact.

[0104] (Additional Note) This application discloses the following inventions: 1. A liquid medicine injection device for angiography, comprising: a drive mechanism for pumping out a liquid medicine from a liquid medicine container; and a control unit for providing a graphical user interface for setting operating conditions of the drive mechanism or for controlling the operation of the drive mechanism, the liquid medicine being delivered via a catheter inserted into a blood vessel; The graphical user interface includes: a: a screen for selecting either a first angiography mode (CARDIO) or a second angiography mode (ANGIO), at least one of the first and second angiography modes including multiple submodes (CARDIO A / CARDIO A+B / ANGIO) for different injection procedures; b: a screen for setting one of the plurality of submodes as a default; Including, and when the first or second angiography examination mode including the plurality of submodes is selected, the submode set as a default is selected. A drug injection device for angiography examinations.

[0105] 2. The liquid medicine injection device for angiography described in the above 1, wherein the first angiography mode is a coronary angiography mode.

[0106] 3. As the sub-mode in the first angiography examination mode, A variable-speed injection mode (CARDIO A / CARDIO A+B) in which the injection speed changes according to operator input; A set rate injection mode (ANGIO) for injecting the drug solution at a set injection rate; 3. A liquid medicine injection device for angiography according to 1 or 2 above.

[0107] 4. The graphical user interface is a screen for starting the injection of the drug solution, c1: A check screen that displays the set injection conditions in a state in which the execution of both a test injection in which a small amount of drug solution is discharged from the tip of the catheter and a main injection is restricted; and c2: a standby screen showing a state in which test injection can be performed after a predetermined input is made by the operator in the state of the check screen; c3: A start-ready screen showing a state in which the injection can be performed after an input from the operator that is the same as or different from the predetermined input is received in the standby screen state, 4. The liquid medicine injector for angiography according to any one of 1 to 3 above.

[0108] 5. The liquid medicine injector for angiography according to any one of 1 to 4 above, wherein the liquid medicine container is a liquid medicine syringe having a cylinder member and a piston member slidably inserted into the cylinder member.

[0109] 6. A first liquid syringe filled with a first liquid; a second liquid syringe filled with a second liquid; 6. The liquid medicine injection device for angiography described above in 5, configured to hold the liquid medicine.

[0110] 7. An injection head to which the first and second liquid syringes are attached; a console connected to the injection head; 7. The drug solution injector for angiography according to claim 6, further comprising:

[0111] 8. At least one of the first liquid syringe and the second liquid syringe aspirates a liquid from a liquid container and injects the liquid. 8. The drug solution injector for angiography according to any one of 1 to 7 above.

[0112] 9.Furthermore, At least one hand switch (158) having an operation unit (158a) that outputs an output value that changes stepwise or steplessly according to the amount of operation by an operator is provided; 9. The drug solution injector for angiography according to any one of 1 to 8 above.

[0113] 10. A plurality of the hand switches are provided; During drug injection, only one of the hand switches is permitted to be used, and the use of the other switches is restricted. 10. The drug solution injector for angiography according to any one of 1 to 9 above.

[0114] 11. A method for providing a graphical user interface for setting operating conditions or controlling the operation of a drive mechanism for pumping a liquid medicine in a liquid medicine container, comprising: The graphical user interface includes: a: a screen for selecting either a first angiography mode or a second angiography mode, at least one of the first and second angiography modes including a plurality of submodes for different injection procedures; b: a screen for setting one of the plurality of submodes as a default; Including, and selecting, by the computer, when the first or second angiography examination mode including the plurality of submodes is selected, the submode as a default. A method for providing a graphical user interface.

[0115] 12. A computer program that provides a graphical user interface for setting operating conditions or controlling the operation of a drive mechanism that delivers a liquid drug from a liquid drug container, comprising: The graphical user interface includes: a: a screen for selecting either a first angiography mode or a second angiography mode, at least one of the first and second angiography modes including a plurality of submodes for different injection procedures; b: a screen for setting one of the plurality of submodes as a default; Including, causing the computer to execute a step of selecting a default submode when the first or second angiography examination mode including the plurality of submodes is selected; Computer program. [Explanation of symbols]

[0116] 100 Chemical injection device 110 Injection Head 130 Piston drive mechanism 140 Syringe holder 158, 158′ Hand switch 158a, 158b push button 159 Case 210, 210′ ​​Console 300 Imaging device 620a Current speed display line 620 Speed ​​Display Image 625 Window 627 Condition display section 633 Valve Images 633 Open state image 633a 800 Liquid Syringe 810 Cylinder parts 820 Piston parts 840 Protective Case 880 Chemical circuit 881a, 881b, 881c flow channels 883 Connector 885 Catheter 890A, 890B Chemical container

Claims

1. A liquid medicine injector comprising: a drive mechanism for delivering a liquid medicine from a liquid medicine container; and a control unit for providing a graphical user interface for setting operating conditions or controlling the operation of the drive mechanism, the graphical user interface includes an infusion rate display section having a scale with numerical values ​​representing the infusion rate of the medicinal liquid arranged in an arc shape; The control unit is configured to display the infusion rate display on a screen. Chemical injection device.

2. A drug solution injection device as described in claim 1, wherein the injection rate display unit has an indicator that indicates the injection rate by being displayed at a position corresponding to the scale.

3. The screen is a screen displayed until the injection of the medicinal solution begins, 3. The chemical liquid injector according to claim 2, wherein the indicator indicates a set injection rate.

4. A drug solution injection device as described in claim 3, further having a previous rate indicator that indicates the previous injection rate.

5. The screen is a screen displayed during injection of the medicinal solution, The speed display unit has a current speed display line that indicates the current injection speed and is displayed so as to rotate around one point. The chemical liquid injector according to claim 1 or 2.

6. A drug solution injection device as described in Claim 5, wherein the speed display unit further has a fan-shaped speed display image with the current speed display line as its radius.

7. A chemical liquid injection device as described in any one of claims 1 to 6, further having a hand switch for an operator to control the injection of the chemical liquid during injection.

8. A chemical liquid injection device as described in Claim 7, wherein the hand switch is a variable hand switch that can change the injection rate depending on the operation by the operator.

9. A chemical liquid injection device as described in Claim 8, wherein the variable hand switch has a characteristic curve that is pre-set as a characteristic corresponding to the amount of operation by the operator.

10. A drug solution injection device as described in Claim 9, wherein the characteristic curves are a plurality of characteristic curves that are different from each other, and the device is configured so that one of the plurality of characteristic curves can be selected.

11. A drug solution injection device as described in claim 9 or 10, which is configured so that the characteristic curve can be freely set.

12. 1. A method for providing a graphical user interface for setting operating conditions or controlling the operation of a drive mechanism for delivering a liquid medicine from a liquid medicine container, comprising: the graphical user interface includes an infusion rate display section having a scale with numerical values ​​representing the infusion rate of the medicinal liquid arranged in an arc shape; The method includes a step of causing a computer to display the infusion rate display unit on a screen. A method for providing a graphical user interface.

13. A computer program that provides a graphical user interface for setting operating conditions or controlling the operation of a drive mechanism that delivers a liquid medicine from a liquid medicine container, the graphical user interface includes an infusion rate display section having a scale with numerical values ​​representing the infusion rate of the medicinal liquid arranged in an arc shape; causing a computer to execute a step of displaying the infusion rate display section on a screen; Computer program.

Images