Contrast Injection Device Alternating Saline and Contrast Phases

Solution Overview

Problem

Current medical imaging technologies using contrast products face challenges in varying contrast concentrations over time and region during image acquisition, often requiring dual injectors, which increase costs and risks of error and contamination.

Innovation Solution

A single injector system that alternates between injecting contrast product and saline solution at varying concentrations to achieve desired mixing within the patient's cardiovascular system before reaching the target organ, allowing for precise control of contrast concentrations during image acquisition.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If two injectors are used in parallel to inject contrast product and saline solution simultaneously, then the contrast product can be diluted at the desired concentration, but the cost increases and the risk of error and contamination increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrast product dilution concentrationVSAvoidnumber of injectors

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The injection process is segmented into alternating phases of contrast product and saline solution injection, rather than simultaneous injection from two sources. This temporal segmentation allows a single injector to achieve dilution by injecting contrast product followed by saline solution in alternating cycles, eliminating the need for a second injector while maintaining the desired concentration control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs periodic alternating injection of contrast product and saline solution through a single injector. By rhythmically switching between injecting contrast product and saline solution in alternating phases, the system achieves dynamic dilution control without requiring parallel injectors, thereby reducing device complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Manufacturing precision

If two injectors are used in parallel, then contrast product can be diluted simultaneously, but the risk of extravasation and contamination increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrast product dilution concentrationVSAvoidrisk of extravasation and contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The injection process is segmented into alternating phases of contrast product and saline solution injection, rather than simultaneous injection from two sources. This temporal segmentation allows a single injector to achieve dilution by injecting contrast product followed by saline solution in alternating cycles, eliminating the need for a second injector while maintaining the desired concentration control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary mixing of contrast product and saline solution in alternating injection phases before the contrast reaches the target organ. This preliminary action ensures proper dilution concentration is achieved in advance, reducing the risk of extravasation and contamination by controlling the injection process more carefully through alternating phases rather than simultaneous dual injector operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If contrast product is injected at high concentration, then imaging quality is improved, but the risk of extravasation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimaging qualityVSAvoidrisk of extravasation

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs periodic alternating injection of contrast product and saline solution through a single injector. By rhythmically switching between injecting contrast product and saline solution in alternating phases, the system achieves dynamic dilution control without requiring parallel injectors, thereby reducing device complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes the concentration parameter of the injected solution by alternating between high-concentration contrast product injection phases and saline solution injection phases. This parameter change allows the contrast concentration to be adjusted in real-time, maintaining high imaging quality when needed while reducing extravasation risk through controlled dilution during saline phases.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2477677B1Device for injecting contrast products

Publication Date: 2018.01.17 BRACCO INJENEERING

Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C

AI summary

The device has a container for storing a contrast agent, and another container for containing saline solution. A distributor is arranged in a manner to establish an alternate communication between the containers and an injector. A communication assuring unit assures the alternate communication between the containers and the injector at a frequency of 1 hertz during two consecutive cycles, where the frequency is variable over time.