Fluid Injector Pulse Control for Reservoir Backflow Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid injector systems fail to effectively prevent unintended mixing and backflow of different fluids between reservoirs, particularly in multi-patient applications, leading to dosing errors and reduced image quality in medical diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.
Innovation Solution
A fluid injector system with a control device that actuates drive components to introduce intermittent pulses of one fluid to create a flow front interface with another fluid, monitoring pressures and adjusting flow rates to prevent backflow, using processors and algorithms to manage fluid interactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If continuous flow of second fluid is used to ensure complete injection, then injection completeness is improved, but backflow into first reservoir occurs causing fluid mixing
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces intermittent pulses of first fluid during the injection of second fluid. These periodic pulses create a flow front interface that prevents backflow of the second fluid into the first reservoir, while still allowing complete injection of the second fluid bolus.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies preliminary counter-pressure by introducing pulses of first fluid before backflow can occur. This preemptive action creates a protective flow front interface that blocks the second fluid from entering the first reservoir.
2Stability of the object's composition
If intermittent pulses of first fluid are introduced to prevent backflow, then fluid mixing is prevented, but injection protocol complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control device monitors pressure differentials between the first and second reservoirs and automatically adjusts the timing and intensity of first fluid pulses. This feedback mechanism simplifies the injection protocol by eliminating manual coordination while maintaining effective backflow prevention.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Prevents backflow of fluids between reservoirs, ensuring accurate dosing and maintaining image quality by creating a controlled fluid interface and adjusting flow dynamics based on pressure and flow rate differences.
Implementation Method 1
introduce intermittent pulses of the first fluid to create a flow front interface between the first fluid and the second fluid in the fluid conduit to prevent backflow
Implementation Method 2
monitor the pressure in the first fluid reservoir and the pressure in the second fluid reservoir during injection of the first fluid and the second fluid to determine if a difference between the pressure in the first fluid reservoir and the pressure in the second fluid reservoir reaches a first predetermined value
Data Source
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AI summary
A fluid injector system includes a control device operatively associated with each of two or more drive components configured to pressurize and inject a first fluid from a first fluid reservoir through a fluid conduit, and at least a second fluid from a second fluid reservoir through the fluid conduit. The fluid conduit is in selective fluid communication with the first and second fluid reservoirs. The control device has at least one processor programmed or configured to actuate a second drive component to pressurize and inject the second fluid through the fluid conduit, and while the second drive component is actuated, actuate a first drive component to introduce intermittent pulses of the first fluid to create a flow front interface between the first fluid and the second fluid in the fluid conduit to prevent backflow of the second fluid through the fluid conduit into the first fluid reservoir.