Fluid Injector Ratio Control Through Second-Fluid Pre-Pressurization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid injector systems struggle with unintended deviations from the desired ratio of first and second fluids during multi-phase injection protocols, leading to overly concentrated or diluted doses that result in non-diagnostic or reduced-quality medical images.
Innovation Solution
A fluid injector system with a control device that includes a first and second drive component, programmed to actuate the components to achieve a desired steady-state ratio of fluids by adjusting pressure and flow rates during phase transitions, using valves to isolate reservoirs and manage backflow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a multi-phase injection protocol is used to deliver multiple fluid types, then the versatility of the fluid injector system is improved, but the ratio performance between first fluid and second fluid deteriorates due to unintended deviations from desired ratio
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-pressurizes the second fluid during the first phase before the second phase begins. This preliminary action ensures that when the second phase starts, the second fluid is already pressurized and ready for immediate injection, eliminating delays and ratio deviations that occur during pressure buildup. The control device actuates the second drive component during the first phase to pressurize the second fluid relative to the pressure of the first fluid in the fluid conduit.
2Productivity
If the second drive component is actuated during the first phase to pressurize the second fluid, then the steady-state ratio is reached quicker, but the device complexity increases due to additional control requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The control device merges the control of multiple drive components into a unified system that manages both the first and second drive components. By integrating the control logic to simultaneously or sequentially actuate both drive components according to the injection protocol phases, the system achieves coordinated fluid delivery without requiring separate independent control systems, thus managing complexity while improving productivity.
3Reliability
If valves are used to isolate reservoirs and manage backflow, then the reliability of fluid delivery is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control device acts as an intermediary that intelligently manages the valve operations and drive component actuation. Rather than having complex mechanical valve systems operating independently, the control device coordinates valve opening/closing and drive component actuation based on the injection phase and fluid pressure requirements, simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining reliability.
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
The system ensures a quicker and more precise attainment of the desired steady-state ratio of fluids, reducing the likelihood of concentration or dilution errors and enhancing image quality in medical procedures.
Implementation Method 1
a first drive component configured to pressurize and inject a first fluid from a first fluid reservoir through a fluid conduit
Implementation Method 2
a second drive component configured to pressurize and inject a second fluid from a second fluid reservoir through the fluid conduit
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid injector system includes a control device operatively associated with a first drive component configured to pressurize and inject a first fluid and a second drive component configured to pressurize and inject a second fluid. The control device includes at least one processor programmed or configured to: during a first phase of a multi-phase injection protocol, actuate at least the first drive component to inject the first phase; during the first phase of the injection protocol and prior to transitioning to a second phase of the injection protocol, actuate the second drive component to pressurize the second fluid relative to a pressure of the first fluid; and during the second phase of the injection protocol, actuate the second drive component to inject at least the second fluid so that a desired steady-state ratio of the first fluid and the second fluid in the second phase is reached.