Medical Fluid Injection System with Automated Safety Controls
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current angiography injection systems lack precision and safety features, with manual systems limited by human strength and lacking automated controls, and existing automated systems not incorporating advanced user interfaces or safety measures to prevent errors like air bubbles during fluid injection.
Innovation Solution
A dual-syringe injection system with a disposable cassette, contextual lighting, and an advanced graphical user interface (GUI) for setup and operation, including a portable remote display, pinch valves for fluid control, and safety features to prevent backflow and air bubbles, allowing for precise control of injection parameters and real-time monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual injection systems are used, then the system is simple to operate, but the injection precision and safety are limited by human strength and lack automated controls
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical plunger system with an automated motor-driven syringe mechanism. The motorized drive precisely controls plunger movement to achieve accurate injection rates and volumes, eliminating the limitations of manual strength and control while maintaining ease of operation through automated interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates pressure sensors and flow meters that provide real-time feedback to the control system. This feedback enables automated adjustment of injection parameters to maintain precision, detect anomalies such as pressure spikes indicating potential air bubbles, and ensure safe operation within predetermined limits.
2Device complexity
If manual injection systems are used, then the device complexity is low, but safety features and automated controls are lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions including automatic air bubble detection before injection, pre-setting of injection parameters within safe limits, and automated flushing sequences. These preliminary safety checks prevent harmful injections from occurring in the first place, enhancing reliability without requiring complex manual safety procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically monitors injection pressure, detects air bubbles, and adjusts flow rates without operator intervention. The automated safety features continuously verify injection conditions and can halt injection if safety limits are exceeded, providing self-monitoring and self-protection capabilities that enhance reliability.
3Measurement precision
If automated injection systems are used, then injection precision is improved, but the user interface and safety measures need advancement to prevent errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs disposable syringes and injection sets that are pre-filled and pre-calibrated. These single-use components eliminate the need for complex cleaning and sterilization procedures, reduce the risk of contamination, and ensure consistent precision for each injection while simplifying the user interface to basic load-and-go operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates visual indicators such as color-coded connectors to prevent mismatched attachments, LED indicators to show system status and injection progress, and color-changing elements to alert operators to potential issues like air bubbles or pressure anomalies, making the interface more intuitive and error-resistant.
4Extent of automation
If existing automated systems are used, then injection control is automated, but advanced safety measures to detect air bubbles and prevent errors are not incorporated
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the compressibility difference between gas and liquid to the advantage by incorporating compression sensors that detect air bubbles in the syringe or injection line. When air bubbles are detected, the system automatically halts injection and alerts the operator, converting the potentially harmful presence of air into a detectable signal that prevents injection errors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates an intermediary flushing system using saline solution that automatically flushes the injection line before and after contrast injection. This intermediary fluid clears any residual air bubbles or contrast material from the line, preventing air embolism and ensuring complete delivery of the prescribed dose while maintaining automated operation.
Data Source
AI summary
An example method includes receiving, within a graphical user interface (GUI) of a medical fluid injection system, a selection of a particular user, providing, within the GUI, a display of a plurality of selectable options, each option including at least a respective graphical symbol, wherein each respective graphical symbol comprises a respective non-textual icon that is a graphical representation of a respective anatomical location associated with the medical procedure, each respective anatomical location comprising one of a left coronary artery, a right coronary artery, or a left ventricle and aorta, retrieving one or more customized injection parameters that have respective values customized for the particular user based on one or more preferences of the particular user, and displaying, within the GUI, the one or more customized injection parameters.