Cassette With Pivotable Connectors For Fluid Injector Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fluid injector systems face challenges with managing and accessing multiple fluid path components, which can become tangled and difficult to install correctly, leading to errors in medical imaging procedures.
Innovation Solution
A cassette system that holds and organizes fluid path components, featuring pivotable connecting members, retention elements, and a shielded stopcock, allowing for easy alignment and secure attachment to a fluid injector, reducing the risk of misinstallation and improving setup efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multiple fluid path components are used in conventional injector systems, then fluid delivery functionality is achieved, but the components become tangled and difficult to manage during shipping and setup
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple fluid path components (tubing, stopcocks, air management components, connectors) into a single integrated cassette assembly. This merging eliminates the tangling and management difficulties of separate components while maintaining all necessary fluid delivery functions. The cassette serves as a unified platform that houses and organizes all fluid path elements in predetermined positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the fluid injector system into distinct functional modules: a reusable injector unit and a disposable cassette containing all fluid path components. This segmentation allows the complex fluid path components to be pre-assembled and organized in the cassette, which can then be easily attached to the injector, simplifying setup and management.
2Reliability
If significant lengths of tubing are used to connect fluid components, then fluid delivery is enabled, but the tubing becomes loose and may be installed incorrectly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by pre-assembling and pre-positioning all fluid path components, including tubing of appropriate lengths, within the cassette during manufacturing. The tubing is routed and secured in predetermined positions that ensure correct alignment with corresponding injector features. This preliminary organization eliminates the risk of incorrect installation during setup, as components are already in their proper positions and orientations.
3Productivity
If multiple fluid path components are managed separately, then fluid flow control is achieved, but rapid access and setup are hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges all fluid path components into a single cassette assembly that can be rapidly attached to the injector as one unit. This eliminates the need to individually handle and connect multiple separate components, dramatically reducing setup time. The integrated cassette maintains all necessary fluid flow control capabilities while enabling rapid deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
The cassette serves multiple functions simultaneously: it houses and organizes fluid path components, provides connection interfaces to the injector, maintains sterility barriers, and enables rapid setup. This multi-functionality allows the single cassette component to replace numerous separate components while maintaining all necessary capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
A cassette for holding fluid path components for a fluid injector may include a body defining at least one feature for holding at least one fluid path component for the fluid injector; and a connecting member for removably connecting the body of the cassette to the fluid injector, the connecting member operatively connected to the body, wherein the connecting member comprises at least one pivotable connecting feature protruding from the body, and wherein each of the at least one pivotable connecting feature is configured for removably connecting to a corresponding connecting feature receiver on the fluid injector such that the body is pivotally movable relative to the fluid injector between a first, unlatched position and a second, latched position in which the at least one fluid path component on the body of the cassette is positioned for operative connection to a corresponding feature of the fluid injector.