Simulated Contrast Medium for Medical Injector Validation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical contrast media are expensive and pose handling and disposal risks when used for testing medical injection systems, as they contain active agents that can expose personnel and contaminate the environment during operational validation.
Innovation Solution
Development of a simulated contrast medium that replicates the fluid flow properties of traditional contrast media without active agents, allowing for reliable testing and validation of medical fluid delivery devices without the risks associated with active contrast agents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional contrast media are used for testing injection systems, then the testing can validate operational integrity, but personnel are exposed to active agents and the environment is contaminated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a simulated contrast medium that copies the fluid flow properties of traditional contrast media without containing active contrast agents. The simulated medium replicates viscosity, density, and flow characteristics, allowing it to pass through the injection system and validate operational integrity while eliminating exposure risks to personnel and contamination to the environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The simulated contrast medium is designed as a disposable testing agent that can be safely discarded after use. Unlike traditional contrast media that require special disposal procedures due to their active agents, the simulated medium can be disposed of in常规 waste containers, eliminating the need for specialized waste handling and reducing environmental contamination risks.
2Reliability
If traditional contrast media are used for testing, then injection system validation is achieved, but the contrast media are expensive and chemically stable once discarded
Solution Approach 1:
The simulated contrast medium is a cost-effective copy of traditional contrast media that replicates the necessary fluid dynamics for validation testing. It uses inexpensive substances that mimic the flow properties of expensive active contrast agents, significantly reducing the cost per test while maintaining validation reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The simulated contrast medium is designed as a disposable, low-cost testing agent that can be safely discarded in常规 waste containers. This eliminates the need for expensive disposal procedures required for chemically stable active contrast agents, reducing both cost and disposal complexity while maintaining adequate validation capability.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If simulated contrast media are used, then handling and disposal safety is improved, but the medium must accurately replicate fluid flow properties for valid testing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adjusts key physical parameters of the simulated contrast medium, including viscosity, density, and flow rate characteristics, to match those of traditional contrast media. By carefully controlling these parameters, the simulated medium accurately replicates fluid flow behavior during injection, ensuring valid testing while maintaining safety and ease of disposal.
Data Source
AI summary
A medical fluid injection system may include a powered injector and a fluid reservoir that contains a simulated contrast medium. The simulated contrast medium may exhibit a fluid flow property substantially equal to that of an active contrast medium but be devoid of any active contrast agent that provides contrast during diagnostic imaging. During operation, a syringe in the powered injector may be filled with the simulated contrast medium and then evacuated to discharge the simulated contrast medium from the syringe. The simulated contrast medium may be used to test and evaluate the performance of the powered injector prior to use in a medical procedure without exposing personnel to an active contrast agent or creating medical waste that contains the active contrast agent.