Touch-Screen Fluid Injection Device With Automatic Parameter Calculation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current fluid injection apparatuses for medical imaging diagnostics require complex operations to set optimal injection conditions considering patient weight, body section, and imaging region, leading to inefficiencies and potential waste of contrast medium.

Innovation Solution

A fluid injection apparatus with an intuitive user interface that allows easy setting and review of injection conditions through a touch-screen console connected to an injector head, utilizing IC tags for syringe information and automatic calculation of injection volumes and rates based on patient weight and imaging region selection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If injection conditions are set manually considering patient weight, body section, and imaging region, then optimal injection conditions can be achieved, but the operation becomes complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinjection condition accuracyVSAvoidoperation simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically calculates injection conditions by reading patient weight from the weighing scale and imaging region from the CT scanner, eliminating the need for manual input. The controller autonomously determines injection volume and rate based on pre-stored algorithms, making the system self-serve the injection condition calculation function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-stores multiple injection condition algorithms corresponding to different imaging regions and patient weight ranges before the actual injection. When the imaging region and patient weight are identified, the system automatically selects and applies the appropriate pre-prepared algorithm, avoiding complex real-time calculations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If manual input is required for patient weight and imaging region, then injection conditions can be customized, but the setting process becomes time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinjection condition customizationVSAvoidsetting time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system receives automatic feedback from the weighing scale regarding patient weight and from the CT scanner regarding imaging region. This feedback is directly used by the controller to determine injection conditions without requiring additional manual input, significantly reducing setting time while maintaining customization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The controller serves multiple functions: it processes data from the weighing scale, receives imaging region information from the CT scanner, stores injection condition algorithms, calculates injection parameters, and controls the injection pump. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate manual input processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Manufacturing precision

If complex manual setting processes are used, then injection conditions can be precisely controlled, but the risk of error increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinjection parameter precisionVSAvoiderror rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces manual mechanical input processes with automated electronic data acquisition from the weighing scale and CT scanner. The controller electronically processes this data using pre-stored algorithms, eliminating human error in calculation and input while maintaining precise control over injection parameters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Adaptability or versatility

If the interface requires multiple input steps, then comprehensive injection conditions can be set, but the user interface becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinjection condition coverageVSAvoidinterface complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The interface is segmented into distinct functional modules: a weighing scale interface for weight input, a CT scanner interface for imaging region identification, and an injection control interface for displaying calculated parameters. Each module handles specific information independently, making the overall complex system manageable through modular design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2671603B1Drug solution injection device
Publication Date: 2020.06.10 NEMOTO KYORINDO KK
  • EP2671603B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2671603B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2671603B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

An injection apparatus includes an injector head (110) and a console (150) having a touch screen display, performing following procedures: (a) displaying icons of a plurality of imaging-regions on the display;(b) when one icon of imaging-region is selected, reading an injection time associated with the imaging-region;(c) determining an contrast medium volume to be injected into the patient;(d) determining an injection rate of the contrast medium based on the determined contrast medium volume and the injection time;(e) displaying a thumbnail image (175) on the display, the thumbnail image including a graph of an injection condition showing a relationship between the injection time and the injection rate; and(f) when a certain icon on the display and/or a certain hard button on the injector head is pressed, starting a mode for an injection in accordance with the injection condition.