Vacuum-Driven Fluid Delivery System for MRI In-Bore Injection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current powered injectors for medical procedures, such as MRI, are underutilized due to perceived time inefficiencies and difficulties in patient repositioning, leading to manual injection methods that are cumbersome and often require additional time and resources, especially for procedures where precise timing and flow rate control are not critical.
Innovation Solution
A compact, MR-compatible fluid delivery system with a pressurizing mechanism that allows for in-bore injection, utilizing a cylindrical body with a movable member to create a vacuum and atmospheric pressure differential, enabling efficient and remote-controlled fluid dispensing with minimal setup time and reduced need for lengthy tubing, thus eliminating the need for saline flushes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If manual injection method is used, then setup time is reduced and patient repositioning is avoided, but injection precision and flow rate control are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical powered injectors with a vacuum-driven system that uses atmospheric pressure differential to drive fluid injection. The movable member creates a vacuum in the first chamber while the second chamber remains at atmospheric pressure, eliminating complex mechanical drive mechanisms while maintaining precise flow control through the pressure differential.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses pneumatic principles by creating a vacuum environment in the first chamber to drive fluid injection. The atmospheric pressure acting on the fluid container combined with the vacuum pressure in the first chamber creates the driving force for fluid delivery, replacing mechanical actuation with pneumatic pressure differential.
2Measurement precision
If powered injectors are used, then flow rate control is improved, but device complexity and setup time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical powered injector mechanisms with a vacuum-driven system. The movable member that creates vacuum pressure replaces traditional motors, gears, and mechanical drive systems, significantly simplifying the device while maintaining flow control capability through atmospheric pressure differential.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and eliminates unnecessary mechanical components from traditional powered injectors. By using only the essential vacuum creation mechanism and atmospheric pressure differential, the system removes complex drive mechanisms, control systems, and power supplies while retaining flow rate control functionality.
3Loss of time
If in-bore injection is implemented, then patient repositioning is eliminated, but MRI compatibility requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a vacuum-driven system instead of mechanically powered injectors, eliminating motors and electronic control systems that would be incompatible with MRI environments. The system achieves MRI compatibility by relying on atmospheric pressure differential and simple vacuum creation mechanisms that do not interfere with magnetic resonance imaging.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs a disposable fluid container and simple vacuum mechanism that can be safely used in the MRI bore. The disposable nature of components allows for MRI compatibility without concern for sterilization or magnetic interference, as components are single-use and designed specifically for in-bore injection.
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 facilitates efficient, precise, and time-saving fluid injection within the MRI bore, reducing procedural time and minimizing the need for additional personnel, while ensuring compatibility with MRI equipment and patient comfort.
Implementation Method 1
forming a vacuum within the first chamber by moving the movable member toward the second end of the body
Implementation Method 2
allowing atmospheric pressure to enter the second chamber
Implementation Method 3
actuating the pressurizing mechanism to cause the moving member to move towards the first end of the body and forcing the plunger rod to move within the fluid container
Data Source
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AI summary
A fluid delivery system includes a pressurizing mechanism. The pressurizing mechanism includes: a body, preferably cylindrical, having a movable member positioned therein that divides the body into a first chamber and a second chamber; a plunger rod connected to a first side of the movable member and extending through a substantially closed first end of the body; and an elongated member connected to a second side of the movable member and extending through a substantially closed second end of the body. The plunger rod configured to operatively engage a fluid container. Fluid is dispensed from the fluid container by forming a vacuum within at least the first chamber by moving the movable member toward the second end of the body, allowing atmospheric pressure to enter the second chamber, and actuating the pressurizing mechanism to cause the moving member to move towards the first end of the body.