Method and Apparatus for Wetting Internal Fluid Path Surfaces of a Fluid Port to Increase Ultrasonic Signal Transmission

A method for readying a fluidic conduit associated with a medical device, the method comprising:

• attaching a flow restrictor to a fluid outlet of the fluidic conduit, the fluid conduit comprising:
• a fluid channel,
• a fluid inlet at a first end of the fluid channel configured to couple to an outlet of an administrable fluid source, and
• the fluid outlet at a second end of the fluid channel;
• delivering fluid from the administrable fluid source to the fluid channel through the fluid inlet;
• pressurizing the fluid in the fluid channel between the fluid inlet and the flow restrictor to wet an interior surface of the fluid channel with the fluid, thereby removing air bubbles from the pressurized fluid in the fluidic conduit;
• and
• removing the flow restrictor from the fluid outlet.

A method for readying a fluid sensor associated with a medical device comprising:

• generating a first signal by at least one sensor of a fluid port characterizing at least one attribute of a fluid within an administrable fluid source, the fluid port comprising:
• a fluid channel, a fluid inlet at a first end of the fluid channel configured to couple to an outlet of an administrable fluid source, and a fluid outlet at a second end of the fluid channel having a flow restrictor;
• removing the flow restrictor;
• attaching the fluid outlet at a second end of the fluid channel to an inlet configured to deliver fluid from the administrable fluid source to a fluid pathway that provides fluid to said medical device;
• and
• generating a second signal of the same type as said first signal by at least one sensor of a fluid port characterizing at least one attribute of fluid, wherein said second signal is increased over the first signal.

An apparatus for controlling a plunger of a syringe to deliver a fluid from an interior of the syringe, comprising:

• an actuator rod extending from a proximal end to a distal end;
• a plunger engagement portion engaged with the distal end of the actuator rod and configured to engage the plunger of the syringe;
• and
• a body having a proximal end, a distal end, and an opening at the proximal end, wherein the opening receives the plunger engagement portion, and wherein the plunger engagement portion is threadably engaged with the body.

An apparatus for controlling a plunger of a syringe for delivering a fluid from an interior of the syringe, the device comprising:

• a handle and a cooperating trigger, wherein the trigger comprises a first portion connected to a second portion by a joint;
• and
• a spring connecting the first portion to the second portion,
• wherein the first portion of the trigger is configured to engage the plunger of the syringe and receive a plunger reaction force applied by the plunger of the syringe, wherein movement of the second portion of the trigger toward the handle applies a stretching force to the spring in response to the plunger reaction force, and wherein the first portion of the trigger disengages the plunger of the syringe in response to the stretching force greater than a threshold force applied to the spring.

An apparatus for controlling a plunger of a syringe for delivering a fluid from an interior of the syringe, the device comprising:

• an actuator rod extending from a proximal end to a distal end;
• a spring extending within the actuator rod, wherein a distal end of the spring is configured to engage the plunger of the syringe;
• and
• a body having a proximal end, a distal end, and an opening at the proximal end, wherein the opening receives the distal end of the actuator rod, and wherein the actuator rod comprises at least one indicator that indicates a desired amount of compression of the spring.