Single-use disposable set connector

A method of preparing a fluid injector for delivery of a medical fluid to a patient, the method comprising:

• fluidly connecting a fluid inlet port of a medical connector with a connection port of a disposable fluid delivery set;
• engaging a flexible tab of a locking mechanism of the medical connector with a receiving slot on the connection port of the disposable fluid delivery set;
• establishing fluid communication through a patient fluid line of the medical connector between the fluid inlet port of the medical connector at a first end of the patient fluid line and a fluid line connector at a second end of the patient fluid line;
• detecting, by at least one sensor on a fluid injector system, the presence or absence of at least one sensing element in the form of a sensing fin extending vertically from an upper surface of the flexible tab of the locking mechanism of the medical connector;
• if the presence of the sensing fin is detected by the at least one sensor, automatically priming the medical connector by delivering fluid from the fluid inlet port to the fluid line connector through the patient fluid line;
• connecting the fluid line connector at the second end of the patient fluid line to an access to a patient's vasculature system;
• and
• initiating a fluid injection procedure to deliver the medical fluid to the patient.

A controller for a fluid injector system, the controller comprising a processor programmed or configured to:

• receive a signal from at least one sensor on the fluid injector system that a sensing element on a flexible locking tab of a medical connector has been detected in an engaged position;
• initiate an auto-prime sequence comprising activating at least one piston of one or more of a plurality of syringes of a disposable fluid delivery set to flow a sufficient volume of a medical fluid through a patient fluid line of a medical connector to ensure a complete fluid fill of the patient fluid line;
• detect by at least one air detector on the fluid injector that no air is detected in an output of the patient fluid line;
• and
• stop the auto-prime sequence and indicate to a user that the fluid injector system is primed and ready for an injection procedure.