Injectors, injector systems and injector control

An injector for use in injecting a fluid in a medical injection procedure, the injector comprising:

• a drive mechanism to pressurize the fluid;
• a sensor to measure a variable that is proportional to fluid pressure;
• and
• a pressure monitor in communication with the sensor and the drive mechanism, the pressure monitor operable to limit power input to the drive mechanism to a power limit once the variable reaches a value that corresponds to a power limiting pressure and to terminate the injection procedure if the value of the variable corresponds to a pressure hazard limit, the pressure hazard limit being greater than the power limiting pressure and the power limit being set during operation of the injector.

An injector system for use in injecting a fluid in a medical injection procedure, the injector system comprising:

• a drive mechanism to pressurize the fluid;
• a control mechanism to control the flow rate of the fluid and the volume of the fluid injected;
• a sensor comprising a force transducer providing a measure of fluid pressure;
• and
• a pressure monitor in communication with the sensor and the drive mechanism to stop the injection procedure when the sensor measures a pressure corresponding to a pressure hazard limit, the pressure monitor also limiting power input to the drive mechanism to a power limit when the sensor measures a pressure corresponding to a power limiting pressure, the power limiting pressure being below the pressure hazard limit.

An injector system for use in injecting a fluid in a medical injection procedure, the injector system comprising:

• a drive mechanism to pressurize the fluid;
• a control mechanism to control flow rate of the fluid and volume of the fluid injected;
• and
• a safety system, the safety system including a sensor having a force transducer providing a measure of fluid pressure;
• and a pressure monitor in communication with the sensor and the drive mechanism, the pressure monitor being adapted to override settings of the control mechanism and stop the injection procedure when the sensor measures a pressure corresponding to a pressure hazard limit, the pressure monitor also being adapted to override settings of the control mechanism to limit power input to the drive mechanism to a power limit when the sensor measures a pressure corresponding to a power limiting pressure, the power limiting pressure being below the pressure hazard limit.

A method of controlling an injector for use in a medical injection procedure, the method comprising:

• measuring a variable that is proportional to fluid pressure;
• limiting power input to a drive mechanism of the injector to a power limit once the variable reaches a value that corresponds to a power limiting pressure;
• and
• terminating the injection procedure if the value of the variable corresponds to a pressure hazard limit, the pressure hazard limit being greater than the power limiting pressure.

A system for performing a medical imaging procedure comprising:

• an injector, the injector including a portable remote control panel;
• an imaging apparatus;
• and
• an attachment member in the vicinity of the imaging apparatus, the attachment member being adapted to support the remote control panel in the vicinity of the imaging apparatus to facilitate generally simultaneous access by the operator to both the remote control panel and the imaging apparatus while performing the medical imaging procedure.

An injector for use with a syringe having a plunger disposed therein, the injector comprising:

• a control unit comprising a control unit housing and control circuitry disposed within the control unit housing;
• at least one syringe interface module movably connected to the control unit, the at least one syringe interface module comprising a module housing, at least one syringe interface on the module housing that is adapted to connect the syringe to the module housing, a drive mechanism within the module housing and at least one drive member operably connected to the drive mechanism to control motion of the plunger, the module housing being moveable relative to the control unit housing;
• and
• a remote control in communication with the control unit.

An injector for use with a syringe having a plunger disposed therein, the injector comprising:

• a control unit comprising a control unit housing and control circuitry disposed within the control unit housing;
• a syringe interface module rotatably connected to the control unit, the syringe interface module comprising a module housing, a syringe interface on the module housing that is adapted to connect the syringe to the module housing, a motor within the module housing and a drive piston operably connected to the motor to control motion of the plunger, the module housing being rotatable relative to the control unit housing;
• a power source operably connected to the motor;
• a remote control in communication with the control unit;
• and
• a support device for supporting the control unit and the syringe interface module.

An injector for use with a syringe having a plunger disposed therein, the injector comprising:

• a control unit comprising a control unit housing, control circuitry disposed within the control unit housing and one or more devices For controlling the injector;
• a syringe interface module operably associated with the control unit and adapted to be rotated between a substantially upright position and a substantially downward position, the syringe interface module comprising a module housing, a syringe interface on the module housing that is adapted to connect the syringe to the module housing, a motor disposed within the module housing and in communication with the conirol circuitry, and a drive piston operably connected to the motor to control motion of the plunger;
• a power source operably connected to the motor;
• a remote control in communication with the control unit, the remote control comprising one or more devices for programming an injection procedure;
• and
• a support device or supporting the control unit and the syringe interface module.