Pinch valve mechanism for a medical fluid injection device

A powered medical fluid injection device, comprising:

• an injector head;
• and
• at least one pinch valve mechanism coupled to the injector head, wherein the at least one pinch valve mechanism comprises a plunger, a reciprocating arm driven by the plunger, and a tube pinching area, wherein the reciprocating arm includes a slot to permit a pin of the at least one pinch valve mechanism to articulate in the slot, and
• wherein the at least one pinch valve mechanism, when deactivated by the injector head, is configured to pinch fluid tubing that runs through the tube pinching area.

A pinch valve mechanism, comprising:

• a plunger;
• a reciprocating arm driven by the plunger;
• a tube pinching area;
• and
• a bi-directional roller coupled to one end of the reciprocating arm and configured to rotate inside a slot of the plunger,
• wherein the pinch valve mechanism, when deactivated, is configured to pinch tubing that runs through the tube pinching area.

A method comprising:

• receiving a pressurizing unit within a sleeve of a powered medical fluid injection device;
• controlling a flow of medical fluid into or out of the pressurizing unit through fluid tubing by at least one pinch valve mechanism, wherein the at least one pinch valve mechanism comprises a plunger, a reciprocating arm driven by the plunger, and a tube pinching area, and wherein the at least one pinch valve mechanism, when deactivated, is configured to cause the reciprocating arm to pinch the fluid tubing that runs through the tube pinching area;
• and
• articulating a pin of the at least one pinch valve mechanism within a slot of the reciprocating arm.

A powered medical fluid injection device, comprising:

• receiving means for receiving a pressurizing unit;
• and
• controlling means for controlling a flow of medical fluid into or out of the pressurizing unit through fluid tubing, wherein the controlling means comprises a plunger, a reciprocating arm driven by the plunger, and a bi-directional roller coupled to one end of the reciprocating arm that is configured to rotate inside a slot of the plunger,
• wherein the controlling means, when deactivated, pinches the fluid tubing to prohibit the flow of medical fluid in the fluid tubing.