Injector system for encoding and sensing of syringe information

An injector system comprising:

• at least one syringe comprising at least a first indicator positioned on the at least one syringe at a predetermined position, the predetermined position of the at least a first indicator being associated with information about a syringe configuration;
• and
• a powered injector comprising a drive member, an energy source, at least one sensor for detecting energy from the energy source, and at least a first contact member axially movably disposed in the powered injector, the at least a first contact member positioned to contact the at least a first indicator when the at least one syringe is attached to the powered injector such that an axial position of the at least a first contact member is determined by a position of the at least a first indicator, wherein a change in the axial position of the at least a first contact member as a result of contact with the at least a first indicator indicates the syringe configuration, and wherein an amount of energy from the energy source detected by the at least one sensor is proportional to an axial distance moved by the at least a first contact member to indicate the syringe configuration;
• wherein the powered injector further comprises a plurality of sensors and at least a first shutter mechanism in operative connection with the at least a first contact member, each of the plurality of sensors having an on state and an off state, the at least a first shutter mechanism comprising at least one cooperating member to cooperate with at least one of the plurality of sensors to place the sensor in the on state or the off state, wherein each of the on state and the off state of the plurality of sensors provides a digital code corresponding to information on the syringe configuration.

An injector for use with a syringe comprising at least a first indicator positioned thereon, the position of the at least a first indicator on the syringe being associated with a syringe configuration, the injector comprising:

• a drive member;
• an energy source;
• at least one sensor;
• at least a first contact member axially movably disposed in the injector, the at least a first contact member positioned to contact the at least a first indicator when the syringe is in operative connection with the injector such that an axial position of the at least a first contact member is determined by a position of the at least a first indicator, wherein a change in the axial position of the at least a first contact member as a result of contact with the at least a first indicator indicates the syringe configuration and wherein an amount of energy from the energy source detected by the at least one sensor is proportional to an axial distance moved by the at least a first contact member to indicate the syringe configuration;
• a plurality of sensors;
• and
• at least a first shutter mechanism in operative connection with the at least a first contact member, each of the plurality of sensors having an on state and an off state, the at least a first shutter mechanism comprising at least one cooperating member to cooperate with at least one of the plurality of sensors to place the sensor in the on state or the off state, wherein each of the on state and the off state of the plurality of sensors provides a digital code corresponding to information on the syringe configuration.