Powerhead of a power injection system
View Patent ↗A contrast media injection system detects the absolute position of the syringe ram using a non-contact sensor. A series of magnets and Hall-Effect sensors may be used or an opto-reflective system. Illuminated knobs that are connected to the drive mechanism for the syringe ram rotate with the drive and provide visual feedback on operation through the illumination. Analog Hall-Effect sensors are used to determine the presence or absence of magnets that identify the type of faceplate being used. The faceplates include control electronics, connected to the powerhead through connectors, which may be interchangeably used by the two faceplates. The faceplate electronics include detectors for automatically detecting the capacity of pre-filled syringes. Additional features include using historical data to provide optimum pressure limit values during an injection protocol, a removable memory device for storing and transferring information such as injection protocols and injector statistics, and password protection of such protocols.
1. A powerhead of a contrast media injector system, the powerhead comprising:
a housing comprising first and second sides;
a first syringe ram movable relative to said housing, wherein said first side comprises said first syringe ram, and wherein said first syringe ram is configured to engage a plunger of a first syringe when installed on said first side;
a second syringe ram movable relative to said housing, wherein said second side comprises said second syringe ram, and wherein said second syringe ram is configured to engage a plunger of a second syringe when installed on said second side;
a drive mechanism within said housing, said drive mechanism configured to move said first syringe ram and said second syringe ram;
a syringe accessory for association with a syringe when installed on said housing, said syringe accessory comprising a first electrical component and a syringe accessory connector for electrically connecting said first electrical component to said powerhead; and
a microprocessor, said microprocessor comprising circuitry for controlling said drive mechanism in a programmed manner to effect an injection into a patient, said circuitry comprising a first connector and a second connector, said syringe accessory connector being electrically connectable to one of said first and second connectors at a given time, and said circuitry comprising circuitry that distinguishes whether said syringe accessory is installed on said first side or said second side of said housing when said syringe accessory is installed in each of first and second configurations, said first configuration being when said syringe accessory connector is electrically connected to said first connector and said second configuration being when said syringe accessory connector is electrically connected to said second connector, wherein when said syringe accessory is installed in said first configuration, said circuitry determines whether said syringe is installed on said first side or said second side of said housing and when said syringe accessory is installed in said second configuration, said circuitry determines whether said syringe is installed on said first side or said second side of said housing such that said microprocessor may proceed appropriately with controlling said injection.
2. The powerhead of claim 1 , wherein said syringe accessory further comprises a magnetic sensor configured for detecting a first magnetic signature associated with a first mounting area on said first side of said housing and a distinguishable second magnetic signature associated with a second mounting area on said second side of said housing, said magnetic sensor interacting with said first electrical component of said syringe accessory to identify whether said syringe accessory is installed on said first side or said second side of said housing based upon said first and second magnetic signatures.
3. The powerhead of claim 2 , wherein said first magnetic signature is produced by a magnet in said first mounting area and said second magnetic signature reflects an absence of any magnet in said second mounting area.
4. The powerhead of claim 2 , wherein said first magnetic signature is produced by a first magnet in said first mounting area and said second magnetic signature is produced by a second magnet in said second mounting area.
5. The powerhead of claim 4 , wherein said first and second magnets have opposite polarities.
6. The powerhead of claim 1 , wherein said syringe accessory further comprises a magnetic sensor configured for detecting a first magnetic signature associated with a first mounting area on said first side of said housing and a distinguishable second magnetic signature associated with a second mounting area on said second side of said housing.
7. The powerhead of claim 6 , wherein said magnetic sensor delivers a corresponding signal to said first electrical component of said syringe accessory, wherein said first electrical component is configured for determining an I 2 C address for communicating with said circuitry based on said signal, and wherein said I 2 C address identifies whether said syringe accessory is mounted to said first side or said second side of said housing.
8. The powerhead of claim 1 , wherein said housing further comprises a faceplate, wherein said faceplate comprises said syringe accessory.
9. The powerhead of claim 8 , wherein installing said faceplate on either said first or second side of said powerhead allows a syringe to be installed on said powerhead through said faceplate.
10. The powerhead of claim 1 , wherein said syringe accessory is detachably connectable to said housing of said powerhead.