Injector device, method, and computer program product for detecting a vacuum within a syringe
An injector system, method and computer program product for detecting a vacuum within a syringe are provided. Various embodiments include an actuator device configured to be engaged with a piston member of a syringe for extending and retracting the piston member within the syringe. A controller device is also provided for detecting an output generated by the actuator device when retracting the piston member. The detected output may be associated with a pressure within the reservoir. The controller device determines, via the detected output, when the pressure comprises a selected negative pressure and provides an indicia of the negative pressure to a user and/or a signal to the actuator device.
1. An injector system adapted to be operably engaged with a syringe device, the syringe device comprising a reservoir including a dispensing distal end defining a dispensing aperture and a proximal end defining a proximal aperture, the syringe device further comprising a piston member movably disposed in the reservoir and configured to be movable between the distal end and the proximal end, the piston member being in movable sealing engagement with a reservoir sidewall, the injector system comprising:
an actuator device comprising an electric motor operably engaged with a movable plunger head, the actuator device configured to be selectively operably engaged with the piston member for extending the piston member toward the distal end and retracting the piston member toward the proximal end; and
a controller device in communication with the actuator device, the controller device being configured to detect an output generated by the actuator device when retracting the piston member, the output of the actuator device comprises an electrical current drawn by the actuator device when retracting the piston member, the output being associated with a pressure within the reservoir, the controller device comprising an electrical sensor configured to determine, via the detected output, when the pressure within the reservoir comprises a selected negative pressure based at least in part on the electrical current drawn by the actuator device when retracting the piston member, the controller device being configured to provide a signal thereof to the actuator device, in response to the selected negative pressure,
wherein the actuator device is further configured to automatically cease retracting the piston member during the retraction of the piston member toward the proximal end in response to the signal provided by the controller device when negative pressure detected within the reservoir reaches the selected negative pressure during retraction of the piston member.
2. An injector system according to claim 1 , wherein the controller device is further configured to convert the output into a pressure value comparable to the selected negative pressure.
3. An injector system according to claim 1 , further comprising a user interface in communication with the controller device, wherein the controller device is configured to provide an indicia of the selected negative pressure, and wherein the indicia comprises a perceptible output transmitted via the user interface.
4. An injector system according to claim 3 , wherein the user interface comprises a speaker and the perceptible output comprises an audible alarm.
5. An injector system according to claim 3 , wherein the user interface comprises a display and the perceptible output comprises a visible indicia.
6. An injector system according to claim 5 , wherein the visible indicia comprises a prompt to clear an obstruction in a conduit in fluid communication with the dispensing aperture.
7. An injector system according to claim 6 , wherein the prompt comprises text instructions.
8. An injector system according to claim 6 , wherein the prompt comprises a pictogram.
9. An injector system according to claim 1 , further comprising a user interface configured to receive a threshold value corresponding to the selected negative pressure.