초록 ▼

A system and method for automated filling of one or more medical syringes with desired volume(s) and concentration(s) of an injectate solution, such as a contrast solution usable for medical imaging procedures (e.g., x-ray, MRI, ultrasound). The system may incorporate an automated syringe magazine w

A system and method for automated filling of one or more medical syringes with desired volume(s) and concentration(s) of an injectate solution, such as a contrast solution usable for medical imaging procedures (e.g., x-ray, MRI, ultrasound). The system may incorporate an automated syringe magazine which interfaces with the programmable system controller to deliver the desired number of syringes after the syringes have been filled. Also, the system may utilize a low-pressure pumping arrangement wherein a pumping device engages each receiving syringe and withdraws the plunger of the receiving syringe to pull the desired injectate solution into the receiving syringe by negative pressure.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A system for filling a desired number of receiving syringes with desired volume(s) and desired concentration(s) of an injectate solution, said system comprising:a syringe filling device comprising:i) at least one solution container containing a solution at a first concent

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A system for filling a desired number of receiving syringes with desired volume(s) and desired concentration(s) of an injectate solution, said system comprising:a syringe filling device comprising:i) at least one solution container containing a solution at a first concentration;ii) at least one diluent container containing a diluent which is suitable for diluting said solution;iii) a mixing apparatus fluidly connected to said solution container and said diluent container, said mixing apparatus being operative to combine a predetermined amount of said solution with a predetermined amount of said diluent to form an injectate solution of a predetermined volume and concentration;iv) an injectate delivery conduit attached to said mixing apparatus, for delivering said injectate solution of said predetermined volume and concentration;v) flow directing apparatus fluidly connected to said injectate delivery conduit, and to a plurality of individual syringe filling tubes, said flow directing apparatus being operative to alternately channel the flow of injectate solution received through said delivery conduit, to a single one of said syringe filling tubes;a syringe-handling magazine adapted to receive and hold a plurality of syringes while each such syringe is connected to a selected one of said syringe filling tubes, said magazine being operative to deliver each syringe after such syringe has been filled with a predetermined volume and concentration of said injectate solution;pumping apparatus for propelling said solution and said diluent from said solution and diluent containers, through said mixing apparatus, through said injectate delivery conduit, through said flow directing means, and through said syringe delivery tubes and into said syringes; and,a programmable controller in communication with said mixing apparatus, said flow directing apparatus, said pumping apparatus and said syringe delivery magazine;said controller being capable of receiving operator input of the i) desired number of syringes to be filled, ii) the desired volume of injectate solution to be dispensed into each syringe, and iii) the desired concentration of injectate solution to be dispensed into each syringe;said controller being further operative to send control signals to i) said mixing apparatus, ii) said pumping apparatus, iii) said flow directing apparatus, and iv) said syringe handling magazine, to cause the desired number of syringe(s) to be filled with the desired volume(s) and the desired concentration(s) of injectate solution as input by the operator.