U.S. patent application number 10/139081 was filed with the patent office on 2002-09-12 for front load pressure jacket system with syringe holder.
Invention is credited to Gelblum, Eugene A., Hirschman, Alan D., Reilly, David M., Uber, Arthur E. III.
Application Number | 20020128601 10/139081 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 24067307 |
Filed Date | 2002-09-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020128601 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Reilly, David M. ; et
al. |
September 12, 2002 |
Front load pressure jacket system with syringe holder
Abstract
The pressure jacket systems of the invention are used to permit
the front loading and removal of a syringe from an injector and
include a first jacket segment and a second jacket segment
surrounding the exterior surface of the syringe, interior surfaces
comformable to the exterior surface of the syringe, a mechanism
which allows movement of the first jacket segment in relation to
the second jacket segment to permit insertion and removal of the
syringe from the pressure jacket, and a mechanism for securing the
first and second jacket segments in a fixed relationship upon
insertion of the syringe.
Inventors: |
Reilly, David M.; (Glenshaw,
PA) ; Uber, Arthur E. III; (Pittsburgh, PA) ;
Hirschman, Alan D.; (Glenshaw, PA) ; Gelblum, Eugene
A.; (Mt. Lebanon, PA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GREGORY L BRADLEY
MEDRAD INC
ONE MEDRAD DRIVE
INDIANOLA
PA
15051
|
Family ID: |
24067307 |
Appl. No.: |
10/139081 |
Filed: |
May 3, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10139081 |
May 3, 2002 |
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10121934 |
Apr 12, 2002 |
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10121934 |
Apr 12, 2002 |
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09304934 |
May 4, 1999 |
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6371938 |
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09304934 |
May 4, 1999 |
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08911338 |
Aug 14, 1997 |
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5899885 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
604/131 ;
600/432 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61M 5/14546 20130101;
A61M 5/14566 20130101; Y10S 128/01 20130101; A61M 2005/14553
20130101; B05C 17/00596 20130101; B05C 17/01 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
604/131 ;
600/432 |
International
Class: |
A61M 037/00 |
Claims
We claim:
1. Fluid injection apparatus comprising: an injector head having a
housing and a front opening in said housing for connection to a
rear end of a syringe, drive means extendible through said opening
and an opening in said rear end of the syringe for imparting motive
force to a plunger disposed in the syringe; and a pressure jacket
including first and second jacket halves having interior surfaces
conformable to portions of an exterior surface of said syringe, a
hinge pin extending from a front face of said injector head, at
least one of said first and second jacket halves rotatably mounted
on said hinge pin and articulate between an open position allowing
insertion and removal of said syringe, and a closed position
wherein said jacket substantially surrounds said syringe.
2. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first and
second jacket halves are substantially clear plastic.
3. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first and
second jacket halves have a semi-cylindrical shape.
4. The fluid injection apparatus of claim 1 wherein said pressure
jacket, when in said closed position, is disposed around an axis,
said hinge pin aligned with said axis.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to pressure jacket systems for
securing a syringe in an injector head. More specifically, the
invention relates to pressure jacket systems which allow front
loading and removal of a syringe, and which hold the syringe
securely to an injector head during injection procedures.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0002] In the medical field, patients often are injected with
fluids in procedures such as angiography. In such procedures, which
require controlled injection of a large volume of fluid into a
patient, a needle is used as a conduit for the fluid which is
connected to the syringe by a connector tube. The syringe is
mounted on a motorized injector having an injector head.
[0003] For long term compatibility with injectable fluids, syringes
may be made of polypropylene with a minimum wall thickness. The
thickness is critical as typical pressures of up to 1200 p.s.i. are
used to inject the fluids into a patient. For safety and sanitary
reasons, different disposable syringes are used for different
fluids and different patients.
[0004] Pressure jackets are known in the art for enclosing and
retaining syringes while in use. A pressure jacket serves to limit
radial expansion of a syringe which may lead to bursting or to
leaks of the pressurized fluid around the seals of the syringe
plunger. Another function of a pressure jacket is to prevent
forward motion of the syringe. For example, typically a force of
2000 pounds is required to restrain the forward motion of a 200 ml
syringe with a cross-section of 1.7 in.sup.2 at 1200 p.s.i.
[0005] Certain present pressure jackets are one piece designs,
where the syringe is inserted into the jacket from the rear end of
the jacket. An example of such a pressure jacket is found in U.S.
Pat. No. 4,677,980, assigned to the common assignee of this
application. The neck of the syringe protrudes from the front of
the pressure jacket for connection of fluid lines which lead to the
patient. Because the diameter of the syringe neck is much smaller
than that of the syringe barrel, it can withstand both radial and
forward force.
[0006] However such an arrangement causes a problem when the
syringe is removed from the pressure jacket. The neck of the
syringe must pass through the present pressure jacket
configurations. This requires the patient fluid path to be
disconnected which presents a potential biohazard and may result in
spilling fluids onto the pressure jacket. Additionally, fluid
spilled during loading and purging air from the syringe may get
inside the pressure jacket and require cleaning.
[0007] Thus, a pressure jacket system is needed which permits a
syringe to be front loaded onto an injector head and removed from
the injector head without disconnecting the patient fluid path.
Further, a pressure jacket system is needed which reduces the
materials required for the manufacture of the syringe.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0008] The present invention relates to front loadable pressure
jacket systems for use with injectors having an injector head with
a housing and a front opening. A syringe is connected to the
injector front opening to allow the flow of fluids through the
syringe. A pressure jacket holds the syringe to the injector head.
A piston extendible through the injector front opening imparts
motive force to a plunger in the syringe to cause fluid flow.
[0009] One embodiment of the present invention is a pressure jacket
having first and second jacket halves each having interior surfaces
conformable to the exterior surface of the syringe. A hinge pin
extends from the front face of the injector head. The first and
second jacket halves are rotatably mounted on the hinge pin. The
halves may be placed in an open position allowing insertion and
removal of the syringe or a closed position so that the jacket
surrounds the syringe.
[0010] A second embodiment of the present invention includes a
pressure jacket with first and second jacket halves, where each
jacket half has a front or distal end and a rear or proximal end. A
hinge for rotational connection to the injector's front face allows
the first and second jacket halves to be placed in an open
position, allowing insertion and removal of the syringe, and a
closed position such that the jacket substantially surrounds the
syringe. A locking ring is disposed around the first and second
jacket halves. The locking ring is placed in a position over the
front ends of the first and second jacket halves when in the closed
position and the ring is placed in a position near the proximal
ends of the jacket halves when in the open position.
[0011] A third embodiment of the present includes a pressure jacket
which has a hollow cylinder portion with an open distal end and a
rear end coupled to the injector head. The cylinder has at least
one locking finger having front and rear ends, and a pivot axis
disposed near the rear end. The pivot axis is connected to the open
distal end of the cylinder. The locking finger is pivotable to a
closed position such that the front end of the finger acts to hold
the syringe within the cylinder. The finger is pivotable to an open
position to allow the insertion or removal of the syringe.
[0012] A fourth embodiment of the present invention includes a
pressure jacket having a jacket cylinder with an open front end and
a rear end coupled to the injector head. A first tie rod has a rear
end attached to the injector head and a front end which is attached
to a first front plate. The first front plate is pivotable between
a closed position for holding the syringe within the jacket
cylinder and an open position for allowing the insertion or removal
of the syringe. A second tie rod likewise has a rear end attached
to the injector head and a front end attached to a second front
plate. The second front plate is pivotable between a closed
position for holding the syringe within the jacket cylinder, and an
open position for allowing the insertion or removal of the
syringe.
[0013] A fifth embodiment of the present invention includes a
pressure jacket with a jacket cylinder having an open front end and
a rear end coupled to the injector head. A first pivot is coupled
to the injector head and a first tie rod is attached to the first
pivot. A second pivot is coupled to the injector head and a second
tie rod is attached to the second pivot. A front retaining plate
joining the front ends of the tie rods allows the retaining plate
to be pivotable between a closed position for holding the syringe
within the jacket cylinder and an open position to allow the
insertion or removal of the syringe from the jacket cylinder.
[0014] A sixth embodiment of the present invention includes a
pressure jacket which has a jacket cylinder formed around a
longitudinal axis and having an open front end and a rear end. The
jacket cylinder is transversely pivoted to the front face of the
housing to allow the cylinder jacket to be pivoted between a closed
position and an open position. An arm having a rear end affixed to
the injector head is attached to a retaining member. The retaining
member retains the syringe in the jacket cylinder when the jacket
cylinder is in a closed position. The jacket permits the loading or
removal of the syringe when the jacket cylinder is in an open
position.
[0015] A seventh embodiment of the present invention includes a
pressure jacket which has a slidable canopy retractable within the
injector head. An arm having a rear end is coupled to the injector
head. The front end of the arm is coupled to a retaining member and
retains the syringe. The canopy slides to a dosed position to
retain the syringe and slides to an open position to allow the
insertion or removal of the syringe.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an injector head and front
loading syringe that may be used with the embodiments of the
present invention;
[0017] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the
invention in an open position;
[0018] FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the first embodiment
of the invention in an open position;
[0019] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the
present invention in a closed position;
[0020] FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of the first embodiment
of the present invention in a closed position;
[0021] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the
present invention in an open position;
[0022] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the second embodiment of the
present invention in a closed position;
[0023] FIG. 8 is an exploded view of a third embodiment of the
present invention;
[0024] FIG. 9A is an alternate configuration of the locking fingers
of the third embodiment of the present invention in an open
position;
[0025] FIG. 9B is an alternate configuration of the locking fingers
of FIG. 9A in a closed position;
[0026] FIG. 10 is a front elevational view of a third embodiment of
the present invention in an open position;
[0027] FIG. 11 is a front elevational view of the third embodiment
of the present invention in a closed position;
[0028] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the
present invention in an open position;
[0029] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the fourth embodiment of
the present invention in a closed position;
[0030] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of the
present invention in an open position;
[0031] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the fifth embodiment of the
present invention in a closed position;
[0032] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of the
present invention in an open position;
[0033] FIG. 17A is a perspective view of the sixth embodiment of
the present invention in a closed position;
[0034] FIG. 17B is an isolated view of an alternative to the sixth
embodiment of the present invention;
[0035] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a seventh embodiment of the
present invention in a partially open position; and
[0036] FIG. 19 is a front elevational view of the seventh
embodiment of the present invention in a closed position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0037] FIG. 1 shows an injector head indicated generally at 20 and
a syringe 22 which may be used in connection with various
embodiments of the present invention. The injector head 20 includes
a housing 21 and a front face 23. The injector head 20 is used to
actuate syringe 22 which is mounted on the injector head 20. The
syringe 22 includes a tubular body 24 and a plunger 26 slidably
positioned therein. In operation, the rear of the syringe 22 is
fixed in or against an opening 30 on the injector front face 23.
Syringe 22 may be affixed to opening 30 by any suitable means, such
as mounting flanges (not shown), as described in U.S. Pat. No.
5,383,858, assigned to the common assignee of this application and
which is fully incorporated herein by reference. Any of the
pressure jacket systems which are described below may be used to
retain syringe 22 when syringe 22 is affixed to the injector front
face 23. The fluid within syringe 22 is pushed forward by a drive
means, such as motorized piston 32, extendable and retractable
through opening 30, which engages the rear surface 29 of plunger 26
to push plunger 26 forward in the syringe.
[0038] FIGS. 2-3 show views of a first embodiment of the present
invention in an open position and FIGS. 4-5 show views of the first
embodiment in a closed position. Specifically, as shown in detail
in FIG. 2, a fluid injector 40 includes a pressure jacket 42 which
is of an axially split or "clam shell" type. The pressure jacket 42
is mounted to the front face 23 of the injector head 20. When
syringe 46 is installed into pressure jacket 42, as more fully
described below, motorized piston 32 when driven forward, engages a
syringe plunger (not shown) and pushes the plunger forward in the
body of a syringe 46 to force fluid out of the syringe tip 48.
Syringe 46, preferably manufactured of a clear plastic, includes a
body 50, a neck 52 connected to the body 50 and a luer connector 54
connected to the neck 52. A connector tube (not shown) may be
connected to luer connector 54 which delivers fluid to the
patient.
[0039] As shown in FIGS. 2-3, pressure jacket 42 which includes a
first jacket half 56 and a second jacket half 58, is preferably
manufactured from a clear plastic so that the position of the
plunger within installed syringe 46 may be observed. The first
jacket half 56 and the second jacket half 58 have interior
surfaces, 64 and 66, respectively, which conform to the exterior
surface of the body 50 of the syringe 46. The first and second
jacket halves 56 and 58 are joined by a pivot hinge 60 which allows
the first jacket half 56 and the second jacket half 58 to be swung
to an open position, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Pivot hinge 60 has
one end thereof affixed to the forward wall of injector head 20 at
a point below injector head opening 30, although in other
embodiments the pivot hinge 60 may otherwise be radially displaced
from opening 30. For example, if it is desired that jacket halves
56 and 58 open to the side instead of from the top, the pivot hinge
60 would be positioned to one side of opening 30. As shown in FIG.
2, the pivot hinge 60 is preferably parallel to axis A of the
injector piston movement. With the pressure jacket 42 in the open
position, syringe 46 may be inserted between the first jacket half
56 and the second jacket half 58. The two jacket halves 56 and 58
are then closed and locked by means of a latch 62, as shown in
FIGS. 4 and 5, which in the illustrated embodiment is attached to
first jacket half 56. Alternately, one of the first or second
jacket halves 56 or 58 may be fixed to the forward wall 23 of
injector head 20 and the other jacket half may be pivotly mounted
to the forward wall 23 of injector head 20.
[0040] As shown in FIGS. 2-5, the first embodiment of the present
invention allows front loading and removal of syringe 46 and any
tubes attached thereto while minimizing fluid spills. Further, as
syringe 46 is retained within pressure jacket 42, the amount of
material required to manufacture syringe 42 is reduced because the
pressure jacket 42, instead of the syringe walls, bears the
majority of the pressure force exerted during a fluid injection
procedure.
[0041] A second embodiment of the present invention is shown in
FIGS. 6 and 7. FIG. 6 shows a fluid injector 70 having a pressure
jacket system 72 in an open position which permits the loading and
removal of a syringe 76. Pressure jacket 72, a generally "alligator
jaw" type, is hingedly affixed to an injector head 20 to which
syringe 76 may be releasably installed. Specifically, as shown in
FIG. 7, syringe 76 is held by a combination of a first or top
jacket half 78 and a second or bottom jacket half 80, together
forming pressure jacket 72, and a locking ring 82. Both top jacket
half 78 and bottom jacket half 80 are preferably made of clear
plastic and have a semi-cylindrical shape. Interior
semi-cylindrical surfaces 84 and 86 of top and bottom jacket halves
78 and 80, respectively, conform to the exterior surface of the
body of the syringe 76. Jacket halves 78 and 80 have respective
rear ends 88 and 90 located near the injector front face 23 and
front ends 92 and 94 which coact to form an opening for the syringe
neck 97. The front ends 92 and 94 have interior surfaces which mate
with the exterior conical transition region 96 of syringe 76.
[0042] When the top jacket half 78 and bottom jacket half 80 are in
the closed position, as shown in FIG. 7, the locking ring 82 is
placed about jacket halves 78 and 80, preferably near the front
ends 92 and 94 of jacket halves 78 and 80. The top jacket half 78
is rotatable around a first hinge pin 98 while the bottom jacket
half 80 is rotatable around a bottom hinge pin 100. In order to
open the pressure jacket 71 the locking ring 82 is moved along the
length of the top jacket half 78 and bottom jacket half 80 to the
injector front face 23, as shown in FIG. 6. This allows the
pressure jacket 72 to be opened by moving the top jacket half 78
about the first hinge pin 98 and moving the bottom jacket half 80
about the second hinge 100. A link (not shown) between the two
jacket halves 78 and 80 may be used to regulate the movement of the
two halves so they move away and toward each other at the same
rate. Alternatively, either the top or bottom jacket halves 78 or
80 may be fixed to the injector front face 23 while the other
jacket half is pivotly mounted to the injector front face 23. While
in the open position, the syringe 76 may be inserted or removed
from the pressure jacket 72. The advantages relating to the first
embodiment of the present invention, discussed above, are also
realized with this second embodiment.
[0043] FIGS. 8-11 show a third embodiment of the present invention.
A fluid injector indicated generally at 110 includes a pressure
jacket 112 with a plurality of locking fingers 114 for engaging a
syringe 116, shown in an open position in FIG. 10 and a closed
position in FIG. 11. Pressure jacket 112 is connected at its rear
end 132 to injector head 20 by any suitable means, such as a
threaded connection (not shown). Syringe 116 has a cylindrical body
118 having a front end 120 and an open rear end 122. The front end
120 of syringe 116 is tapered and connected to a neck 124. A disk
shaped drip flange 126 is formed around the neck 124.
[0044] The pressure jacket 112 includes a hollow cylinder 128 which
is preferably made of clear plastic. A distal end 130 of the
cylinder 128 is open to allow loading and removal of the syringe
116. The distal end 130 of pressure jacket 112 has an outside
surface 134 which is slightly smaller in diameter than that of
cylinder 128. The outside surface 134 of the distal end 130 is
threaded (not shown). A plurality of locking fingers 114 (in the
illustrative embodiment, six are shown) pivot about respective
pivot points 136, as shown in FIG. 10. Each locking finger 114 has
a front end 131, preferably beveled, and a rear end 133. Pivot
points 136 are located proximate to the rear ends 133 of the
locking fingers 114 and are mounted within channels 138 located on
the rim of distal end 130. Locking fingers 114 may be kept in
position by means of friction and are radially angularly spaced
from each other on the rim of distal end 130. It is understood that
any number of locking fingers may be used.
[0045] As shown in FIGS. 8, 10 and 11, a locking ring 140,
generally cylindrical in shape, is threaded on its interior surface
and threaded onto the outside surface 134 of the distal end 130
(threads not shown). The front end 142 of the locking ring 140 is a
distal annulus extending radially inwardly to form an open orifice
144 which permits the syringe body 118 to be inserted into pressure
jacket 112, but does not permit the drip flange 126 to be inserted
into pressure jacket 112. FIG. 10 shows that the front interior
surface of the front end 142 is sloped to engage locking fingers
114 when in a closed position, as shown in FIG. 11 and more fully
described below.
[0046] FIGS. 10 and 11 show that the syringe 116 is inserted into
locking ring 140 and cylinder 128 so that drip flange 126 rests on
the front end 142. Locking ring 140 is screwed further onto
cylinder 128, and thus, moved toward the rear end 132 of cylinder
128, as shown in FIG. 11. Locking fingers 114 are pivoted about
there respective pivot points 136 from the open position of FIG. 10
to the closed position of FIG. 11 by the sloped interior surface of
the locking ring 142 which engages the distal ends 133 of the
locking fingers 114. Front ends 131 of fingers 114 retain syringe
116 in place. When locking ring 140 is unscrewed away from the
distal end 130 of the cylinder 128, locking fingers 114 pivot into
an open position. A spring member (not shown) may be used to bias
the locking fingers 114 into the open position Syringe 116 may then
be removed from or inserted into the pressure jacket 112. The
advantages relating to the first embodiment, as discussed above,
are also realized by this embodiment.
[0047] FIGS. 9A and 9B provide details of an alternative
configuration of a locking finger. Specifically, the locking finger
314 of FIGS. 9A and 9B is an angled locking finger formed by an
elongated base member 316 and retaining arm 318, preferably
integrally formed therewith. Base member 316 is pivotly mounted to
cylinder 128 at pivot point 136. The angel between base member 316
and arm 318 is similar to the angle of the taper of front end 120
of the syringe 116 to permit maximum retention of syringe 116
within pressure jacket 112. As shown in FIG. 9A, syringe 16 may be
removed from pressure jacket 112 by moving a screw threaded locking
ring 340 toward pressure jacket rear end 132 on threaded surface
134 of cylinder 128. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 9B, syringe
116 may be held in pace by moving the locking ring 340 away from
pressure jacket rear end 132 on threaded surface 134 of cylinder
128. As locking fingers 314 are angled, retaining arms 318 serve as
stops to prevent the anally outward motion of syringe 116. Thus,
locking ring 340 need not include a sloped inner surface, as
described above.
[0048] A fourth embodiment of the present invention is shown in
FIGS. 12 and 13. FIG. 12 shows a fluid injection system indicated
generally at 150 having a pressure jacket 152 of a split front
plate type, in an open position, while FIG. 13 shows the pressure
jacket 152 in a closed position. Similar to the third embodiment of
the invention, the pressure jacket 152 includes a cylinder portion
164 which may be mounted at its proximal end 168 to the injector
front face 23 by any suitable means, such as screw threads (not
shown). A cylindrically-shaped syringe 154 including a neck 156 may
be inserted into the distal end 166 of pressure jacket cylinder
164. Syringe 154 further includes an alignment flange 158
comprising two diametrically opposed radially projecting wings 160
and 162 which aid in the alignment of the syringe 154 with resect
to pressure jacket 152. In a preferred embodiment, flange 158 is
disposed in a plane including the axis of the syringe 154.
[0049] Syringe 154 is held in place by means of a combination of
first and second front plates 170 and 172. In a preferred
embodiment, first and second front plates 170 and 172 are
semi-circular in shape, such that each plate 170 and 172 has one
straight margin and one arcuate margin. Plates 170 and 172 each
contain semi-circular indentations 174 and 176 in their respective
straight margins, and these indentations 174 and 176 form a neck
access 178 for the neck 156 of the syringe 154. The straight
margins of front plates 170 and 172 act as flange slots 180 and 182
which conform to the wings 160 and 162 of syringe 154. First front
plate 170 has an end which is connected to a first tie rod 186,
which allows the first front plate 170 to be pivoted between an
open position of FIG. 12 and a closed position of FIG. 13.
Similarly, the second front plate 172 has an end which is attached
to a second tie rod 184, which allows the second front plate 172 to
be pivoted between the open and closed positions.
[0050] Tie rods 184 and 186 have proximal or rear ends which may
simply be rotatably mounted to the injector front face 23, or
alternatively attached to gears (not shown) located in injector
head 20 for automatic opening and closure. The tie rods 184 and 186
are preferably rigidly attached to the front plates 170 and
172.
[0051] When the pressure jacket 152 is in an open position as shown
in FIG. 12, front plates 170 and 172 are pivoted away from the
pressure jacket 152 by rotating the tie rods 184 and 186. For
example, sun and planetary gears (not shown) in the head 20 may
provide symmetric rotation of the tie rods 184 and 186. The open
position allows the insertion or removal of syringe 154. Once the
syringe 154 is inserted within the jacket cylinder 164, the front
plates 170 and 172 are pivoted into the closed position as shown in
FIG. 13. In this closed position front plates 170 and 172 extend
across the front end 166 of jacket cylinder 164. When front plates
170 and 172 are pivoted into the closed position, flange slots 180
and 182 act with the syringe flange wings 160 and 162 of the flange
158 to force the syringe 154 into proper angular alignment within
pressure jacket 152. In the illustrated embodiment, in proper
alignment the syringe flange 158 is parallel to the plane formed by
the tie rods 184 and 186. The flange slots 180 and 182 in
conjunction with the syringe flange 158 also act to prevent the
syringe 154 from rotating during injector head operation.
[0052] FIG. 12 also shows that front plates 170 and 172 include
latches 192 and 194, respectively, located at respective ends which
are remote from or diametrically opposite from front plate pivot
points 188 and 190. Latches 192 and 194 clamp onto the distal ends
of tie rods 184 and 186 respectively, and are operable to fix the
front plates 170 and 172 in the closed position. Slots 196 and 198
are located near latches 192 and 194, respectively, and are
conformable to pivot points 188 and 190, respectively, to permit a
snug fit when front plates 170 and 172 are in a closed position.
Front plates 170 and 172 may also include conical interior surfaces
(not shown) which conform with the front of the syringe 154 when
front plates are in a closed position.
[0053] The advantages of the first embodiment discussed above are
realized with this embodiment. Additionally, the use of flange
slots 180 and 182 in conjunction with alignment flange 158 allows
automatic alignment of the syringe 154 to an asymmetrical injector
head drive means, such as a piston (not shown).
[0054] An alternative to the above embodiment may be realized by
making the tie rods 184 and 186 integral to the jacket cylinder
164. A second alternative to the above embodiment may be realized
by utilizing a syringe similar to that in FIG. 1 and eliminating
the flange slots 180 and 182, particularly if there is no need to
automatically angularly align the syringe 154.
[0055] FIGS. 14 and 15 show a fifth embodiment of the present
invention. FIG. 14 shows a fluid injector indicated generally at
210 having a pressure jacket 212 of a swing front retainer type in
an open position FIG. 15 shows the pressure jacket 212 in a closed
position. Like the other embodiments previously discussed, the
pressure jacket 212 is mounted at its rear end 220 on the injector
front face 23 by any suitable means. A syringe 214 inserted into
the front end 218 of pressure jacket 212, as shown in FIG. 15,
includes a neck 226. The syringe 214 is held in place against force
exerted by the injector drive means on the syringe plunger (neither
shown) by a front retaining plate 222 which has a slot 224 that
allows the neck 226 of the syringe 214 to extend from the cylinder
216 through the front retaining plate 222. The slot 224 is
significantly smaller in a direction transverse to the longitudinal
axis than the diameter of the syringe 214, so that the remainder of
the retaining plate may resist forward directed force placed on it
by the syringe 214 during an injection operation. The slot 224
extends from the center of retaining plate 222 in a direction of
the pivot of front plate 222 (discussed below) to the margin of
plate 222.
[0056] In a preferred embodiment, the inside surface of slot 224 is
contoured to engage the outside surface of syringe neck 226. For
example, if neck 226 is cylindrical in shape, the inside surface of
slot 224 is cylindrical. If neck 226 is conical in shape, the
inside surface of slot 224 is angled.
[0057] An adapter 228, which is an annular collar for tie rod
connections, is mounted or integrally formed on the injector front
face 23 and adjoins the pressure jacket cylinder 216. The collar
228 has a pair of tie rod pins 230 and 232. Bushings 234 and 236
rotate about tie rod pins 230 and 232, forming pivots. Bushings 234
and 236 are connected to and may be integrally formed with to the
rear ends of tie rods 238 and 240. The front ends of tie rods 238
and 240 are connected to the front retaining plate 222. It is
understood that pins 230 and 232 may be located either on the
injector front face 23 or on the exterior of jacket cylinder
216.
[0058] To open the pressure jacket 212, the tie rods 238 and 240,
and front retaining plate 222 are pivoted about the pins 230 and
232 by bushings 234 and 236 which allow the syringe 214 to be
inserted into the front end 218 of the jacket cylinder 216. The
front plate 222 and the rods 238 and 240 are then pivoted back into
place to retain syringe 214. It is understood that an alternative
to this embodiment may include a front plate 222 formed by two
halves each connected to a rod 238 and 240 such that each halve of
the front plate 222 is pivoted into place to retain syringe 214.
The advantages relating to the first embodiment, as discussed
above, are also realized by this embodiment.
[0059] FIG. 16 shows a fluid injector indicated generally at 250
having a pressure jacket 252 of a "caulking gun" type. Like the
embodiments already described, the pressure jacket 252, when
assembled, permits a piston (not shown) housed within an injector
head 20 to apply forward force to a plunger (not shown) within a
hollow body of a syringe 254, thereby forcing fluid from a front
connector end 256 thereof. The pressure jacket 252 has a jacket
cylinder 258 which may be made of clear plastic. The jacket
cylinder 258 may be rotated about pins 260 and 262 (the last shown
in phantom) which are rotatably attached to the front face 264 of
the injector head 20. Front face 264 is curved or slanted which
allows cylinder 258 to pivot about pins 260 and 262. Cylinder 258
has an open front end 265 by which the syringe 254 may be loaded or
removed.
[0060] Attached to the injector head 20 is the rear end of an
elongated arm 266 which is disposed in parallel to the longitudinal
axis of syringe 254 when the latter is loaded into pressure jacket
252 and is ready for an injection operation. A retaining wall 268
is orthogonally attached to the front end of arm 266. The retaining
wall 268 has an internal surface 270 which is generally spherical
or conical in shape so as to mate with an external spherical or
conical surface of a syringe transition region 272 located between
a syringe cylindrical body 274 and syringe tip 256. Retaining wall
268 has an upwardly open slot 276 for the insertion of the neck 256
of the syringe 254 when the pressure jacket cylinder 258 is moved
to a closed position, as shown in FIG. 17A. The slot 276 is cut in
the same direction as the direction of articulation of the pivoting
pressure jacket 252.
[0061] As shown in FIG. 16, cylinder 258 of pressure jacket 252 is
pivoted to an open position to allow the loading or removal of the
syringe 254 into the open end 265 of the cylinder 258. The cylinder
258 is then pivoted back to rest against the arm 266 and the
syringe neck 256 is lowered into the slot 276 of the retaining wall
268. The advantages discussed above are also realized by this
embodiment.
[0062] FIG. 17B shows an alterative embodiment to that shown in
FIG. 17A. A prong 277 attached to cylinder 258 is provided for
engaging slot 276 of retaining wall 268 when the pressure jacket
252 is in the closed position so as to further secure syringe 254
within pressure jacket 252.
[0063] FIGS. 18 and 19 show the final embodiment of the present
invention which is a fluid injector 280 having a pressure jacket
282 of a "slideable canopy" type for receiving and retaining a
syringe 284. The pressure jacket 282 has a canopy 286 which has an
open front end 288 and an open rear end 290. Canopy 286 is slidably
mounted on the injector head 20. An opening 292 in the front plate
293 of injector head 20 allows the canopy 286 to be retracted
within the injector head 20. Canopy 286 is preferably made of clear
plastic. Alternatively, canopy 286 may telescope into or over a
fixed tube which extends from injector head 20 (not shown).
[0064] An arm 294 has a proximal or rear end mounted on the
injector head 20. The opposite, distal or front end of the arm 294
is orthogonally attached to a retaining wall 296 which has a slot
298 to allow placement of the neck 302 of the syringe 284. In
operation, the syringe 284 is placed on the arm 294 such that the
neck 302 of syringe 284 is placed within the slot 298 of the
retaining wall 296. The retaining wall 296 has a conical shape to
conform to the front of the syringe 284. In order to hold the
syringe 284 in place, the canopy 286 is moved along the arm 294 as
by means of a channel 304, as shown in FIG. 19, formed in the
interior surface 306 of the canopy 286. This arrangement allows the
canopy 286 to slide on the arm 294 from an open to a closed
position or vice versa, allowing the removal or insertion of
syringe 284. The advantages discussed above are also realized by
this embodiment.
[0065] The above described embodiments are merely illustrative of
the principles of this invention. Other arrangements and advantages
may be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from
the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the drip flange
and other features described here may be used with other systems as
well. Accordingly, the invention should be deemed not to be limited
to the above detailed description but only by the spirit and scope
of the claims which follow.
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