Automatic Liquid Injection System and Method

Abstract

A power assisted method and injector device for controllably delivering to patients a dispersion medicament or diagnostically active agent, the homogeneity of which is preserved throughout delivery. Diagnostically active agents disclosed are gas microbubble suspensions useful in ultrasonic diagnostic imaging and liposomal formulations in which liposome vesicles are loaded with iodinated compounds.

1 - 38 . (canceled) 
   
   
       39 . A system for injection of a multi-component medium, comprising:
 at least one container having a longitudinal axis and operable to hold the medium;   a pressurizing mechanism for pressurizing the medium;   an agitation mechanism operably associated with and inducing reciprocal rotational bulk motion of the at least one container about the longitudinal axis to maintain the components of the medium in a mixed state; and   a power source operably associated with the agitation mechanism for powering the agitation mechanism.   
   
   
       40 . The system of  claim 39  wherein the at least one container is formed symmetrically about the longitudinal axis. 
   
   
       41 . The system of  claim 39 , further comprising a controller operably associated with the power source and the agitation mechanism, the controller operable to control the agitation mechanism. 
   
   
       42 . The system of  claim 41  wherein the agitation mechanism can operate at a first level of agitation and at a second level of agitation, the first level corresponding to level of agitation adapted to create the mixed state, the second level of agitation corresponding to a less vigorous level than the first level of agitation and being adapted to maintain the mixed state. 
   
   
       43 . The system of  claim 42  wherein the controller is operable to control a transition between the first level of agitation and the second level of agitation. 
   
   
       44 . The system of  claim 39  wherein the at least one container comprises a syringe barrel and the pressurizing mechanism comprises a syringe plunger. 
   
   
       45 . The system of  claim 39  wherein the pressurizing mechanism comprises a pump. 
   
   
       46 . The system of  claim 39 , further comprising a fluid path for conducting medium from the at least one container to the pressurizing mechanism. 
   
   
       47 . The system of  claim 39 , further comprising a holder to which the at least one container is connected. 
   
   
       48 . The system of  claim 47  wherein the agitation mechanism is connected to the holder. 
   
   
       49 . The system of  claim 39 , further comprising a free moving object disposed within the at least one container to assist in mixing. 
   
   
       50 . A system for injection of a multi-component medium, comprising:
 at least one container having a longitudinal axis and operable to hold the medium;   a pressurizing mechanism for pressurizing the medium;   an agitation mechanism operably associated with and inducing substantially continuous rotational bulk motion of the at least one container in one direction and about the longitudinal axis to maintain the components of the medium in a mixed state; and   a power source operably associated with the agitation mechanism for powering the agitation mechanism.   
   
   
       51 . The system of  claim 50 , further comprising a free moving object disposed within the at least one container to assist in mixing. 
   
   
       52 . The system of  claim 50  wherein the at least one container is formed symmetrically about the longitudinal axis. 
   
   
       53 . The system of  claim 50  wherein the agitation mechanism induces currents within the medium. 
   
   
       54 . The system of  claim 50  wherein the agitation mechanism can operate at a first level of agitation and at a second level of agitation, the first level corresponding to level of agitation adapted to create the mixed state, the second level of agitation corresponding to a less vigorous level than the first level of agitation and being adapted to maintain the mixed state. 
   
   
       55 . The system of  54  wherein a controller is used to control a transition between the first level of agitation and the second level of agitation. 
   
   
       56 . The system of  claim 50  wherein the at least one container comprises a syringe barrel and the pressurizing mechanism comprises a syringe plunger. 
   
   
       57 . The system of  claim 50  wherein the pressurizing mechanism comprises a pump. 
   
   
       58 . The system of  claim 50 , further comprising a fluid path for conducting medium from the at least one container to the pressurizing mechanism. 
   
   
       59 . The system of  claim 50 , further comprising a holder to which the at least one container is connected. 
   
   
       60 . The system of  claim 59  wherein the agitation mechanism is connected to the holder. 
   
   
       61 . A system for injection of a multi-component medium, comprising:
 a syringe having a longitudinal axis and operable to hold the medium;   a plunger for pressurizing the medium;   an agitation mechanism operably associated with and inducing reciprocal rotational bulk motion of the syringe about the longitudinal axis to maintain the components of the medium in a mixed state; and   a motor operably associated with the agitation mechanism for powering the agitation mechanism.   
   
   
       62 . The system of  claim 61  wherein the syringe is formed symmetrically about the longitudinal axis. 
   
   
       63 . The system of  claim 61 , further comprising a control box operably associated with the motor and the agitation mechanism, the controller operable to control the agitation mechanism. 
   
   
       64 . The system of  claim 63  wherein the agitation mechanism can operate at a first level of agitation and at a second level of agitation. 
   
   
       65 . The system of  claim 64  wherein the control box is operable to control a transition between the first level of agitation and the second level of agitation. 
   
   
       66 . The system of  claim 61  wherein the syringe comprises a syringe barrel. 
   
   
       67 . The system of  claim 61 , further comprising a bracket to which the syringe is supported. 
   
   
       68 . The system of  claim 67  wherein the agitation mechanism is connected to the bracket. 
   
   
       69 . The system of  claim 61 , wherein said agitation mechanism comprises a roller. 
   
   
       70 . The system of  claim 61 , wherein said agitation mechanism comprises a bracket. 
   
   
       71 . A system for injection of a multi-component medium, comprising:
 a syringe having a longitudinal axis and operable to hold the medium;   a plunger for pressurizing the medium;   an agitation mechanism operably associated with and inducing substantially continuous rotational bulk motion of the syringe in one direction and about the longitudinal axis to maintain the components of the medium in a mixed state; and   a motor operably associated with the agitation mechanism for powering the agitation mechanism.   
   
   
       72 . The system of  claim 71  wherein the syringe is formed symmetrically about the longitudinal axis. 
   
   
       73 . The system of  claim 71  wherein the agitation mechanism induces currents within the medium. 
   
   
       74 . The system of  claim 71  wherein the agitation mechanism can operate at a first level of agitation and at a second level of agitation. 
   
   
       75 . The system of  74  wherein a control box is used to control a transition between the first level of agitation and the second level of agitation. 
   
   
       76 . The system of  claim 71  wherein the syringe comprises a syringe barrel. 
   
   
       77 . The system of  claim 71 , further comprising a bracket to which the syringe is supported. 
   
   
       78 . The system of  claim 77  wherein the agitation mechanism is connected to the bracket. 
   
   
       79 . The system of  claim 71 , wherein said agitation mechanism comprises a roller. 
   
   
       80 . The system of  claim 71 , wherein said agitation mechanism comprises a bracket.