Medical injection systems and methods related to user activated control devices

Abstract

A control module for a medical injection system generates an injection control signal based on sensed internal pressure of a user activated control device, for example, in response to an applied external force that causes the sensed internal pressure to increase from a baseline pressure, and continues to sense the internal pressure of the device, following release of the applied external force, so that, if the sensed internal pressure drops below the baseline pressure, the control module may generate a notification. Thus, an operator of the system may monitor internal pressure of the control device for a drop below the baseline pressure, and then, if such a drop is detected, inspect the control device for leaks and reconnect, replace or repair the control device, or simply reconnect or replace the control device.

1 - 22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . An injection control device for an injection system comprising:
 a closed internal volume having a baseline pressure;   an elastic portion defining at least one side of the closed internal volume, the closed internal volume being compressible by application of an external force to the elastic portion such that, when the closed internal volume is compressed, the internal pressure of the closed internal volume increases above the baseline pressure; and wherein   the closed internal volume is in fluid communication with an interfacing portion of the injection system that is used to monitor the internal pressure of the closed internal volume after the external force is released from the elastic portion to detect the presence of a leak in the closed internal volume.   
     
     
         24 . The injection control device of  claim 23 , wherein a leak in the closed internal volume is detected in the event that, after the external force is released from the elastic portion, the internal pressure of the closed internal volume drops below the baseline pressure. 
     
     
         25 . The injection control device of  claim 23 , wherein the pressure of the closed internal volume is monitored while the external force is applied to the elastic portion, and wherein a leak in the closed internal volume is detected in the event that, while the external force is applied to the elastic portion, the internal pressure in the closed internal volume decreases by a predetermined amount. 
     
     
         26 . The injection control device of  claim 23 , wherein the closed internal volume comprises a first closed internal volume, and further comprising:
 a second closed internal volume separate from the first closed internal volume; and   a second elastic portion defining at least one side of the second closed internal volume; and wherein   the second closed internal volume is in fluid communication with a second interfacing portion of the injection system.   
     
     
         27 . The injection control device of  claim 26 , further comprising:
 a first connector in fluid communication with the first closed internal volume via a first tubing line and configured to provide an interface between the first closed internal volume and the interfacing portion of the injection system; and   a second connector in fluid communication with the second closed internal volume via a second tubing line and configured to provide an interface between the second closed internal volume and the second interfacing portion of the injection system.   
     
     
         28 . An injection system comprising:
 an injection control device comprising:
 a closed internal volume having a baseline pressure; and 
 an elastic portion defining at least one side of the closed internal volume, the closed internal volume being compressible by application of an external force to the elastic portion such that, when the closed internal volume is compressed, the internal pressure of the closed internal volume increases above the baseline pressure; 
   a pressure sensor in fluid communication with the closed internal volume; and   a controller in communication with the pressure sensor configured to monitor the internal pressure of the closed internal volume and alert a user of a detected leak in the closed internal volume of the injection control device; wherein   the internal pressure of the closed internal volume is monitored after the external force is released from the elastic portion, and a leak is detected in the closed internal volume in the event that, after the external force is released from the elastic portion, the internal pressure drops below the baseline pressure.   
     
     
         29 . The injection system of  claim 28 , further comprising:
 a display in communication with the controller; and wherein   alerting the user of a detected leak in the closed internal volume comprises presenting a visual notification to the user via the display.   
     
     
         30 . The injection system of  claim 29 , wherein alerting the user of a detected leak in the closed internal volume comprises displaying a graphical plot of the internal pressure of the closed internal volume over time on the display. 
     
     
         31 . The injection system of  claim 29 , wherein alerting the user of a detected leak in the closed internal volume comprises generating a light signal or message on the display. 
     
     
         32 . The injection system of  claim 28 , wherein alerting the user of a detected leak in the closed internal volume comprises generating an audible alert. 
     
     
         33 . The injection system of  claim 28 , wherein the internal pressure is monitored while the external force is applied to the elastic portion. 
     
     
         34 . The injection system of  claim 33 , wherein, if the internal pressure does not significantly drop while the external force is applied to the elastic portion, the controller establishes an injection control signal to perform an injection operation. 
     
     
         35 . The injection system of  claim 33 , wherein the injection operation comprises delivering a contrast injection into a patient at a flow rate, the flow rate being dependent on the external force applied to the elastic portion. 
     
     
         36 . A method for controlling a medical injection system comprising:
 experiencing an external force applied to an elastic portion of a closed internal volume causing the internal pressure of the closed internal volume to increase from a baseline pressure;   monitoring the internal pressure of the closed internal volume as the external force is released from the elastic portion; and   if the monitored internal pressure of the closed internal volume drops below the baseline pressure, outputting a signal indicating the presence of a leak in the closed internal volume.   
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 36 , further comprising:
 monitoring the internal pressure of the closed internal volume while the external force is applied to the elastic portion; and   if the pressure drops significantly while the external force is applied to the elastic portion, outputting a signal indicating the presence of a leak in the closed internal volume.   
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 37 , further comprising:
 if the pressure does not drop significantly while the external force is applied to the elastic portion, establishing an injection control signal and performing an injection operation.   
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein the injection operation comprises delivering a contrast injection into a patient at a flow rate, the flow rate being dependent on the external force applied to the elastic portion. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 37 , further comprising establishing a series of injection control signals, each injection control signal corresponding to one of a series of applied external forces to the elastic portion. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein outputting a signal indicating the presence of a leak in the closed internal volume comprises presenting an audible and/or a visible alert. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein outputting the signal indicating the presence of a leak in the closed internal volume comprises displaying a graphical plot of the internal pressure of the closed internal volume over time on a display.