Power injector syringe clamp assembly with RFID antenna
Inventors
Strobl, Geoffrey S. • Gibson, Chad M. • Bruce, John K.
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-8562563-B2
Publication Date
2013-10-22
Expiration Date
Abstract
A power injector syringe clamp assembly (300) is disclosed. This clamp assembly (300) includes a first clamp member (302) and a second clamp member (312), where at least one of these clamp members (302, 312) is movable to provide open and closed configurations for the clamp assembly (300). The clamp assembly (300) also includes at least one RFID reader antenna for communicating with at least one RFID tag (336) on a power injector syringe (330), at least when positioned within the clamp assembly (300).
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a power injector syringe clamp assembly and a corresponding power injector in which RFID communicates between an RFID tag on a power injector syringe and a RFID reader antenna integrated into clamp members. A first clamp member is movable to at least assist in defining open and closed configurations for the clamp assembly, and the first clamp member comprises a first RFID reader antenna.
Electrical interconnection between the first RFID reader antenna and the clamp member is provided via a first pivot pin that is electrically conductive and is electrically interconnected with the first RFID reader antenna, with the first clamp member mounted on the first pivot pin. In further embodiments, electrical connection is enabled based on clamp position through an electrical contact and an engaging arrangement that places the electrical contact in engagement with the RFID reader antenna when the clamp assembly is in the closed configuration.
The arrangement supports use cases where the power injector syringe is installed in and removed from the clamp assembly when the clamp assembly is in the open configuration, while the installed power injector syringe is restrained by the clamp assembly when the clamp assembly is in the closed configuration. Embodiments also include a second clamp member with a second RFID reader antenna and a second electrically conductive pivot pin, and RFID reader antenna sections may be disposed on respective surfaces that project toward a barrel of a power injector syringe in the closed configuration.
Claims Coverage
The document contains four independent claims: clm-00001, clm-00023, clm-00044, and clm-00045. Across these, the main inventive features relate to movable clamp members defining open and closed configurations, RFID reader antenna(s) on clamp member(s), and electrically conductive and/or position-dependent electrical interconnections that enable RFID communication with an RFID-tagged power injector syringe.
Movable clamp defining open and closed configurations with RFID reader antenna on clamp member
A first clamp member that is movable to at least assist in defining open and closed configurations for said clamp assembly, wherein said first clamp member comprises a first RFID reader antenna on said first clamp member.
Electrically conductive pivot pin electrically interconnected with RFID reader antenna
A first pivot pin that is electrically conductive and that is electrically interconnected with said first RFID reader antenna, wherein said first clamp member is mounted on said first pivot pin.
Clamp assembly with first clamp member disposed near or in contact with power injector syringe when closed and including RFID reader antenna
A clamp assembly comprising a first clamp member that is movable to at least assist in defining open and closed configurations for said clamp assembly, wherein said first clamp member is disposed in at least one of closely-spaced relation to or in contact with said power injector syringe when said clamp assembly is in said closed configuration, and wherein said first clamp member comprises a first RFID reader antenna.
RFID-tagged power injector with motorized plunger drive assembly and clamp with RFID reader antenna
A power injector, comprising a power injector syringe comprising a syringe barrel, a plunger disposed within and movable relative to said syringe barrel, and at least one RFID tag; a syringe plunger drive assembly that comprises a motorized drive source that interacts with said plunger to move said plunger relative to said syringe barrel; and a clamp assembly comprising a first clamp member movable to define open and closed configurations and including a first RFID reader antenna.
Flexible connector interconnected with RFID reader antenna
A flexible connector interconnected with said first RFID reader antenna.
Position-dependent electrical contact that spaces and engages with RFID reader antenna
A first electrical contact that is disposed within a path of motion of said first clamp member, wherein said first electrical contact is spaced from said first RFID reader antenna when said first clamp member is in a first position, and wherein said first electrical contact engages said first RFID reader antenna when said first clamp member is in a second position.
Collectively, the independent claims cover clamp assemblies and power injectors where RFID reader antenna(s) are carried by movable clamp members that define open and closed configurations, with electrical interconnection to the RFID reader antenna implemented through an electrically conductive pivot pin and/or a flexible connector and/or a position-dependent electrical contact that engages the RFID reader antenna in the closed or second position. The power injector claim further ties this clamp/RFID arrangement to a motorized plunger drive assembly and a power injector syringe with at least one RFID tag.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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