Patent Application
20070083152
The present invention relates generally to medical devices for injecting a fluid into a subject and more particularly to a user interface for selecting and controlling injection parameters.
Some available diagnostic imaging equipment (e.g., CT scanners, PET apparatus, MRI apparatus, etc) may rely on injecting a fluid, such as a contrast media, into a subject to obtain a diagnostic image. Fluid injection devices have been developed that may be used to automatically administer contrast media to a subject. Such fluid injection systems may rely upon a user to determine the injection parameters such as the flow rate of the fluid, volume of the fluid to be injected, duration of injection, and the like. The operator may then enter the injection parameters into the fluid injection device so that the fluid injection device may inject a contrast media into a subject based on the inputted injection parameters. The injected contrast media is then physiologically processed by the subject, permitting the imaging equipment to obtain an enhanced image of the subject.
In some cases, it may be desirable to inject multiple fluids into a subject in series or concurrently. To inject multiple fluids into a subject, a user may enter injection parameters for injecting a first fluid into a subject and injection parameters for injecting a second fluid into the subject. The operator may also specify at which time the second injection may begin. During the course of an injection function, it may be desirable to vary the injection parameters, such as flow rate or volume, for a given fluid to improve the quality of images obtained. In some cases, a fluid injection function may be divided into one or more injection phases. An injection phase has traditionally been described as a constant injection flow rate for a fixed volume of fluid. A series of injection phases for a given fluid may be grouped together into an injection protocol.
By way of background,
In a multi-fluid injection procedure, the above described display region may need to be expanded to include data for one or more additional fluids. The additional data may be used to specify fluid type on a per phase basis, e.g., contrast, saline, or flushing medium, in addition to constant flow rate and fixed volume.
U.S. Patent Application No. 2004/0199076 to Nemoto describes a liquid injector having an integrated control panel that may permit a user to use a touchpen to graphically input a desired flow rate and injection time into a computer. The liquid injector may then use the graph to inject a liquid into a subject at the desired flow rate and length of time. Although the injector device described by Nemoto overcomes some of the disadvantages described above, it still has several disadvantages. First, the control panel is integrated into the injection device. This may limit the placement of the injection device and may require a user to stay in an imaging room until the injection has been completed. Second, to graphically input a desired flow rate and injection time, a user first selects a body region to be injected. In some applications, it may not be desirable to select a particular body region when inputting the desired injection parameters.
In one alternative embodiment, the invention is directed to a graphical user interface having a graph space in which a user may create a graph that may be used to control the injection behavior of a fluid injection device. In some embodiments, a user may use the graph space to graphically plot a graph that may be used to control the behavior of a fluid injection device. In some embodiments, a computer or control console may use the graph to define an injection protocol for injecting a fluid into a subject.
In one alternative embodiment, the invention comprises a graphical visualization tool for controlling the behavior of a fluid injection device using a graphical user interface. The graphical visualization tool may comprise a graph space window for inputting and displaying a desired injection function for a fluid, one or more fluid selector icons that may permit a user to select a fluid and a location selection icon that may permit a user to navigate within the graph space to create an injection function for a selected fluid, whereby a fluid injection device may use the created injection function to inject a fluid into a subject. In some embodiments, one or more injection functions may be graphically plotted within the same graph space to define an injection protocol.
In one embodiment, the graphical user interface may include a graphical visualization tool that may be used to graphically plot an injection function in a graph space that may be used to control the injection behavior of a fluid injection device. In another alternative embodiment, the graphical visualization tool may include a control panel that may have one or more of: fluid selector icons, location selector icon, and a segment selector icon. In some embodiments, the one or more fluid selector icons may permit a user to select one or more fluid for which to create an injection function in the graph space. In one embodiment, the location selector icon may permit a user to navigate within the graph space and select an nth point and an nth+1 point that may be connected together to define a piecewise injection protocol within the graph space.
In one alternative embodiment, the invention may include a graphical user interface having a graph space in which a user may graphically plot one or more injection functions for one or more fluids. In some embodiments one or more injection functions may be created wherein a portion of one injection function overlaps at least a portion of a second injection function within the graph space. The overlapping portions of the injection functions may define an injection protocol wherein two or more fluids may be injected concurrently.
In one alternative embodiment, the invention may comprise a fluid injection system that may include a fluid injection device, a computer that may be operably connected to the fluid injection device. In some embodiments, the computer may have a computer readable code thereon for enabling a processor to control the fluid injector device and to permit a user to graphically input fluid injection parameters for one or more fluids into the computer using a graphical user interface. In one alternative embodiment, a user may graphically input fluid injection parameters into the computer independently of the body region of a subject to be injected. The fluid injection system may also include a visual display for displaying the graphical user interface, and at least one input device that may permit a user to graphically input the injection parameters on the graphical user interface. The computer may then use the fluid injection parameters that have been graphically plotted using the graphical user interface to control the behavior of the fluid injection device. In some embodiments, the inputted injection parameters may correspond to an injection function or injection protocol.
In another alternative embodiment, the invention may comprise a computer program product that may include a computer usable medium having computer readable program code embodied therein that may be configured to control a fluid injection device. In some embodiments, the computer program product may include computer readable code configured to cause a computer to display a graphical user interface that may be used to graphically plot an injection function. In some embodiments, the graphical user interface may include a graph space that defines an area for graphically plotting an injection function and that may be used by a computer to control the behavior of a fluid injection device. In some embodiments, the computer program product may include one or more fluid selector icons that may permit a user to select one or more fluids for which to graphically plot an injection function in the graph space, and a location selection icon that may permit a user to navigate within graph space to graphically plot an injection function in the graph space for the selected fluid. In one embodiment, the computer readable code may be configured to cause a computer to control the fluid injection device using the injection function.
In yet another embodiment, the invention may comprise a method for controlling a fluid injection device comprising the steps of: a) presenting a graphical user interface to a user wherein the graphical user interface may include a graph space window for inputting and displaying an injection function for a fluid; b) selecting a first fluid; c) selecting a first point in the graph space; d) selecting a second point in the graph space; and e) connecting the first and second points in the graph space to define a first area in the graph space that may be usable by a computer to control the injection behavior of the fluid injection device. In some embodiments, the method may also include the step of controlling the fluid injection device using the graph (i.e., injection function).
Thus, the invention may provide a system, computer program product, and method of graphically creating one or more injection protocols that may be used to control the behavior of a fluid injection device.
Having thus described the invention in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:
The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments of the inventions are shown. The invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. As used herein, the term “exemplary” refers to a non-limiting alternative embodiment of the invention.
In one alternative embodiment, the invention may comprise a graphical visualization tool for controlling the behavior of a medical device including, but not limited to, a device suitable for injecting fluid into a subject. Such device may use a graphical user interface. In some embodiments, the device may include, but is not limited to, a fluid injection function, communication function, extravasation function, monitoring function, and the like. In some embodiments, the graphical visualization tool may have a window including, but not limited to a graph space window for inputting and displaying a desired function. Such function may be directed to one or more fluids. For example, the graphical visualization tool may comprise one or more selector icons that may, for example, permit a user to select from one or more fluids for which a user may input a desired injection function. In addition, the graphical visualization tool may comprise one or more selection icons that may, for example, permit a user to navigate within the graph space to create an injection function for a selected fluid.
In one alternative embodiment, a fluid injection device may use the desired injection function to inject a fluid into a subject. In some embodiments, the graph space may comprise a coordinate system having one or more axes including, but not limited to, a three-dimensional or two-dimensional coordinate system, such as a Cartesian coordinate system. In some embodiments, the Cartesian coordinate system may include a first axis that represents the duration of an injection and a second axis that represents the fluid flow rate of an injection. In one alternative embodiment, the graphical visualization tool may include a textual component for displaying a volume of fluid that is to be injected.
In one alternative embodiment the graphical visualization tool may be configured to run on a control console for a fluid injection device. In one alternative embodiment, the control console may be separate from the fluid injection device. In some embodiments, the injection function may be defined by a graphical plot between a first point and second point in the graph space. In one alternative embodiment, one or more injection functions may be combined to define an injection protocol. In yet another alternative embodiment, one or more injection functions for a first fluid may be combined with one or more injection functions for a second fluid, and so on.
In one alternative embodiment, the graphical user interface may include, but is not limited to, a segment selector icon that permits a user to navigate through the graph space to manipulate and/or interact with one or more functions (e.g., injection functions) including, but not limited to, viewing, creating, and/or editing such functions. In one alternative embodiment, the graphical visualization tool may permit a user to input a first injection function comprising a first fluid and a second injection function comprising a second fluid to be graphically plotted in the graph space, wherein the second injection function overlaps at least a portion of the first injection function in the graph space to define an injection protocol for concurrent fluid injection. In yet another alternative embodiment, the graphical user interface may comprise a touch screen. In some embodiments, a user may graphically plot a function using an input device such as a mouse, keyboard, touchpen, or a combination thereof. In one alternative embodiment, the location selection icon may be navigable in the graph space to permit a user to create an injection function. In some embodiments, the graphical visualization tool may be configured to display a first injection function for a first fluid and a second injection function for a second fluid in colors that are different from each other.
In one alternative embodiment, the invention may include a system comprising a fluid injection device, a control unit, such as a computer, operably connected to the fluid injection device, wherein the computer may include computer readable code thereon for enabling a processor to control the fluid injection device and to permit a user to graphically input parameters for controlling one or more device functions. In one alternative embodiment, the input parameters may include one or more fluid injection parameters. In one alternative embodiment, a user may be able to input the fluid injection parameters into the control unit using a graphical user interface independently of the body region of the subject that is be injected. In some embodiments, the system may include a visual display for displaying the graphical user interface and an input device for permitting a user to graphically input the injection parameters on the graphical user interface. In one embodiment, the control unit may use the inputted fluid injection parameters to control the behavior of the fluid injection device. In some embodiments, the control unit may be disposed in a control room of an imaging suite and the fluid injector device may be disposed in an imaging room of the imaging suite.
In some embodiments, the injection parameters may include, but are not limited to, injection flow rate, injection duration, injection volume, fluid media, or combinations thereof. In one alternative embodiment, the input device may include, but is not limited to, a pointer, touch pad, keyboard, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, a user may graphically input the fluid injection parameters on a first graph displayed on the graphical user interface that represents the desired behavior of the fluid injection device. In one alternative embodiment, the graph may be in a coordinate system having a first axis that represents a duration of an injection and a second axis that represents an injection flow rate. In another alternative embodiment, the graph may be in a coordinate system having a first axis that represents a duration of an injection and a second axis that represents a fluid volume of an injection. In one alternative embodiment, the graphical user interface may be configured to display a second graph that is superimposed on an image of the first graph, and wherein the second graph represents the real time behavior of the fluid injection device.
In one alternative embodiment, the computer readable code may permit a user to graphically input fluid injection parameters for a first fluid and to graphically input fluid injection parameters for a second fluid to be displayed simultaneously on a graph that represents the desired behavior of the fluid injection device. In some embodiments, the graphical user interface may include a fluid selector icon that permits a user to select the one or more fluids for which the injection parameters are to be graphically input into the computer. In some embodiments, the graphical user interface may be adapted to permit a user to select multiple types of fluid to be injected into the subject at multiple times and may also be adapted to permit a user to select and/or program multiple fluid injections, for example, 1 to 2, 2 to 8, and 8 or more.
In yet another alternative embodiment, the graphical user interface may include a location selection icon that permits a user to select a first point in a graph space and a second point in the graph space wherein the position of the first and second points define an area in the graph that corresponds to an injection function. In one embodiment, at least two of the injection parameters may include injection flow rate and injection duration. In one alternative embodiment, a first point and a second point inputted into the graph space may define an area in the graph space that represents a volume of the fluid to be injected.
In some embodiments, the graphical user interface may be configured to display a volume of fluid to be injected by the injection device. In some embodiments, the graphical user interface may include a first fluid selector icon for selecting a first fluid to be injected and a second fluid selector for selecting a second fluid to be injected. In one alternative embodiment, the first selector icon may permit a user to select a contrast solution and the second selector icon may permit a user to select a flushing solution. In one alternative embodiment, the graphical user interface may include a graph space window for inputting and displaying a desired injection function for a fluid, one or more fluid selector icons that permit a user to select a fluid, and a location selection icon that permits a user to navigate within the graph space to create an injection function for a selected fluid, whereby a fluid injection device may use the created injection function to inject a fluid into a subject.
In another alternative embodiment, the invention may include a computer program product comprising a computer usable medium having computer readable program code embodied therein that may be configured to control a fluid injection device. In some embodiments, the computer program product may comprise a computer readable code configured to cause a computer to display a graphical user interface having: 1) a graph space that may define an area for graphically plotting an injection function that may be used by a computer to control the behavior of a fluid injection device, 2) one or more fluid selector icons that may permit a user to select one or more fluids for which to graphically plot an injection function in the graph space, and 3) a location selection icon that may permit a user to navigate within graph space to graphically plot an injection function in the graph space for the selected fluid.
In some embodiments, the computer readable code may be configured to cause a computer to control the fluid injection device using the graphically created injection function. In one alternative embodiment, the graph space may be in a coordinate system wherein a first axis represents time and wherein a second axis represents fluid flow rate. In another alternative embodiment, the graph may be in a coordinate system wherein a first axis represents time and wherein a second axis represents fluid volume. In yet another alternative embodiment, the graph space may be in a coordinate system wherein a first axis represents fluid flow rate and wherein a second axis represents fluid volume. In one alternative embodiment, the computer readable code may be configured to cause the graphical user interface to display a single graph or multiple graphs, for example, 10 or more graphs. In some embodiments, the computer readable code may be configured to cause the graphical user interface to display multiple graph space windows in which one or more functions may be displayed.
In one alternative embodiment, the computer readable code may be configured to cause the graphical user interface to display a first graph that represents a desired behavior of the fluid injection device. In another alternative embodiment, the computer readable code may be configured to cause a computer to display a second graph that represents an actual behavior of the fluid injection device during an injection. In yet another alternative embodiment, the computer readable code may be configured to simultaneously display a third graph wherein third graph displays fluid pressure as a function of time. In some embodiments, the second graph may be superimposed upon the first graph. In some embodiments, the graphical user interface may include a first graph that represents an injection protocol for a first fluid and a second graph that represents an injection protocol for a second fluid. In one alternative embodiment, the computer readable code may be configured to calculate and display a fluid volume to be injected.
In one alternative embodiment, the computer readable code may be configured to permit a user to do one or more of: 1) select a first fluid; 2) select a first point in the graph space using the location selector icon; 3) select a second point in the graph space using the location selector icon, and wherein the computer readable code is configured to connect the first and second points to define an area in the graph space that is usable by a computer to control the injection behavior of the fluid injection device.
In another alternative embodiment, the computer readable code may be configured to permit a user to do one or more of: select a first fluid and select a third point in the graph space using the location selector icon, wherein the computer readable code is configured to connect the second and third points to define a second area in the graph space and thereby define a piecewise injection function. In yet another alternative embodiment, the computer readable code may be configured to permit a user to do one or more of: select a fluid; select a nth point in the graph space using the location selector icon; and select a nth+1 point in the graph space using the location selector icon, wherein the computer readable code is configured to connect the nth point and the nth+1 point to define one or more areas in the graph space that are usable by a computer to control the injection behavior of the fluid injection device.
In some embodiments, the computer readable code may be configured to cause a computer to select a curve style to be used to connect the first point and the second point. In one alternative embodiment, the computer readable code may be configured to cause a computer to instruct the fluid injection device to inject a first fluid at a rate indicated by a curve between a first point and a second point within the graph space.
In one alternative embodiment, the graph may be created using a sensor or external device which may be in communication with the graphical user interface. In another alternative embodiment, the graph may be created using a database. In one alternative embodiment, the computer program product may be running on a control console for the fluid injection device. In another alternative embodiment, the computer program product may be running on a control console for an imaging equipment device. In yet another alternative embodiment, the computer program product may be running on a control console that is configured to control the fluid injection device and an imaging equipment device.
In another alternative embodiment, the invention may include a method for controlling a fluid injection device comprising the steps of: 1) presenting a graphical user interface to a user wherein the graphical user interface includes a graph space window for inputting and displaying an injection function for a fluid; 2) selecting a first fluid; 3) selecting a first point in the graph space; 4) selecting a second point in the graph space; 5) connecting the first and second points in the graph space to define a first area in the graph space that is usable by a computer to control the injection behavior of the fluid injection device; and 6) controlling the fluid injection device using the injection function.
In some embodiments, the method may also include connecting multiple points within the graph space, for example, 2 to 5, 4 to 10, and permutations thereof to define one or more areas in the graph space. In one alternative embodiment the method may also include: selecting a second fluid; selecting a third point in the graph space; and connecting the second and third points in the graph space to define a second area in the graph space that is usable by a computer to control the injection behavior of the fluid injection device. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the second area may be superimposed upon the first area within the graph space. In some embodiments, the graph space may contain one or more injection functions for one or more fluids.
In one alternative embodiment, the step of connecting the points in the graph space may further comprise the step of selecting a curve style to be used to connect the first point and the second point. In some embodiments, the method may comprise inputting an injection function into the graph space using a sensor or external device that is in communication with a control console for the fluid injection device. In one alternative embodiment, the step of selecting a first fluid may include interacting with one or more fluid selector icons that may be present on the graphical user interface. In some embodiments, the steps of selecting the first and second points in the graph space may further comprise interacting with a location selection icon that is presented by the graphical user interface. In another alternative embodiment, the step of controlling the fluid injection device may comprise instructing the fluid injection device to inject the first fluid at a rate indicated by a curve between the first point and the second point.
In one alternative embodiment, the invention is directed to a graphical visualization tool that may be used with an injection system and a method of its use to graphically input one or more injection parameters into a computer whereby the injection behavior of a fluid injection device may be controlled. In one embodiment, the graphical visualization tool may be running on a control console that may be operably connected to a fluid injection device. In another embodiment, the graphical visualization tool may be used to graphically plot an injection protocol for a given fluid. The thus created injection protocol may be used to control the injection of a fluid into a subject.
In one alternative embodiment, the graphical visualization tool may be used in conjunction with an injection system for administering a fluid to a subject. In one embodiment, the fluid injection system may include a fluid injection device that can be used to administer an effective dosage of a fluid, such as contrast medium, and a control interface that is operatively connected to the fluid injection device. The injection system may have one or more control interfaces. The control interface may send and receive data to and from the fluid injection device. In one alternative embodiment, a graphical user interface according to the present invention may be running on a control interface that may be operably connected to a fluid injection device. The injection device can be any type of injector mechanism that is used to deliver a contrast medium into a patient or subject (e.g., E-Z-EM EMPOWER CT Injector). In one alternative embodiment, the injection system may be used in conjunction with an imaging system. The imaging system may be comprised of an imaging control console, an imaging device or equipment that can be used to monitor and display the contrast medium within a patient or subject, acquire internal images of a patient or subject, and to provide other diagnostic data to a control console or storage media. The imaging system may have an imaging interface that may be operatively connected to the imaging equipment. In some embodiments, the injection system and the imaging system may be operatively connected to a common control console.
The term “contrast medium” includes any suitable medium, that can be injected into an individual or subject to highlight and/or identify selected areas of the individual's body. Contrast mediums may include, but are not limited to radio opaque iodinated injectable media, saline media, flush media, and the like, and any combination or mixture thereof. A contrast medium may be used in conjunction with an imaging device that is used to perform medical diagnostic imaging such as CT scans, MRI, PET, ultrasound, etc.
Referring to the figures,
In some embodiments, an injection protocol may comprise one or more injection functions. In the context of the invention, the term “injection function” refers to a segment of a graph for a selected fluid that has been graphically plotted in the graph space. The injection function of a given fluid may vary in flow rate to deliver the intended volume of fluid over a duration of time. In one alternative embodiment, the graph space may be used to graphically plot injection parameters against each other to create an injection function. For example, in one alternative embodiment, the injection flow rate may be graphically plotted against a desired length of time. In some embodiments, additional injection parameters, such as volume, time, flow rate may be graphically plotted against each other to define an injection function.
In some embodiments, an injection protocol may include multiple injection functions within the graph space, or alternatively, may comprise a single injection function, in which case the injection function is the injection protocol. In using the graphical visualization tool a user may graphically plot multiple injection functions for a given fluid within graph space 55 to create an injection protocol. In some embodiments, one or more injection functions may be combined to create an injection protocol. An injection protocol may be created by combining one or more injection functions that have been graphically plotted in graph space 55.
In some embodiments, the graph space 55 may comprise an injection definition area that corresponds to a Cartesian coordinate system having a first axis 58 and a second axis 56. In some embodiments, axis 58 may represent the duration or length of time and axis 56 may represent the injection flow rate of a fluid that is injected into a subject. In this embodiment, a user may graphically plot an injection function in the graph space wherein the flow rate of the fluid is plotted against the duration of the injection. In an alternative embodiment, axes 56, 58 may represent other injection parameters such as volume versus time as a means of graphically representing an injection function.
The graphical visualization tool 52 may also include a control panel 60 having tools for graphically plotting one or more injection functions in graph space 55. In one alternative embodiment, the control panel 60 may include one or more fluid selector icons 62, 64. Fluid selector icons 62, 64 may permit a user to select a fluid for which an injection function may be created using the graphical visualization tool. In some embodiments, the fluid selector icons may comprise an executable software module that is configured to be displayed within the graphical user interface and may be executable by an input action performed by a user. The number of fluid selector icons that may be available may vary depending upon the application. In some embodiments, the number of fluid selector icons that are available may depend on the number of fluids that the fluid injection device may be able to inject. In some embodiments, the graphical user interface may include one or more pull down menus to access additional fluid selections.
In one alternative embodiment, fluid selector icon 62 may comprise a Fluid 1 Selector button. In some embodiments, the control console for the fluid injection device may include a touch sensitive screen. In this embodiment, the Fluid 1 Selector button may comprise a momentary acting software generated button that appears on the touch screen. In some embodiments, the Fluid 1 Selector button may include a symbol for the type of fluid that is to be injected. Here, the letter “C” is illustrated which may represent a contrast fluid. Applying pressure to the Fluid 1 Selector button may permit a user to use the graphical visualization tool to graphically plot an injection function for a contrast fluid.
In one alternative embodiment, fluid selector icon 64 may comprise a Fluid 2 Selector button. As discussed above, the control console for the fluid injection device may include a touch sensitive screen. In this embodiment, the Fluid 2 Selector button may comprise a momentary acting software generated button that appears on the touch screen. In some embodiments the Fluid 2 Selector button may include a symbol for the type of fluid that is to be injected. Here, the letter “S” is illustrated which may represent a saline fluid used for flushing purposes. Applying pressure to the Fluid 2 Selector button may permit a user to use the graphical visualization tool to graphically plot an injection function for a saline fluid.
In some embodiments, the control panel may also include a location selection icon 66 (i.e., direction pad). Location selection icon 66 may permit a user to use an input device, such as a pointer, keyboard, or similar device, to navigate within graph space 55. In some embodiments, the location selection icon may comprise an executable software module that may be configured to be displayed within the graphical user interface and may be executable by an input action performed by a user. In some embodiments, the location selection icon may comprise a touch sensitive button. In one alternative embodiment, the location selection icon 66 may allow a user to select a first point within the graph space which may correspond to a desired injection parameter. For example, a user may select a first point that corresponds to a desired injection flow rate along axis 58 and a desired point in time during the injection along axis 56. In some embodiments, this first point may correspond to the initial flow rate of the injection and the time at which the injection begins. In the case of a single injection or the first injection in a multi-injection protocol, the initial time may correspond to time zero or the beginning of an injection protocol. Once a first point has been selected using the location selection icon, a second point in graph space 55 may be selected. The second point may correspond to a desired endpoint of the injection function. The graphical visualization tool may then connect the two points to create a graphic plot of the injection function or a portion of an injection protocol for the selected fluid. The graphically created injection protocol may be used to control the injection behavior of the fluid injection device.
In one alternative embodiment, the location selection icon 66 may be in the form of a direction pad. As discussed above, the control console for the fluid injection device may include a touch sensitive screen. In this embodiment, the directional pad may include momentary acting software generated buttons that appear on the control console's touch screen. Depressing direction arrows may be used to graphically position/edit data in the graph space. The direction pad illustrated is generic as it relates to establishing datum in the graph space from which endpoints of graphical segments (i.e., injection functions) may be defined. It is broadly contemplated that such a direction pad could embody additional controls and features to establish graphical segments based upon some mathematical function such as exponentiation, logarithmic, transcendental, and other known mathematical functions.
In some embodiments, a user may graphically plot an injection function in the graph space in several ways. In one alternative embodiment, an injection function may be defined in graph space by selecting a start point (i.e., first point) and end point (i.e., second point) in the graph space. The start point and end points may be selected by using the location selection icon, an input device such as a mouse, touch pad/touch pen, or keyboard, or combinations thereof. Thereafter, the graphical visualization tool may connect the start point and end point to create an injection function. In another embodiment, a user may trace a free-form graph plot in the graph space using an input device, such as mouse or touch pad/touch pen, to define an injection function. In yet another embodiment, the graphic interface may comprise a touch screen and a user may graphically plot an injection function by tracing a free-form plot across the touch screen. In some embodiments, a graphical plot may be created by an external device, such as a monitor, that may input injection parameters.
In one alternative embodiment, the control panel 60 may include a segment selector icon 68 that may permit a user to scroll through graph space to visualize, select, and edit injection functions that have been created in the graph space 55. In some embodiments, the segment selector icon may comprise an executable software module that may be configured to be displayed within the graphical user interface and may be executable by an input action performed by a user. As discussed above, the control console for the fluid injection device may include a touch sensitive screen. In this embodiment, the segment selector icon may comprise a momentary acting software generated button that appears on the touch screen. Segment selector icon may be used to freely select adjacent injection functions that may be defined by the graphical plot of the flow rate versus time.
With reference to
In some embodiments, to facilitate ease of viewing the on the part of the user, the Flow Rate and Time coordinates defining the injection definition area may automatically refresh their scale during graphical input to maximize viewing of all data relevant to the injection procedure. In yet another embodiment, once either the Time or Flow Rate coordinates defining the injection definition area reach a threshold value, the scale is not adjusted, and a scrolling device may be used instead.
In one alternative embodiment, a user may create multiple injection functions in graph space to create an injection protocol for a given fluid. In one embodiment a user may select an nth point in graph space and an nth+1 point in the graph space. The graphical visualization tool may then connect the nth point and nth+1 point in the graph space to define a piecewise injection protocol. In some embodiments a user may use the location selection icon 66 or the other methods described above to select multiple points in series within graph space to create an injection protocol that may comprise multiple injection functions. In this regard,
Within the functional description of embodiments of the invention, various logical extensions may be implemented. In one alternative embodiment, the graphical user interface may be adapted to create an injection protocol having more than two fluids in a multi-fluid scenario. In some embodiments, the fluid selector icons (see
In other embodiments, within the creation of a graphical injection function as described here, additional editing means may be provided to the user within the field of the display. In one embodiment, editing capabilities beyond that of linear segments can include but are not limited to mathematical functions (e.g., exponentiation, logarithms, polynomials, transcendental, piecewise, continuous, discontinuous, step, delta, etc.).
In one alternative embodiment, the graphical user interface may include a graphical visualization tool that may be capable of graphically plotting an injection protocol that includes injection functions for multiple fluids. To create a multi-fluid delivery within the definition of an injection function, a user may select a second fluid for which to define an injection function. With reference to
In some embodiments, the graphical visualization tool may be capable of displaying the injection functions for different fluids in colors or shading that may be used to distinguish the fluids from each other. For example, in one alternative embodiment, an injection function for a contrast fluid may be displayed in a green color whereas an injection function for a saline fluid may be displayed in a red color. Using different colors or shading to visualize different fluids may help a user to readily distinguish between different fluids in the graph space.
For a multi-fluid arrangement, editing provisions within the display can facilitate the superposition of functions over a common time domain to perform concurrent fluid injection.
In one alternative embodiment, the creation of the graphical injection functions, protocols, or combinations thereof are not limited to the editing features within the confines of the control console for the fluid injection device. Within the connectivity, processing and memory capability of the control console, physiological data from a multitude of medical devices with compatible connectivity can be automatically acquired and processed to define a patient specific injection protocol.
In one alternative embodiment, the present invention prescribes a means whereby a user of a medical injection system specifies fluid delivery through a graphical interface rather than that of a numeric array defined by discreet phases. In this aspect of the invention, the graphical visualization tool may comprise a computer-readable storage medium having computer-executable instructions for displaying the graph space and creating one or more injection functions, protocols, or combinations thereof within the graph space that may be used to control the fluid injection behavior of the fluid injection device. The computer-readable storage medium may be used to upgrade an existing control console, such as an E-Z-EM EMPOWERCT remote control interface. In this embodiment, the graphical visualization tool may replace on a subset or modular level an existing phase method of establishing/defining/programming fluid delivery. This revision will work with all other features and attributes presently defined on the EMPOWERCT Injector Remote Control interface design.
In one embodiment, during the injection procedure, the graphical injection function serves as a visible reference to monitor the adequacy of the injection.
Within the confines of the graphical injection function interface, when, and to what magnitude pressure limiting occurs may be shown. Formerly, in prior art using phase based systems, the user could only ascertain the magnitude of any pressure limiting deficit by scrutinizing quickly changing numeric variables on the display, a difficult or near impossible task for a technologist to perform. Similarly, within the context of this invention, it is reasonably anticipated that an additional variable such as pressure could also be superimposed over, or displayed vertically adjacent to the graphical area time scale. From a phase definition standpoint, pressure as a function of time added as an adjunct to flow rate would provide users with variable pressure limit thresholds over the course of the injection. Extending the injection progress monitoring concept to an ancillary variable such as pressure, the actual pressure on a real-time basis could be correspondingly graphically superimposed during the injection.
As with a data stream coming from an external device to specify a non-linear injection function prior to injection, within the confines of the data processing capability of the remote control, a real-time data stream 1360 can be output from the control consol to a medical device 1370, which may utilize the injection history information. This time dependent data stream can be incorporated correlated with any other diagnostic or therapeutic data from other devices.
With reference to
With reference to
In one alternative embodiment the graphical visualization tool may be implemented as a computer graphics display tool through software, firmware, and/or hardware on a computer system. The graphical visualization tool may be provided on any type of graphics workstation, processor, multiprocessor, computer network, stand-alone computer, common control console, remote injector control console, a control console integrated into the fluid injection device, and any other computer graphics processing environment or application that may be operatively connected to a fluid injection device. In some embodiments, one or more injection protocols may be prepared on a separate computer station and uploaded to the fluid injection device or a injection control console at a later time. In one alternative embodiment, the graphical visualization tool may comprise a computer-readable storage medium having computer-executable instructions for displaying the graph space and creating one or more injection functions within the graph space that may be used to control the fluid injection behavior of the fluid injection device. In some embodiments, the injection functions and injection protocols may be stored and recalled for subsequent use.
In one embodiment of the present invention, a graphical user interface is provided for defining an injection function and subsequently controlling a fluid injection device. In one embodiment, a user may control a fluid injection device by inputting a graph. In one embodiment, the graph may be a plot of the desired flow rate versus time. In one embodiment, the graph is a plot of volume versus time. In one embodiment, the graph is a plot of flow rate versus volume.
Referring back to
In one alternative embodiment, a user may create an injection function in graph space 1510 by using graph creation icon 1540 to specify points within graph space 1510. Additionally, a user may use fluid selection icons 1520 and 1530 to specify which fluid a user may be creating an injection function for in graph space 1510. In one alternative embodiment, fluid selection icon 1520 may be used to input control instructions related to a contrast fluid. In another alternate embodiment, fluid selection icon 1530 may be used to input control instructions related to a saline solution. Graphical element selector 1550 enables a user to switch between different injection functions within graph space 1510. Injection functions may be defined by a user or may be generated as a by-product of a mathematical function when the user creates the graph. Within the context of this interface design, it is contemplated that such user interface fluid selectors 1520 and 1530, graphical element selector 1550 and graph creation tool 1540 could be designed as software generated features on the field of a display as illustrated here, or could be designed as dedicated hardware switches such as on a membrane panel, or a combination thereof. It is also contemplated that the software design for such an interface product may permit direct selection of graphical elements and free form editing of defining points directly in the graphs space 1510 with a standard pointing device such as a mouse or touch screen.
At the discretion of the user, the injector can simply be armed for injection, or graphical injection definition can continue within the confines of the present interface. For example within one embodiment of this invention, the user may select a fluid selector icon a second time to continue adding to the injection function. That portion of the injection function that has already been created may be kept frozen. Upon further utilization of the Direction Pad and Segment Selector the use is able to extend the injection function.
Thus, a method and system for implementing a graphical user interface for a multi-fluid injection device is described in conjunction with one or more specific embodiments. The invention is defined by the following claims and their full scope and equivalents.
Other modifications and other embodiments of the invention set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which this invention pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.
Further, throughout the description, where compositions are described as having, including, or comprising specific components, or where processes or methods are described as having, including, or comprising specific steps, it is contemplated that compositions of the present invention may also consist essentially of, or consist of the recited components, and that the processes or methods of the present invention also consist essentially of or consist of the recited steps. Further, it should be understood that the order of steps or order for performing certain actions are immaterial so long as the invention remains operable. Moreover, two or more steps or actions may be conducted simultaneously with respect to the invention disclosed herein.
This is a continuation application of PCT/US2005/015718, filed May 4, 2005, and also claims the benefit of Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/568,213, filed May 4, 2004, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, and claims the benefit of its earlier filing date under 35 U.S.C. 119(e).
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60568213 | May 2004 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | PCT/US05/15718 | May 2005 | US |
| Child | 11467212 | Aug 2006 | US |
