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.

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.