Devices, systems and method for calibration of systems

Abstract

An injector system for use in injecting a fluid into a patient includes a communication system adapted to receive data from at least a first sensor that measures a value first variable. The communication system is also adapted to receive data from a calibrated sensor that measures a value the first variable. The injector system further includes a calibration system adapted to calibrate output from the first sensor in response to output from the calibrated sensor. An injector for use in injecting a fluid into a patient, includes a first sensor that measures a value first variable, a communication port adapted to receive data from a calibrated sensor that measures the value the first variable, and a controller adapted to compare data from the calibrated sensor with data from the first sensor and to calibrate output from the first sensor. The devices, systems and methods of the present invention are applicable to systems other than injection systems. For example, a method for calibrating a system (for example, an injector system) includes: placing a calibrated sensor in communication with the system; making a measurement of the value of at least a first variable with the calibrated sensor; transmitting the measured value from the calibrated sensor to the system via a data communication system in operative connection between the calibrated sensor and the system; making a measurement of the value of the first variable with a sensor of the system at approximately the same time as the measurement made with the calibrated sensor; comparing the value of the first variable measured with the calibrated sensor with the value of the first variable measured with the system sensor; and calibrating the output of the system sensor at least in part based upon the comparison.

1 . An injector system for use in injecting a fluid into a patient, comprising: 
 a communication system adapted to receive data from at least a first sensor that measures a value first variable; the communication system also adapted to receive data from a calibrated sensor that measures a value the first variable;    a calibration system adapted to calibrate output from the first sensor in response to output from the calibrated sensor.    
   
   
       2 . The injector system of  claim 1  further comprising an adapter in operative connection between the calibrated sensor and the communication system to convert output from the calibrated sensor to a form suitable for communication to the communication system.  
   
   
       3 . The injector system of  claim 1  further comprising a control system adapted to change the value of the variable so that multiple values can be measured by the first sensor and the calibrated sensor.  
   
   
       4 . The injector system of  claim 3  wherein the variable measured by first sensor and the calibrated sensor is fluid pressure.  
   
   
       5 . The injector system of  claim 4  wherein the injector system changes the fluid pressure over a period of time and multiple, synchronized data readings of the output from the calibrated sensor and from the first sensor are made.  
   
   
       6 . The injector system of  claim 5  wherein a comparison of the data from the calibrated sensor to the data from the first sensor is made and the output from the first sensor is calibrated at least in part on the bases of the comparison.  
   
   
       7 . The injector system of  claim 6  wherein the injector system comprises a processor in communicative connection with a memory, the memory having stored therein a computer program to perform the comparison and to calibrate the data from the first sensor.  
   
   
       8 . The injector system of  claim 7  wherein the computer program also initiates the change in fluid pressure over a period of time.  
   
   
       9 . The injector system of  claim 1  wherein the first variable is fluid pressure, temperature, fluid flow rate, fluid viscosity or position of a pressurizing member of the injector system.  
   
   
       10 . An injector for use in injecting a fluid into a patient, comprising: 
 a first sensor that measures a value first variable;    a communication port adapted to receive data from a calibrated sensor that measures the value the first variable;    a controller adapted to compare data from the calibrated sensor with data from the first sensor and to calibrate output from the first sensor.    
   
   
       11 . The injector of  claim 10  wherein the controller is also adapted to effect a change in the variable over a period of time so that readings of data from the first variable and data from the calibrated sensor can be made over a range of values of the first variable.  
   
   
       12 . The injector of  claim 11  wherein the variable is fluid pressure.  
   
   
       13 . The injector of  claim 10  further comprising an adapter in operative connection between the calibrated sensor and the communication system to convert output from the calibrated sensor to a form suitable for communication to the communication system.  
   
   
       14 . The injector of  claim 10  further comprising a processor in communicative connection with a memory, the memory having stored therein a computer program to perform the comparison and to calibrate the data from the first sensor.  
   
   
       15 . The injector of  claim 10  wherein the first variable is fluid pressure, temperature, fluid flow rate, fluid viscosity or position of a pressurizing member of the injector system.  
   
   
       16 . A method for calibrating an injector for use in injecting a fluid into a patient; comprising: 
 placing a calibrated sensor in communication with the injector;    making a measurement of the value of at least a first variable with the calibrated sensor;    transmitting the measured value from the calibrated sensor to the injector via a data communication system in operative connection between the calibrated sensor and the injector;    making a measurement of the value of the first variable with a sensor of the injector at approximately the same time as the measurement made with the calibrated sensor;    comparing the value of the first variable measured with the calibrated sensor with the value of the first variable measured with the injector sensor; and    calibrating the output of the injector sensor at least in part based upon the comparison.    
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising the steps: 
 changing the value of the variable over a period of time;    making a measurement of the value of at least a first variable with the calibrated sensor at multiple values of the first variable; and    making a measurement of the value of the first variable with a sensor of the injector at approximately the same time as the measurement made with the calibrated sensor at multiple values of the variable.    
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the injector changes the value of the variable without user intervention.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising the step of placing an adapter in operative connection between the calibrated sensor and the communication system to convert output from the calibrated sensor to a form suitable for communication to the communication system.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the first variable is fluid pressure, temperature, fluid flow rate, fluid viscosity or position of a pressurizing member of the injector system.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 16  wherein an algorithmic function is used to fit the data.  
   
   
       22 . A method for calibrating a system; comprising: 
 placing a calibrated sensor in communication with the system;    making a measurement of the value of at least a first variable with the calibrated sensor;    transmitting the measured value from the calibrated sensor to the system via a data communication system in operative connection between the calibrated sensor and the system;    making a measurement of the value of the first variable with a sensor of the system at approximately the same time as the measurement made with the calibrated sensor;    comparing the value of the first variable measured with the calibrated sensor with the value of the first variable measured with the system sensor; and    calibrating the output of the system sensor at least in part based upon the comparison.