Method and apparatus for syringe injection of fluids

Abstract

A system for delivering or withdrawing a fluid to or from the body of a patient in a manner that permits delivery to be controlled based upon feedback from the patient, the system including a syringe assembly providing a syringe operably coupled to one or more sensors adapted to determine one or more corresponding parameters associated with fluid delivery and/or withdrawal, and a monitor adapted to be communicably associated with the one or more sensors of the syringe assembly, and optionally with other sensors or inputs providing additional parameters as well, the monitor comprising one or more read out mechanisms either directly or indirectly corresponding to the one or more fluid delivery/withdrawal parameters, and optionally with one or more of the additional parameters as well.

1 . A system for delivering or withdrawing a fluid to or from the body of a patient in a manner that permits delivery to be controlled based upon feedback from the patient, the system comprising:
 a) a syringe assembly comprising a syringe adapted to contain, and to deliver and/or withdraw, a fluid to and/or from the body, the syringe being operably coupled to one or more sensors adapted to determine one or more corresponding parameters associated with fluid delivery and/or withdrawal, and   b) a monitor adapted to be communicably associated with the one or more sensors of the syringe assembly, the monitor comprising one or more read out mechanisms either directly or indirectly corresponding to the one or more fluid delivery/withdrawal parameters.   
     
     
         2 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one sensor and corresponding parameter associated with the syringe is selected from the group consisting of: rate of fluid delivery or withdrawal, amount of fluid delivered or withdrawn at any point in time and/or in total, amount of drug or material delivered or withdrawn at any point in time and/or in total, concentration of drug or material being delivered, pressure of fluid delivery or withdrawal, velocity of the fluid delivered or withdrawn, time associated with fluid delivery or withdrawal, size of the syringe being used, and amount of fluid in the syringe being used. 
     
     
         3 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein the system comprises one or more additional sensors or inputs, not operably coupled to the syringe assembly but providing corresponding additional parameters that are communicably associated with the monitor. 
     
     
         4 . A system according to  claim 3 , wherein the additional parameters comprise biological data selected from the group consisting of temperature, oxygen saturation, respiratory rate, blood pressure, pressure at the site of infusion, and heart rate. 
     
     
         5 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein the monitor provides one or more features selected from the group consisting of memory/recall function, printout capability, calibration means, fail safe mechanisms, patient thermal indicator, reset button, and a power indicator. 
     
     
         6 . A system according to  claim 1  wherein the syringe and sensor are adapted to be coupled at the time of use. 
     
     
         7 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein the sensor is provided with one or more features that couple and/or lock the sensor to syringe in a removable, semi-permanent, or permanent manner. 
     
     
         8 . A system according to  claim 7  wherein the coupled sensor is communicably associated with the monitor by communication link selected from the group consisting of wired and wireless links. 
     
     
         9 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein the syringe contains a fluid to be delivered. 
     
     
         10 . A system according to  claim 9  wherein the solution comprises magnesium ions, and the syringe assembly is adapted to be manually controlled based upon feedback from the patient regarding thermal sensation. 
     
     
         11 . A method of using a system according to  claim 9 , the method comprising the steps of providing the system of  claim 9  and delivering the fluid to a patient in a controlled manner based upon feedback from the patient. 
     
     
         12 . A method according to  claim 11 , wherein the delivery is manually controlled based upon one or more patient indicators selected from the group consisting of thermal sensation, pain, or other physical sensation. 
     
     
         13 . A method according to  claim 11 , wherein at least one sensor and corresponding parameter associated with the syringe is selected from the group consisting of: rate of fluid delivery or withdrawal, amount of fluid delivered or withdrawn at any point in time and/or in total, amount of drug or material delivered or withdrawn at any point in time and/or in total, concentration of drug or material being delivered, pressure of fluid delivery or withdrawal, velocity of the fluid delivered or withdrawn, time associated with fluid delivery or withdrawal, size of the syringe being used, and amount of fluid in the syringe being used. 
     
     
         14 . A method according to  claim 11 , wherein the system comprises one or more additional sensors or inputs, not operably coupled to the syringe but providing corresponding additional parameters that are communicably associated with the monitor. 
     
     
         15 . A method according to  claim 14 , wherein the additional parameters comprise biological data selected from the group consisting of temperature, oxygen saturation, respiratory rate, blood pressure, pressure at the site of infusion, and heart rate. 
     
     
         16 . A syringe assembly adapted for use in a system according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         17 . A monitor adapted for use in a system according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         18 . A system according to  claim 1 , comprising a syringe and sensor operably coupled in a permanent manner, and prefilled with a solution to be delivered. 
     
     
         19 . A system according to  claim 18 , wherein the solution comprises a magnesium solution, and the sensor is adapted to determine one or more parameters selected from the group consisting of: rate of fluid delivery or withdrawal, amount of fluid delivered or withdrawn at any point in time and/or in total, amount of drug or material delivered or withdrawn at any point in time and/or in total, concentration of drug or material being delivered, pressure of fluid delivery or withdrawal, velocity of the fluid delivered or withdrawn, time associated with fluid delivery or withdrawal, size of the syringe being used, and amount of fluid in the syringe being used. 
     
     
         20 . A system according to  claim 19 , wherein the system comprises one or more additional sensors or inputs, not operably coupled to the syringe but providing corresponding additional parameters that are communicably associated with the monitor, the additional parameters comprise biological data selected from the group consisting of temperature, oxygen saturation, respiratory rate, blood pressure, pressure at the site of infusion, and heart rate.