WO2024111676A1 - Chemical solution injection system - Google Patents

Chemical solution injection system Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2024111676A1
WO2024111676A1 PCT/JP2023/042433 JP2023042433W WO2024111676A1 WO 2024111676 A1 WO2024111676 A1 WO 2024111676A1 JP 2023042433 W JP2023042433 W JP 2023042433W WO 2024111676 A1 WO2024111676 A1 WO 2024111676A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
syringe
injection
liquid
screen
display
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Application number
PCT/JP2023/042433
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French (fr)
Japanese (ja)
Inventor
茂 根本
由美子 吹越
Original Assignee
株式会社根本杏林堂
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Publication of WO2024111676A1 publication Critical patent/WO2024111676A1/en

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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
    • A61M5/00—Devices for bringing media into the body in a subcutaneous, intra-vascular or intramuscular way; Accessories therefor, e.g. filling or cleaning devices, arm-rests
    • A61M5/14—Infusion devices, e.g. infusing by gravity; Blood infusion; Accessories therefor
    • A61M5/142—Pressure infusion, e.g. using pumps
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
    • A61M5/00—Devices for bringing media into the body in a subcutaneous, intra-vascular or intramuscular way; Accessories therefor, e.g. filling or cleaning devices, arm-rests
    • A61M5/14—Infusion devices, e.g. infusing by gravity; Blood infusion; Accessories therefor
    • A61M5/168—Means for controlling media flow to the body or for metering media to the body, e.g. drip meters, counters ; Monitoring media flow to the body

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a drug injection system.
  • Chemical fluid injection devices are often used to inject medicinal fluid into subjects.
  • Many chemical fluid injection devices have an injection head to which a syringe is removably attached, from the viewpoint of facilitating injection at a desired injection rate, and are configured to inject the medicinal fluid filled in the syringe via a chemical fluid circuit that fluidly connects the syringe attached to the injection head to the subject.
  • a syringe is used only once, but it may be used multiple times by refilling the syringe with the liquid from the liquid bottle while the syringe is attached to the injection head.
  • the liquid circuit disclosed in Patent Document 1 is known as an example of a liquid circuit that can be used in this case.
  • the liquid circuit disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a syringe line connected to the syringe, a liquid line connected to a liquid container, a subject line connected to a subject, and a baseline to which each of these lines is connected.
  • a valve device is provided at an appropriate position in the liquid circuit so as to allow only the flow of liquid from the syringe line to the subject line when injecting the liquid, and to allow only the flow of liquid from the liquid line to the syringe line when filling the liquid.
  • the baseline is configured to be separable via a one-way valve downstream of the connection with the liquid line, and the downstream part of the baseline connected to the subject line can be replaced each time the liquid is injected.
  • the upstream part of the liquid medicine circuit can be used as a multi-use part that can repeatedly inject and fill the liquid medicine while still attached to the syringe, and the downstream part of the liquid medicine circuit can be used as a single-use part that is replaced each time the liquid medicine is injected.
  • Patent document 1 International Publication No. 2014/104338
  • the liquid medicine circuit described in Patent Document 1 has a relatively complicated configuration, and it is important to consider how to incorporate such a liquid medicine circuit into a system that includes an injection head and a syringe.
  • the direction is described when the syringe is attached (held). Specifically, “front” refers to the side of the syringe in the longitudinal direction where the nozzle for injecting the liquid is provided, and the opposite side is described as “rear.”” “Down” refers to the direction in which the syringe is moved when attached to the liquid injector, and “up” refers to the opposite direction. “Right” and “left” refer to directions perpendicular to the front-back and up-down directions.
  • the state of the drug injection system can be easily understood.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a medical imaging system according to an embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the chemical liquid circuit shown in FIG. 1
  • 3 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a flow path opening/closing valve used in the chemical liquid circuit shown in FIG. 2.
  • FIG. 2B is an exploded perspective view of the flow passage opening/closing valve shown in FIG. 2A.
  • 2B is a cross-sectional view of the flow passage opening/closing valve shown in FIG. 2A.
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the injection head shown in FIG. 1 together with its peripheral devices.
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the injection head shown in FIG. 1 .
  • 4B is a perspective view of the injection head shown in FIG.
  • FIG. 4A is a perspective view of the injection head shown in FIG. 4A with the syringe cover open and the syringe before attachment.
  • FIG. FIG. 4B is a perspective view of the injection head shown in FIG. 4A with the syringe cover and a portion of the housing removed to expose the linear actuator.
  • FIG. 4B is a side view of the injection head shown in FIG. 4A.
  • 4B is a plan view of a flow path opening/closing valve holding unit of the injection head shown in FIG. 4A.
  • 4F is a plan view of the flow path opening/closing valve holding unit shown in FIG. 4E in a state in which the flow path opening/closing valve is removed.
  • FIG. FIG. 4B is an exploded perspective view of the syringe shown in FIG. 4A.
  • FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of the syringe shown in FIG. 5 .
  • 6 is a cross-sectional view of the rear end side of the syringe barrel shown in FIG. 5 .
  • FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of the plunger shown in FIG. 5 .
  • FIG. 6 is a rear view of the plunger shown in FIG. 5 .
  • FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the plunger shown in FIG. 5 with a gasket attached.
  • 6 is a cross-sectional view showing another embodiment of the plunger shown in FIG. 5 with a gasket attached.
  • FIG. 4D is a cross-sectional view of the syringe support assembly and linear actuator shown in FIG. 4C in relation to the syringe.
  • FIG. 4D is a cross-sectional view of the syringe support assembly and linear actuator shown in FIG. 4C in relation to the syringe.
  • FIG. 6B is a perspective view of a main portion of the rod and presser shown in FIG. 6A.
  • 4B is an enlarged perspective view of the syringe support assembly and its periphery of the injection head shown in FIG. 4A with the syringe cover removed.
  • FIG. 6B is a perspective view of the syringe retainer shown in FIG. 6A.
  • 1 is a cross-sectional view of a syringe support assembly with a syringe attached thereto;
  • FIG. 11A and 11B are cross-sectional views illustrating the operation of a syringe by a linear actuator.
  • 11A and 11B are cross-sectional views illustrating the operation of a syringe by a linear actuator.
  • FIG. 11A and 11B are cross-sectional views illustrating the operation of a syringe by a linear actuator.
  • 13 is a diagram illustrating the dimensional relationship between a circumferential groove of a presser and an inner protrusion of an engaging claw of a plunger.
  • FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a main portion of an injection head with a syringe attached thereto, with the syringe cover removed.
  • FIG. 4 is a perspective view for explaining the container holder shown in FIG. 3 .
  • 10B is a perspective view showing the container holder shown in FIG. 10A with a holder cover removed.
  • FIG. FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the container holder.
  • FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the console and/or the head display.
  • FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the console and/or the head display.
  • FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the console and/or the head display.
  • FIG. 14 is a diagram showing another form of the screen shown in FIG. 13 .
  • 13B is a diagram showing a screen displayed when a predetermined operation is performed on the screen shown in FIG. 13A.
  • FIG. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the console and/or the head display.
  • FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the console and/or the head display.
  • FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the console and/or the head display.
  • FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the console and/or the head display.
  • FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the console and/or the head display.
  • FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the console and/or the head display.
  • FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the console and/or the head display.
  • FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the console and/or the head display.
  • FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the console and/or the head display.
  • FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the console and/or the head display.
  • FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the console and/or the head display.
  • FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the console and/or the head display.
  • FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the console and/or the head display.
  • FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the console and/or the head display.
  • FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the console and/or the head display.
  • FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the console and/or the head display.
  • FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the console and/or the head display.
  • FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the console and/or the head display.
  • FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the console and/or the head display.
  • FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the console and/or the head display.
  • FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the console and/or the head display.
  • FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the console and/or the head display.
  • FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the console and/or the head display.
  • FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the console and/or the head display.
  • FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the console and/or the head display.
  • FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the console and/or the head display.
  • FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the console and/or the head display.
  • FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the console and/or the head display.
  • FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the console and/or the head display.
  • CT Compputed Tomography
  • MRI Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • PET PET
  • FIG. 1 there is shown a schematic diagram of a medical imaging injection system according to an embodiment of the present invention, including a liquid injection device 10, a liquid circuit 30, and a medical imaging device 50.
  • the liquid injection device 10 has an injection head 10a and a console 10b.
  • the liquid circuit 30 fluidly connects the injection head 10a and a subject.
  • the liquid injection device 10 and the medical imaging device 50 can be connected to each other so that data can be transmitted and received between them.
  • the connection between the two may be a wired connection or a wireless connection.
  • the medical imaging device 50 has an imaging operation unit 52 that performs imaging operations and an imaging control unit 51 that controls the operation of the imaging operation unit 52, and can obtain medical images including tomographic images and/or three-dimensional images of a subject into which a liquid medicine has been injected by the liquid medicine injector 10.
  • the imaging operation unit 52 usually has a bed for the subject, an electromagnetic wave irradiation unit that irradiates electromagnetic waves into a predetermined space above the bed, etc.
  • the imaging control unit 51 controls the operation of the entire medical imaging device, such as determining imaging conditions and controlling the operation of the imaging operation unit 52 according to the determined imaging conditions.
  • the imaging control unit 51 can be configured to include a so-called microcomputer, and can have a CPU, ROM, RAM, and interfaces with other devices.
  • a computer program for controlling the medical imaging device 50 is implemented in the ROM.
  • the CPU controls the operation of each part of the medical imaging device 50 by executing various functions corresponding to this computer program.
  • the medical imaging device 50 is also connected to the console 10b of the liquid injection device 10 via the NCOM 17, which is a relay device that includes a communication protocol conversion function. Specifically, the imaging control unit 51 of the medical imaging device 50 and the injection control unit 11 of the console 10b are connected via the NCOM 17.
  • the medical imaging device 50 may further include a display device 54 such as a liquid crystal display capable of displaying imaging conditions and acquired medical images, and an input device 53 for inputting imaging conditions.
  • a display device 54 such as a liquid crystal display capable of displaying imaging conditions and acquired medical images
  • an input device 53 for inputting imaging conditions.
  • the input device 53 at least one type of known input device such as various buttons, a keyboard, and a mouse may be used.
  • At least a portion of the data used to determine the imaging conditions is input from the input device 53 and transmitted to the imaging control unit 51.
  • Data displayed on the display device 54 is transmitted from the imaging control unit 51.
  • a touch panel having a touch screen arranged as an input device on a display device which is a display device, may be used as the input device 53 and the display device 54.
  • a portion of the input device 53, the display device 54, and the imaging control unit 51 may be incorporated into a single housing as a console for the medical imaging device.
  • the drug injection device 10 is a device used to inject a drug solution filled in a syringe into the blood vessel of a subject via a drug solution circuit 30.
  • the syringe is detachably mounted on the injection head 10a, and at least one syringe drive mechanism for operating the plunger (or piston) of the syringe is built into the injection head 10a.
  • the injection head 10a is configured to be able to mount two syringes 20A, 20B so that two types of drug solutions, such as contrast medium and saline, can be injected separately or simultaneously, and has two syringe drive mechanisms for independently operating each of the syringes 20A, 20B.
  • the injection head 10a may be configured to have three or more syringes mounted thereon, have three or more syringe drive mechanisms corresponding to each mounted syringe, and be able to independently operate each syringe.
  • one of the three or more syringes may have a data carrier such as a barcode or two-dimensional code, and the injection head 10a may have a data reader that reads data from the data carrier.
  • the console 10b has an injection control unit 11, an input device 12, and a display device 13.
  • the injection control unit 11 controls the operation of the entire liquid injection device by determining injection conditions such as the injection amount and injection speed of the liquid using at least a portion of the data input from the input device 12, controlling the operation of the injection head 10a so that the liquid is injected according to the determined injection conditions, and controlling the display on the display device 13.
  • the injection control unit 11 can be configured to include a so-called microcomputer, and can have a CPU, ROM, RAM, and interfaces with other devices.
  • a computer program for controlling the liquid injection device 10 is implemented in the ROM.
  • the CPU can control the operation of each part of the liquid injection device 10 by executing various functions corresponding to this computer program.
  • the input device 12 is a device used to input data used by the injection control unit 11 to determine the injection conditions of the medicinal liquid.
  • the input device 12 at least one type of well-known input device such as various buttons, a keyboard, and a mouse can be used.
  • the data input from the input device 12 is transmitted to the injection control unit 11, and the data displayed on the display device 13 is transmitted from the injection control unit 11.
  • the display device 13 is controlled by the injection control unit 11, and displays data necessary for determining the injection conditions of the medicinal liquid, the injection protocol, the injection operation, various guidance messages, and various warnings.
  • An injection protocol indicates what type of medicinal liquid is to be injected, in what amount, and at what speed.
  • the injection speed may be constant or may change over time.
  • the injection protocol also includes information on the order in which the medicinal liquids are to be injected. Any known injection protocol can be used as the injection protocol.
  • a known procedure can also be used for setting the injection protocol, and the user can change the set injection protocol as desired.
  • An injection protocol may also include a maximum allowable injection pressure (pressure limit). When a pressure limit is set, the injection pressure is monitored during the injection operation, and the operation of the injection head 10a is controlled so that the injection pressure does not exceed the set pressure limit.
  • the display device 13 may be a known display device, such as a liquid crystal display device.
  • a touch panel having a touch screen arranged as an input device on a display device, which is a display device, may also be used as the input device 12 and the display device 13.
  • a part of the input device 12 may be provided separately from the console.
  • a hand switch 14 may be connected to the console 10b.
  • the hand switch 14 is connected to the injection control unit 11 of the console 10b.
  • the hand switch 14 has at least one operation button that is operated by the user, and is used to control the start and stop of the injection operation of the medicinal liquid by the injection head 10a.
  • the control of the injection operation by the hand switch 14 may be such that the injection operation of the medicinal liquid is performed only while the operation button is pressed, or that the injection operation is started when the operation button is pressed and stopped when the operation button is pressed again.
  • the console 10b may also be connected to a RIS (radiology information system) 16 via an EBOX 15, which is a relay device that includes a communication protocol conversion function.
  • the RIS 16 is connected to the injection control unit 11 of the console 10b.
  • the liquid fluid circuit 30 forms a liquid flow path connecting the syringe and the subject, and can have at least one tube, at least one connector, and at least one valve.
  • FIG. 2 One form of the liquid medicine circuit 30 that can be suitably used in the liquid medicine injector 10 shown in FIG. 1 is shown in FIG. 2.
  • the liquid medicine circuit 30 shown in FIG. 2 is connected to the syringes 20A and 20B, and is used when injecting the first liquid medicine and the second liquid medicine contained in each of the syringes 20A and 20B into a subject.
  • the liquid medicine circuit 30 can also connect the first container 40A and the second container 40B that contain the first liquid medicine and the second liquid medicine, respectively, and can aspirate the first liquid medicine and the second liquid medicine from the first container 40A and the second container 40B into each of the syringes 20A and 20B, respectively.
  • the first liquid medicine and the second liquid medicine are medical liquid medicines, and the following description will be given of the case where the first liquid medicine is a contrast medium and the second liquid medicine is physiological saline.
  • the drug solution circuit 30 has a first main line 301a connected to a syringe 20A containing a contrast medium, a second main line 302a connected to a syringe 20B containing saline, a first sub-line 301b connected to a first container 40A containing a contrast medium, a second sub-line 302b connected to a second container 40B containing saline, and a subject line 303 located downstream of the first main line 301a.
  • a “line” refers to a flow path through which a liquid flows, and includes various components through which the liquid flows (for example, various tubes, T-shaped tubes, various fluid connectors, various valves, mixing devices, etc.).
  • each line is shown for convenience of illustration, and the relative length of each line does not represent the relative length of the actual line.
  • the term "tube” used in the following explanation may be composed of a single tube member, or may be composed of a tube assembly in which multiple tube members are connected.
  • the first main line 301a has a tube as a main component, and further has, in order from the upstream side, a syringe connector 310a, a T-shaped tube 311a, a mixing device 312a, and a needleless valve 313a.
  • the syringe connector 310a is rotatably connected to the T-shaped tube 311a via a rotary joint, and the syringe 20A is detachably connected.
  • the mixing device 312a has two inlets and one outlet, and is configured to mix the liquids that flow in from the inlets and flow out from the outlet.
  • One of the two inlets of the mixing device 312a is connected to the second main line 302a, and the contrast medium and physiological saline are mixed by the mixing device 312a.
  • the mixing device 312a For example, the "SPIRAL FLOW" (registered trademark) manufactured by Nemoto Kyorindo Co., Ltd. can be used as the mixing device 312a.
  • a T-shaped connector can also be used instead of the mixing device 312a.
  • the needleless valve 313a is attached to the downstream end of the first main line 301a and is configured to open the flow path when a male luer lock connector is connected.
  • the first sub-line 301b connects the first container 40A and the first main line 301a.
  • the first sub-line 301b has a tube as a main component, and further has, in order from the first container 40A side, a spike 310b and a drip chamber 311b.
  • the spike 310b is connected to the first container 40A.
  • the downstream end of the first sub-line 301b is connected to a T-shaped tube 311a of the first main line 301a.
  • the first container 40A is, for example, a bottle-shaped container, and the contrast agent flowing out of the first container 40A is dripped into the drip chamber 312b and then supplied to the first main line 301a.
  • the T-shaped tube 311a is configured to prevent backflow of liquid from the first main line 301a to the first sub-line 301b and backflow of liquid from the downstream side to the upstream side of the first main line 301a.
  • backflow prevention can be achieved by appropriate means such as a check valve or a clamping mechanism that mechanically clamps the tube.
  • the second main line 302a has a tube as its main component, and further has, from the upstream side, a syringe connector 320a and a T-shaped tube 321a.
  • the syringe connector 320a is rotatably connected to the T-shaped tube 321a via a rotary joint, and the syringe 20B is detachably connected thereto.
  • the second sub-line 302b connects the second container 40B and the second main line 302a.
  • the second sub-line 302b has a tube as a main component, and further has, in order from the second container 40B side, a spike 320b and a drip chamber 321b.
  • the spike 320b is connected to the second container 40B.
  • the downstream end of the second sub-line 302b is connected to a T-shaped tube 321a of the second main line 302a.
  • the second container 40B is, for example, a bottle-shaped container, and the physiological saline solution flowing out of the second container 40B drips into the drip chamber 322b and is then supplied to the second main line 302a.
  • the T-shaped tube 321a is configured to prevent backflow of liquid from the second main line 302a to the second sub-line 302b and backflow of liquid from the downstream side to the upstream side of the second main line 302a.
  • backflow prevention can be achieved by appropriate means such as a check valve or a clamping mechanism that mechanically clamps the tube.
  • the subject line 303 has a tube as its main component, and further has, from the upstream side, a male luer lock connector 330, a flow path opening/closing valve 331, a check valve 332, and a male luer lock connector 333.
  • the male luer lock connector 330 is attached to the upstream end of the subject line 303, and is connected to the needleless valve 313a of the first main line 301a, thereby connecting the first main line 301a and the subject line 303.
  • the flow path opening and closing valve 331 is configured so that the flow path can be opened and closed arbitrarily by external operation.
  • a tube clamp mechanism that mechanically clamps the tube may be used instead of the flow path opening and closing valve 331.
  • the check valve 332 allows liquid to flow only in the direction from upstream to downstream.
  • the male luer lock connector 333 is attached to the downstream end of the subject line 303, and is connected to an injection needle assembly (not shown) having an injection needle that is inserted into the subject.
  • the flow passage opening and closing valve 331 may have the configuration shown in Figures 2A to 2C, for example.
  • the flow passage opening and closing valve 331 shown in the figure has a housing 501, a piston 502 inserted into the housing 501 so as to be slidable in the direction of the arrow S so as to be able to take an open position and a closed position, a top cap 503, and a bottom cap 504.
  • the housing 501 has a cylinder portion 501c into which the piston 502 is slidably inserted.
  • the cylinder portion 501c is formed of a through hole formed along the axial direction of the housing 501.
  • the housing 501 also has conduit portions 501a and 501b extending from the outer wall of the housing 501 in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the cylinder portion 501c adjacent to the cylinder portion 501c. Furthermore, the housing 501 is formed with a communication flow passage 501e that communicates the one conduit portion 501a and the cylinder portion 501c, and a communication flow passage 501g that communicates the other conduit portion 501b and the cylinder portion 501c. These conduit sections 501a, 501b and communication channels 501e, 501g are aligned in a straight line.
  • the piston 502 has a flange-shaped head 502a at one end that extends radially outward.
  • a flow path 502b is formed in the middle of the piston 502 in the longitudinal direction, crossing the piston 502 in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the piston 502.
  • a neck portion 502c is formed, which has a smaller diameter than the part where the flow path 502b is formed and the head 502a.
  • Sealing rings 506 such as O-rings are attached to the outer circumferential surface of the piston 502 on both sides of the flow path 502b in the longitudinal direction of the piston 502.
  • the top cap 503 is attached to the end of the housing 501 on the side having the head 502a of the piston 502, thereby closing one open end of the cylinder portion 501c.
  • the bottom cap 504 is attached to the end of the housing 501 on the side opposite the top cap 503, thereby closing the other end of the cylinder portion 501c.
  • the piston 502 is inserted into the housing 501 with the head 502a protruding from the top cap 503. Therefore, in this embodiment, taking into consideration the ease of assembly of the flow path opening/closing valve 331, the top cap 503 is made up of two parts that are assembled from the side while the piston 502 is inserted into the housing 501.
  • the flow path opening/closing valve 331 has the top cap 503 and the bottom cap 504, it is possible to effectively prevent foreign matter from entering the inside of the flow path opening/closing valve 331.
  • the top cap 503 also has the function of limiting the amount of movement of the piston 502 in the direction in which the piston 502 is pulled out of the housing 501.
  • the bottom cap 504 also has the function of limiting the amount of movement of the piston 502 in the direction in which the piston 502 is pushed into the housing 501.
  • the flow passage 502b of the piston 502 is aligned in the same line as the communicating flow passages 501e and 501g of the housing 501, and the conduits 501a and 501b are connected via the flow passage 502b.
  • the inner surface of the housing 501 and the outer surface of the piston 502 are in contact at least in the closed position.
  • a gasket 507 can be added to the outer surface of the piston 502.
  • the piston 502 and the housing 501 can be made of materials with different elastic moduli. In this case, the gasket 507 is not necessary.
  • the housing 501 and the piston 502 are made of materials with different elastic moduli, for example, the housing can be made of polycarbonate (PC) and the piston can be made of high density polyethylene (HDPE).
  • the piston can be pushed into and pulled out of the housing 501 by using the head 502a.
  • an engagement member that engages with the head 502a and is operated to move back and forth in the direction of movement of the piston 502 can be engaged with the head 502a to move the piston 501 between the open position and the closed position.
  • the drug solution circuit 30 configured as described above can be divided into a single-use section 300A on the downstream side and a multiple-use section 300B on the upstream side.
  • the single-use section 300A is a section that can be used only once and is considered disposable.
  • the multiple-use section 300B is a section that can be used repeatedly multiple times. Specifically, the single-use section 300A is made up of the section downstream of the male luer lock connector 330, and the multiple-use section 300B is made up of the section upstream of the needleless valve 313a.
  • Single-use part 300A is replaced with a new one when the examination involving the injection of a drug solution and imaging of a subject is completed and the next subject is examined, whereas multiple-use part 300B is used as is until a predetermined number of examinations (e.g., five) are completed.
  • the connection part between single-use part 300A and multiple-use part 300B particularly male luer connector 330 and needleless valve 313a, are the parts that the user touches when replacing single-use part 300A.
  • male luer connector 330 has a cylindrical part that protrudes inside the rotary part connected to needleless valve 313a and is inserted to open needleless valve 313a.
  • the male luer connector 330 is structured so that the user does not touch the cylindrical portion when replacing the single-use part 300A. Therefore, in this embodiment, the male luer connector 330 is configured so that the tip of the cylindrical portion does not protrude beyond the rotary part. This maintains the cleanliness of the connection between the single-use part 300A and the multiple-use part 300B even when replacing the single-use part 300A, allowing the user to replace the single-use part 300A with peace of mind.
  • the needleless valve 313a is also similar in that there is a possibility that the user may touch it when replacing the single-use part 300A. Therefore, like the male luer connector 330, the needleless valve 313a is preferably configured so that the part into which the cylindrical part of the male luer connector 330 is inserted does not protrude from the housing part.
  • Air sensors 152, 432 detect air in specific parts of chemical liquid circuit 30, and chemical liquid circuit 30 may further include a silicone sleeve 341 corresponding to air sensors 152, 432. Silicon sleeve 341 is attached covering the tubes so as to be in close contact with air sensors 152, 432 when chemical liquid circuit 30 is attached to injection head 10a, thereby preventing erroneous detection of air due to poor contact between air sensors 152, 432 and the tubes.
  • the injection head 10a shown in FIG. 1 and its peripheral devices will be described.
  • the injection head 10a is supported on a stand 41 with casters via a flexible arm 42.
  • the injection head 10a can be connected to the flexible arm 42 via a swivel torque hinge so that the position of the injection head 10a does not change inadvertently.
  • the flexible arm 42 is supported on the stand with casters so as to be rotatable about the Z axis, and the syringes 20A and 20B (see FIG. 1) are detachably mounted on the injection head 10a.
  • the flexible arm 42 has a plurality of arms connected to each other and a spring for holding the positions of the arms, and is configured so that the injection head 10a can be held at any position in the X-Z plane without changing its position.
  • the X direction, Y direction, and Z direction shown in FIG. 3 correspond to the up-down direction, the left-right direction, and the front-rear direction, respectively.
  • the flexible arm 41 may further support at least one of a container holder 43 for holding a liquid container and a head display 44, which is an additional display device.
  • the head display 44 may have a light-emitting section 44a disposed on its upper edge.
  • the light-emitting section 44a is controlled to emit light, for example, so that it lights up during a self-check after the liquid injection device 10 is powered on and blinks during the liquid injection operation. This allows the user to easily recognize that the liquid injection device 10 is powered on and that the liquid injection device 10 is performing an injection operation, even from a position away from the injection head 10a.
  • the light-emitting section 44a emits light in a color that is easily recognized by the user, such as white or green.
  • injection head 10a has a syringe support assembly 120 that detachably supports syringes 20A, 20B, a motor-driven ball screw type linear actuator 130 that is arranged corresponding to each of syringes 20A, 20B for drawing medicinal liquid into each of syringes 20A, 20B and injecting medicinal liquid from each of syringes 20A, 20B, a needleless valve holding unit 140 that detachably holds needleless valve 313a and male luer lock connector 330 (see Figure 2) of chemical liquid circuit 30 in a connected state, and a flow path opening/closing valve holding unit 150 that detachably holds flow path opening/closing valve 331 (see Figure 2) of chemical liquid circuit 30.
  • the syringes 20A, 20B, the syringe support assembly 120, and the linear actuator 130 are covered by a housing 110 composed of a plurality of cover members.
  • the portions of the plurality of cover members that cover the syringes 20A, 20B in particular can be composed of syringe covers 110A, 110B that are supported by hinges 111 so as to be openable and closable for attaching and detaching the syringes 20A, 20B.
  • the portions of the syringe covers 110A, 110B that cover the syringes 20A, 20B are composed of a transparent material so that it is possible to visually check whether the syringes 20A, 20B are attached to the injection head 10a and the state of the syringes 20A, 20B attached to the injection head 10a.
  • the injection head 10a may also have a cover sensor 112 that detects whether the syringe covers 110A, 110B are closed.
  • the cover sensor 112 can be any sensor capable of detecting that the syringe covers 110A, 110B are closed, such as a mechanical switch or a proximity sensor.
  • the space inside the housing 110, covered by the syringe covers 110A and 110B, is configured to accommodate the syringes 20A and 20B as well as a portion of the multiple-use portion 300B (see FIG. 2) of the liquid medicine circuit 30 connected to the syringes 20A and 20B.
  • the portion of the multiple-use portion 300B is the first main line 301a, a portion of the first sub-line 301b, the second main line 302a, and a portion of the second sub-line 302b.
  • the multiple-use portion 300B of the liquid medicine circuit 30 is a portion that is used multiple times and for a relatively long period of time, it is hygienically preferable to configure the multiple-use portion 300B to be partially covered by the syringe covers 110A and 110B in this manner.
  • buttons 115 operated by the operator can be arranged on the top and/or side of the housing 110.
  • the group of buttons 115 includes a start button for starting the operation of the injection head 10a, such as the injection of a medicinal liquid, and a stop button for stopping the operation of the injection head 10a.
  • the group of buttons 115 has a plurality of A-side operation buttons 115A corresponding to the linear actuator 130 for operating the syringe 20A, and a plurality of B-side operation buttons 115B corresponding to the linear actuator 130 for operating the syringe 20B, so that the user can individually move each linear actuator 130 forward or backward as desired.
  • buttons are illuminated by a light-emitting source such as an LED (light-emitting diode) arranged in the housing 110, so that the buttons can be made to appear to emit light.
  • a light-emitting source such as an LED (light-emitting diode) arranged in the housing 110, so that the buttons can be made to appear to emit light.
  • the A-side operation button 115A and the B-side operation button 115B are illuminated in different colors, for example, the A-side operation button 115A is illuminated in green and the B-side operation button 115B is illuminated in blue, so that the user does not confuse which side the operation button is.
  • the button may be illuminated in a different color when it is being operated from when it is not being operated, for example, in white, so that the user can visually recognize that they are operating the button.
  • the syringe covers 110A, 110B may have rib-like portions 113 extending along the axial direction of the syringes 20A, 20B on the upper surface of each of the syringe covers 110A, 110B.
  • the rib-like portions 113 may be a part of the syringe covers 110A, 110B in which a part of the portion covering the syringes 20A, 20B is formed in a protruding shape, or may be composed of a separate part from the syringe covers 110A, 110B.
  • rear parts 114 of the syringe covers 110A, 110B adjacent to the button group 115 may be composed of a separate part from the portion covering the syringes 20A, 20B.
  • the rib-like portions 113 and rear parts 114 may be colored to correspond to the color of the light irradiating the A-side operation button 115A and the B-side operation button 115B, for example, green on the A side and blue on the B side.
  • rear portion 114 may have a plurality of linear protrusions extending in the axial direction of syringes 20A, 20B and arranged in parallel to each other.
  • Rib portion 113 and linear protrusions of rear portion 114 may function as an opening/closing assist structure that a user can hook their fingers on when opening covers 110A, 110B. Furthermore, linear protrusions of rib portion 113 and rear portion 114 may be made of a material that has a non-slip effect or may be given a non-slip function by applying a surface treatment that creates a non-slip effect.
  • the flow path opening/closing valve holding unit 150 is supported by an arm 171 so as to be positioned in front of the housing 110 and away from the housing 110.
  • the arm 171 is a highly rigid component, and is fixed to a strength member inside the housing 110, for example, the main body 121 of the syringe support assembly 120 (see FIG. 6A, etc.) described below.
  • the arm 171 is integrally provided with a handle portion 171a, and the user can grasp the handle portion 171a to change the orientation and move the injection head 10a up, down, left, and right.
  • the arm 171 has the effect of allowing the user to easily change the orientation and move the injection head 10a.
  • the injection head 10a is supported on the floor by a stand 41 with casters (see FIG. 3), but the injection head 10a may also be supported by being suspended from the ceiling by a ceiling-hanging arm mechanism (not shown).
  • the effect of the arm 171 is the same even when the injection head 10a is supported by a ceiling-suspended arm mechanism.
  • the arm 171 has high rigidity and is fixed to a strength member inside the housing 110, so that the user can change the orientation and move the injection head 10a as intended.
  • the arm 171 can be configured from metal or by covering a metal core with a resin cover material. When using a metal core, it is preferable to fix this core to a strength member inside the housing 110.
  • the handle portion 171a is preferably made of a material that is treated with an anti-slip coating and/or at least has a non-slip surface.
  • the arm 171 may be removably attached to the housing 110.
  • the flow path opening/closing valve holding unit 150 may be removably provided from the arm 171, and only the flow path opening/closing valve opening/closing unit 150 may be removable from the housing 110. In this manner, the flow path opening/closing valve holding unit 150 can be removed from the housing 110.
  • the flow path opening/closing valve opening/closing unit 150 can be removed, and a tube set whose distal end is branched into two can be connected to the syringes 20A and 20B as a drug solution circuit and used.
  • FIG. 4E is a plan view of the flow path opening/closing valve holding unit 150
  • Figure 4F is a plan view of the flow path opening/closing valve 331 removed.
  • the flow path opening/closing valve holding unit 150 has the above-mentioned drive mechanism 151 and air sensor 152.
  • a valve recess 153 for receiving the flow path opening/closing valve 331 is formed on the upper surface of the flow path opening/closing valve holding unit 150, and the flow path opening/closing valve 331 is fitted into this valve recess 153 so that it is detachably held in the flow path opening/closing valve holding unit 150.
  • the above-mentioned flow path opening/closing valve sensor 150a can be placed in this valve recess 153.
  • the valve recess 153 may be provided with an engagement claw 154 that elastically engages with the flow passage opening/closing valve 331.
  • the engagement claw 154 is formed to have an arc-shaped recess that receives the outer peripheral surface of the flow passage opening/closing valve 331 and protrudes from the valve recess 153.
  • the engagement claw 154 allows the flow passage opening/closing valve 150 to be held in the valve recess 153 by snap-fitting. As a result, the flow passage opening/closing valve 150 is held in a fixed position by the flow passage opening/closing valve holding unit 150, so that the operation of the drive mechanism 151 can be transmitted to the flow passage opening/closing valve 150 well.
  • the flow passage opening/closing valve 331 is held in the valve recess 153 by snap-fitting, the user can intuitively recognize that the flow passage opening/closing valve 331 is held in the valve recess 153.
  • a tube recess is formed to receive a tube that constitutes part of the subject line 303 (see FIG. 2) and is connected to the flow path opening/closing valve 331.
  • a plurality of protrusions 155 are arranged to hold the tube received in the tube recess from the side. These protrusions 155 are preferably arranged on both the upstream side and the downstream side of the flow path opening/closing valve 331.
  • a hook 156 is provided to hook the tube connected to the downstream side of the tubes connected to the flow path opening/closing valve 331.
  • the hook 156 is arranged at a position such that the air sensor 152 is located between the flow path opening/closing valve 150 and the hook 156.
  • the flow path opening/closing valve 331 is held in the tube recess with the tube fixed in position on the upstream side and downstream side of the flow path opening/closing valve 331. This allows the air sensor 152 to stably detect air.
  • the tube held in the tube recess can be easily removed from the tube recess and the flow path opening/closing valve 150 from the tube recess and the valve recess 153 by removing the tube from the hook 156 and pulling it up.
  • the flow path opening/closing valve 331 and the tube connected thereto constitute a part of the single-use part 300A that is replaced every time an inspection is performed, and the single-use part 300A is frequently attached and detached to and from the flow path opening/closing valve holding unit 150. Therefore, configuring the flow path opening/closing valve holding unit 150 so that the flow path opening/closing valve 150 and the tube can be easily attached and detached to and from the flow path opening/closing valve holding unit 150 as in this embodiment is particularly preferable in the drug injection device 10 that uses the single-use part 300A.
  • the flow path opening/closing valve 331 is held in the valve recess 153 by snap fit, so there is an extremely low possibility that the flow path opening/closing valve 331 will inadvertently come off from the valve recess 153. Moreover, even if the flow path opening/closing valve 331 comes off from the valve recess 153, this can be detected by the flow path opening/closing valve sensor 150a. Therefore, in this embodiment, the flow path opening/closing valve 331 can be operated with higher safety.
  • syringe 20 has a syringe outer cylinder 210 with an elliptical cross-sectional shape, a plunger (also called an aspirator or pusher) 220, and a gasket 230.
  • Syringe 20 is attached to injection head 10a with the major axis direction of the elliptical cross-section facing up and down (see FIG. 4B). This allows for a smaller dimension in the width direction (left-right direction) compared to a syringe of the same capacity with a circular cross-section, and therefore the width direction dimension of injection head 10a can be correspondingly reduced.
  • the plunger 220 is slidably inserted into the syringe barrel 210, and as shown in FIG. 5A, its rearmost position is located near the rear end of the syringe barrel 210.
  • the gasket 230 is formed of an elastic material, such as an elastomer or chlorinated butyl rubber, and is fitted into the tip of the plunger 220 and fixed to the plunger 220.
  • the gasket 230 also has an outer shape and size that allows it to slide together with the plunger 220 while sealing between the inner surface of the syringe barrel 210 and the outer surface of the gasket 230.
  • the syringe outer cylinder 210 has a nozzle portion 211 at the front end and a flange 212 at the rear end.
  • the flange 212 is located forward of the rear end of the syringe outer cylinder 210, so that the rear end surface 213 of the syringe outer cylinder 210 protrudes rearward from the flange 212.
  • a pair of notches 212a are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the flange 212.
  • the pair of notches 212a are located at both ends in the short axis direction of the elliptical cross section of the syringe outer cylinder 210. Also, as shown in FIG.
  • the rear end of the syringe outer cylinder 210 has an expanded diameter portion 210b whose radial opening dimension is larger than the radial opening dimension of the other portion that defines the inner surface 210a of the syringe outer cylinder 220.
  • a step D1 is generated between the inner surface 210a of the syringe outer cylinder 210 and the expanded diameter portion 210b.
  • the flange 212 is roughened, for example, by blasting treatment or the like. By roughening the flange 212, the syringe 20 is less likely to shift position when the syringe 20 is set in the injection head 10b and the medicinal liquid is injected at high pressure. Only the front surface of the flange 212 may be roughened, only the rear surface, or both surfaces.
  • the syringe outer cylinder 210 is filled with a medicinal liquid such as a contrast medium and saline.
  • the medicinal liquid may be prefilled by the manufacturer or may be filled at the medical site.
  • a syringe 20 prefilled with a medicinal liquid by the manufacturer is also called a prefilled syringe.
  • the nozzle portion 211 has a connector structure to which the syringe connector 310a or 320a (see FIG. 2) of the medicinal liquid circuit 30 is connected.
  • the medicinal liquid filled within the syringe outer cylinder 210 can be discharged outside the syringe outer cylinder 210, and by retracting the plunger 220 within the syringe outer cylinder 210, the medicinal liquid can be sucked into the syringe outer cylinder 210.
  • the material of the syringe outer cylinder 210 is not particularly limited, but examples include ZEONOR (registered trademark), Tritan (registered trademark), and Iupilon (registered trademark). Of these, Iupilon, which is biocompatible, is particularly preferred.
  • the plunger 220 has a plunger body 221 into which the gasket 230 is fitted, and a number of engagement claws formed on the rear surface of the plunger body 221.
  • the multiple engagement claws 222 are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction of the plunger body 221, and the area surrounded by the multiple engagement claws 222 is a space centered on the center O of the plunger 220.
  • the center O of the plunger 220 is located on the central axis of the syringe outer cylinder 210 when the plunger 220 is inserted into the syringe outer cylinder 210.
  • the two engagement claws 222 are arranged at intervals from each other in the circumferential direction, in positions that are point-symmetrical with respect to the center O of the plunger 220.
  • the engagement claw 222 is configured to be elastically displaceable in directions toward and away from the center O of the plunger 220.
  • the engagement claw 222 has a leg portion 222a extending rearward from the rear surface 221a of the plunger body 221, and a displacement portion 222b extending further rearward and circumferentially from the leg portion 222a.
  • An outer protrusion 222c and an inner protrusion 222d extending circumferentially are formed on the outer peripheral surface and inner peripheral surface of the displacement portion 222b, respectively. The outer protrusion 222c and the inner protrusion 222d will be described in detail later.
  • the tip of plunger body 221 into which gasket 230 is fitted is shaped like an elliptical cone, and the shape of the inner surface of gasket 230 is complementary to the shape of the tip of plunger body 221.
  • the tip of plunger body 221 is cut, and the shape of the tip of plunger body 221 is shaped like an elliptical trapezoid. This creates a space between the tip surface of plunger body 221 and the inner surface of gasket 230.
  • FIG. 5F when plunger 220 is pushed into syringe outer cylinder 210 (see FIG.
  • gasket 230 deforms so as to compress the space between plunger body 221 and gasket 230 as the internal pressure generated in syringe outer cylinder 210 increases.
  • the radial dimension of the gasket 230 expands, improving the liquid-tightness between the gasket 230 and the inner peripheral surface of the syringe outer cylinder 210. This effectively prevents leakage of the medicinal liquid from the rear end of the syringe during the injection operation.
  • the distance TD from the tip surface of the plunger body 221 to the apex of the elliptical trapezoidal shape of the plunger body 221 is not particularly limited as long as it is a distance that causes the radial dimension of the gasket 230 to expand due to deformation of the gasket 230, but it is preferably in the range of 2 mm to 4 mm, and more preferably 3 mm.
  • the linear actuator 130 of this embodiment has a ball screw type drive mechanism including a casing composed of a cylindrical frame 131 and cap members 132 attached to both ends of the frame 131, and a rod 133 arranged inside the casing. Inside the casing, there are also arranged a ball screw rotated by a motor, a ball nut that meshes with the ball screw, and a guide rail that supports the ball nut so that it cannot rotate and is slidable relative to the ball screw.
  • the rod 133 is fixed to the ball nut, and when the ball screw is rotated by driving the motor, the rod 133 moves forward or backward together with the ball nut depending on the direction of rotation of the ball screw.
  • a presser 134 is attached to the front end of the rod 133.
  • a circumferential groove 134a is formed at the rear end of the presser 134, as shown in FIG. 6B.
  • the syringe support assembly 120 has a main body 121 attached to the front end of the linear actuator 130, a syringe receiver 122 fixed to the front surface of the main body 121, and a syringe presser 123 arranged within the main body 121, and is configured to support the syringe 20 by mounting the syringe 20 from above as shown by the white arrow in FIG. 6A.
  • the main body 121 is provided with a ball plunger 125.
  • the ball plunger 125 functions as an engagement structure arranged on both the left and right sides of the syringe presser 123 so as to engage with the notch 212a (see FIG.
  • the ball plunger 125 accurately positions the orientation of the syringe 20 around its axis.
  • the engagement structure that engages with the notch 212a of the flange 212 of the syringe 20 is not limited to the ball plunger 125, and any other means such as a leaf spring can be used as long as it provides a clicking sensation when engaged.
  • the syringe receiver 122 is formed with a flange receiving groove 122a (see Figures 6A and 6C) that is open at the top and that receives the flange 221 of the syringe outer cylinder 220 while guiding it, and the syringe 20 is supported by mounting the syringe 20 on the syringe support assembly 120 so that the flange 212 is positioned within this flange receiving groove 122a.
  • the syringe receiver 122 further has a syringe detection sensor 126 that detects whether the syringe 20 is mounted on the syringe support assembly 120.
  • the syringe detection sensor 126 can be any type of sensor, such as a mechanical sensor or an optical sensor. In this embodiment, a mechanical sensor is used that detects that the syringe 20 is mounted by contact with the syringe 20.
  • the syringe presser 123 presses the syringe 20 attached to the syringe support assembly 120 from behind, and in this embodiment is composed of a single member having a tapered front surface 123a.
  • the front surface 123a is designed with a shape and size that can block the opening at the rear end of the syringe outer tube 210 when the syringe 20 is attached to the syringe support assembly 120.
  • the front surface of the syringe presser 123 is elliptical in shape to match the syringe outer tube 210.
  • the front surface 123a of the syringe presser 123 is formed with an annular protrusion 123b having a shape and size that is positioned within the opening at the rear end of the syringe outer tube 210 when the syringe 20 is supported by the syringe support assembly 120.
  • the annular protrusion 123b is positioned inside the outer edge of the front surface 123a of the syringe presser 123.
  • the syringe holder 123 is supported on the main body 121 so as to be movable in the front-rear direction between the front end position and the rear end position. At the front end position, the front face 123a of the syringe holder 123 protrudes from the front face of the main body 121, and at least this protruding portion of the front face 123a of the syringe holder 123 is tapered.
  • each part of the syringe barrel 210 and the dimensions of each part of the syringe support assembly 120 are designed so that when the syringe 20 is attached to the syringe support assembly 120, the front face 123a of the syringe holder 123 abuts against the rear end face 213 of the syringe barrel 210 at an intermediate position between the front end position and the rear end position of the syringe holder 123.
  • the syringe support assembly 120 further has a coil spring 124, which is an elastic member disposed between the main body 121 and the housing of the linear actuator 130, and this coil spring 124 biases the syringe holder 123 forward so that it is located at the front end position.
  • the syringe holder 123 is further formed with a through hole 123c through which the presser 134 and rod 133 of the linear actuator 130 can pass.
  • the elastic member is not limited to the coil spring 124, and any member that biases the syringe holder 123 forward can be used.
  • the front surface 123a of the syringe holder 123 may be a flat surface as long as it can close the opening at the rear end of the syringe outer cylinder 210 when the syringe 20 is attached to the syringe support assembly 120.
  • the syringe holder 123 may also be made up of multiple parts.
  • the syringe holder 123 may be made up of two parts: a syringe holder main body and a plate attached to the front surface of the syringe holder main body.
  • the syringe holder main body and the plate have through holes formed therein through which the presser 134 and rod 133 of the linear actuator 130 can pass.
  • the syringe holder main body may be made of resin
  • the plate may be made of metal.
  • the plate may also be flat.
  • an appropriate packing is placed on the outer peripheral surface of the syringe holder 123 so as to maintain liquid-tightness between the syringe holder 123 and the main body 121. Furthermore, it is preferable that an appropriate packing is placed on the inner peripheral surface of the through hole 123c of the syringe holder 123 so as to maintain liquid-tightness between the syringe holder 123 and the presser 134. This makes it possible to prevent the medicinal liquid from entering the inside of the main body 121, for example, even if the medicinal liquid leaks from the rear end of the syringe during injection or adheres to the periphery of the syringe support assembly 120.
  • an appropriate packing is placed on the inner circumferential surface of the through hole of the cap member 132 of the linear actuator 130, through which the rod 133 is inserted, so as to maintain liquid-tightness with the rod 133. This prevents the liquid from penetrating further into the casing of the linear actuator 130, even if the liquid medicine enters the inside of the main body 121.
  • Various mechanical components for driving the linear actuator 130 are arranged inside the casing of the linear actuator 130, so preventing the liquid medicine from penetrating into the casing is particularly preferable from the viewpoint of preventing breakdown of the linear actuator 130.
  • the syringe 20 is attached to the syringe support assembly 120 by aligning the position of the flange 212 with the flange receiving groove 122a and pushing the syringe 20 downward.
  • the plunger 220 is in an initial position where the outer protrusion 222c formed on the outer peripheral surface of the displacement portion 222b of the engagement claw 222 is located at the enlarged diameter portion 210a at the rear end of the syringe outer barrel 210.
  • the rear end surface 213 of the syringe outer cylinder 210 first comes into contact with the portion of the syringe holder 123 that protrudes from the body 121 of the syringe support assembly 120.
  • the syringe outer cylinder 210 exerts a rearward force on the syringe holder 123, which moves it rearward against the biasing force of the coil spring 124.
  • the syringe 20 is further pushed down so that the portion of the flange 212 that should be received in the flange receiving groove 122a is received in the flange receiving groove 122a, thereby attaching the syringe 20 to the syringe support assembly 120.
  • FIG. 6E shows a cross-sectional view of the syringe 20 supported by the syringe support assembly 120.
  • the front surface 123a of the syringe holder 123 is in close contact with the rear end surface 213 of the syringe outer cylinder 210, and the opening at the rear end of the syringe outer cylinder 210 is blocked by the syringe holder 123. This prevents foreign matter from entering the inside of the syringe outer cylinder 210, and the inside of the syringe outer cylinder 210 can be kept clean.
  • a forward force is applied to the syringe outer cylinder 210 by the syringe holder 123 biased by the coil spring 124, and the front surface of the flange 212 of the syringe outer cylinder 210 is pressed against the inner wall on the front side of the flange receiving groove 122a. This allows the syringe 20 to be more reliably supported in a fixed state by the syringe support assembly 120.
  • annular protrusion 123b is formed on the front surface of the flange holder 123, so that when the syringe outer cylinder 210 passes over the annular protrusion 123b during the mounting operation of the syringe 20 to the syringe support assembly 120, the flange holder 123 moves backward once and then returns to its original position due to the biasing force of the coil spring 124.
  • This operation of the syringe holder 123 allows the operator to intuitively recognize that the syringe 20 is securely mounted to the syringe support assembly 120.
  • the annular protrusion 123b is located inside the opening on the rear end side of the syringe outer cylinder 210, the radial position of the syringe 20 relative to the syringe support assembly 120 is determined. In order to more effectively determine the radial position of the syringe 20, it is preferable that the annular protrusion 123b is formed in a position adjacent to the inner wall of the syringe outer cylinder 20 when the syringe 20 is mounted on the syringe support assembly 120.
  • the syringe support assembly 120 of this embodiment is configured so that the syringe 20 is fixed by pressing the syringe outer cylinder 210, whose flange 212 is received in the flange receiving groove 122a, from behind using the syringe presser 123, which is movable in the front-rear direction.
  • no movable mechanism such as a clamper for holding the syringe 20 is required, and the syringe support assembly 120 can be achieved with a simpler configuration. This contributes greatly to the miniaturization of the syringe support assembly 120, and further to the miniaturization of the injection head 10a.
  • the syringe 20 can be better held by combining it with a syringe 20 whose flange 212 is roughened.
  • the tip of the linear actuator 130 is composed of two parts, a rod 133 and a presser 134, so that if the shape of the syringe 20 attached to the injection head 10a, particularly the shape of the plunger 220, is changed, the presser 134 can be replaced with one that matches it.
  • the rod 133 and presser 134 can also be composed of a single part.
  • the syringe support assembly 120 to which the syringe 20 having an elliptical cross section is attached has been described, but there are also syringes 20 having circular cross sections, and the syringe support assembly 120 can also be configured to attach a syringe having a circular cross section. In that case, each part that constitutes the syringe support assembly 120 is modified to have a shape that fits the syringe having a circular cross section.
  • the presser 134 protrudes from the front surface 123a of the syringe retainer 123 and comes into contact with the plunger body 221 of the plunger 220 as shown in FIG. 7A.
  • the outer protrusion 222c of the engagement claw 222 of the plunger 220 rides from the enlarged diameter portion 210b to the inner surface 210a of the syringe outer cylinder 220 as shown in FIG. 7B.
  • the engaging claw 222 elastically deforms toward the center O of the plunger 222 (see FIG. 5D), and thereafter, as shown in FIG. 7C, the plunger 220 advances in conjunction with the advancement of the presser 134, with the engaging claw 222 remaining elastically deformed.
  • this operation is the medicinal liquid injection operation.
  • the circumferential groove 134a of the presser 134 is formed in a position facing the inner protrusion 222d when the outer protrusion 222c of the engagement claw 222 rides on the inner surface 210a of the syringe outer barrel 210, and the inner protrusion 222d of the engagement claw 222 engages with the circumferential groove 134a of the presser 134 as the engagement claw 222 elastically deforms. Therefore, as long as the engagement claw 222 is in an elastically deformed state, when the presser 134 is retracted, the plunger 220 retracts in conjunction with the retraction of the presser 134. This action when the syringe 20 is empty and connected to the liquid medicine circuit 30 (see FIG. 2) is the liquid medicine suction action.
  • the preferred dimensional relationship between the inner protrusion 222d and the circumferential groove 134a will be described with reference to FIG. 8.
  • the length L1 of the inner protrusion 222d in the front-rear direction is less than the length L2 of the circumferential groove 134a.
  • the front and rear corners of the tip portion of the inner protrusion 222d are formed with a curved surface (also called R processing), and for smoother engagement, it is more preferable that the radius R1 of the front corner is less than the radius R2 of the rear corner.
  • R1 and R2 is preferably expressed as the ratio of R1 to R2.
  • R1:R2 1:2 to 5, and for example, R1:R2 can be 1:2, 1:2.5, 1:3, 1:3.5, 1:4, 1:4.5, or 1:5.
  • the depth D2 of the circumferential groove 134a is greater than the step D1 at the enlarged diameter portion 210b of the syringe barrel 210 (see FIG. 5B).
  • the plunger 220 is shown in which the two engaging claws 222 are arranged at a distance from each other in the circumferential direction in positions that are point symmetrical with respect to the center O.
  • the linear actuator 130 having a ball screw type drive mechanism
  • the rotational motion of the ball screw is converted into the linear motion of the presser 134, so if rotational wobble occurs in the ball screw, the wobble is also transmitted to the presser 134, and the presser 134 may move back and forth while wobbling.
  • the plunger 220 moves while the outer protrusion 222c of the engaging claw 222 is in contact with the inner surface 210a of the syringe outer cylinder 210, so that a sliding resistance acts between the outer protrusion 222c of the engaging claw 222 and the inner surface 210a of the syringe outer cylinder 210 when the plunger 220 moves.
  • the proportion of the engagement claws 222 surrounding the presser 134 in the circumferential direction is 70% or less, and more preferably 50% or less, so that the radial wobble of the presser 134 can be tolerated to a certain extent.
  • this proportion is preferably 30% or more.
  • the number and arrangement of the engaging claws 222 may be arbitrary. However, from the viewpoint of the inner protrusion 222d engaging with the circumferential groove 134a of the presser 134 in a balanced manner in the circumferential direction, it is preferable to arrange the engaging claws 222 at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. Also, from the viewpoint of suppressing the fluctuation of the motor current described above, it is preferable to arrange two engaging claws 222 at equal intervals in the circumferential direction.
  • the internal pressure generated when the drug solution is injected acts on the syringe outer cylinder 210 to deform the cross-sectional shape into a circle, that is, a force that shortens the length in the major axis direction and lengthens the length in the minor axis direction. Therefore, in order to allow the inner protrusion 222d of the engaging claw 222 to better engage with the circumferential groove 134a of the presser 134, it is preferable that the engaging claws 222 are arranged in a position that covers the major axis direction of the syringe 20.
  • the multiple engagement claws 222 are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction, so that the user can visually check the state of engagement between the engagement claws 222 and the circumferential groove 134a of the presser 134 from between the engagement claws 222.
  • the engagement claws 222 may be located at a position where the user cannot visually check the state of engagement with the circumferential groove 134a of the presser 134. Therefore, it is preferable to appropriately design the arrangement of the engagement claws 222 according to the situation when the drug solution injection device 10 is used.
  • the engagement claws 222 when viewed from the rear end side of the syringe 20 with the syringe 20 attached to the injection head 10a, the engagement claws 222 are arranged at the upper left and lower right (see FIG. 5, etc.), but the engagement claws 222 may also be arranged at the upper right and lower left.
  • the needleless valve holding unit 140 has a lower cover 141 and an upper cover 142 supported on the lower cover 141 via a hinge so that it can be opened and closed.
  • the needleless valve holding unit 140 is located in front of one of the syringe covers 110A, straddling the inside and outside of the syringe cover 110A. This makes it possible to open the upper cover 142 when the one of the syringe covers 110A is closed, but to open the upper cover 142 when the syringe cover 110A is opened.
  • the needleless valve holding unit 140 holds the needleless valve 313a and the male luer lock connector 330 shown in FIG.
  • the lower cover 141 has a rotation stop structure for the needleless valve 313a, and the male luer lock connector 330 can be rotated to connect and disconnect with the needleless valve 313a even when the upper cover 142 is closed.
  • the needleless valve holding unit 140 is preferably configured to hold the entire needleless valve 313a without the needleless valve 313a protruding from the needleless valve holding unit 140 when the top cover 142 is closed. This allows the user to attach and detach the male luer connector 330 without touching the needleless valve 313a. This is preferable from the standpoint of maintaining the cleanliness of the needleless valve 313a.
  • the flow path opening/closing valve holding unit 150 is located in front of the injection head 10a and detachably holds the flow path opening/closing valve 331 of the liquid medicine circuit 20 shown in FIG. 2.
  • the flow path opening/closing valve holding unit 150 has a built-in drive mechanism 151 (see FIG. 2) controlled by the injection control unit 11 (see FIG. 1) for opening and closing the flow path opening/closing valve 331, and an air sensor 152 (see FIG. 2) for detecting air in the subject line 303 (see FIG. 2).
  • the air sensor 152 may be a sensor of any detection method, such as an ultrasonic air sensor.
  • the flow path opening/closing valve holding unit 150 further has a flow path opening/closing valve sensor 150a (see FIG. 2) for detecting that the flow path opening/closing valve 331 is held by the flow path opening/closing valve holding unit 150.
  • This flow path opening/closing valve sensor 150a may also be a sensor of any detection method.
  • the injection head 10a may further include a light-emitting unit that emits light to illuminate the space in the housing 110 in which the syringes 20A and 20B are attached.
  • the light-emitting unit will be described with reference to Figure 9, which is a perspective view of the main parts of the injection head 10a with the syringe covers 110A and 110B removed.
  • a lower case 111a constituting a part of the housing of the injection head 10a is disposed below the syringes 20A and 20B.
  • the light-emitting unit 160 can be disposed on the lower case 111a at a position corresponding to between the two syringes 20A and 20B.
  • the light-emitting unit 160 can have two light sources disposed on the left and right, and a light-shielding plate 111b that blocks light directed upward can be disposed above the light-emitting unit 160. This allows the two light sources to independently illuminate the two syringes 20A and 20B.
  • the two light sources may also emit light of different colors, such as blue and green. In this way, by illuminating the syringes 20A and 20B with the light-emitting unit 160, it becomes easier to visually check the remaining amount and state of the medicinal liquid in the syringes 20A and 20B (for example, the presence or absence of air bubbles).
  • LEDs can be used as the light source of the light-emitting unit 160.
  • an LED tape light in which multiple LEDs are arranged in a row can be used.
  • the LED tape light can be arranged along the longitudinal direction of the syringes 20A and 20B, so that the entire longitudinal direction of the syringes 20A and 20B can be illuminated with almost uniform brightness.
  • the light emission of the LED tape light can be controlled by the injection control unit 11 (see FIG.
  • the speed of the flow of light may be changed according to the moving speed of the presser 134.
  • the housing 110 is configured to accommodate a portion of the liquid medicine circuit 30, and is provided with a needleless valve holding unit 140 and a flow path opening/closing valve holding unit 150.
  • This configuration holds the main portion of the liquid medicine circuit 30 in the injection head 10a, and the liquid medicine circuit 20 is essentially mounted on the injection head 10a in a compactly assembled state.
  • mounting the liquid medicine circuit 30 on the injection head 10a prevents problems with handling the liquid medicine circuit 30, such as the tubes constituting the liquid medicine circuit 30 being inadvertently bent or the liquid medicine circuit 30 being inadvertently removed.
  • Container Holder 43 detachably holds containers 40A, 40B, and can be attached to injection head 10a via an appropriate bracket.
  • Container holder 43 will be described with reference to Figures 10A and 10B.
  • the container holder 43 has a housing that can receive two containers 40A, 40B in a downward position and that houses a part of the first sub-line 301b connected to the container 40A and a part of the second sub-line 302b connected to the container 40B.
  • a part of the housing is composed of an openable holder cover 430, and the first sub-line 301b and the second sub-line 302b housed therein can be attached and detached by opening the holder cover 430.
  • Inside the housing there can be an air sensor 432 that detects air in the first sub-line 301b and the second sub-line 302b, respectively.
  • the air sensor 432 any sensor such as an ultrasonic or optical air sensor can be used.
  • a heater (heater) for keeping the chemical solution housed in the containers 40A, 40B at a constant temperature may be provided in the housing.
  • the container holder 43 may also have a code reader 431 that reads bar codes (including two-dimensional codes) provided on the liquid containers 40A and 40B.
  • the bar codes record information about the liquid, such as the product code (specifically, the GTIN (Global Trade Item Number) of GS1), the type of liquid, the content, the manufacturer, the date of manufacture, the expiry date, the expiration date, the serial number, the serial code, the lot number, and, if the liquid is a contrast medium, the iodine concentration.
  • the information read by the code reader 431 can be appropriately processed by the injection control unit 11 (see FIG. 1).
  • the injection control unit 11 stores the above-mentioned product codes and images of the exterior including the labels attached to the containers of the liquids sold by each liquid manufacturer that can be used with the liquid injection device 10 as data.
  • the code reader 431 reads a barcode
  • the injection control unit 11 compares the read information with the stored data, and for a matching drug, can display at least a part of the read information and/or at least one of the stored images on at least the head display 44 out of the head display 44 and the display device 13 of the console 10b. This allows the user to know whether the barcode has been read correctly.
  • the information recorded in the barcode can be used to set the liquid injection protocol or to manage the liquid injection history, so it is important that the barcode is read correctly.
  • the container holder 43 may further include a container detection sensor (not shown) that detects that the liquid medicine containers 40A, 40B are attached to the container holder 43.
  • the container holder 43 may also include an indicator 435 that visually indicates that the liquid medicine containers 40A, 40B are attached to the container holder 43.
  • the indicator 435 may be configured to emit light by being irradiated by a light-emitting source such as an LED provided in the container holder 43.
  • the light-emitting state of the indicator 435 may be changed, for example, so that the indicator flashes when a barcode is read by the code reader 431, and lights up when a liquid medicine container is attached.
  • the indicator 435 may be arranged for only one of the liquid medicine containers. In that case, it is arranged on the side of the liquid medicine container filled with contrast medium.
  • the container holder 43 that fits the liquid medicine containers 40A and 40B, which are bottles, has been described.
  • liquid medicine containers include not only bottles but also bags (e.g., saline bags). Therefore, in order to hold the liquid medicine container even when the liquid medicine container is a bag, the container holder 43 may further have a bag holder that holds the bag by hanging it.
  • the bag holder 435 may have a pole 435a that extends vertically and is supported by the main body of the container holder 43, and a hook 435b attached to the upper end of the pole 435a, and the bag is hung on this hook 435b.
  • the pole 435a is preferably supported so as to be expandable and contractible in the vertical direction so as to accommodate bags of various sizes, and/or is preferably supported so as to be rotatable in the circumferential direction so as to hold the bag in various orientations.
  • the hook 435b is preferably attached to the pole 435a so as to be rotatable (see arrow) so as not to get in the way when not in use.
  • (C-3) Head Display Head display 44 is provided separately from display device 13 (see FIG. 1) provided in console 10b, and can be supported on injection head 10a via an appropriate bracket so that its orientation can be arbitrarily changed.
  • a touch panel display that allows input operations by the operator can be preferably used as head display 44.
  • Display 44 may display the same screen as display device 11, or a different screen. For example, at least a part of the information read by code reader 431 can be displayed on display 44.
  • the display screen on display 44 is controlled by injection control unit 11 (see FIG. 1).
  • FIGS. 11 to 24 show examples of screens displayed on the display (display device 13) and head display 44 provided in the console 10b.
  • FIG. 11 An imaging site selection screen as shown in Fig. 11 is displayed.
  • an image of a human body divided into a plurality of sections is displayed.
  • the imaging site can be specified by an appropriate input operation by the operator to select one of the plurality of sections.
  • a list screen of examination items corresponding to the specified imaging site is displayed as shown in Fig. 12.
  • the displayed examination items are registered in advance in the injection control unit 11 (see Fig. 1).
  • the examination item is set by selecting the examination item by an appropriate input operation by the operator.
  • the remaining amount of the medicinal liquid in the syringe may be displayed on the imaging site selection screen (Fig. 11) and the list screen of examination items (Fig. 12).
  • the injection condition setting screen may be displayed on both the display device 13 and the head display 44 of the console 10b, so that the injection conditions can be set from either the injection head 10a or the console 10b.
  • An example of the injection condition setting screen is shown in FIG. 13.
  • the injection condition setting screen can display the imaging site, the examination item, the subject's weight, the amount of iodine in the contrast agent to be injected, the volume of the attached syringe, the pressure limit value, the injection protocol of the liquid, and the like.
  • a heart rate monitor that measures the subject's heart rate is connected to the liquid injection device 10, the heart rate can also be displayed.
  • the injection protocol has a first phase in which the contrast agent is injected, a second phase in which the contrast agent is mixed with saline and injected, and a third phase in which saline is injected.
  • the injection speed, injection amount, and injection time of the liquid in each phase are also displayed.
  • the injection conditions can be registered in advance in the injection control unit 11 according to the examination item.
  • the numerical values can be changed arbitrarily by the operator as necessary.
  • a test bolus tab may be displayed on the injection condition setting screen.
  • a test bolus screen slides in as shown in FIG. 13B.
  • the test bolus screen that slides in may have a tab that includes a triangular mark, for example, and the user may operate the triangular mark to return the test bolus screen from the state shown in FIG. 13B where it slides in to the state shown in FIG. 13A, and the original injection condition setting screen may be displayed. This allows the user to perform intuitive operations.
  • the injection condition setting screen also displays an Air Check button, and when the user presses the Air Check button after confirming the injection conditions, an air check is performed.
  • the Air Check button is only displayed on the display device 13 of the console 10b.
  • the standby screen displays a "Start OK" button, for example, as shown in FIG. 14, and the liquid injection operation is performed when the operator performs a predetermined operation.
  • a frame line may be displayed around the periphery of the screen to clearly indicate to the operator that the setting of the injection conditions has been completed. If a frame line is displayed, it is preferable that the color of the frame line is different from the color of the main display area.
  • the standby screen may also be displayed on both the display device 13 and the head display 44 of the console 10b, so that the injection operation can be performed from either the injection head 10a or the console 10b.
  • FIG. 15 shows an example of an injection condition setting screen for an injection protocol different from that shown in FIG. 14.
  • the example shown in FIG. 15 has a first phase in which a contrast agent is injected, and a second phase in which saline is injected.
  • the type of medicinal liquid being injected for example, contrast medium or saline
  • the mixture ratio are also displayed along with the injection speed and injection volume of the medicinal liquid being injected, but it is also possible to display only the injection speed and injection volume.
  • FIGS. 16 to 21 show examples of an injection operation screen displayed during the injection operation of a medical fluid.
  • the injection operation screen can display a timeline and an injection protocol from the start of the injection operation.
  • the injection status at the current time is represented by an image such as a dot moving on the timeline with the passage of time.
  • the brightness of the image representing the timeline and the image representing the injection protocol may be changed before and after the current time, such as being displayed brightly before the current time and being displayed darkly after the current time.
  • the injection operation screen may display an imaging progress image showing the progress of exposure by the imaging device in conjunction with the start of the imaging operation by the imaging device. In the illustrated example, the imaging progress image is displayed below the timeline.
  • the injection pressure is measured or calculated using known techniques.
  • the display of an image showing the current injection status on a timeline may be changed to warn the operator visually or audibly. Changes to the image display may include increasing the size of the image, changing the color of the image, changing the image display pattern, etc., and one or more of these may be performed.
  • the set pressure limit value may be displayed on the injection operation screen, in which case the display of the pressure limit value may be changed when the measured or calculated injection pressure value reaches the pressure limit value.
  • a "Pressure Graph" tab may be displayed on the injection operation screen.
  • a pressure graph slides in as shown in FIG. 22B.
  • the screen returns to that shown in FIG. 22A. In this way, during the injection operation, the display of the injection protocol and the pressure graph may be switched depending on the user's operation.
  • the liquid injector can have a function of simulating a graph (TDC; Time Density Curve) showing how the CT value changes over time when liquid is injected under set injection conditions.
  • TDC Time Density Curve
  • a "Simulation" tab can be displayed on the injection condition setting screen, and the operator can select this "Simulation” tab to execute a function of simulating a TDC curve when liquid is injected under the injection conditions displayed on the injection condition setting screen.
  • Figs. 23 and 24 Examples of the simulation screen displayed when the simulation function is executed are shown in Figs. 23 and 24.
  • the simulation function is executed, first, as shown in Fig. 23, the simulation conditions are displayed together with an image that shows the part to be imaged in a schematic manner.
  • an "OK" button and a graph display button are also displayed on this simulation screen.
  • the graph display button is displayed as a graphic that resembles a graph.
  • the "OK" button is a button for returning to the screen shown in Fig. 23.
  • the graph display button can be represented by a graphic symbol that means a graph, and when the operator selects this graph display button, a simulated TDC graph as shown in Fig. 24 is displayed.
  • the TDC graph also shows a range that indicates the time for which a CT value equal to or greater than the target CT value is maintained.
  • the screen returns to that shown in Fig. 23.
  • route confirmation Prior to the injection of the medical fluid for contrast imaging, in order to confirm whether the injection route is established, route confirmation is performed in which physiological saline is injected at an injection speed and injection time that are slower than the injection speed and injection time of the medical fluid for contrast imaging. During route confirmation, a route confirmation screen can be displayed to confirm the injection conditions in route confirmation, etc.
  • a route confirmation (N.P. Test) call button is displayed on the injection condition setting screen (see FIG. 25) displayed on the head display 44.
  • the route confirmation screen displays the saline injection protocol (injection rate and injection amount) at the time of route confirmation, as shown in FIG. 26, for example.
  • the route confirmation screen may display a timeline showing the remaining amount of saline in the syringe and the elapsed time from the start of route confirmation.
  • a pressure glass showing the change in injection pressure of saline over time may be displayed in real time, as shown in FIG. 27, so that the user can visually check whether there is an abnormality in the injection route.
  • the route confirmation screens shown in FIG. 26 and FIG. 27 may display a close button, for example, indicated by an "x" mark, and the user may operate this close button to close the route confirmation screen and return to the display of the injection condition setting screen shown in FIG. 25. This allows the user to perform intuitive operations.
  • the display device 13 of the console 10b When the route confirmation call button is operated, the display device 13 of the console 10b also displays a route confirmation screen as shown in FIG. 28.
  • the route confirmation screen is displayed as a slide-in on the injection condition setting screen.
  • the route confirmation screen displayed on the display device 13 of the console 10b also displays an air check button.
  • the user presses the air check button after the injection conditions are confirmed an air check is performed and the system transitions to a standby state. In this state, the user performs a predetermined operation for performing route confirmation, and route confirmation is performed.
  • the route confirmation screen on the display device of the console 10b is also closed, and the display of the head display 44 and the display device 13 of the console 10b returns to the injection condition setting screen.
  • the route confirmation screen may be configured to have a tab including a triangular mark, and the user may operate the triangular mark portion to return the route confirmation screen from the slide-in display state to the state before the slide-in display. This allows the user to perform intuitive operations.
  • the syringe setting screen is displayed first.
  • a message urging the user to attach the syringe is displayed along with an OK button.
  • the syringe referred to here is an unused syringe, that is, a syringe that is not filled with medicinal liquid and whose plunger is located at the rearmost end. If the self-check detects that the presser is not at the rearmost end, the presser retraction screen is displayed.
  • a retraction button (displaying "Retract") is displayed along with an image of the syringe, and the presser is retracted when the user operates the retraction button. After the presser has been retracted, the syringe setting screen is displayed.
  • the screen transitions to a presser forward screen that prompts the user to press the presser forward button.
  • This screen also displays a start button, and when the user presses the start button, the presser forward movement begins, and at the same time, the screen transitions to a forward animation screen as shown in Figure 29.
  • the presser forward screen displays an animation of the plunger moving forward inside the syringe.
  • the forward animation screen also displays a stop button, and when the user presses the stop button, the screen returns to the presser forward screen.
  • the presser moves forward to the very front, the screen transitions to a multiple use part set screen that prompts the user to connect the multiple use part of the drug circuit.
  • This screen also displays an OK button, and when the user presses the OK button, the screen transitions to the filling screen.
  • FIG. 30 shows an example of a filling screen displayed on the head display 44.
  • a syringe image showing each of the syringes on the A side and the B side is displayed, along with a filling amount setting value arranged next to each syringe image.
  • the syringe image is animated according to the change in the amount of medicinal liquid in the syringe (actually the position of the linear actuator 130) during the filling operation.
  • a filling method setting button is displayed below the filling amount setting value.
  • "Full mode”, “Set mode” and “Add mode” are set as the filling method, and these modes are switched in sequence each time the button is operated.
  • “Full mode” the syringe is filled to its full capacity (150 mL in this embodiment).
  • Set mode it is filled until it reaches the set numerical value.
  • “Add mode” the amount of the set numerical value is filled. In any mode, when the amount filled in the syringe reaches its full capacity, the filling operation is stopped and no further filling is performed. Additionally, in “Set mode” and “Add mode,” a setting adjustment button is displayed next to the filling amount setting.
  • a warning pictogram is displayed above the fill amount setting value as necessary.
  • the warning pictogram is displayed when air is detected by air sensor 432 (FIG. 10B), that is, when air is detected in a portion of the liquid medicine circuit between the liquid medicine container and the syringe, and remains displayed until the air detection is released, at which point the filling operation is stopped.
  • the air detection may be released by replacing syringes 20A, 20B and multiple-use portion 300B of liquid medicine circuit 30, and filling multiple-use portion 300B with liquid medicine.
  • a start filling button is displayed below the syringe image.
  • the start filling button is displayed as an image resembling a downward arrow.
  • the amount of liquid remaining in the liquid container is displayed at the top of the filling screen.
  • the remaining amount of liquid is a value obtained by reading the barcode on the liquid container. As the liquid is filled, the remaining amount decreases. When the remaining amount of liquid reaches zero or a predetermined threshold, the filling operation is stopped. After the filling operation has stopped due to this, the liquid container can be replaced and the liquid can be refilled by performing the specified operation. When replacing the liquid container, the liquid container is removed and recognition of the liquid container is released, but at that point management of the remaining amount threshold is stopped and the remaining amount of liquid is not displayed. Note that on the filling screen shown in the figure, the remaining amount of liquid is only displayed for the contrast medium.
  • the user After the medicinal liquid filling operation is completed, the user operates the Next button to transition from the filling screen to the single-use unit setting screen.
  • the single-use unit setting screen displays a message prompting the user to connect the single-use unit 300A (see Figure 2) and an OK button.
  • the setup is complete.
  • the OK button When the OK button is operated, the screen transitions to the injection condition setting screen shown in Figure 25.
  • this injection condition setting screen displayed on the head display 44 shown in Fig. 25 will be described in more detail.
  • this injection condition setting screen displays the injection protocol (injection speed and injection amount of each liquid for each phase, elapsed time from the start of injection, etc.) and pressure limit value. These are displayed with the same values as the injection conditions set on the console 10b.
  • the injection condition setting screen displayed on the head display 44 displays an examination end button (displaying "Replace Multi-Use").
  • the screens displayed from the injection condition setting screen until the completion of the injection operation transition in conjunction with the screen on the display device 13 of the console 10b. That is, when the screen displayed on the display device 13 of the console 10b transitions to the standby screen under the specified conditions described above, the screen displayed on the head display 44 also transitions to the standby screen (see FIG. 31). Then, when the injection operation is started and the screen displayed on the display device 13 of the console 10b transitions to the injection screen, the screen displayed on the head display 44 also transitions to the injection screen (see FIG. 32).
  • the injection screen displays "Inj. Comp.”, which means that the injection is complete, to notify the user that the injection is complete, and also displays a message urging the user to replace the single-use unit 300A.
  • the injection protocol display also goes dark, which also allows the user to visually recognize that the injection operation is complete. This type of screen change is also seen on the injection screen displayed on the display device 13 of the console 10b.
  • the screen transitions to the single-use unit setup screen described above. Meanwhile, the screen displayed on the display device 13 of the console 10b transitions to the imaging site selection screen (see FIG. 11).
  • the single-use unit 300A is set up according to the screen displayed on the display device 13 of the console 10b and the screen displayed on the head display 44, and the series of procedures for setting the injection conditions is repeated.
  • the single-use section setup screen displayed on the head display 44 also displays an end of examination button (displaying "Exam. End"), and when the user operates the end of examination button at this stage or during the injection condition setting stage, the screen displayed on the head display 44 transitions to the end of examination screen.
  • the examination end screen displays an examination end button (displaying "Exam. End") and a multiple-use part replacement button (displaying "Replace Multi-Use").
  • the examination end button When the examination end button is operated, the screen transitions to the presser retraction screen described above (see setup explanation) so that the multiple-use part 300B and syringe can be removed, and after the presser retracts, guidance is displayed encouraging the user to turn off the power.
  • the multiple-use part replacement button the screen transitions to the presser retraction screen, and after the presser retracts, setup for the next examination begins.
  • the injection control unit 11 (see FIG. 1) counts the number of tests since the multiple-use unit 300B is connected and displays the count as the number of uses of the multiple-use unit 300B on the head display 44 and/or the display device 13 of the console 10b.
  • the screen that displays the number of uses of the multiple-use unit 300B can be, for example, a screen for setting up the next test after the test is completed.

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Abstract

The present invention enables a user to easily ascertain the state of a chemical solution injection system. This chemical solution injection system comprises an injection head 10a, a display device 13, and an injection control unit 11 that controls the operation of the injection head 10a and the display on the display device 13. The injection control unit 11 monitors the injection pressure during the chemical solution injection operation. Further, the injection control unit 11 is configured to display, during the chemical solution injection operation, a screen that has a timeline representing the passage of time and an image representing the present point in time on the timeline, and change the display of the image when the monitored injection pressure reaches an injection pressure limit value set in advance.

Description

薬液注入システムChemical Injection System
　本発明は、薬液注入システムに関する。 The present invention relates to a drug injection system.
　被検者に薬液を注入するのに薬液注入装置が用いられることが多い。多くの薬液注入装置は、所望の注入速度での注入が容易である観点から、シリンジが着脱自在に装着される注入ヘッドを有し、注入ヘッドに装着されたシリンジと被検者とを流体的に接続する薬液回路を介して、シリンジに充填された薬液を注入するように構成されている。 Chemical fluid injection devices are often used to inject medicinal fluid into subjects. Many chemical fluid injection devices have an injection head to which a syringe is removably attached, from the viewpoint of facilitating injection at a desired injection rate, and are configured to inject the medicinal fluid filled in the syringe via a chemical fluid circuit that fluidly connects the syringe attached to the injection head to the subject.
　シリンジは、原則的には単数回しか使用されないが、シリンジを注入ヘッドに装着したまま薬液ボトルからシリンジへ薬液を再充填して複数回使用されることもある。その場合に用いることのできる薬液回路の一例として、特許文献１に開示された薬液回路が知られている。特許文献１に開示された薬液回路は、シリンジに接続されるシリンジラインと、薬液容器に接続される薬液ラインと、被検者に接続される被検者ラインと、それら各ラインが接続されるベースラインと、を備えている。また、薬液の注入時にはシリンジラインから被検者ラインへの薬液の流れのみを許容し、かつ、薬液の充填時には薬液ラインからシリンジラインへの薬液の流れのみを許容するように、弁デバイスが薬液回路の適所に設けられている。ベースラインは、薬液ラインとの接続部より下流側において、一方弁を介して分離可能に構成されており、ベースラインの被検者ラインと接続される下流側部分を薬液の注入の都度交換することができる。 In principle, a syringe is used only once, but it may be used multiple times by refilling the syringe with the liquid from the liquid bottle while the syringe is attached to the injection head. The liquid circuit disclosed in Patent Document 1 is known as an example of a liquid circuit that can be used in this case. The liquid circuit disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a syringe line connected to the syringe, a liquid line connected to a liquid container, a subject line connected to a subject, and a baseline to which each of these lines is connected. In addition, a valve device is provided at an appropriate position in the liquid circuit so as to allow only the flow of liquid from the syringe line to the subject line when injecting the liquid, and to allow only the flow of liquid from the liquid line to the syringe line when filling the liquid. The baseline is configured to be separable via a one-way valve downstream of the connection with the liquid line, and the downstream part of the baseline connected to the subject line can be replaced each time the liquid is injected.
　このような構成によれば、薬液回路の上流側部分を、シリンジに装着したまま、薬液の注入および充填を繰り返し行えるマルチユース部として利用し、薬液回路の下流側部分を薬液の注入の都度交換されるシングルユース部として利用することができる。 With this configuration, the upstream part of the liquid medicine circuit can be used as a multi-use part that can repeatedly inject and fill the liquid medicine while still attached to the syringe, and the downstream part of the liquid medicine circuit can be used as a single-use part that is replaced each time the liquid medicine is injected.
特許文献１：国際公開第２０１４／１０４３３８号公報 Patent document 1: International Publication No. 2014/104338
　しかしながら、特許文献１に記載の薬液回路は比較的複雑な構成を有しており、このような薬液回路を、注入ヘッドおよびシリンジを含めたシステムにどのように組み込むかが重要である。また、このような薬液回路を用いる場合は特に、薬液の注入動作中の注入圧力など薬液注入システムの状態を操作者（ユーザ）が把握できることが重要である。 However, the liquid medicine circuit described in Patent Document 1 has a relatively complicated configuration, and it is important to consider how to incorporate such a liquid medicine circuit into a system that includes an injection head and a syringe. In addition, when using such a liquid medicine circuit, it is particularly important that the operator (user) is able to grasp the state of the liquid medicine injection system, such as the injection pressure during the liquid medicine injection operation.
　本発明の薬液注入システムは、被検者に薬液を注入するための薬液注入システムであって、
　薬液注入機構と、
　ディスプレイと、
　前記薬液注入機構の動作および前記ディスプレイへの表示を制御する制御部と、
　を有し、
　前記制御部は、
　薬液の注入動作中に注入圧力を監視することと、
前記薬液の注入動作中に、時間の経過を表すタイムラインと、前記タイムライン上に現時点を表す画像と、を有する画面を表示させることと、
　前記薬液の注入動作中に監視されている前記注入圧力が、予め設定されている注入圧力リミット値に達すると前記画像の表示を変更することと、
　を行うように構成されている。 The medical solution injection system of the present invention is a medical solution injection system for injecting a medical solution into a subject,
A chemical injection mechanism;
A display and
A control unit that controls an operation of the liquid injection mechanism and a display on the display;
having
The control unit is
Monitoring the injection pressure during the injection operation of the drug solution;
displaying a screen having a timeline showing the passage of time and an image showing the current time on the timeline during the injection operation of the medicinal liquid;
changing the display of the image when the injection pressure monitored during the injection operation of the drug solution reaches a preset injection pressure limit value;
The present invention is configured to:
　（用語の定義）
・「接続される」とは、所定の要素が対象物に対して直接接続されるものに加え、他の何らかの要素を介した状態で接続されることも含む。
・「容器」とは、ボトルやバッグなどを意図し、特定の形状や構造に限定されるものではない。
・「上流」および「下流」は、薬液の流れ方向に対する「上流」および「下流」を意味する。ただし、薬液の注入および吸引のように薬液が双方向に流れ得る場合は、特に断りがない限り、薬液の注入時の薬液の流れ方向に対する「上流」および「下流」を意味する。
・方向を表す場合、実際の向きにかかわらずシリンジ向きを基準に表す。シリンジ以外の機器等においては、シリンジを装着（保持）した状態での方向を表す。具体的には、「前」は、シリンジの長手方向において薬液注入のためのノズル部が設けられた側を表し、その反対側を「後」と表す。「下」は、シリンジを薬液注入装置に装着する際のシリンジを移動させる方向を表し、「上」はそれと反対方向を表す。「右」および「左」は、前後方向および上下方向と直角な方向を表す。 (Definition of terms)
"Connected" refers not only to a specific element being directly connected to an object, but also to an element being connected via some other element.
- "Container" refers to bottles, bags, etc., and is not limited to a specific shape or structure.
"Upstream" and "downstream" refer to the "upstream" and "downstream" of the direction of flow of the liquid medicine. However, in cases where the liquid medicine can flow in both directions, such as when the liquid medicine is injected and drawn out, the terms "upstream" and "downstream" refer to the direction of flow of the liquid medicine when it is injected, unless otherwise specified.
- When describing directions, the direction of the syringe is used as the reference, regardless of the actual orientation. For devices other than syringes, the direction is described when the syringe is attached (held). Specifically, "front" refers to the side of the syringe in the longitudinal direction where the nozzle for injecting the liquid is provided, and the opposite side is described as "rear.""Down" refers to the direction in which the syringe is moved when attached to the liquid injector, and "up" refers to the opposite direction. "Right" and "left" refer to directions perpendicular to the front-back and up-down directions.
　本発明の一態様によれば、薬液注入システムの状態を容易に把握することができる。 According to one aspect of the present invention, the state of the drug injection system can be easily understood.
本発明の一実施形態による医用画像撮像システムの概略図である。1 is a schematic diagram of a medical imaging system according to an embodiment of the present invention; 図１に示す薬液回路の概略図である。FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the chemical liquid circuit shown in FIG. 1 . 図２に示す薬液回路に用いられる流路開閉バルブの一形態の斜視図である。3 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a flow path opening/closing valve used in the chemical liquid circuit shown in FIG. 2. 図２Ａに示す流路開閉バルブの分解斜視図である。FIG. 2B is an exploded perspective view of the flow passage opening/closing valve shown in FIG. 2A. 図２Ａに示す流路開閉バルブの断面図である。2B is a cross-sectional view of the flow passage opening/closing valve shown in FIG. 2A. 図１に示す注入ヘッドをその周辺機器とともに示す斜視図である。FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the injection head shown in FIG. 1 together with its peripheral devices. 図１に示す注入ヘッドの斜視図である。FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the injection head shown in FIG. 1 . 図４Ａに示す注入ヘッドを、シリンジカバーを開いた状態で、装着前のシリンジとともに示す斜視図である。4B is a perspective view of the injection head shown in FIG. 4A with the syringe cover open and the syringe before attachment. FIG. 図４Ａに示す注入ヘッドを、シリンジカバーおよび筐体の一部を取り外してリニアアクチュエータを露出させた斜視図である。FIG. 4B is a perspective view of the injection head shown in FIG. 4A with the syringe cover and a portion of the housing removed to expose the linear actuator. 図４Ａに示す注入ヘッドの側面図である。FIG. 4B is a side view of the injection head shown in FIG. 4A. 図４Ａに示す注入ヘッドの流路開閉バルブ保持ユニットの平面図である。4B is a plan view of a flow path opening/closing valve holding unit of the injection head shown in FIG. 4A. 図４Ｅに示す流路開閉バルブ保持ユニットの、流路開閉バルブを取り外した状態での平面図である。4F is a plan view of the flow path opening/closing valve holding unit shown in FIG. 4E in a state in which the flow path opening/closing valve is removed. FIG. 図４Ａに示すシリンジの分解斜視図である。FIG. 4B is an exploded perspective view of the syringe shown in FIG. 4A. 図５に示すシリンジを後方から見た斜視図である。FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of the syringe shown in FIG. 5 . 図５に示すシリンジ外筒の後端側の断面図である。6 is a cross-sectional view of the rear end side of the syringe barrel shown in FIG. 5 . 図５に示すプランジャを後方から見た斜視図である。FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of the plunger shown in FIG. 5 . 図５に示すプランジャの背面図である。FIG. 6 is a rear view of the plunger shown in FIG. 5 . 図５に示すプランジャの、ガスケットを装着した状態での断面図である。FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the plunger shown in FIG. 5 with a gasket attached. 図５に示すプランジャの他の形態を示す、ガスケットを装着した状態での断面図である。6 is a cross-sectional view showing another embodiment of the plunger shown in FIG. 5 with a gasket attached. FIG. 図４Ｃに示すシリンジ支持アセンブリおよびリニアアクチュエータをシリンジとの関係で示す要部断面図である。4D is a cross-sectional view of the syringe support assembly and linear actuator shown in FIG. 4C in relation to the syringe. 図６Ａに示すロッドおよびプレッサーの要部斜視図である。FIG. 6B is a perspective view of a main portion of the rod and presser shown in FIG. 6A. 図４Ａに示す注入ヘッドのシリンジ支持アセンブリ周辺を、シリンジカバーを取り外した状態で拡大して示す斜視図である。4B is an enlarged perspective view of the syringe support assembly and its periphery of the injection head shown in FIG. 4A with the syringe cover removed. 図６Ａに示すシリンジ押さえの斜視図である。FIG. 6B is a perspective view of the syringe retainer shown in FIG. 6A. シリンジ支持アセンブリにシリンジが装着された状態での断面図である。1 is a cross-sectional view of a syringe support assembly with a syringe attached thereto; FIG. リニアアクチュエータによるシリンジの操作を説明する断面図である。11A and 11B are cross-sectional views illustrating the operation of a syringe by a linear actuator. リニアアクチュエータによるシリンジの操作を説明する断面図である。11A and 11B are cross-sectional views illustrating the operation of a syringe by a linear actuator. リニアアクチュエータによるシリンジの操作を説明する断面図である。11A and 11B are cross-sectional views illustrating the operation of a syringe by a linear actuator. プレッサーの周溝およびプランジャの係合爪の内側突起の寸法関係を説明する図である。13 is a diagram illustrating the dimensional relationship between a circumferential groove of a presser and an inner protrusion of an engaging claw of a plunger. FIG. シリンジが装着された注入ヘッドを、シリンジカバーを取り外した状態で示す要部斜視図である。FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a main portion of an injection head with a syringe attached thereto, with the syringe cover removed. 図３に示す容器ホルダを説明するための斜視図である。FIG. 4 is a perspective view for explaining the container holder shown in FIG. 3 . 図１０Ａに示す容器ホルダを、ホルダカバーを取り外した状態で示す斜視図である。10B is a perspective view showing the container holder shown in FIG. 10A with a holder cover removed. FIG. 容器ホルダの他の形態を示す斜視図である。FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the container holder. コンソールおよび／またはヘッドディスプレイに表示される画面の一例を示す図である。FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the console and/or the head display. コンソールおよび／またはヘッドディスプレイに表示される画面の一例を示す図である。FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the console and/or the head display. コンソールおよび／またはヘッドディスプレイに表示される画面の一例を示す図である。FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the console and/or the head display. 図１３に示す画面の他の形態を示す図である。FIG. 14 is a diagram showing another form of the screen shown in FIG. 13 . 図１３Ａに示す画面に所定の操作が行われた場合に表示された画面を示す図である。13B is a diagram showing a screen displayed when a predetermined operation is performed on the screen shown in FIG. 13A. FIG. コンソールおよび／またはヘッドディスプレイに表示される画面の一例を示す図である。FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the console and/or the head display. コンソールおよび／またはヘッドディスプレイに表示される画面の一例を示す図である。FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the console and/or the head display. コンソールおよび／またはヘッドディスプレイに表示される画面の一例を示す図である。FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the console and/or the head display. コンソールおよび／またはヘッドディスプレイに表示される画面の一例を示す図である。FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the console and/or the head display. コンソールおよび／またはヘッドディスプレイに表示される画面の一例を示す図である。FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the console and/or the head display. コンソールおよび／またはヘッドディスプレイに表示される画面の一例を示す図である。FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the console and/or the head display. コンソールおよび／またはヘッドディスプレイに表示される画面の一例を示す図である。FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the console and/or the head display. コンソールおよび／またはヘッドディスプレイに表示される画面の一例を示す図である。FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the console and/or the head display. コンソールおよび／またはヘッドディスプレイに表示される画面の一例を示す図である。FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the console and/or the head display. コンソールおよび／またはヘッドディスプレイに表示される画面の一例を示す図である。FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the console and/or the head display. コンソールおよび／またはヘッドディスプレイに表示される画面の一例を示す図である。FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the console and/or the head display. コンソールおよび／またはヘッドディスプレイに表示される画面の一例を示す図である。FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the console and/or the head display. コンソールおよび／またはヘッドディスプレイに表示される画面の一例を示す図である。FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the console and/or the head display. コンソールおよび／またはヘッドディスプレイに表示される画面の一例を示す図である。FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the console and/or the head display. コンソールおよび／またはヘッドディスプレイに表示される画面の一例を示す図である。FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the console and/or the head display. コンソールおよび／またはヘッドディスプレイに表示される画面の一例を示す図である。FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the console and/or the head display. コンソールおよび／またはヘッドディスプレイに表示される画面の一例を示す図である。FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the console and/or the head display. コンソールおよび／またはヘッドディスプレイに表示される画面の一例を示す図である。FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the console and/or the head display. コンソールおよび／またはヘッドディスプレイに表示される画面の一例を示す図である。FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the console and/or the head display. コンソールおよび／またはヘッドディスプレイに表示される画面の一例を示す図である。FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the console and/or the head display. コンソールおよび／またはヘッドディスプレイに表示される画面の一例を示す図である。FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the console and/or the head display. コンソールおよび／またはヘッドディスプレイに表示される画面の一例を示す図である。FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the console and/or the head display. コンソールおよび／またはヘッドディスプレイに表示される画面の一例を示す図である。FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the console and/or the head display.
　以下、本発明の実施形態について図面を参照して説明する。ここでは、ＣＴ（Ｃｏｍｐｕｔｅｄ　Ｔｏｍｏｇｒａｐｈｙ）撮像システムを例に挙げて説明するが、本発明はこれに限定されるものではなく、アンギオ撮像システム、ＭＲＩ（Ｍａｇｎｅｔｉｃ　Ｒｅｓｏｎａｎｃｅ　Ｉｍａｇｉｎｇ）システム、ＰＥＴ（Ｐｏｓｉｔｒｏｎ　Ｅｍｉｓｓｉｏｎ　Ｔｏｍｏｇｒａｐｈｙ）システムなどにも適用可能である。 Below, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Here, a CT (Computed Tomography) imaging system will be used as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this and can also be applied to an angio imaging system, an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) system, a PET (Positron Emission Tomography) system, and so on.
　［Ａ］全体構成
　図１を参照すると、薬液注入装置１０と、薬液回路３０と、医用画像撮像装置５０と、を有する本発明の一実施形態による医用画像撮像入システムの概略図が示されている。薬液注入装置１０は、注入ヘッド１０ａとコンソール１０ｂとを有する。薬液回路３０は、注入ヘッド１０ａと被検者とを流体的に接続する。薬液注入装置１０と医用画像撮像装置５０とは、相互間でデータの送受信を行うことができるように互いに接続されることができる。両者の接続は、有線接続であってもよいし無線接続であってもよい。 [A] Overall Configuration Referring to Fig. 1, there is shown a schematic diagram of a medical imaging injection system according to an embodiment of the present invention, including a liquid injection device 10, a liquid circuit 30, and a medical imaging device 50. The liquid injection device 10 has an injection head 10a and a console 10b. The liquid circuit 30 fluidly connects the injection head 10a and a subject. The liquid injection device 10 and the medical imaging device 50 can be connected to each other so that data can be transmitted and received between them. The connection between the two may be a wired connection or a wireless connection.
　医用画像撮像装置５０は、撮像動作を実行する撮像動作ユニット５２と、撮像動作ユニット５２の動作を制御する撮像制御ユニット５１と、を有しており、薬液注入装置１０によって薬液が注入された被検者の断層画像および／または三次元画像を含む医用画像を取得することができる。撮像動作ユニット５２は、通常、被検者用の寝台、寝台上の所定の空間に電磁波を照射する電磁波照射ユニット等を有する。撮像制御ユニット５１は、撮像条件を決定したり、決定した撮像条件に従って撮像動作ユニット５２の動作を制御したりする等、医用画像撮像装置全体の動作を制御する。撮像制御ユニット５１は、いわゆるマイクロコンピュータを含んで構成することができ、ＣＰＵ、ＲＯＭ、ＲＡＭ、他の機器とのインターフェースを有することができる。ＲＯＭには、医用画像撮像装置５０の制御用のコンピュータプログラムが実装されている。ＣＰＵは、このコンピュータプログラムに対応して各種機能を実行することで、医用画像撮像装置５０の各部の動作を制御する。 The medical imaging device 50 has an imaging operation unit 52 that performs imaging operations and an imaging control unit 51 that controls the operation of the imaging operation unit 52, and can obtain medical images including tomographic images and/or three-dimensional images of a subject into which a liquid medicine has been injected by the liquid medicine injector 10. The imaging operation unit 52 usually has a bed for the subject, an electromagnetic wave irradiation unit that irradiates electromagnetic waves into a predetermined space above the bed, etc. The imaging control unit 51 controls the operation of the entire medical imaging device, such as determining imaging conditions and controlling the operation of the imaging operation unit 52 according to the determined imaging conditions. The imaging control unit 51 can be configured to include a so-called microcomputer, and can have a CPU, ROM, RAM, and interfaces with other devices. A computer program for controlling the medical imaging device 50 is implemented in the ROM. The CPU controls the operation of each part of the medical imaging device 50 by executing various functions corresponding to this computer program.
　また、医用画像撮像装置５０は、通信プロトコル変換機能を含む中継装置であるＮＣＯＭ１７を介して薬液注入装置１０のコンソール１０ｂと接続される。具体的には、医用画像撮像装置５０の撮像制御ユニット５１とコンソール１０ｂの注入制御ユニット１１とが、ＮＣＯＭ１７を介して接続される。 The medical imaging device 50 is also connected to the console 10b of the liquid injection device 10 via the NCOM 17, which is a relay device that includes a communication protocol conversion function. Specifically, the imaging control unit 51 of the medical imaging device 50 and the injection control unit 11 of the console 10b are connected via the NCOM 17.
　医用画像撮像装置５０は、撮像条件や取得した医用画像などを表示できる液晶ディスプレイなどの表示デバイス５４、および撮像条件などを入力するための入力デバイス５３をさらに含むことができる。入力デバイス５３としては、各種ボタン、キーボードおよびマウスなど公知の入力デバイスの少なくとも１種を用いることができる。撮像条件を決定するのに用いられるデータの少なくとも一部は入力デバイス５３から入力され、撮像制御ユニット５１に送信される。表示デバイス５４に表示されるデータは撮像制御ユニット５１から送信される。また、表示デバイスであるディスプレイ上に入力デバイスとしてタッチスクリーンを配置したタッチパネルを入力デバイス５３および表示デバイス５４として用いることもできる。入力デバイス５３の一部、表示デバイス５４および撮像制御ユニット５１は、医用画像撮像装置用のコンソールとして一つの筐体に組み込むことができる。 The medical imaging device 50 may further include a display device 54 such as a liquid crystal display capable of displaying imaging conditions and acquired medical images, and an input device 53 for inputting imaging conditions. As the input device 53, at least one type of known input device such as various buttons, a keyboard, and a mouse may be used. At least a portion of the data used to determine the imaging conditions is input from the input device 53 and transmitted to the imaging control unit 51. Data displayed on the display device 54 is transmitted from the imaging control unit 51. Also, a touch panel having a touch screen arranged as an input device on a display device, which is a display device, may be used as the input device 53 and the display device 54. A portion of the input device 53, the display device 54, and the imaging control unit 51 may be incorporated into a single housing as a console for the medical imaging device.
　薬液注入装置１０は、シリンジに充填された薬液を、薬液回路３０を介して被検者の血管内に注入するのに使用される装置である。シリンジは注入ヘッド１０ａに着脱自在に搭載され、シリンジのプランジャ（またはピストン）を操作する少なくとも１つのシリンジ駆動機構が注入ヘッド１０ａに内蔵されている。本形態では、注入ヘッド１０ａは、例えば造影剤および生理食塩水といった２種類の薬液を別々にまたは同時に注入できるように、２つのシリンジ２０Ａ、２０Ｂを搭載できるように構成され、また、各シリンジ２０Ａ、２０Ｂを独立して操作する２つのシリンジ駆動機構を有している。しかし、一方の薬液注入のためのシリンジ駆動機構および他方の薬液注入のためのシリンジ駆動機構の少なくとも一方が複数であってもよい。別の言い方をすれば、注入ヘッド１０ａは、３本またはそれ以上のシリンジが装着され、装着された各シリンジに対応する３つまたはそれ以上のシリンジ駆動機構を有し、各シリンジを独立して操作できるように構成されていてもよい。その場合、３本以上のシリンジのうち１本は、バーコードや二次元コードなどのデータキャリアを有し、注入ヘッド１０ａはデータキャリアからデータを読み込むデータリーダーを有していてもよい。 The drug injection device 10 is a device used to inject a drug solution filled in a syringe into the blood vessel of a subject via a drug solution circuit 30. The syringe is detachably mounted on the injection head 10a, and at least one syringe drive mechanism for operating the plunger (or piston) of the syringe is built into the injection head 10a. In this embodiment, the injection head 10a is configured to be able to mount two syringes 20A, 20B so that two types of drug solutions, such as contrast medium and saline, can be injected separately or simultaneously, and has two syringe drive mechanisms for independently operating each of the syringes 20A, 20B. However, at least one of the syringe drive mechanisms for injecting one drug solution and the syringe drive mechanism for injecting the other drug solution may be multiple. In other words, the injection head 10a may be configured to have three or more syringes mounted thereon, have three or more syringe drive mechanisms corresponding to each mounted syringe, and be able to independently operate each syringe. In this case, one of the three or more syringes may have a data carrier such as a barcode or two-dimensional code, and the injection head 10a may have a data reader that reads data from the data carrier.
　コンソール１０ｂは、注入制御ユニット１１、入力デバイス１２および表示デバイス１３を有する。注入制御ユニット１１は、入力デバイス１２から入力されたデータの少なくとも一部を用いて薬液の注入量および注入速度等の注入条件を決定したり、決定した注入条件に従って薬液が注入されるように注入ヘッド１０ａの動作を制御したり、表示デバイス１３の表示を制御したりするなど、薬液注入装置全体の動作を制御する。注入制御ユニット１１は、いわゆるマイクロコンピュータを含んで構成することができ、ＣＰＵ、ＲＯＭ、ＲＡＭ、他の機器とのインターフェースを有することができる。ＲＯＭには、薬液注入装置１０の制御用のコンピュータプログラムが実装されている。ＣＰＵは、このコンピュータプログラムに対応して各種機能を実行することで、薬液注入装置１０の各部の動作を制御することができる。 The console 10b has an injection control unit 11, an input device 12, and a display device 13. The injection control unit 11 controls the operation of the entire liquid injection device by determining injection conditions such as the injection amount and injection speed of the liquid using at least a portion of the data input from the input device 12, controlling the operation of the injection head 10a so that the liquid is injected according to the determined injection conditions, and controlling the display on the display device 13. The injection control unit 11 can be configured to include a so-called microcomputer, and can have a CPU, ROM, RAM, and interfaces with other devices. A computer program for controlling the liquid injection device 10 is implemented in the ROM. The CPU can control the operation of each part of the liquid injection device 10 by executing various functions corresponding to this computer program.
　入力デバイス１２は、注入制御ユニット１１で薬液の注入条件を決定するのに用いられるデータなどを入力するのに用いられるデバイスである。入力デバイス１２としては、例えば、各種ボタン、キーボードおよびマウスなど公知の入力デバイスの少なくとも１種を用いることができる。入力デバイス１２から入力されたデータは注入制御ユニット１１に送信され、表示デバイス１３に表示されるデータは注入制御ユニット１１から送信される。表示デバイス１３は、注入制御ユニット１１によって制御されて、薬液の注入条件の決定に必要なデータ等の表示、注入プロトコルの表示、注入動作の表示、各種ガイダンスの表示、および各種警告の表示などを行う。 The input device 12 is a device used to input data used by the injection control unit 11 to determine the injection conditions of the medicinal liquid. As the input device 12, at least one type of well-known input device such as various buttons, a keyboard, and a mouse can be used. The data input from the input device 12 is transmitted to the injection control unit 11, and the data displayed on the display device 13 is transmitted from the injection control unit 11. The display device 13 is controlled by the injection control unit 11, and displays data necessary for determining the injection conditions of the medicinal liquid, the injection protocol, the injection operation, various guidance messages, and various warnings.
　注入プロトコルとは、どのような薬液を、どれだけの量、どれくらいの速度で注入するかを示すものである。注入速度は、一定であってもよいし、時間とともに変化するものであってもよい。また、複数種の薬液、例えば造影剤と生理食塩水とを注入する場合、それらの薬液をどのような順序で注入するかといった情報も注入プロトコルに含まれる。注入プロトコルは、公知の任意の注入プロトコルを用いることができる。また、注入プロトコルの設定手順についても、公知の手順を用いることができるし、設定された注入プロトコルをユーザが任意に変更可能とすることもできる。また、注入プロトコルは、注入圧力の許容最大値（圧力リミット）を含むこともある。圧力リミットが設定された場合は、注入動作中、注入圧力が監視され、注入圧力が、設定された圧力リミットを超えないように注入ヘッド１０ａの動作が制御される。 An injection protocol indicates what type of medicinal liquid is to be injected, in what amount, and at what speed. The injection speed may be constant or may change over time. When multiple types of medicinal liquids, such as a contrast medium and saline, are to be injected, the injection protocol also includes information on the order in which the medicinal liquids are to be injected. Any known injection protocol can be used as the injection protocol. A known procedure can also be used for setting the injection protocol, and the user can change the set injection protocol as desired. An injection protocol may also include a maximum allowable injection pressure (pressure limit). When a pressure limit is set, the injection pressure is monitored during the injection operation, and the operation of the injection head 10a is controlled so that the injection pressure does not exceed the set pressure limit.
　表示デバイス１３としては、例えば液晶ディスプレイ装置等、公知の表示装置であってよい。また、表示デバイスであるディスプレイ上に入力デバイスとしてタッチスクリーンを配置したタッチパネルを入力デバイス１２および表示デバイス１３として用いることもできる。入力デバイス１２の一部は、コンソールとは別に設けられてもよい。 The display device 13 may be a known display device, such as a liquid crystal display device. A touch panel having a touch screen arranged as an input device on a display device, which is a display device, may also be used as the input device 12 and the display device 13. A part of the input device 12 may be provided separately from the console.
　コンソール１０ｂには、ハンドスイッチ１４が接続されてもよい。その場合、ハンドスイッチ１４は、コンソール１０ｂの注入制御ユニット１１に接続される。ハンドスイッチ１４は、ユーザによって操作される少なくとも１つの操作ボタンを有しており、注入ヘッド１０ａによる薬液の注入動作の開始および停止を制御するのに用いられる。ハンドスイッチ１４による注入動作の制御としては、例えば、操作ボタンが押されている間だけ薬液の注入動作が行われるようにしてもよいし、操作ボタンを押すと注入動作が開始され、もう一度押すと注入動作が停止されるようにしてもよい。 A hand switch 14 may be connected to the console 10b. In this case, the hand switch 14 is connected to the injection control unit 11 of the console 10b. The hand switch 14 has at least one operation button that is operated by the user, and is used to control the start and stop of the injection operation of the medicinal liquid by the injection head 10a. The control of the injection operation by the hand switch 14 may be such that the injection operation of the medicinal liquid is performed only while the operation button is pressed, or that the injection operation is started when the operation button is pressed and stopped when the operation button is pressed again.
　また、コンソール１０ｂは、通信プロトコル変換機能を含む中継装置であるＥＢＯＸ１５を介してＲＩＳ（放射線科情報システム）１６と接続されていてもよい。具体的には、ＲＩＳ１６は、コンソール１０ｂの注入制御ユニット１１と接続される。 The console 10b may also be connected to a RIS (radiology information system) 16 via an EBOX 15, which is a relay device that includes a communication protocol conversion function. Specifically, the RIS 16 is connected to the injection control unit 11 of the console 10b.
　薬液回路３０は、シリンジと被検者とを連絡する液体の流路を構成し、少なくとも１本のチューブ、少なくとも１つのコネクタおよび少なくとも１つのバルブを有することができる。 The liquid fluid circuit 30 forms a liquid flow path connecting the syringe and the subject, and can have at least one tube, at least one connector, and at least one valve.
　［Ｂ］薬液回路
　図１に示す薬液注入装置１０に好適に用いることのできる薬液回路３０の一形態を図２に示す。図２に示す薬液回路３０は、シリンジ２０Ａ、２０Ｂが接続され、各シリンジ２０Ａ、２０Ｂにそれぞれ収容されている第１薬液および第２薬液を被検者に注入する際に用いられる。また、薬液回路３０は、それぞれ第１薬液および第２薬液を収容する第１容器４０Ａおよび第２容器４０Ｂも接続することができ、第１容器４０Ａおよび第２容器４０Ｂから各シリンジ２０Ａ、２０Ｂにそれぞれ第１薬液および第２薬液を吸引することもできる。第１薬液および第２薬液は、医療用の薬液であり、以下では第１薬液が造影剤であり、第２薬液が生理食塩水である場合について説明する。 [B] Liquid medicine circuit One form of the liquid medicine circuit 30 that can be suitably used in the liquid medicine injector 10 shown in FIG. 1 is shown in FIG. 2. The liquid medicine circuit 30 shown in FIG. 2 is connected to the syringes 20A and 20B, and is used when injecting the first liquid medicine and the second liquid medicine contained in each of the syringes 20A and 20B into a subject. The liquid medicine circuit 30 can also connect the first container 40A and the second container 40B that contain the first liquid medicine and the second liquid medicine, respectively, and can aspirate the first liquid medicine and the second liquid medicine from the first container 40A and the second container 40B into each of the syringes 20A and 20B, respectively. The first liquid medicine and the second liquid medicine are medical liquid medicines, and the following description will be given of the case where the first liquid medicine is a contrast medium and the second liquid medicine is physiological saline.
　薬液回路３０は、造影剤が収容されるシリンジ２０Ａと接続される第１メインライン３０１ａ、生理食塩水が収容されるシリンジ２０Ｂと接続される第２メインライン３０２ａ、造影剤が収容される第１容器４０Ａと接続される第１サブライン３０１ｂ、生理食塩水が収容される第２容器４０Ｂと接続される第２サブライン３０２ｂ、第１メインライン３０１ａの下流に位置する被検者ライン３０３を有する。 The drug solution circuit 30 has a first main line 301a connected to a syringe 20A containing a contrast medium, a second main line 302a connected to a syringe 20B containing saline, a first sub-line 301b connected to a first container 40A containing a contrast medium, a second sub-line 302b connected to a second container 40B containing saline, and a subject line 303 located downstream of the first main line 301a.
　ここで「ライン」とは、液体が流れる流路を意味し、液体が流れる各部材（例えば、各種チューブ、Ｔ字管、各種流体コネクタ、各種バルブ、ミキシングデバイスなど）を備える。また、図２では、各ラインは図示のために便宜的に表されており、各ラインの相対的な長さは、実際のラインの相対的な長さを表すものではない。また、「ライン」を構成する部品の１つである「チューブ」について、以下の説明で使用する用語「チューブ」は、１本のチューブ部材で構成されてもよいし、複数のチューブ部材を接続したチューブアセンブリで構成されてもよい。 Here, a "line" refers to a flow path through which a liquid flows, and includes various components through which the liquid flows (for example, various tubes, T-shaped tubes, various fluid connectors, various valves, mixing devices, etc.). In addition, in FIG. 2, each line is shown for convenience of illustration, and the relative length of each line does not represent the relative length of the actual line. In addition, with regard to a "tube," which is one of the components that make up a "line," the term "tube" used in the following explanation may be composed of a single tube member, or may be composed of a tube assembly in which multiple tube members are connected.
　第１メインライン３０１ａは、チューブをメインの部品として有し、さらに、上流側から順に、シリンジコネクタ３１０ａ、Ｔ字管３１１ａ、ミキシングデバイス３１２ａ、およびニードルレスバルブ３１３ａを有する。シリンジコネクタ３１０ａは、回転式のジョイントを介してＴ字管３１１ａと回転自在に接続されており、シリンジ２０Ａが着脱自在に接続される。ミキシングデバイス３１２ａは、２つの流入口および１つの流出口を有し、各流入口から流入した液体を混合して流出口から流出するように構成される。ミキシングデバイス３１２ａの２つの流入口のうち一方は第２メインライン３０２ａと接続されており、ミキシングデバイス３１２ａによって造影剤と生理食塩水が混合される。ミキシングデバイス３１２ａとしては、例えば、株式会社根本杏林堂製の「ＳＰＩＲＡＬ　ＦＬＯＷ」（登録商標）を用いることができる。また、ミキシングデバイス３１２ａの代わりにＴ字コネクタを用いることもできる。ニードルレスバルブ３１３ａは、第１メインライン３０１ａの下流端に取り付けられており、雄ルアーロックコネクタが接続されることによって流路が開かれるように構成されている。 The first main line 301a has a tube as a main component, and further has, in order from the upstream side, a syringe connector 310a, a T-shaped tube 311a, a mixing device 312a, and a needleless valve 313a. The syringe connector 310a is rotatably connected to the T-shaped tube 311a via a rotary joint, and the syringe 20A is detachably connected. The mixing device 312a has two inlets and one outlet, and is configured to mix the liquids that flow in from the inlets and flow out from the outlet. One of the two inlets of the mixing device 312a is connected to the second main line 302a, and the contrast medium and physiological saline are mixed by the mixing device 312a. For example, the "SPIRAL FLOW" (registered trademark) manufactured by Nemoto Kyorindo Co., Ltd. can be used as the mixing device 312a. A T-shaped connector can also be used instead of the mixing device 312a. The needleless valve 313a is attached to the downstream end of the first main line 301a and is configured to open the flow path when a male luer lock connector is connected.
　第１サブライン３０１ｂは、第１容器４０Ａと第１メインライン３０１ａとを接続する。第１サブライン３０１ｂは、チューブをメインの部品として有し、さらに、第１容器４０Ａ側から順に、スパイク３１０ｂおよびドリップチャンバー３１１ｂを有する。スパイク３１０ｂは、第１容器４０Ａと接続される。第１サブライン３０１ｂの下流端は第１メインライン３０１ａのＴ字管３１１ａと接続される。第１容器４０Ａは、例えばボトル状の容器であり、第１容器４０Ａから流れ出た造影剤は、ドリップチャンバー３１２ｂ内に滴下した後、第１メインライン３０１ａに供給される。Ｔ字管３１１ａは、第１メインライン３０１ａから第１サブライン３０１ｂへの液体の逆流、および第１メインライン３０１ａの下流側から上流側への液体の逆流が生じないように構成される。あるいは、これらの逆流防止は、チェックバルブやチューブを機械的にクランプするクランプ機構などの適宜手段で行なうようにしてもよい。 The first sub-line 301b connects the first container 40A and the first main line 301a. The first sub-line 301b has a tube as a main component, and further has, in order from the first container 40A side, a spike 310b and a drip chamber 311b. The spike 310b is connected to the first container 40A. The downstream end of the first sub-line 301b is connected to a T-shaped tube 311a of the first main line 301a. The first container 40A is, for example, a bottle-shaped container, and the contrast agent flowing out of the first container 40A is dripped into the drip chamber 312b and then supplied to the first main line 301a. The T-shaped tube 311a is configured to prevent backflow of liquid from the first main line 301a to the first sub-line 301b and backflow of liquid from the downstream side to the upstream side of the first main line 301a. Alternatively, backflow prevention can be achieved by appropriate means such as a check valve or a clamping mechanism that mechanically clamps the tube.
　第２メインライン３０２ａは、チューブをメインの部品として有し、さらに、上流側から順に、シリンジコネクタ３２０ａおよびＴ字管３２１ａを有する。シリンジコネクタ３２０ａは、回転式のジョイントを介してＴ字管３２１ａと回転自在に接続されており、シリンジ２０Ｂが着脱自在に接続される。 The second main line 302a has a tube as its main component, and further has, from the upstream side, a syringe connector 320a and a T-shaped tube 321a. The syringe connector 320a is rotatably connected to the T-shaped tube 321a via a rotary joint, and the syringe 20B is detachably connected thereto.
　第２サブライン３０２ｂは、第２容器４０Ｂと第２メインライン３０２ａとを接続する。第２サブライン３０２ｂは、チューブをメインの部品として有し、さらに、第２容器４０Ｂ側から順に、スパイク３２０ｂおよびドリップチャンバー３２１ｂを有する。スパイク３２０ｂは、第２容器４０Ｂと接続される。第２サブライン３０２ｂの下流端は第２メインライン３０２ａのＴ字管３２１ａと接続される。第２容器４０Ｂは、例えばボトル状の容器であり、第２容器４０Ｂから流れ出た生理食塩水は、ドリップチャンバー３２２ｂ内に滴下した後、第２メインライン３０２ａに供給される。Ｔ字管３２１ａは、第２メインライン３０２ａから第２サブライン３０２ｂへの液体の逆流、および第２メインライン３０２ａの下流側から上流側への液体の逆流が生じないように構成される。あるいは、これらの逆流防止は、チェックバルブやチューブを機械的にクランプするクランプ機構などの適宜手段で行なうようにしてもよい。 The second sub-line 302b connects the second container 40B and the second main line 302a. The second sub-line 302b has a tube as a main component, and further has, in order from the second container 40B side, a spike 320b and a drip chamber 321b. The spike 320b is connected to the second container 40B. The downstream end of the second sub-line 302b is connected to a T-shaped tube 321a of the second main line 302a. The second container 40B is, for example, a bottle-shaped container, and the physiological saline solution flowing out of the second container 40B drips into the drip chamber 322b and is then supplied to the second main line 302a. The T-shaped tube 321a is configured to prevent backflow of liquid from the second main line 302a to the second sub-line 302b and backflow of liquid from the downstream side to the upstream side of the second main line 302a. Alternatively, backflow prevention can be achieved by appropriate means such as a check valve or a clamping mechanism that mechanically clamps the tube.
　被検者ライン３０３は、チューブをメインの部品として有し、さらに、上流側から順に、雄ルアーロックコネクタ３３０、流路開閉バルブ３３１、チェックバルブ３３２、および雄ルアーロックコネクタ３３３を有する。 The subject line 303 has a tube as its main component, and further has, from the upstream side, a male luer lock connector 330, a flow path opening/closing valve 331, a check valve 332, and a male luer lock connector 333.
　雄ルアーロックコネクタ３３０は、被検者ライン３０３の上流端に取り付けられており、第１メインライン３０１ａのニードルレスバルブ３１３ａに接続されることで第１メインライン３０１ａと被検者ライン３０３とが接続される。流路開閉バルブ３３１は、外部からの操作によって流路を任意に開閉できるように構成される。流路開閉バルブ３３１の代わりに、チューブを機械的にクランプするチューブクランプ機構を用いてもよい。チェックバルブ３３２は、上流から下流へ向かう方向のみへ液体の流れを許容する。雄ルアーロックコネクタ３３３は、被検者ライン３０３の下流端に取り付けられており、被検者に穿刺される注入針を有する注入針アセンブリ（不図示）と接続される。 The male luer lock connector 330 is attached to the upstream end of the subject line 303, and is connected to the needleless valve 313a of the first main line 301a, thereby connecting the first main line 301a and the subject line 303. The flow path opening and closing valve 331 is configured so that the flow path can be opened and closed arbitrarily by external operation. A tube clamp mechanism that mechanically clamps the tube may be used instead of the flow path opening and closing valve 331. The check valve 332 allows liquid to flow only in the direction from upstream to downstream. The male luer lock connector 333 is attached to the downstream end of the subject line 303, and is connected to an injection needle assembly (not shown) having an injection needle that is inserted into the subject.
　流路開閉バルブ３３１としては、例えば、図２Ａ～２Ｃに示す構成を有するものを用いることができる。図に示す流路開閉バルブ３３１は、ハウジング５０１と、開位置および閉位置を取り得るように矢印Ｓ方向にスライド可能にハウジング５０１内に挿入されたピストン５０２と、トップキャップ５０３と、ボトムキャップ５０４とを有する。ハウジング５０１は、ピストン５０２をスライド自在に挿入するシリンダ部５０１ｃを有する。シリンダ部５０１ｃは、ハウジング５０１の軸方向に沿って形成された貫通孔によって構成されている。また、ハウジング５０１には、シリンダ部５０１ｃに隣接してシリンダ部５０１ｃの軸方向に直交する方向にハウジング５０１の外壁から延びる導管部５０１ａ、５０１ｂが設けられている。さらに、ハウジング５０１には、一方の導管部５０１ａとシリンダ部５０１ｃとを連通する連通流路５０１ｅ、および他方の導管部５０１ｂとシリンダ部５０１ｃとを連通する連通流路５０１ｇが形成される。これら導管部５０１ａ、５０１ｂ、連通流路５０１ｅ、５０１ｇは、直線上に整列して配置される。 The flow passage opening and closing valve 331 may have the configuration shown in Figures 2A to 2C, for example. The flow passage opening and closing valve 331 shown in the figure has a housing 501, a piston 502 inserted into the housing 501 so as to be slidable in the direction of the arrow S so as to be able to take an open position and a closed position, a top cap 503, and a bottom cap 504. The housing 501 has a cylinder portion 501c into which the piston 502 is slidably inserted. The cylinder portion 501c is formed of a through hole formed along the axial direction of the housing 501. The housing 501 also has conduit portions 501a and 501b extending from the outer wall of the housing 501 in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the cylinder portion 501c adjacent to the cylinder portion 501c. Furthermore, the housing 501 is formed with a communication flow passage 501e that communicates the one conduit portion 501a and the cylinder portion 501c, and a communication flow passage 501g that communicates the other conduit portion 501b and the cylinder portion 501c. These conduit sections 501a, 501b and communication channels 501e, 501g are aligned in a straight line.
　ピストン５０２は、その一端に、半径方向外側に広がるフランジ状のヘッド５０２ａを有する。ピストン５０２の長手方向中間部には、流路５０２ｂが、ピストン５０２の長手方向に直交する方向にピストン５０２を横断して形成されている。ピストン５０２の、流路５０２ｂが形成された部分とヘッド５０２ａとの間は、流路５０２ｂが形成された部分およびヘッド５０２ａよりも径が小さいネック部５０２ｃとして形成される。ピストン５０２の外周面には、ピストン５０２の長手方向において流路５０２ｂの両側にそれぞれＯリングなどの封止リング５０６が装着されている。 The piston 502 has a flange-shaped head 502a at one end that extends radially outward. A flow path 502b is formed in the middle of the piston 502 in the longitudinal direction, crossing the piston 502 in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the piston 502. Between the part of the piston 502 where the flow path 502b is formed and the head 502a, a neck portion 502c is formed, which has a smaller diameter than the part where the flow path 502b is formed and the head 502a. Sealing rings 506 such as O-rings are attached to the outer circumferential surface of the piston 502 on both sides of the flow path 502b in the longitudinal direction of the piston 502.
　トップキャップ５０３は、ピストン５０２のヘッド５０２ａを有する側においてハウジング５０１の端部に取り付けられ、これによってシリンダ部５０１ｃの一方の開口端が塞がれる。ボトムキャップ５０４は、トップキャップ５０３と反対側においてハウジング５０１の端部に取り付けられ、これによってシリンダ部５０１ｃの他方の端部が塞がれる。ピストン５０２は、ヘッド５０２ａをトップキャップ５０３から突出させてハウジング５０１内に挿入される。よって、本形態では、流路開閉バルブ３３１の組み立て性を考慮して、トップキャップ５０３は、ピストン５０２がハウジング５０１に挿入された状態で横方向から組み合わせられることによって構成される２部品で構成されている。 The top cap 503 is attached to the end of the housing 501 on the side having the head 502a of the piston 502, thereby closing one open end of the cylinder portion 501c. The bottom cap 504 is attached to the end of the housing 501 on the side opposite the top cap 503, thereby closing the other end of the cylinder portion 501c. The piston 502 is inserted into the housing 501 with the head 502a protruding from the top cap 503. Therefore, in this embodiment, taking into consideration the ease of assembly of the flow path opening/closing valve 331, the top cap 503 is made up of two parts that are assembled from the side while the piston 502 is inserted into the housing 501.
　流路開閉バルブ３３１がトップキャップ５０３およびボトムキャップ５０４を有することで、流路開閉バルブ３３１の内部への異物の侵入を効果的に防止することができる。また、トップキャップ５０３は、ピストン５０２がハウジング５０１から引き出される方向へのピストン５０２の移動量を制限する機能も有する。同様に、ボトムキャップ５０４は、ピストン５０２がハウジング５０１内へ押し込まれる方向へのピストン５０２の移動量を制限する機能も有する。 Since the flow path opening/closing valve 331 has the top cap 503 and the bottom cap 504, it is possible to effectively prevent foreign matter from entering the inside of the flow path opening/closing valve 331. The top cap 503 also has the function of limiting the amount of movement of the piston 502 in the direction in which the piston 502 is pulled out of the housing 501. Similarly, the bottom cap 504 also has the function of limiting the amount of movement of the piston 502 in the direction in which the piston 502 is pushed into the housing 501.
　流路開閉バルブ３３１の動作について以下に説明する。 The operation of the flow path opening/closing valve 331 is explained below.
　開位置（図示した形態では、ピストン５０２がハウジング５０１内に押し込まれた状態）では、ピストン５０２の流路５０２ｂは、ハウジング５０１の連通流路５０１ｅ、５０１ｇと同一直線上に位置し、導管部５０１ａ、５０１ｂは、流路５０２ｂを介して連通している。 In the open position (in the illustrated embodiment, the piston 502 is pushed into the housing 501), the flow passage 502b of the piston 502 is aligned in the same line as the communicating flow passages 501e and 501g of the housing 501, and the conduits 501a and 501b are connected via the flow passage 502b.
　開位置においてピストン５０２をハウジング５０１から引き出すと、ピストン５０２の移動に伴って流路５０２ｂが移動する。ピストン５０２が閉位置まで移動すると、連通流路５０１ｅ、５０１ｇがピストン５０２によって完全に塞がれ、導管部５０１ａ、５０１ｂ間での流体の流れが遮断される。 When the piston 502 is pulled out of the housing 501 in the open position, the flow path 502b moves with the movement of the piston 502. When the piston 502 moves to the closed position, the communicating flow paths 501e and 501g are completely blocked by the piston 502, and the flow of fluid between the conduits 501a and 501b is blocked.
　閉位置において連通流路５０１ｅ、５０１ｇと流路５０２ｂが確実に遮断されるようにするためには、ハウジング５０１の内周面とピストン５０２の外周面とが少なくとも閉位置において接触していることが望ましい。そのためには、例えば、ピストン５０２の外周面にパッキン５０７を追加することができる。あるいは、ピストン５０２とハウジング５０１とを弾性率の異なる材料で構成することもできる。この場合、パッキン５０７は不要である。ハウジング５０１およびピストン５０２を弾性率の異なる材料で構成する場合、例えば、ハウジングをポリカーボネート（ＰＣ）で構成し、ピストンを高密度ポリエチレン（ＨＤＰＥ）で構成することができる。 In order to ensure that the communicating flow paths 501e, 501g and the flow path 502b are blocked in the closed position, it is desirable that the inner surface of the housing 501 and the outer surface of the piston 502 are in contact at least in the closed position. To achieve this, for example, a gasket 507 can be added to the outer surface of the piston 502. Alternatively, the piston 502 and the housing 501 can be made of materials with different elastic moduli. In this case, the gasket 507 is not necessary. When the housing 501 and the piston 502 are made of materials with different elastic moduli, for example, the housing can be made of polycarbonate (PC) and the piston can be made of high density polyethylene (HDPE).
　ハウジング５０１に対するピストンの押し込み動作および引き出し動作は、ヘッド５０２ａを利用して行うことができる。具体的には、ハウジング５０１を固定した状態で、ヘッド５０２ａに係合してピストン５０２の移動方向に往復移動するよう動作される係合部材をヘッド５０２ａに係合させて、ピストン５０１を開位置と閉位置との間で動作させることができる。 The piston can be pushed into and pulled out of the housing 501 by using the head 502a. Specifically, with the housing 501 fixed, an engagement member that engages with the head 502a and is operated to move back and forth in the direction of movement of the piston 502 can be engaged with the head 502a to move the piston 501 between the open position and the closed position.
　上述のとおり構成された薬液回路３０は、下流側の単数回使用部３００Ａと上流側の複数回使用部３００Ｂとに分けることができる。単数回使用部３００Ａとは、１回のみ使用できる、いわゆる使い捨てとされる部分である。複数回使用部３００Ｂとは、複数回繰り返し使用できる部分である。具体的には、単数回使用部３００Ａは、雄ルアーロックコネクタ３３０より下流側の部分で構成され、複数回使用部３００Ｂは、ニードルレスバルブ３１３ａより上流側の部分で構成される。 The drug solution circuit 30 configured as described above can be divided into a single-use section 300A on the downstream side and a multiple-use section 300B on the upstream side. The single-use section 300A is a section that can be used only once and is considered disposable. The multiple-use section 300B is a section that can be used repeatedly multiple times. Specifically, the single-use section 300A is made up of the section downstream of the male luer lock connector 330, and the multiple-use section 300B is made up of the section upstream of the needleless valve 313a.
　単数回使用部３００Ａは、被検者に対する薬液注入および撮像による検査が終了し引き続いて次の被検者で検査を行う場合に新しいものと交換されるが、複数回使用部３００Ｂは、所定の回数（例えば５回）の検査が終了するまでそのまま使用される。単数回使用部３００Ａの交換時には、単数回使用部３００Ａと複数回使用部３００Ｂとの接続部、特に、雄ルアーコネクタ３３０およびニードルレスバルブ３１３ａは、単数回使用部３００Ａの交換時にユーザが触れる部品である。特に、雄ルアーコネクタ３３０は、ニードルレスバルブ３１３ａと連結される輪転部の内側に、ニードルレスバルブ３１３ａを開くために挿入される筒状部が突出している。この筒状部は、雄ルアーコネクタ３３０とニードルレスバルブ３１３ａとが連結されることによって液体の流路の一部を構成するので、衛生上の観点からは、雄ルアーコネクタ３３０は、単数回使用部３００Ａの交換時にユーザが筒状部に触れないような構造であることが好ましい。そこで本形態では、雄ルアーコネクタ３３０は、筒状部の先端が輪転部より突出しない寸法となるように構成されている。これにより、単数回使用部３００Ａの交換時においても単数回使用部３００Ａと複数回使用部３００Ｂとの接続部の清潔性が維持され、ユーザは安心して単数回使用部３００Ａを交換することができる。 Single-use part 300A is replaced with a new one when the examination involving the injection of a drug solution and imaging of a subject is completed and the next subject is examined, whereas multiple-use part 300B is used as is until a predetermined number of examinations (e.g., five) are completed. When replacing single-use part 300A, the connection part between single-use part 300A and multiple-use part 300B, particularly male luer connector 330 and needleless valve 313a, are the parts that the user touches when replacing single-use part 300A. In particular, male luer connector 330 has a cylindrical part that protrudes inside the rotary part connected to needleless valve 313a and is inserted to open needleless valve 313a. Since this cylindrical portion forms part of the liquid flow path by connecting the male luer connector 330 and the needleless valve 313a, from a hygienic point of view, it is preferable that the male luer connector 330 is structured so that the user does not touch the cylindrical portion when replacing the single-use part 300A. Therefore, in this embodiment, the male luer connector 330 is configured so that the tip of the cylindrical portion does not protrude beyond the rotary part. This maintains the cleanliness of the connection between the single-use part 300A and the multiple-use part 300B even when replacing the single-use part 300A, allowing the user to replace the single-use part 300A with peace of mind.
　単数回使用部３００Ａの交換時にユーザが触れる可能性があるという点では、ニードルレスバルブ３１３ａも同様である。そこで、ニードルレスバルブ３１３ａも雄ルアーコネクタ３３０と同様、雄ルアーコネクタ３３０の筒状部が挿入される部分がハウジング部から突出しないように構成されていることが好ましい。 The needleless valve 313a is also similar in that there is a possibility that the user may touch it when replacing the single-use part 300A. Therefore, like the male luer connector 330, the needleless valve 313a is preferably configured so that the part into which the cylindrical part of the male luer connector 330 is inserted does not protrude from the housing part.
　なお、図２に破線で示されるのは、エアセンサ１５２、４３２、および流路開閉バルブ３３１を開閉動作させるための駆動機構１５１である。これらは、注入ヘッド１０ａの構成の一部であり、これらについて詳しくは後述する。エアセンサ１５２、４３２は、薬液回路３０の特定の部分でエアを検出するものであり、エアセンサ１５２、４３２に対応して、薬液回路３０はシリコンスリーブ３４１をさらに有していてもよい。シリコンスリーブ３４１は、薬液回路３０が注入ヘッド１０ａに装着された状態でそれぞれエアセンサ１５２、４３２と密着するようにチューブを覆って取り付けられており、これによって、エアセンサ１５２、４３２とチューブとの密着不良によるエアの誤検出を防止することができる。 Indicated by dashed lines in FIG. 2 are air sensors 152, 432 and a drive mechanism 151 for opening and closing flow path opening/closing valve 331. These are part of the configuration of injection head 10a and will be described in detail below. Air sensors 152, 432 detect air in specific parts of chemical liquid circuit 30, and chemical liquid circuit 30 may further include a silicone sleeve 341 corresponding to air sensors 152, 432. Silicon sleeve 341 is attached covering the tubes so as to be in close contact with air sensors 152, 432 when chemical liquid circuit 30 is attached to injection head 10a, thereby preventing erroneous detection of air due to poor contact between air sensors 152, 432 and the tubes.
　［Ｃ］注入ヘッドおよびその周辺機器
　次に、図１に示した注入ヘッド１０ａおよびその周辺機器について説明する。図３に示すように、注入ヘッド１０ａは、自在アーム４２を介してキャスター付きスタンド４１に支持される。注入ヘッド１０ａは、不用意に姿勢が変わらないようにスイベルトルクヒンジを介して自在アーム４２と連結することができる。自在アーム４２は、Ｚ軸回りに回動自在にキャスター付きスタンドに支持され、シリンジ２０Ａ、２０Ｂ（図１参照）は注入ヘッド１０ａに着脱自在に搭載される。自在アーム４２は、互いに連結された複数のアームおよびアームの位置を保持するためのスプリングを有し、注入ヘッド１０ａを、その姿勢を変えることなく、Ｘ－Ｚ平面内の任意の位置で保持できるように構成される。なお、図３に示すＸ方向、Ｙ方向およびＺ方向は、それぞれ上下方向、左右方向および前後方向に相当する。 [C] Injection head and its peripheral devices Next, the injection head 10a shown in FIG. 1 and its peripheral devices will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, the injection head 10a is supported on a stand 41 with casters via a flexible arm 42. The injection head 10a can be connected to the flexible arm 42 via a swivel torque hinge so that the position of the injection head 10a does not change inadvertently. The flexible arm 42 is supported on the stand with casters so as to be rotatable about the Z axis, and the syringes 20A and 20B (see FIG. 1) are detachably mounted on the injection head 10a. The flexible arm 42 has a plurality of arms connected to each other and a spring for holding the positions of the arms, and is configured so that the injection head 10a can be held at any position in the X-Z plane without changing its position. The X direction, Y direction, and Z direction shown in FIG. 3 correspond to the up-down direction, the left-right direction, and the front-rear direction, respectively.
　自在アーム４１には、薬液容器を保持する容器ホルダ４３および追加の表示デバイスであるヘッドディスプレイ４４の少なくとも一方がさらに支持されていてもよい。ヘッドディスプレイ４４は、その上縁部に配置された発光部４４ａを有することができる。発光部４４ａは、例えば、薬液注入装置１０の電源投がオンになった後のセルフチェック実行中は点灯し、また、薬液の注入動作中は点滅するというように、発光が制御される。これにより、ユーザは、薬液注入装置１０の電源がオンになったこと、および薬液注入装置１０が注入動作中であることを、注入ヘッド１０ａから離れた位置からでも容易に認識することができる。発光部４４ａの発光状態のユーザによる認識性を高めるため、発光部４４ａは、ユーザが認識し易い色、例えば白色または緑色で発光されることが好ましい。 The flexible arm 41 may further support at least one of a container holder 43 for holding a liquid container and a head display 44, which is an additional display device. The head display 44 may have a light-emitting section 44a disposed on its upper edge. The light-emitting section 44a is controlled to emit light, for example, so that it lights up during a self-check after the liquid injection device 10 is powered on and blinks during the liquid injection operation. This allows the user to easily recognize that the liquid injection device 10 is powered on and that the liquid injection device 10 is performing an injection operation, even from a position away from the injection head 10a. To increase the user's recognition of the light-emitting state of the light-emitting section 44a, it is preferable that the light-emitting section 44a emits light in a color that is easily recognized by the user, such as white or green.
　（Ｃ－１）注入ヘッド
　図４Ａ～４Ｄに示すように、注入ヘッド１０ａは、シリンジ２０Ａ、２０Ｂを着脱自在に支持するシリンジ支持アセンブリ１２０、各シリンジ２０Ａ、２０Ｂ内に薬液を吸引したり各シリンジ２０Ａ、２０Ｂから薬液を注入したりするためにそれぞれ各シリンジ２０Ａ、２０Ｂに対応して配置された、モータで駆動されるボールねじ方式のリニアアクチュエータ１３０、薬液回路３０のニードルレスバルブ３１３ａおよび雄ルアーロックコネクタ３３０（図２参照）を互いに連結された状態で着脱自在に保持するニードルレスバルブ保持ユニット１４０、および薬液回路３０の流路開閉バルブ３３１（図２参照）を着脱自在に保持する流路開閉バルブ保持ユニット１５０を有する。 (C-1) Injection Head As shown in Figures 4A to 4D, injection head 10a has a syringe support assembly 120 that detachably supports syringes 20A, 20B, a motor-driven ball screw type linear actuator 130 that is arranged corresponding to each of syringes 20A, 20B for drawing medicinal liquid into each of syringes 20A, 20B and injecting medicinal liquid from each of syringes 20A, 20B, a needleless valve holding unit 140 that detachably holds needleless valve 313a and male luer lock connector 330 (see Figure 2) of chemical liquid circuit 30 in a connected state, and a flow path opening/closing valve holding unit 150 that detachably holds flow path opening/closing valve 331 (see Figure 2) of chemical liquid circuit 30.
　これらシリンジ２０Ａ、２０Ｂ、シリンジ支持アセンブリ１２０およびリニアアクチュエータ１３０は、複数のカバー部材で構成される筐体１１０で覆われる。複数のカバー部材のうち特にシリンジ２０Ａ、２０Ｂを覆う部分は、シリンジ２０Ａ、２０Ｂの着脱のためにそれぞれヒンジ１１１によって開閉可能に支持されたシリンジカバー１１０Ａ、１１０Ｂで構成することができる。シリンジカバー１１０Ａ、１１０Ｂは、注入ヘッド１０ａにシリンジ２０Ａ、２０Ｂが装着されているか否か、および注入ヘッド１０ａに装着されたシリンジ２０Ａ、２０Ｂの状態を視認できるように、少なくともシリンジ２０Ａ、２０Ｂを覆う部分が透明な部材で構成されることが好ましい。また、注入ヘッド１０ａは、シリンジカバー１１０Ａ、１１０Ｂが閉じていることを検出するカバーセンサ１１２を有していてもよい。カバーセンサ１１２としては、機械式スイッチおよび近接センサなど、シリンジカバー１１０Ａ、１１０Ｂが閉じていることを検出することができる任意のセンサを用いることができる。 The syringes 20A, 20B, the syringe support assembly 120, and the linear actuator 130 are covered by a housing 110 composed of a plurality of cover members. The portions of the plurality of cover members that cover the syringes 20A, 20B in particular can be composed of syringe covers 110A, 110B that are supported by hinges 111 so as to be openable and closable for attaching and detaching the syringes 20A, 20B. It is preferable that at least the portions of the syringe covers 110A, 110B that cover the syringes 20A, 20B are composed of a transparent material so that it is possible to visually check whether the syringes 20A, 20B are attached to the injection head 10a and the state of the syringes 20A, 20B attached to the injection head 10a. The injection head 10a may also have a cover sensor 112 that detects whether the syringe covers 110A, 110B are closed. The cover sensor 112 can be any sensor capable of detecting that the syringe covers 110A, 110B are closed, such as a mechanical switch or a proximity sensor.
　筐体１１０の内側の、シリンジカバー１１０Ａ、１１０Ｂで覆われる空間には、シリンジ２０Ａ、２０Ｂとともに、これらシリンジ２０Ａ、２０Ｂに接続される薬液回路３０の複数回使用部３００Ｂ（図２参照）の一部が収容される構造となっている。複数回使用部３００Ｂの一部とは、具体的には、第１メインライン３０１ａ、第１サブライン３０１ｂの一部、第２メインライン３０２ａ、および第２サブライン３０２ｂの一部である。薬液回路３０の複数回使用部３００Ｂは、複数回、かつ比較的長時間使用される部分であるので、このように複数回使用部３００Ｂの一部がシリンジカバー１１０Ａ、１１０Ｂで覆われるように構成することは、衛生的に好ましい。 The space inside the housing 110, covered by the syringe covers 110A and 110B, is configured to accommodate the syringes 20A and 20B as well as a portion of the multiple-use portion 300B (see FIG. 2) of the liquid medicine circuit 30 connected to the syringes 20A and 20B. Specifically, the portion of the multiple-use portion 300B is the first main line 301a, a portion of the first sub-line 301b, the second main line 302a, and a portion of the second sub-line 302b. Since the multiple-use portion 300B of the liquid medicine circuit 30 is a portion that is used multiple times and for a relatively long period of time, it is hygienically preferable to configure the multiple-use portion 300B to be partially covered by the syringe covers 110A and 110B in this manner.
　また、筐体１１０の上面および／または側面には、操作者によって操作されるボタン群１１５を配置することができる。ボタン群１１５は、薬液の注入動作など注入ヘッド１０ａの動作を開始するためのスタートボタン、および注入ヘッド１０ａの動作を停止するための停止ボタン等を含む。さらに、ボタン群１１５は、各リニアアクチュエータ１３０をユーザが個別に任意に前進動作させたり後退動作させたりするための、シリンジ２０Ａの操作用のリニアアクチュエータ１３０に対応した複数のＡ側操作ボタン１１５Ａ、およびシリンジ２０Ｂの操作用のリニアアクチュエータ１３０に対応した複数のＢ側操作ボタン１１５Ｂを有する。これらのボタンは、筐体１１０内に配置されたＬＥＤ（発光ダイオード）等の発光源によって照射され、これによってボタンが発光して見えるようにすることができる。特に、Ａ側操作ボタン１１５ＡおよびＢ側操作ボタン１１５Ｂは、どちら側の操作ボタンであるかユーザが間違わないように、Ａ側操作ボタン１１５ＡとＢ側操作ボタン１１５Ｂとを、例えば、Ａ側操作ボタン１１５Ａは緑色、Ｂ側操作ボタン１１５Ｂは青色というように、互いに異なる色で照射されることが好ましい。また、ユーザがボタンを操作していることを視覚的に認識できるように、例えば、ボタンが操作されている間は白色というように、ボタンの操作中はボタンの非操作時と異なる色で照射されてもよい。 In addition, a group of buttons 115 operated by the operator can be arranged on the top and/or side of the housing 110. The group of buttons 115 includes a start button for starting the operation of the injection head 10a, such as the injection of a medicinal liquid, and a stop button for stopping the operation of the injection head 10a. Furthermore, the group of buttons 115 has a plurality of A-side operation buttons 115A corresponding to the linear actuator 130 for operating the syringe 20A, and a plurality of B-side operation buttons 115B corresponding to the linear actuator 130 for operating the syringe 20B, so that the user can individually move each linear actuator 130 forward or backward as desired. These buttons are illuminated by a light-emitting source such as an LED (light-emitting diode) arranged in the housing 110, so that the buttons can be made to appear to emit light. In particular, it is preferable that the A-side operation button 115A and the B-side operation button 115B are illuminated in different colors, for example, the A-side operation button 115A is illuminated in green and the B-side operation button 115B is illuminated in blue, so that the user does not confuse which side the operation button is. Also, the button may be illuminated in a different color when it is being operated from when it is not being operated, for example, in white, so that the user can visually recognize that they are operating the button.
　シリンジカバー１１０Ａ、１１０Ｂは、シリンジ２０Ａ、２０Ｂの軸方向に沿って延びるリブ状部１１３を各シリンジカバー１１０Ａ、１１０Ｂの上面に有していてもよい。リブ状部１１３は、シリンジ２０Ａ、２０Ｂを覆う部分の一部が突状に形成された、シリンジカバー１１０Ａ、１１０Ｂの一部分であってもよいし、シリンジカバー１１０Ａ、１１０Ｂとは別の部品で構成されてもよい。また、シリンジカバー１１０Ａ、１１０Ｂは、それぞれボタン群１１５に隣接する後部１１４が、シリンジ２０Ａ、２０Ｂを覆う部分とは別部品で構成されてもよい。これらリブ状部１１３および後部１１４は、Ａ側操作ボタン１１５ＡおよびＢ側操作ボタン１１５Ｂを照射する光の色に対応して、例えば、Ａ側は緑色、Ｂ側は青色というように着色されていてもよい。また、後部１１４には、シリンジ２０Ａ、２０Ｂの軸方向に延びて互いに並列に配置された複数の線状突起が形成されていてもよい。リブ状部１１３および後部１１４の線状突起は、ユーザがカバー１１０Ａ、１１０Ｂを開く際に指をかける開閉補助構造として機能することもできる。さらに、リブ状部１１３および後部１１４の線状突起は、滑り止め効果を有する材料で構成したり、滑り止め効果を生じさせる表面加工を施したりすることによって、滑り止め機能を付与することもできる。 The syringe covers 110A, 110B may have rib-like portions 113 extending along the axial direction of the syringes 20A, 20B on the upper surface of each of the syringe covers 110A, 110B. The rib-like portions 113 may be a part of the syringe covers 110A, 110B in which a part of the portion covering the syringes 20A, 20B is formed in a protruding shape, or may be composed of a separate part from the syringe covers 110A, 110B. In addition, the rear parts 114 of the syringe covers 110A, 110B adjacent to the button group 115 may be composed of a separate part from the portion covering the syringes 20A, 20B. The rib-like portions 113 and rear parts 114 may be colored to correspond to the color of the light irradiating the A-side operation button 115A and the B-side operation button 115B, for example, green on the A side and blue on the B side. In addition, rear portion 114 may have a plurality of linear protrusions extending in the axial direction of syringes 20A, 20B and arranged in parallel to each other. Rib portion 113 and linear protrusions of rear portion 114 may function as an opening/closing assist structure that a user can hook their fingers on when opening covers 110A, 110B. Furthermore, linear protrusions of rib portion 113 and rear portion 114 may be made of a material that has a non-slip effect or may be given a non-slip function by applying a surface treatment that creates a non-slip effect.
　また、図４Ｄに良好に示されるように、流路開閉バルブ保持ユニット１５０は、筐体１１０の前方において筐体１１０と離れて位置するようにアーム１７１によって支持されている。アーム１７１は、高い剛性を有する部品であり、筐体１１０の内部の強度部材、例えば、後述するシリンジ支持アセンブリ１２０の本体１２１（図６Ａ等参照）に固定される。アーム１７１にはハンドル部１７１ａが一体に設けられており、ユーザは、ハンドル部１７１ａを握って、注入ヘッド１０ａを上下左右に向きを変えたり移動したりすることができる。アーム１７１を有することにより、ユーザは注入ヘッド１０ａの向きの変更および移動を容易に行うことができるという効果を有する。本形態では、注入ヘッド１０ａはキャスター付きスタンド４１（図３参照）によって床面上に支持されているが、注入ヘッド１０ａは、天井吊り下げ式アーム機構（不図示）によって天井から吊下げられて支持されることもある。アーム１７１による効果は注入ヘッド１０ａが天井吊り下げ式アーム機構により支持される場合でも同様である。 As can be seen clearly in FIG. 4D, the flow path opening/closing valve holding unit 150 is supported by an arm 171 so as to be positioned in front of the housing 110 and away from the housing 110. The arm 171 is a highly rigid component, and is fixed to a strength member inside the housing 110, for example, the main body 121 of the syringe support assembly 120 (see FIG. 6A, etc.) described below. The arm 171 is integrally provided with a handle portion 171a, and the user can grasp the handle portion 171a to change the orientation and move the injection head 10a up, down, left, and right. The arm 171 has the effect of allowing the user to easily change the orientation and move the injection head 10a. In this embodiment, the injection head 10a is supported on the floor by a stand 41 with casters (see FIG. 3), but the injection head 10a may also be supported by being suspended from the ceiling by a ceiling-hanging arm mechanism (not shown). The effect of the arm 171 is the same even when the injection head 10a is supported by a ceiling-suspended arm mechanism.
　アーム１７１は、高い剛性を有し、かつ、筐体１１０の内部の強度部材に固定されているので、ユーザは意図したとおりに注入ヘッド１０ａの向きの変更および移動を行うことができる。アーム１７１を高い剛性を有して構成するためには、アーム１７１を金属で構成したり、金属製の芯材を樹脂製のカバー材で覆って構成したりすることができる。金属製の芯材を用いる場合、この心材を筐体１１０の内部の強度部材に固定することが好ましい。また、ハンドル部１７１ａは、滑り止め加工が施され、かつ／または少なくとも表面が滑りにくい材料で構成されることが好ましい。 The arm 171 has high rigidity and is fixed to a strength member inside the housing 110, so that the user can change the orientation and move the injection head 10a as intended. In order to configure the arm 171 with high rigidity, the arm 171 can be configured from metal or by covering a metal core with a resin cover material. When using a metal core, it is preferable to fix this core to a strength member inside the housing 110. In addition, the handle portion 171a is preferably made of a material that is treated with an anti-slip coating and/or at least has a non-slip surface.
　アーム１７１は、筐体１１０に対して取り外し可能に取り付けられていてもよい。あるいは、流路開閉バルブ保持ユニット１５０がアーム１７１から取り外し可能に設けられ、流路開閉バルブ開閉ユニット１５０のみが筐体１１０から取り外し可能であってもよい。こうすることで、流路開閉バルブ保持ユニット１５０を筐体１１０から取り外すことができる。例えばシリンジ２０Ａ、２０Ｂとして予め薬液が充填されているプレフィルドシリンジを用いる場合など、複数回使用に関する機能が不要な場合は、流路開閉バルブ開閉ユニット１５０を取り外し、かつ、薬液回路として末端側が２つに分岐したチューブセットをシリンジ２０Ａ、２０Ｂに接続して使用することができる。 The arm 171 may be removably attached to the housing 110. Alternatively, the flow path opening/closing valve holding unit 150 may be removably provided from the arm 171, and only the flow path opening/closing valve opening/closing unit 150 may be removable from the housing 110. In this manner, the flow path opening/closing valve holding unit 150 can be removed from the housing 110. For example, when prefilled syringes that are filled with a drug solution are used as the syringes 20A and 20B, and when the function of multiple use is not required, the flow path opening/closing valve opening/closing unit 150 can be removed, and a tube set whose distal end is branched into two can be connected to the syringes 20A and 20B as a drug solution circuit and used.
　図４Ｅおよび図４Ｆを参照して流路開閉バルブ保持ユニット１５０についてより詳しく説明する。図４Ｅは、流路開閉バルブ保持ユニット１５０の平面図であり、図４Ｆは、その流路開閉バルブ３３１を取り外した状態の平面図である。流路開閉バルブ保持ユニット１５０は、前述した駆動機構１５１およびエアセンサ１５２を有する。流路開閉バルブ保持ユニット１５０の上面には、流路開閉バルブ３３１を受け入れるバルブ凹部１５３が形成され、流路開閉バルブ３３１はこのバルブ凹部１５３に嵌め込まれることによって流路開閉バルブ保持ユニット１５０に着脱自在に保持される。前述した流路開閉バルブセンサ１５０ａは、このバルブ凹部１５３に配置することができる。 The flow path opening/closing valve holding unit 150 will be described in more detail with reference to Figures 4E and 4F. Figure 4E is a plan view of the flow path opening/closing valve holding unit 150, and Figure 4F is a plan view of the flow path opening/closing valve 331 removed. The flow path opening/closing valve holding unit 150 has the above-mentioned drive mechanism 151 and air sensor 152. A valve recess 153 for receiving the flow path opening/closing valve 331 is formed on the upper surface of the flow path opening/closing valve holding unit 150, and the flow path opening/closing valve 331 is fitted into this valve recess 153 so that it is detachably held in the flow path opening/closing valve holding unit 150. The above-mentioned flow path opening/closing valve sensor 150a can be placed in this valve recess 153.
　バルブ凹部１５３には、流路開閉バルブ３３１に弾性的に係合する係合爪１５４を設けることができる。係合爪１５４は、流路開閉バルブ３３１の外周面を受け入れる円弧状凹部を有してバルブ凹部１５３から突出して形成される。係合爪１５４によって流路開閉バルブ１５０をスナップフィットによりバルブ凹部１５３に保持することができる。これにより、流路開閉バルブ１５０が流路開閉バルブ保持ユニット１５０位置固定された状態で保持されるので、駆動機構１５１の動作を流路開閉バルブ１５０に良好に伝達することができる。また、流路開閉バルブ３３１がスナップフィットによりバルブ凹部１５３に保持されることにより、ユーザは、流路開閉バルブ３３１がバルブ凹部１５３に保持されたことを感覚的に認識することができる。流路開閉バルブ３３１をより良好に位置固定された状態で保持するためには、流路開閉バルブ３３１の軸方向（図２Ａに示す矢印Ｓ方向）に間隔をあけて複数の係合爪１５４を（図示した形態では２つの係合爪１５４）を配置することが好ましい。 The valve recess 153 may be provided with an engagement claw 154 that elastically engages with the flow passage opening/closing valve 331. The engagement claw 154 is formed to have an arc-shaped recess that receives the outer peripheral surface of the flow passage opening/closing valve 331 and protrudes from the valve recess 153. The engagement claw 154 allows the flow passage opening/closing valve 150 to be held in the valve recess 153 by snap-fitting. As a result, the flow passage opening/closing valve 150 is held in a fixed position by the flow passage opening/closing valve holding unit 150, so that the operation of the drive mechanism 151 can be transmitted to the flow passage opening/closing valve 150 well. In addition, since the flow passage opening/closing valve 331 is held in the valve recess 153 by snap-fitting, the user can intuitively recognize that the flow passage opening/closing valve 331 is held in the valve recess 153. In order to hold the flow passage opening/closing valve 331 in a fixed position better, it is preferable to arrange multiple engagement claws 154 (two engagement claws 154 in the illustrated embodiment) at intervals in the axial direction of the flow passage opening/closing valve 331 (the direction of the arrow S shown in FIG. 2A).
　また、流路開閉バルブ保持ユニット１５０の上面には、被検者ライン３０３（図２参照）の一部を構成し流路開閉バルブ３３１に接続されるチューブを受け入れるチューブ凹部が形成されている。このチューブ凹部に隣接して、チューブ凹部に受け入れられたチューブを側方から挟み付けるように複数の突起１５５が配置されている。これらの突起１５５は、流路開閉バルブ３３１の上流側および下流側の両方に配置されることが好ましい。さらに、流路開閉バルブ保持ユニット１５０の上面には流路開閉バルブ３３１に接続されるチューブのうち下流側に接続されるチューブを引っ掛けることができるフック１５６が設けられている。フック１５６は、エアセンサ１５２が流路開閉バルブ１５０とフック１５６との間に位置するような位置に配置されている。これら突起１５５およびフック１５６によって、流路開閉バルブ３３１は、流路開閉バルブ３３１の上流側および下流側でチューブを位置固定された状態でチューブ凹部に保持される。これにより、エアセンサ１５２によるエアの検出を安定して行なうことができる。チューブ凹部に保持されたチューブは、チューブをフック１５６から外し、かつ引っ張り上げることによって、チューブおよび流路開閉バルブ１５０をそれぞれチューブ凹部およびバルブ凹部１５３から容易に取り外すことができる。 Also, on the upper surface of the flow path opening/closing valve holding unit 150, a tube recess is formed to receive a tube that constitutes part of the subject line 303 (see FIG. 2) and is connected to the flow path opening/closing valve 331. Adjacent to this tube recess, a plurality of protrusions 155 are arranged to hold the tube received in the tube recess from the side. These protrusions 155 are preferably arranged on both the upstream side and the downstream side of the flow path opening/closing valve 331. Furthermore, on the upper surface of the flow path opening/closing valve holding unit 150, a hook 156 is provided to hook the tube connected to the downstream side of the tubes connected to the flow path opening/closing valve 331. The hook 156 is arranged at a position such that the air sensor 152 is located between the flow path opening/closing valve 150 and the hook 156. By these protrusions 155 and hook 156, the flow path opening/closing valve 331 is held in the tube recess with the tube fixed in position on the upstream side and downstream side of the flow path opening/closing valve 331. This allows the air sensor 152 to stably detect air. The tube held in the tube recess can be easily removed from the tube recess and the flow path opening/closing valve 150 from the tube recess and the valve recess 153 by removing the tube from the hook 156 and pulling it up.
　流路開閉バルブ３３１およびそれに接続されるチューブは、検査の都度交換される単数回使用部３００Ａの一部を構成し、流路開閉バルブ保持ユニット１５０には単数回使用部３００Ａが頻繁に着脱される。そのため、本形態のように流路開閉バルブ保持ユニット１５０への流路開閉バルブ１５０およびチューブの着脱を容易に行なえるように流路開閉バルブ保持ユニット１５０を構成することは、単数回使用部３００Ａを使用する薬液注入装置１０においては特に好ましい。また、本形態では、流路開閉バルブ３３１は、スナップフィットによりバルブ凹部１５３に保持されるので、流路開閉バルブ３３１がバルブ凹部１５３から不用意に外れる可能性は極めて少ない。しかも、流路開閉バルブ３３１がバルブ凹部１５３から外れた場合であっても、そのことは流路開閉バルブセンサ１５０ａによって検出することができる。よって、本形態ではより高い安全性で流路開閉バルブ３３１を作動させることができる。 The flow path opening/closing valve 331 and the tube connected thereto constitute a part of the single-use part 300A that is replaced every time an inspection is performed, and the single-use part 300A is frequently attached and detached to and from the flow path opening/closing valve holding unit 150. Therefore, configuring the flow path opening/closing valve holding unit 150 so that the flow path opening/closing valve 150 and the tube can be easily attached and detached to and from the flow path opening/closing valve holding unit 150 as in this embodiment is particularly preferable in the drug injection device 10 that uses the single-use part 300A. In addition, in this embodiment, the flow path opening/closing valve 331 is held in the valve recess 153 by snap fit, so there is an extremely low possibility that the flow path opening/closing valve 331 will inadvertently come off from the valve recess 153. Moreover, even if the flow path opening/closing valve 331 comes off from the valve recess 153, this can be detected by the flow path opening/closing valve sensor 150a. Therefore, in this embodiment, the flow path opening/closing valve 331 can be operated with higher safety.
　ここで、注入ヘッド１０ａに装着されるシリンジ２０（以下、シリンジ２０Ａとシリン２０Ｂを区別しない場合はシリンジ２０と表記する）の一形態について図５、図５Ａ～５Ｅ等を参照して説明する。図５に示すように、シリンジ２０は、断面形状が楕円形のシリンジ外筒２１０と、プランジャ（吸子または押子とも呼ばれる）２２０と、ガスケット２３０とを有する。シリンジ２０は、楕円形断面における長軸方向上下にした向きで注入ヘッド１０ａに装着される（図４Ｂ参照）。これにより、円形断面を有する同容量のシリンジと比較して幅方向（左右方向）の寸法が小さくて済むので、その分だけ注入ヘッド１０ａの幅方向の寸法を小さくすることができる。 Here, one form of syringe 20 (hereinafter, when syringe 20A and syringe 20B are not to be distinguished, it will be referred to as syringe 20) that is attached to injection head 10a will be described with reference to FIG. 5 and FIGS. 5A-5E, etc. As shown in FIG. 5, syringe 20 has a syringe outer cylinder 210 with an elliptical cross-sectional shape, a plunger (also called an aspirator or pusher) 220, and a gasket 230. Syringe 20 is attached to injection head 10a with the major axis direction of the elliptical cross-section facing up and down (see FIG. 4B). This allows for a smaller dimension in the width direction (left-right direction) compared to a syringe of the same capacity with a circular cross-section, and therefore the width direction dimension of injection head 10a can be correspondingly reduced.
　プランジャ２２０は、シリンジ外筒２１０内にスライド自在に挿入され、図５Ａに示すように、その最後端位置においてシリンジ外筒２１０の後端近傍に位置する。ガスケット２３０は、一例としてエラストマーや塩素化ブチルゴムなど弾性を有する部材で形成され、プランジャ２２０の先端部に嵌め込まれてプランジャ２２０に固定される。ガスケット２３０はまた、シリンジ外筒２１０の内周面とガスケット２３０の外周面との間をシールしながらプランジャ２２０とともにスライドできる外形状およびサイズを有する。 The plunger 220 is slidably inserted into the syringe barrel 210, and as shown in FIG. 5A, its rearmost position is located near the rear end of the syringe barrel 210. The gasket 230 is formed of an elastic material, such as an elastomer or chlorinated butyl rubber, and is fitted into the tip of the plunger 220 and fixed to the plunger 220. The gasket 230 also has an outer shape and size that allows it to slide together with the plunger 220 while sealing between the inner surface of the syringe barrel 210 and the outer surface of the gasket 230.
　シリンジ外筒２１０は、前端にノズル部２１１を有し、かつ後端部にフランジ２１２を有する。フランジ２１２は、シリンジ外筒２１０の後端より前方に位置しており、これによりシリンジ外筒２１０の後端面２１３がフランジ２１２の後方に突出している。フランジ２１２の外周面には一対の切り欠き２１２ａが形成されている。一対の切り欠き２１２ａは、シリンジ外筒２１０の楕円形断面における短軸方向両端に位置する。また、図５Ｂに示すように、シリンジ外筒２１０の後端部には、径方向の開口寸法がシリンジ外筒２２０の内面２１０ａを画定する他の部分での径方向の開口寸法より大きい拡径部２１０ｂを有する。これにより、シリンジ外筒２１０の内面２１０ａと拡径部２１０ｂとの間に段差Ｄ１が生じている。フランジ２１２は、例えばブラスト処理等によって粗面化されることが好ましい。フランジ２１２が粗面化されることで、シリンジ２０を注入ヘッド１０ｂにセットして高圧で薬液の注入を行なった際にシリンジ２０の位置ずれが生じにくくなる。粗面化されるのは、フランジ２１２の前面のみであってもよいし、後面のみであってもよいし、両面であってもよい。 The syringe outer cylinder 210 has a nozzle portion 211 at the front end and a flange 212 at the rear end. The flange 212 is located forward of the rear end of the syringe outer cylinder 210, so that the rear end surface 213 of the syringe outer cylinder 210 protrudes rearward from the flange 212. A pair of notches 212a are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the flange 212. The pair of notches 212a are located at both ends in the short axis direction of the elliptical cross section of the syringe outer cylinder 210. Also, as shown in FIG. 5B, the rear end of the syringe outer cylinder 210 has an expanded diameter portion 210b whose radial opening dimension is larger than the radial opening dimension of the other portion that defines the inner surface 210a of the syringe outer cylinder 220. As a result, a step D1 is generated between the inner surface 210a of the syringe outer cylinder 210 and the expanded diameter portion 210b. It is preferable that the flange 212 is roughened, for example, by blasting treatment or the like. By roughening the flange 212, the syringe 20 is less likely to shift position when the syringe 20 is set in the injection head 10b and the medicinal liquid is injected at high pressure. Only the front surface of the flange 212 may be roughened, only the rear surface, or both surfaces.
　シリンジ外筒２１０内には、造影剤および生理食塩水等の薬液が充填される。薬液は、製造メーカにおいて予め充填されていてもよいし、医療現場において充填されてもよい。製造メーカで薬液が予め充填されたシリンジ２０は、プレフィルドシリンジとも呼ばれる。ノズル部２１１は、薬液回路３０のシリンジコネクタ３１０ａまたは３２０ａ（図２参照）が接続されるコネクタ構造を有する。シリンジ外筒２１０内でプランジャ２２０を前進させることによって、シリンジ外筒２１０内に充填されている薬液をシリンジ外筒２１０外へ排出することができ、シリンジ外筒２１０内でプランジャ２２０を後退させることによって、シリンジ外筒２１０内に薬液を吸引することができる。 The syringe outer cylinder 210 is filled with a medicinal liquid such as a contrast medium and saline. The medicinal liquid may be prefilled by the manufacturer or may be filled at the medical site. A syringe 20 prefilled with a medicinal liquid by the manufacturer is also called a prefilled syringe. The nozzle portion 211 has a connector structure to which the syringe connector 310a or 320a (see FIG. 2) of the medicinal liquid circuit 30 is connected. By advancing the plunger 220 within the syringe outer cylinder 210, the medicinal liquid filled within the syringe outer cylinder 210 can be discharged outside the syringe outer cylinder 210, and by retracting the plunger 220 within the syringe outer cylinder 210, the medicinal liquid can be sucked into the syringe outer cylinder 210.
　シリンジ外筒２１０の材質は特に制限されないが、一例として、ＺＥＯＮＯＲ（登録商標）、トライタン（登録商標）およびユーピロン（登録商標）を挙げることができる。これらの中でも特に、生体適合性を有するユーピロンを好ましく用いることができる。 The material of the syringe outer cylinder 210 is not particularly limited, but examples include ZEONOR (registered trademark), Tritan (registered trademark), and Iupilon (registered trademark). Of these, Iupilon, which is biocompatible, is particularly preferred.
　プランジャ２２０は、図５Ｃ～５Ｅに示すように、ガスケット２３０が嵌め込まれるプランジャ本体２２１と、プランジャ本体２２１の後面に形成された複数の係合爪とを有する。複数の係合爪２２２は、プランジャ本体２２１の周方向に間隔をあけて配置され、複数の係合爪２２２で囲まれる領域は、プランジャ２２０の中心Ｏを中心とした空間となっている。プランジャ２２０の中心Ｏは、プランジャ２２０がシリンジ外筒２１０に挿入された状態において、シリンジ外筒２１０の中心軸上に位置する。本形態では、２つの係合爪２２２が、プランジャ２２０の中心Ｏに対して点対称となる位置に、周方向に互いに間隔をあけて配置されている。 As shown in Figures 5C to 5E, the plunger 220 has a plunger body 221 into which the gasket 230 is fitted, and a number of engagement claws formed on the rear surface of the plunger body 221. The multiple engagement claws 222 are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction of the plunger body 221, and the area surrounded by the multiple engagement claws 222 is a space centered on the center O of the plunger 220. The center O of the plunger 220 is located on the central axis of the syringe outer cylinder 210 when the plunger 220 is inserted into the syringe outer cylinder 210. In this embodiment, the two engagement claws 222 are arranged at intervals from each other in the circumferential direction, in positions that are point-symmetrical with respect to the center O of the plunger 220.
　係合爪２２２は、プランジャ２２０の中心Ｏに対して接近する方向および離れる方向に弾性変位可能に構成される。本形態では、図５Ｅに示すように、係合爪２２２は、プランジャ本体２２１の後面２２１ａから後方に延びる脚部２２２ａと、脚部２２２ａからさらに後方および周方向に延びる変位部２２２ｂとを有する。変位部２２２ｂの外周面および内周面にはそれぞれ周方向に延びる外側突起２２２ｃおよび内側突起２２２ｄが形成されている。これら外側突起２２２ｃおよび内側突起２２２ｄの詳細については後述する。 The engagement claw 222 is configured to be elastically displaceable in directions toward and away from the center O of the plunger 220. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5E, the engagement claw 222 has a leg portion 222a extending rearward from the rear surface 221a of the plunger body 221, and a displacement portion 222b extending further rearward and circumferentially from the leg portion 222a. An outer protrusion 222c and an inner protrusion 222d extending circumferentially are formed on the outer peripheral surface and inner peripheral surface of the displacement portion 222b, respectively. The outer protrusion 222c and the inner protrusion 222d will be described in detail later.
　図示した形態では、図５Ｅに示すように、ガスケット２３０が嵌め込まれるプランジャ本体２２１の先端部は楕円錐形状とされ、ガスケット２３０の内面の形状はプランジャ本体２２１の先端部の形状と相補関係にある。他の形態では、図５Ｆに示すように、プランジャ本体２２１の先端部がカットされ、プランジャ本体２２１の先端部の形状は楕円推台形状とされる。これにより、プランジャ本体２２１の先端面とガスケット２３０の内面との間に空間が生じる。図５Ｆに示した形態では、薬液の注入のためにプランジャ２２０がシリンジ外筒２１０（図５等参照）内に押し込まれると、シリンジ外筒２１０内に生じた内圧の上昇に伴って、プランジャ本体２２１とガスケット２３０との間の空間を圧縮するようにガスケット２３０が変形する。ガスケット２３０が変形することにより、ガスケット２３０の径方向の寸法が拡大するので、ガスケット２３０とシリンジ外筒２１０の内周面との間の液密性が向上する。これにより、薬液の注入動作中のシリンジ後端からの薬液の漏れを効果的に防止できる。 In the illustrated embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5E, the tip of plunger body 221 into which gasket 230 is fitted is shaped like an elliptical cone, and the shape of the inner surface of gasket 230 is complementary to the shape of the tip of plunger body 221. In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5F, the tip of plunger body 221 is cut, and the shape of the tip of plunger body 221 is shaped like an elliptical trapezoid. This creates a space between the tip surface of plunger body 221 and the inner surface of gasket 230. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5F, when plunger 220 is pushed into syringe outer cylinder 210 (see FIG. 5, etc.) to inject the medicinal liquid, gasket 230 deforms so as to compress the space between plunger body 221 and gasket 230 as the internal pressure generated in syringe outer cylinder 210 increases. As the gasket 230 deforms, the radial dimension of the gasket 230 expands, improving the liquid-tightness between the gasket 230 and the inner peripheral surface of the syringe outer cylinder 210. This effectively prevents leakage of the medicinal liquid from the rear end of the syringe during the injection operation.
　プランジャ本体２２１の先端面からプランジャ本体２２１の楕円推台形状の頂点までの距離ＴＤは、ガスケット２３０の変形によりガスケット２３０の径方向の寸法が拡大するような距離であれば特に制限されないが、例えば、２ｍｍ～４ｍｍの範囲であることが好ましく、より好ましくは３ｍｍである。 The distance TD from the tip surface of the plunger body 221 to the apex of the elliptical trapezoidal shape of the plunger body 221 is not particularly limited as long as it is a distance that causes the radial dimension of the gasket 230 to expand due to deformation of the gasket 230, but it is preferably in the range of 2 mm to 4 mm, and more preferably 3 mm.
　次に、シリンジ支持アセンブリ１２０およびリニアアクチュエータ１３０について説明する。 Next, the syringe support assembly 120 and the linear actuator 130 will be described.
　図６Ａに示すように、本形態のリニアアクチュエータ１３０は、筒状のフレーム１３１およびフレーム１３１の両端に取り付けられたキャップ部材１３２で構成されるケーシングと、ケーシング内に配置されたロッド１３３とを備えたボールねじ式の駆動機構を有する。ケーシング内にはさらに、モータによって回転されるボールねじ、ボールねじと噛み合うボールナット、ボールナットを回転不能、かつボールねじに対してスライド自在に支持するガイドレール等が配置されている。ロッド１３３はボールナットに固定されており、モータの駆動によってボールねじを回転させると、ボールねじの回転方向に応じてボールナットとともにロッド１３３が前進または後退する。 As shown in FIG. 6A, the linear actuator 130 of this embodiment has a ball screw type drive mechanism including a casing composed of a cylindrical frame 131 and cap members 132 attached to both ends of the frame 131, and a rod 133 arranged inside the casing. Inside the casing, there are also arranged a ball screw rotated by a motor, a ball nut that meshes with the ball screw, and a guide rail that supports the ball nut so that it cannot rotate and is slidable relative to the ball screw. The rod 133 is fixed to the ball nut, and when the ball screw is rotated by driving the motor, the rod 133 moves forward or backward together with the ball nut depending on the direction of rotation of the ball screw.
　ロッド１３３の前端部にはプレッサー１３４が取り付けられている。プレッサー１３４の後端部には、図６Ｂに示すように、周溝１３４ａが形成されている。 A presser 134 is attached to the front end of the rod 133. A circumferential groove 134a is formed at the rear end of the presser 134, as shown in FIG. 6B.
　シリンジ支持アセンブリ１２０は、リニアアクチュエータ１３０の前端部に取り付けられた本体１２１と、本体１２１の前面に固定されたシリンジ受け１２２と、本体１２１内に配置されたシリンジ押さえ１２３とを有しており、図６Ａに白抜き矢印で示すようにシリンジ２０が上方から装着されることによってシリンジ２０を支持するように構成されている。図６Ｃに示すように、本体１２１にはボールプランジャ１２５が設けられている。ボールプランジャ１２５は、シリンジ２０がシリンジ支持アセンブリ１２０に装着されたときにシリンジ２０のフランジ２１２に形成された切り欠き２１２ａ（図５Ａ参照）に係合するようにシリンジ押さえ１２３の左右両側に配置される係合構造として機能する。ボールプランジャ１２５により、シリンジ２０の軸回りでの向きが正確に位置決めされる。シリンジ２０のフランジ２１２の切り欠き２１２ａに係合する係合構造としては、ボールプランジャ１２５に限らず、係合したときにクリック感が得られるものであれば板ばね等任意の手段を用いることができる。 The syringe support assembly 120 has a main body 121 attached to the front end of the linear actuator 130, a syringe receiver 122 fixed to the front surface of the main body 121, and a syringe presser 123 arranged within the main body 121, and is configured to support the syringe 20 by mounting the syringe 20 from above as shown by the white arrow in FIG. 6A. As shown in FIG. 6C, the main body 121 is provided with a ball plunger 125. The ball plunger 125 functions as an engagement structure arranged on both the left and right sides of the syringe presser 123 so as to engage with the notch 212a (see FIG. 5A) formed in the flange 212 of the syringe 20 when the syringe 20 is mounted on the syringe support assembly 120. The ball plunger 125 accurately positions the orientation of the syringe 20 around its axis. The engagement structure that engages with the notch 212a of the flange 212 of the syringe 20 is not limited to the ball plunger 125, and any other means such as a leaf spring can be used as long as it provides a clicking sensation when engaged.
　シリンジ受け１２２には、シリンジ外筒２２０のフランジ２２１をガイドしつつ受け入れるための上方が開放したフランジ受け溝１２２ａ（図６Ａ、図６Ｃ参照）が形成されており、このフランジ受け溝１２２ａ内にフランジ２１２が位置するようにシリンジ２０をシリンジ支持アセンブリ１２０に装着することでシリンジ２０が支持される。シリンジ受け１２２は、シリンジ支持アセンブリ１２０にシリンジ２０が装着されたか否かを検出するシリンジ検出センサ１２６をさらに有する。シリンジ検出センサ１２６としては、機械式センサや光学式センサなど任意の方式のセンサを用いることができる。本形態では、シリンジ２０が接触することによってシリンジ２０が装着されたことを検出する機械式センサを用いている。 The syringe receiver 122 is formed with a flange receiving groove 122a (see Figures 6A and 6C) that is open at the top and that receives the flange 221 of the syringe outer cylinder 220 while guiding it, and the syringe 20 is supported by mounting the syringe 20 on the syringe support assembly 120 so that the flange 212 is positioned within this flange receiving groove 122a. The syringe receiver 122 further has a syringe detection sensor 126 that detects whether the syringe 20 is mounted on the syringe support assembly 120. The syringe detection sensor 126 can be any type of sensor, such as a mechanical sensor or an optical sensor. In this embodiment, a mechanical sensor is used that detects that the syringe 20 is mounted by contact with the syringe 20.
　シリンジ押さえ１２３は、シリンジ支持アセンブリ１２０に装着されたシリンジ２０を後方から押さえつけるものであり、本形態では、テーパー加工された前面１２３ａを有する単一の部材で構成される。前面１２３ａは、シリンジ２０がシリンジ支持アセンブリ１２０に装着された状態でシリンジ外筒２１０の後端の開口を塞ぐことができる形状およびサイズで設計される。本形態では、例えば図６Ｄに示すように、シリンジ押さえ１２３の前面は、シリンジ外筒２１０に対応した楕円形状とされる。シリンジ押さえ１２３の前面１２３ａには、シリンジ２０がシリンジ支持アセンブリ１２０に支持された状態においてシリンジ外筒２１０の後端の開口内に位置する形状およびサイズを有する環状凸部１２３ｂが形成されている。本形態では、環状凸部１２３ｂは、シリンジ押さえ１２３の前面１２３ａの外縁よりも内側に位置している。 The syringe presser 123 presses the syringe 20 attached to the syringe support assembly 120 from behind, and in this embodiment is composed of a single member having a tapered front surface 123a. The front surface 123a is designed with a shape and size that can block the opening at the rear end of the syringe outer tube 210 when the syringe 20 is attached to the syringe support assembly 120. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6D, for example, the front surface of the syringe presser 123 is elliptical in shape to match the syringe outer tube 210. The front surface 123a of the syringe presser 123 is formed with an annular protrusion 123b having a shape and size that is positioned within the opening at the rear end of the syringe outer tube 210 when the syringe 20 is supported by the syringe support assembly 120. In this embodiment, the annular protrusion 123b is positioned inside the outer edge of the front surface 123a of the syringe presser 123.
　また、シリンジ押さえ１２３は、本体１２１に対して最前端位置と最後端位置との間で前後方向に移動可能に支持される。最前端位置では、シリンジ押さえ１２３の前面１２３ａが本体１２１の前面から突出し、少なくともこの突出したシリンジ押さえ１２３の前面１２３ａの部分がテーパー加工されている。シリンジ２０がシリンジ支持アセンブリ１２０に装着された状態では、シリンジ押さえ１２３の最前端位置と最後端位置との間の中間位置で、シリンジ押さえ１２３の前面１２３ａがシリンジ外筒２１０の後端面２１３と当接するように、シリンジ外筒２１０の各部の寸法およびシリンジ支持アセンブリ１２０の各部の寸法が設計される。 The syringe holder 123 is supported on the main body 121 so as to be movable in the front-rear direction between the front end position and the rear end position. At the front end position, the front face 123a of the syringe holder 123 protrudes from the front face of the main body 121, and at least this protruding portion of the front face 123a of the syringe holder 123 is tapered. The dimensions of each part of the syringe barrel 210 and the dimensions of each part of the syringe support assembly 120 are designed so that when the syringe 20 is attached to the syringe support assembly 120, the front face 123a of the syringe holder 123 abuts against the rear end face 213 of the syringe barrel 210 at an intermediate position between the front end position and the rear end position of the syringe holder 123.
　シリンジ支持アセンブリ１２０は、本体１２１とリニアアクチュエータ１３０のハウジングとの間に配置された弾性部材であるコイルばね１２４をさらに有し、このコイルばね１２４によって、シリンジ押さえ１２３は最前端位置に位置するように前方に付勢されている。シリンジ押さえ１２３には、リニアアクチュエータ１３０のプレッサー１３４およびロッド１３３が通過することができる貫通孔１２３ｃがさらに形成されている。弾性部材としては、コイルばね１２４に限らず、シリンジ押さえ１２３を前方に付勢することの任意の部材を用いることができる。 The syringe support assembly 120 further has a coil spring 124, which is an elastic member disposed between the main body 121 and the housing of the linear actuator 130, and this coil spring 124 biases the syringe holder 123 forward so that it is located at the front end position. The syringe holder 123 is further formed with a through hole 123c through which the presser 134 and rod 133 of the linear actuator 130 can pass. The elastic member is not limited to the coil spring 124, and any member that biases the syringe holder 123 forward can be used.
　なお、シリンジ押さえ１２３の前面１２３ａは、シリンジ２０がシリンジ支持アセンブリ１２０に装着された状態でシリンジ外筒２１０の後端の開口を塞ぐことができれば、平面であってもよい。また、シリンジ押さえ１２３は複数の部品で構成することもできる。例えば、シリンジ押さえ１２３は、シリンジ押さえ本体と、このシリンジ押さえ本体の前面に取り付けられたプレートとの２つの部品で構成することができる。シリンジ押さえ本体およびプレートには、リニアクチュエータ１３０のプレッサー１３４およびロッド１３３が通過することができる貫通孔が形成されている。この場合、シリンジ押さえ本体は樹脂で構成され、プレートは金属で構成されていてもよい。また、プレートは平板形状であってもよい。 The front surface 123a of the syringe holder 123 may be a flat surface as long as it can close the opening at the rear end of the syringe outer cylinder 210 when the syringe 20 is attached to the syringe support assembly 120. The syringe holder 123 may also be made up of multiple parts. For example, the syringe holder 123 may be made up of two parts: a syringe holder main body and a plate attached to the front surface of the syringe holder main body. The syringe holder main body and the plate have through holes formed therein through which the presser 134 and rod 133 of the linear actuator 130 can pass. In this case, the syringe holder main body may be made of resin, and the plate may be made of metal. The plate may also be flat.
　シリンジ押さえ１２３の外周面には適宜のパッキンが配置され、本体１２１との間の液密性が保たれるように構成されることが好ましい。さらに、シリンジ押え１２３の貫通孔１２３ｃの内周面には適宜のパッキンが配置され、プレッサー１３４との間の液密性が保たれるように構成されることが好ましい。これによって、例えば、薬液の注入時にシリンジ後端から薬液が漏出したり、シリンジ支持アセンブリ１２０の周囲に薬液が付着したりした場合であっても、本体１２１の内部に薬液が侵入することを防止できる。 It is preferable that an appropriate packing is placed on the outer peripheral surface of the syringe holder 123 so as to maintain liquid-tightness between the syringe holder 123 and the main body 121. Furthermore, it is preferable that an appropriate packing is placed on the inner peripheral surface of the through hole 123c of the syringe holder 123 so as to maintain liquid-tightness between the syringe holder 123 and the presser 134. This makes it possible to prevent the medicinal liquid from entering the inside of the main body 121, for example, even if the medicinal liquid leaks from the rear end of the syringe during injection or adheres to the periphery of the syringe support assembly 120.
　また、リニアアクチュエータ１３０のキャップ部材１３２の、ロッド１３３が挿通される貫通孔の内周面には適宜のパッキンが配置され、ロッド１３３との液密性が保たれるように構成されることも好ましい。これによって、仮に本体１２１の内部に薬液が侵入した場合であっても、その薬液がさらにリニアアクチュエータ１３０のケーシング内に浸入することが防止される。リニアアクチュエータ１３０のケーシング内には、リニアアクチュエータ１３０を駆動するための様々な機構部品が配置されているので、ケーシング内に薬液が侵入しないようにすることは、リニアアクチュエータ１３０の故障を防止する観点から特に好ましい。 It is also preferable that an appropriate packing is placed on the inner circumferential surface of the through hole of the cap member 132 of the linear actuator 130, through which the rod 133 is inserted, so as to maintain liquid-tightness with the rod 133. This prevents the liquid from penetrating further into the casing of the linear actuator 130, even if the liquid medicine enters the inside of the main body 121. Various mechanical components for driving the linear actuator 130 are arranged inside the casing of the linear actuator 130, so preventing the liquid medicine from penetrating into the casing is particularly preferable from the viewpoint of preventing breakdown of the linear actuator 130.
　上記のとおりの構成によれば、フランジ２１２の位置をフランジ受け溝１２２ａに合わせてシリンジ２０を上方から下方へ向けて押し込むことによって、シリンジ２０がシリンジ支持アセンブリ１２０に装着される。なお、シリンジ２０がシリンジ支持アセンブリ１２０に装着されるとき、プランジャ２２０の位置は、係合爪２２２の変位部２２２ｂの外周面に形成された外側突起２２２ｃがシリンジ外筒２１０の後端部の拡径部２１０ａに位置する初期位置にある。 With the above-described configuration, the syringe 20 is attached to the syringe support assembly 120 by aligning the position of the flange 212 with the flange receiving groove 122a and pushing the syringe 20 downward. When the syringe 20 is attached to the syringe support assembly 120, the plunger 220 is in an initial position where the outer protrusion 222c formed on the outer peripheral surface of the displacement portion 222b of the engagement claw 222 is located at the enlarged diameter portion 210a at the rear end of the syringe outer barrel 210.
　シリンジ２０の装着過程において、シリンジ２０を下方に押し込んでいくと、まず、シリンジ外筒２１０の後端面２１３が、シリンジ押さえ１２３のシリンジ支持アセンブリ１２０の本体１２１から突出した部分に当接する。シリンジ２０をさらに押し下げると、シリンジ外筒２１０によってシリンジ押さえ１２３には後方へ向かう力が働き、コイルばね１２４の付勢力に抗して後方へ移動する。 When the syringe 20 is being attached, the rear end surface 213 of the syringe outer cylinder 210 first comes into contact with the portion of the syringe holder 123 that protrudes from the body 121 of the syringe support assembly 120. When the syringe 20 is pressed further down, the syringe outer cylinder 210 exerts a rearward force on the syringe holder 123, which moves it rearward against the biasing force of the coil spring 124.
　さらにシリンジ２０を押し下げ、フランジ受け溝１２２ａに受け入れられるべきフランジ２１２の部分がフランジ受け溝１２２ａに受け入れられることによってシリンジ２０がシリンジ支持アセンブリ１２０に装着される。 The syringe 20 is further pushed down so that the portion of the flange 212 that should be received in the flange receiving groove 122a is received in the flange receiving groove 122a, thereby attaching the syringe 20 to the syringe support assembly 120.
　シリンジ２０がシリンジ支持アセンブリ１２０に支持された状態での断面図を図６Ｅに示す。シリンジ２０がシリンジ支持アセンブリ１２０に支持された状態では、図６Ｅに示すように、シリンジ押さえ１２３の前面１２３ａはシリンジ外筒２１０の後端面２１３に密着し、シリンジ外筒２１０の後端の開口がシリンジ押さえ１２３によって塞がれる。これによって、シリンジ外筒２１０の内側への異物の進入が防止され、シリンジ外筒２１０の内側を清浄に保つことができる。また、コイルばね１２４で付勢されているシリンジ押さえ１２３によってシリンジ外筒２１０には前方へ向かう力が作用し、シリンジ外筒２１０のフランジ２１２の前面は、フランジ受け溝１２２ａの前側の内壁に押し付けられる。これによって、シリンジ２０はより確実にシリンジ支持アセンブリ１２０に固定された状態で支持される。 6E shows a cross-sectional view of the syringe 20 supported by the syringe support assembly 120. When the syringe 20 is supported by the syringe support assembly 120, as shown in FIG. 6E, the front surface 123a of the syringe holder 123 is in close contact with the rear end surface 213 of the syringe outer cylinder 210, and the opening at the rear end of the syringe outer cylinder 210 is blocked by the syringe holder 123. This prevents foreign matter from entering the inside of the syringe outer cylinder 210, and the inside of the syringe outer cylinder 210 can be kept clean. In addition, a forward force is applied to the syringe outer cylinder 210 by the syringe holder 123 biased by the coil spring 124, and the front surface of the flange 212 of the syringe outer cylinder 210 is pressed against the inner wall on the front side of the flange receiving groove 122a. This allows the syringe 20 to be more reliably supported in a fixed state by the syringe support assembly 120.
　さらに、本形態ではフランジ押さえ１２３の前面に環状凸部１２３ｂが形成されているので、シリンジ支持アセンブリ１２０へのシリンジ２０の装着動作の過程で、シリンジ外筒２１０が環状凸部１２３ｂを乗り越えとき、フランジ押さえ１２３が一旦後方へ移動した後、コイルばね１２４の付勢力によって元の位置へ戻る。シリンジ押さえ１２３のこの動作によって、操作者はシリンジ２０がシリンジ支持アセンブリ１２０に確実に装着されたことを感覚的に認識することができる。また、環状凸部１２３ｂはシリンジ外筒２１０の後端側の開口の内側に位置するので、シリンジ支持アセンブリ１２０に対するシリンジ２０の径方向位置が定められる。シリンジ２０の径方向位置がより良好に定められるようにするためには、環状凸部１２３ｂは、シリンジ２０がシリンジ支持アセンブリ１２０に装着された状態においてシリンジ外筒２０の内壁に隣接する位置に形成されることが好ましい。 Furthermore, in this embodiment, an annular protrusion 123b is formed on the front surface of the flange holder 123, so that when the syringe outer cylinder 210 passes over the annular protrusion 123b during the mounting operation of the syringe 20 to the syringe support assembly 120, the flange holder 123 moves backward once and then returns to its original position due to the biasing force of the coil spring 124. This operation of the syringe holder 123 allows the operator to intuitively recognize that the syringe 20 is securely mounted to the syringe support assembly 120. In addition, since the annular protrusion 123b is located inside the opening on the rear end side of the syringe outer cylinder 210, the radial position of the syringe 20 relative to the syringe support assembly 120 is determined. In order to more effectively determine the radial position of the syringe 20, it is preferable that the annular protrusion 123b is formed in a position adjacent to the inner wall of the syringe outer cylinder 20 when the syringe 20 is mounted on the syringe support assembly 120.
　以上説明したとおり、本形態のシリンジ支持アセンブリ１２０は、前後方向に移動可能なシリンジ押さえ１２３によって、フランジ受け溝１２２ａにフランジ２１２が受け入れられたシリンジ外筒２１０を後方から押し付けることによってシリンジ２０が固定されるように構成される。このようなシリンジ支持アセンブリ１２０の構成によれば、シリンジ２０を保持するためのクランパ等の可動機構は不要であり、より単純な構成でシリンジ支持アセンブリ１２０を達成することができる。このことは、シリンジ支持アセンブリ１２０の小型化、さらには注入ヘッド１０ａの小型化に大きく貢献する。また、前述したとおり、フランジ２１２が粗面化されたシリンジ２０と組み合わせることによって、シリンジ２０をより良好に保持することができる。 As described above, the syringe support assembly 120 of this embodiment is configured so that the syringe 20 is fixed by pressing the syringe outer cylinder 210, whose flange 212 is received in the flange receiving groove 122a, from behind using the syringe presser 123, which is movable in the front-rear direction. With this configuration of the syringe support assembly 120, no movable mechanism such as a clamper for holding the syringe 20 is required, and the syringe support assembly 120 can be achieved with a simpler configuration. This contributes greatly to the miniaturization of the syringe support assembly 120, and further to the miniaturization of the injection head 10a. Furthermore, as described above, the syringe 20 can be better held by combining it with a syringe 20 whose flange 212 is roughened.
　本形態では、リニアアクチュエータ１３０の先端部がロッド１３３とプレッサー１３４との２部品で構成されており、これによって、注入ヘッド１０ａに装着されるシリンジ２０の形状、特にプランジャ２２０の形状が変更された場合に、それに適合したプレッサー１３４に交換することができる。ただし、シリンジ２０の変更を考慮する必要がない場合は、ロッド１３３およびプレッサー１３４を１部品で構成することもできる。 In this embodiment, the tip of the linear actuator 130 is composed of two parts, a rod 133 and a presser 134, so that if the shape of the syringe 20 attached to the injection head 10a, particularly the shape of the plunger 220, is changed, the presser 134 can be replaced with one that matches it. However, if there is no need to consider changing the syringe 20, the rod 133 and presser 134 can also be composed of a single part.
　本形態では、楕円形断面を有するシリンジ２０が装着されるシリンジ支持アセンブリ１２０について説明したが、シリンジ２０としては円形断面を有するシリンジも存在しており、シリンジ支持アセンブリ１２０は、円形断面を有するシリンジが装着されるように構成することもできる。その場合は、シリンジ支持アセンブリ１２０を構成する各部品は、円形断面を有するシリンジに適合する形状に変更される。 In this embodiment, the syringe support assembly 120 to which the syringe 20 having an elliptical cross section is attached has been described, but there are also syringes 20 having circular cross sections, and the syringe support assembly 120 can also be configured to attach a syringe having a circular cross section. In that case, each part that constitutes the syringe support assembly 120 is modified to have a shape that fits the syringe having a circular cross section.
　次に、リニアアクチュエータ１３０の駆動によるシリンジの操作について説明する。 Next, we will explain how to operate the syringe by driving the linear actuator 130.
　図６Ｅに示すようにシリンジ２０がシリンジ支持アセンブリ１２０に装着された状態でリニアアクチュエータ１３０を駆動してプレッサー１３４を前進させると、プレッサー１３４はシリンジ押さえ１２３の前面１２３ａから突出し、図７Ａに示すように、プランジャ２２０のプランジャ本体２２１に当接する。さらにプレッサー１３４を前進させてプランジャ２２０を前方に押すことにより、図７Ｂに示すように、プランジャ２２０の係合爪２２２の外側突起２２２ｃが、シリンジ外筒２２０の拡径部２１０ｂから内面２１０ａに乗り上げる。 When the linear actuator 130 is driven to advance the presser 134 while the syringe 20 is attached to the syringe support assembly 120 as shown in FIG. 6E, the presser 134 protrudes from the front surface 123a of the syringe retainer 123 and comes into contact with the plunger body 221 of the plunger 220 as shown in FIG. 7A. By further advancing the presser 134 and pushing the plunger 220 forward, the outer protrusion 222c of the engagement claw 222 of the plunger 220 rides from the enlarged diameter portion 210b to the inner surface 210a of the syringe outer cylinder 220 as shown in FIG. 7B.
　このことによって、係合爪２２２がプランジャ２２２の中心Ｏ（図５Ｄ参照）に向かって弾性変形し、以降は係合爪２２２が弾性変形したまま、図７Ｃに示すように、プレッサー１３４の前進に伴ってプランジャ２２０が前進する。シリンジ２０内に薬液が充填されている状態において、シリンジ２０が薬液回路３０（図２参照）を介して被検者と接続されているときのこの動作が、薬液注入動作である。 As a result, the engaging claw 222 elastically deforms toward the center O of the plunger 222 (see FIG. 5D), and thereafter, as shown in FIG. 7C, the plunger 220 advances in conjunction with the advancement of the presser 134, with the engaging claw 222 remaining elastically deformed. When the syringe 20 is filled with medicinal liquid and the syringe 20 is connected to the subject via the medicinal liquid circuit 30 (see FIG. 2), this operation is the medicinal liquid injection operation.
　プレッサー１３４の周溝１３４ａは、係合爪２２２の外側突起２２２ｃがシリンジ外筒２１０の内面２１０ａに乗り上げたときに内側突起２２２ｄと対向する位置に形成されており、係合爪２２２が弾性変形することによって、係合爪２２２の内側突起２２２ｄがプレッサー１３４の周溝１３４ａに係合する。したがって、係合爪２２２が弾性変形している状態である限りは、プレッサー１３４を後退させると、プレッサー１３４の後退に伴ってプランジャ２２０が後退する。シリンジ２０が空である状態において、シリンジ２０が薬液回路３０（図２参照）と接続されているときのこの動作が、薬液吸引動作である。 The circumferential groove 134a of the presser 134 is formed in a position facing the inner protrusion 222d when the outer protrusion 222c of the engagement claw 222 rides on the inner surface 210a of the syringe outer barrel 210, and the inner protrusion 222d of the engagement claw 222 engages with the circumferential groove 134a of the presser 134 as the engagement claw 222 elastically deforms. Therefore, as long as the engagement claw 222 is in an elastically deformed state, when the presser 134 is retracted, the plunger 220 retracts in conjunction with the retraction of the presser 134. This action when the syringe 20 is empty and connected to the liquid medicine circuit 30 (see FIG. 2) is the liquid medicine suction action.
　プレッサー１３４がさらに後退し、プランジャ２２０の係合爪２２２の外側突起２２２ｃがシリンジ外筒２１０の拡径部２１０ｂに達すると、係合爪２２２はその弾性によってプランジャ２２０の中心Ｏ（図５Ｄ参照）から離れる方向に変位し、プレッサー１３４の周溝１３４ａへの係合爪２２２の内側突起２２２ｄの係合が解除される。したがって、プレッサー１３４をさらに後退させると、プランジャ２２０をシリンジ外筒２１０内に残したままプレッサー１３４のみが後退する。プレッサー１３４がシリンジ外筒２１０から引き出されるまでプレッサー１３４を後退させると、シリンジ２０をシリンジ支持アセンブリ１２０から取り外すことが可能な状態となる。 When the presser 134 is further retracted and the outer projection 222c of the engagement claw 222 of the plunger 220 reaches the enlarged diameter portion 210b of the syringe outer barrel 210, the elasticity of the engagement claw 222 displaces it in a direction away from the center O of the plunger 220 (see FIG. 5D), and the engagement of the inner projection 222d of the engagement claw 222 with the circumferential groove 134a of the presser 134 is released. Therefore, when the presser 134 is further retracted, only the presser 134 retracts while the plunger 220 remains inside the syringe outer barrel 210. When the presser 134 is retracted until it is pulled out of the syringe outer barrel 210, the syringe 20 can be removed from the syringe support assembly 120.
　ここで、内側突起２２２ｄと周溝１３４ａとの好ましい寸法関係について図８を参照して説明する。内側突起２２２ｄが周溝１３４ａに良好に係合するためには、前後方向での内側突起２２２ｄの長さＬ１＜周溝１３４ａの長さＬ２であることが好ましい。また、周溝１３４ａに対する内側突起２２２ｄの滑らかな動作のためには、内側突起２２２ｄの先端部分は前側および後側の角部が曲面で形成される（Ｒ加工ともいう）ことが好ましく、より滑らかな係合のためには、前側の角部の半径Ｒ１＜後側の角部の半径Ｒ２であることがより好ましい。Ｒ１とＲ２の関係をＲ１とＲ２の比で表すと、好ましくは。Ｒ１：Ｒ２＝１：２～５であり、例えば、Ｒ１：Ｒ２は、１：２、１：２．５、１：３、１：３．５、１：４、１：４．５、または１：５とすることができる。特に好ましいのは、Ｒ１：Ｒ２＝１：２．５であり、具体的な値としては、Ｒ１＝０．２ｍｍ、Ｒ２＝０．５ｍｍとすることができる。また、内側突起２２２ｄが周溝１３４ａに係合した状態でプランジャ２２０が滑らかにシリンジ外筒２１０内で移動できるようにするためには、周溝１３４ａの深さＤ２＞シリンジ外筒２１０の拡径部２１０ｂでの段差Ｄ１（図５Ｂ参照）であることが好ましい。 Here, the preferred dimensional relationship between the inner protrusion 222d and the circumferential groove 134a will be described with reference to FIG. 8. In order for the inner protrusion 222d to engage well with the circumferential groove 134a, it is preferable that the length L1 of the inner protrusion 222d in the front-rear direction is less than the length L2 of the circumferential groove 134a. In addition, for smooth operation of the inner protrusion 222d relative to the circumferential groove 134a, it is preferable that the front and rear corners of the tip portion of the inner protrusion 222d are formed with a curved surface (also called R processing), and for smoother engagement, it is more preferable that the radius R1 of the front corner is less than the radius R2 of the rear corner. The relationship between R1 and R2 is preferably expressed as the ratio of R1 to R2. R1:R2=1:2 to 5, and for example, R1:R2 can be 1:2, 1:2.5, 1:3, 1:3.5, 1:4, 1:4.5, or 1:5. Particularly preferred is R1:R2=1:2.5, and specific values can be R1=0.2 mm, R2=0.5 mm. In order to allow the plunger 220 to move smoothly within the syringe barrel 210 with the inner protrusion 222d engaged with the circumferential groove 134a, it is preferable that the depth D2 of the circumferential groove 134a is greater than the step D1 at the enlarged diameter portion 210b of the syringe barrel 210 (see FIG. 5B).
　以上説明した形態では、２つの係合爪２２２が中心Ｏに対して点対称となる位置に周方向に互いに間隔をあけて配置されたプランジャ２２０を示した。ボールねじ式の駆動機構を有するリニアアクチュエータ１３０においては、ボールねじの回転運動をプレッサー１３４の直進運動に変換しているので、ボールねじに回転ブレが生じるとそのブレがプレッサー１３４にも伝達してプレッサー１３４がブレながら進退移動する可能性がある。一方、プランジャ２２０は、係合爪２２２の外側突起２２２ｃがシリンジ外筒２１０の内面２１０ａに接触しながら移動するので、プランジャ２２０が移動するときには係合爪２２２の外側突起２２２ｃとシリンジ外筒２１０の内面２１０ａとの間に摺動抵抗が作用する。 In the embodiment described above, the plunger 220 is shown in which the two engaging claws 222 are arranged at a distance from each other in the circumferential direction in positions that are point symmetrical with respect to the center O. In the linear actuator 130 having a ball screw type drive mechanism, the rotational motion of the ball screw is converted into the linear motion of the presser 134, so if rotational wobble occurs in the ball screw, the wobble is also transmitted to the presser 134, and the presser 134 may move back and forth while wobbling. Meanwhile, the plunger 220 moves while the outer protrusion 222c of the engaging claw 222 is in contact with the inner surface 210a of the syringe outer cylinder 210, so that a sliding resistance acts between the outer protrusion 222c of the engaging claw 222 and the inner surface 210a of the syringe outer cylinder 210 when the plunger 220 moves.
　プレッサー１３４の周方向において係合爪２２２がプレッサー１３４を包囲する割合が大きいと、ボールねじの回転ブレはそのまま係合爪２２２に伝わり、プランジャ２２０の移動時に係合爪２２２の外側突起２２２ｃとシリンジ外筒２１０の内面２１０ａとの間に生じる摺動抵抗の変動を招く。この変動は、ボールねじを回転させるためのモータ電流の変動を招き、モータ電流の値を利用して薬液の注入圧力を算出する場合に、注入圧力を正確に算出できなくなる可能性がある。そこで、ボールねじの回転ブレに起因するモータ電流の変動を抑制するためには、プレッサー１３４の径方向でのブレをある程度許容できるように、プレッサー１３４の周方向において係合爪２２２が包囲する割合を７０％以下することが好ましく、より好ましくは５０％以下である。ただし、この割合が小さすぎると内側突起２２２ｄと周溝１３４ａとの係合が不十分になる可能性があるので、この割合は３０％以上であることが好ましい。 If the proportion of the engagement claws 222 surrounding the presser 134 in the circumferential direction of the presser 134 is large, the rotational wobble of the ball screw is transmitted directly to the engagement claws 222, resulting in fluctuations in the sliding resistance generated between the outer protrusion 222c of the engagement claws 222 and the inner surface 210a of the syringe outer cylinder 210 when the plunger 220 moves. This fluctuation leads to fluctuations in the motor current for rotating the ball screw, and when the injection pressure of the drug solution is calculated using the value of the motor current, it may not be possible to accurately calculate the injection pressure. Therefore, in order to suppress the fluctuations in the motor current caused by the rotational wobble of the ball screw, it is preferable to set the proportion of the engagement claws 222 surrounding the presser 134 in the circumferential direction to 70% or less, and more preferably 50% or less, so that the radial wobble of the presser 134 can be tolerated to a certain extent. However, if this proportion is too small, the engagement between the inner protrusion 222d and the circumferential groove 134a may be insufficient, so this proportion is preferably 30% or more.
　係合爪２２２の数および配置は任意であってよい。ただし、内側突起２２２ｄがプレッサー１３４の周溝１３４ａに対して周方向にバランスよく係合するという観点からは、複数の係合爪２２２を周方向に等間隔に配置することが好ましい。また、上述したモータ電流の変動を抑制するという観点も考慮すると、２つの係合爪２２２を周方向に等間隔に配置することが好ましい。また、断面楕円形のシリンジ２０が用いられる場合、薬液の注入時に発生する内圧によって、シリンジ外筒２１０の断面形状を円形に変形させるような力、すなわち、長軸方向の長さが短くし、短軸方向の長さを長くするような力が働く。よって、係合爪２２２の内側突起２２２ｄがプレッサー１３４の周溝１３４ａにより良好に係合できるようにするためには、係合爪２２２は、シリンジ２０の長軸方向をカバーする位置に配置されることが好ましい。 The number and arrangement of the engaging claws 222 may be arbitrary. However, from the viewpoint of the inner protrusion 222d engaging with the circumferential groove 134a of the presser 134 in a balanced manner in the circumferential direction, it is preferable to arrange the engaging claws 222 at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. Also, from the viewpoint of suppressing the fluctuation of the motor current described above, it is preferable to arrange two engaging claws 222 at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. Furthermore, when a syringe 20 with an elliptical cross section is used, the internal pressure generated when the drug solution is injected acts on the syringe outer cylinder 210 to deform the cross-sectional shape into a circle, that is, a force that shortens the length in the major axis direction and lengthens the length in the minor axis direction. Therefore, in order to allow the inner protrusion 222d of the engaging claw 222 to better engage with the circumferential groove 134a of the presser 134, it is preferable that the engaging claws 222 are arranged in a position that covers the major axis direction of the syringe 20.
　また、複数の係合爪２２２は、周方向に間隔をあけて配置されることも好ましく、これにより、ユーザは係合爪２２２とプレッサー１３４の周溝１３４ａとの係合の状態を係合爪２２２の間から視認することができる。ただし、薬液注入装置１０の使用時の注入ヘッド１０ａとユーザとの位置関係によっては、プレッサー１３４の周溝１３４ａとの係合状態をユーザが視認できない位置に係合爪２２２が位置することもある。したがって、係合爪２２２の配置は、薬液注入装置１０の使用時の状況に応じて適宜設計することが好ましい。例えば、図示した形態では、シリンジ２０が注入ヘッド１０ａに装着された姿勢でシリンジ２０の後端側から見たときに、係合爪２２２は左上および右下に配置されている（図５等参照）が、係合爪２２２が右上および左下に配置されてもよい。 Moreover, it is also preferable that the multiple engagement claws 222 are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction, so that the user can visually check the state of engagement between the engagement claws 222 and the circumferential groove 134a of the presser 134 from between the engagement claws 222. However, depending on the positional relationship between the injection head 10a and the user when using the drug solution injection device 10, the engagement claws 222 may be located at a position where the user cannot visually check the state of engagement with the circumferential groove 134a of the presser 134. Therefore, it is preferable to appropriately design the arrangement of the engagement claws 222 according to the situation when the drug solution injection device 10 is used. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, when viewed from the rear end side of the syringe 20 with the syringe 20 attached to the injection head 10a, the engagement claws 222 are arranged at the upper left and lower right (see FIG. 5, etc.), but the engagement claws 222 may also be arranged at the upper right and lower left.
　再び図４Ａ～４Ｃを参照して注入ヘッド１０ａの他の構成を説明する。 Referring again to Figures 4A to 4C, other configurations of the injection head 10a will be described.
　ニードルレスバルブ保持ユニット１４０は、下カバー１４１と、下カバー１４１にヒンジを介して開閉可能に支持された上カバー１４２とを有する。ニードルレスバルブ保持ユニット１４０は、一方のシリンジカバー１１０Ａの前部においてシリンジカバー１１０Ａの内部と外部とに跨って位置する。これによって、一方のシリンジカバー１１０Ａが閉じているときには上カバー１４２を開くことができないが、そのシリンジカバー１１０Ａを開くと、上カバー１４２を開くことができるように構成される。ニードルレスバルブ保持ユニット１４０は、図２に示したニードルレスバルブ３１３ａおよび雄ルアーロックコネクタ３３０を互いに連結された状態で保持するものであるが、下カバー１４１はニードルレスバルブ３１３ａの回転止め構造を有しており、上カバー１４２を閉じた状態でも雄ルアーロックコネクタ３３０を回転させて、ニードルレスバルブ３１３ａとの連結および分離が可能である。 The needleless valve holding unit 140 has a lower cover 141 and an upper cover 142 supported on the lower cover 141 via a hinge so that it can be opened and closed. The needleless valve holding unit 140 is located in front of one of the syringe covers 110A, straddling the inside and outside of the syringe cover 110A. This makes it possible to open the upper cover 142 when the one of the syringe covers 110A is closed, but to open the upper cover 142 when the syringe cover 110A is opened. The needleless valve holding unit 140 holds the needleless valve 313a and the male luer lock connector 330 shown in FIG. 2 in a connected state, but the lower cover 141 has a rotation stop structure for the needleless valve 313a, and the male luer lock connector 330 can be rotated to connect and disconnect with the needleless valve 313a even when the upper cover 142 is closed.
　ニードルレスバルブ保持ユニット１４０は、上カバー１４２を閉じた状態ではニードルレスバルブ３１３ａがニードルレスバルブ保持ユニット１４０から突出せず、ニードルレスバルブ３１３ａの全体を保持するように構成されることが好ましい。これにより、ユーザがニードルレスバルブ３１３ａに触れることなく雄ルアーコネクタ３３０を着脱することができる。このことは、ニードルレスバルブ３１３ａの清潔性維持の観点で好ましい。 The needleless valve holding unit 140 is preferably configured to hold the entire needleless valve 313a without the needleless valve 313a protruding from the needleless valve holding unit 140 when the top cover 142 is closed. This allows the user to attach and detach the male luer connector 330 without touching the needleless valve 313a. This is preferable from the standpoint of maintaining the cleanliness of the needleless valve 313a.
　流路開閉バルブ保持ユニット１５０は、注入ヘッド１０ａの前方に位置し、図２に示した薬液回路２０の流路開閉バルブ３３１を着脱自在に保持する。流路開閉バルブ保持ユニット１５０には、流路開閉バルブ３３１を開閉動作させるための、注入制御ユニット１１（図１参照）によって制御される駆動機構１５１（図２参照）および被検者ライン３０３（図２参照）内のエアを検出するエアセンサ１５２（図２参照）が内蔵されている。エアセンサ１５２としては、超音波式のエアセンサなど任意の検出方式のセンサを用いることができる。流路開閉バルブ保持ユニット１５０は、流路開閉バルブ保持ユニット１５０に流路開閉バルブ３３１が保持されたことを検出する流路開閉バルブセンサ１５０ａ（図２参照）をさらに有する。この流路開閉バルブセンサ１５０ａも、任意の検出方式のセンサを用いることができる。 The flow path opening/closing valve holding unit 150 is located in front of the injection head 10a and detachably holds the flow path opening/closing valve 331 of the liquid medicine circuit 20 shown in FIG. 2. The flow path opening/closing valve holding unit 150 has a built-in drive mechanism 151 (see FIG. 2) controlled by the injection control unit 11 (see FIG. 1) for opening and closing the flow path opening/closing valve 331, and an air sensor 152 (see FIG. 2) for detecting air in the subject line 303 (see FIG. 2). The air sensor 152 may be a sensor of any detection method, such as an ultrasonic air sensor. The flow path opening/closing valve holding unit 150 further has a flow path opening/closing valve sensor 150a (see FIG. 2) for detecting that the flow path opening/closing valve 331 is held by the flow path opening/closing valve holding unit 150. This flow path opening/closing valve sensor 150a may also be a sensor of any detection method.
　注入ヘッド１０ａは、筐体１１０内のシリンジ２０Ａ、２０Ｂが装着される空間を照明する光を発する発光ユニットをさらに有することができる。シリンジカバー１１０Ａ、１１０Ｂを取り外した状態での注入ヘッド１０ａの要部斜視図である図９を参照して、発光ユニットについて説明する。 The injection head 10a may further include a light-emitting unit that emits light to illuminate the space in the housing 110 in which the syringes 20A and 20B are attached. The light-emitting unit will be described with reference to Figure 9, which is a perspective view of the main parts of the injection head 10a with the syringe covers 110A and 110B removed.
　シリンジ支持アセンブリ１２０にシリンジ２０Ａ、２０Ｂが装着された状態において、シリンジ２０Ａ、２０Ｂの下方には、注入ヘッド１０ａの筐体の一部を構成する下ケース１１１ａが配置されている。発光ユニット１６０は、下ケース１１１ａの上で、かつ、２つのシリンジ２０Ａ、２０Ｂの間に相当する部位に配置することができる。発光ユニット１６０は、左右に配置された２つの光源を有することができ、また、発光ユニット１６０の上方には上方へ向かう光を遮光する遮光板１１１ｂを配置することができる。これにより、２つの光源は、２つのシリンジ２０Ａ、２０Ｂをそれぞれ独立して照明することができる。また、２つの光源は、例えば青と緑など、互いに異なる色の光を発するものであってもよい。このように、発光ユニット１６０によってシリンジ２０Ａ、２０Ｂを照明することで、シリンジ２０Ａ、２０Ｂ内の薬液の残量や状態（例えば、気泡の有無）を視認し易くなる。 When the syringes 20A and 20B are attached to the syringe support assembly 120, a lower case 111a constituting a part of the housing of the injection head 10a is disposed below the syringes 20A and 20B. The light-emitting unit 160 can be disposed on the lower case 111a at a position corresponding to between the two syringes 20A and 20B. The light-emitting unit 160 can have two light sources disposed on the left and right, and a light-shielding plate 111b that blocks light directed upward can be disposed above the light-emitting unit 160. This allows the two light sources to independently illuminate the two syringes 20A and 20B. The two light sources may also emit light of different colors, such as blue and green. In this way, by illuminating the syringes 20A and 20B with the light-emitting unit 160, it becomes easier to visually check the remaining amount and state of the medicinal liquid in the syringes 20A and 20B (for example, the presence or absence of air bubbles).
　発光ユニット１６０の光源としては、ＬＥＤ（発光ダイオード）を用いることができる。特に、ＬＥＤを用いる場合、複数のＬＥＤが１列に配置されたＬＥＤテープライトを用いることができる。ＬＥＤテープライトを用いる場合、シリンジ２０Ａ、２０Ｂの長手方向に沿ってＬＥＤテープライトを配置することにより、シリンジ２０Ａ，２０Ｂの長手方向全体をほぼ均一な明るさで照明することができる。また、薬液の注入動作中などプレッサー１３４が前進している間は光が後方から前方へ流れて見え、その逆に、薬液の吸引動作中などプレッサー１３４が後退している間は光が前方から後方へ流れて見えるように、注入制御ユニット１１（図１参照）によってＬＥＤテープライトの発光を制御することもできる。この場合、プレッサー１３４の移動速度に応じて光の流れの速さが変更されてもよい。また、造影剤側（Ａ側）は緑色、生理食塩水側（Ｂ側）は青色というように、左右のシリンジ２０Ａ、２０Ｂに対応して異なる色で照明することもできるし、さらには、待機中は白色で発光させるなど動作時と待機時で発光色を変更することもできる。これにより、操作者は注入ヘッド１０ａの動作を視覚的に認識することができる。 LEDs (light-emitting diodes) can be used as the light source of the light-emitting unit 160. In particular, when LEDs are used, an LED tape light in which multiple LEDs are arranged in a row can be used. When an LED tape light is used, the LED tape light can be arranged along the longitudinal direction of the syringes 20A and 20B, so that the entire longitudinal direction of the syringes 20A and 20B can be illuminated with almost uniform brightness. In addition, the light emission of the LED tape light can be controlled by the injection control unit 11 (see FIG. 1) so that the light appears to flow from the rear to the front while the presser 134 is moving forward, such as during an injection operation of the medicinal liquid, and conversely, the light appears to flow from the front to the rear while the presser 134 is moving backward, such as during an aspirating operation of the medicinal liquid. In this case, the speed of the flow of light may be changed according to the moving speed of the presser 134. In addition, it is possible to illuminate the left and right syringes 20A and 20B in different colors, such as green for the contrast agent side (side A) and blue for the saline solution side (side B), and it is also possible to change the color of the light emitted during operation and standby, such as emitting white light during standby. This allows the operator to visually recognize the operation of the injection head 10a.
　本形態の注入ヘッド１０ａによれば、前述したように、筐体１１０は薬液回路３０の一部を収容できるように構成され、かつ、ニードルレスバルブ保持ユニット１４０および流路開閉バルブ保持ユニット１５０を備える。これらの構成により薬液回路３０の主要部が注入ヘッド１０ａに保持されることにより、薬液回路２０は、コンパクトにまとめられた状態で実質的に注入ヘッド１０ａに搭載される。よって、注入ヘッド１０ａ、シリンジ２０、および薬液回路３０を含むシステム全体をコンパクトに構成することができる。また、薬液回路３０が注入ヘッド１０ａに搭載されることで、薬液回路３０を構成するチューブが不用意に折れ曲がったり、薬液回路３０が不用意に外れたりといった、薬液回路３０の取り回し上の不具合も防止される。 As described above, in the injection head 10a of this embodiment, the housing 110 is configured to accommodate a portion of the liquid medicine circuit 30, and is provided with a needleless valve holding unit 140 and a flow path opening/closing valve holding unit 150. This configuration holds the main portion of the liquid medicine circuit 30 in the injection head 10a, and the liquid medicine circuit 20 is essentially mounted on the injection head 10a in a compactly assembled state. This allows the entire system, including the injection head 10a, syringe 20, and liquid medicine circuit 30, to be configured compactly. Furthermore, mounting the liquid medicine circuit 30 on the injection head 10a prevents problems with handling the liquid medicine circuit 30, such as the tubes constituting the liquid medicine circuit 30 being inadvertently bent or the liquid medicine circuit 30 being inadvertently removed.
　（Ｃ－２）容器ホルダ
　容器ホルダ４３は、容器４０Ａ、４０Ｂを着脱自在に保持するものであり、適宜のブラケットを介して注入ヘッド１０ａに取り付けられることができる。容器ホルダ４３について、図１０Ａ，１０Ｂを参照して説明する。 (C-2) Container Holder Container holder 43 detachably holds containers 40A, 40B, and can be attached to injection head 10a via an appropriate bracket. Container holder 43 will be described with reference to Figures 10A and 10B.
　容器ホルダ４３は、２つの容器４０Ａ、４０Ｂを下向きの姿勢で受け入れ、かつ、容器４０Ａに接続される第１サブライン３０１ｂの一部、および容器４０Ｂに接続される第２サブライン３０２ｂの一部を収容する筐体を有する。筐体の一部は開閉可能なホルダカバー４３０で構成され、ホルダカバー４３０を開くことによって、収容されている第１サブライン３０１ｂおよび第２サブライン３０２ｂの着脱が可能である。筐体の内部には、第１サブライン３０１ｂおよび第２サブライン３０２ｂ内のエアをそれぞれ検出するエアセンサ４３２を有することができる。エアセンサ４３２としては、超音波式または光学式のエアセンサなど任意のセンサを用いることができる。さらに、容器４０Ａ、４０Ｂに収容されている薬液を一定の温度に保温するためのヒータ（ヒータ）が筐体内に設けられていてもよい。 The container holder 43 has a housing that can receive two containers 40A, 40B in a downward position and that houses a part of the first sub-line 301b connected to the container 40A and a part of the second sub-line 302b connected to the container 40B. A part of the housing is composed of an openable holder cover 430, and the first sub-line 301b and the second sub-line 302b housed therein can be attached and detached by opening the holder cover 430. Inside the housing, there can be an air sensor 432 that detects air in the first sub-line 301b and the second sub-line 302b, respectively. As the air sensor 432, any sensor such as an ultrasonic or optical air sensor can be used. Furthermore, a heater (heater) for keeping the chemical solution housed in the containers 40A, 40B at a constant temperature may be provided in the housing.
　また、容器ホルダ４３は、薬液容器４０Ａ、４０Ｂに備えられているバーコード（二次元コードも含む）を読み取るコードリーダー４３１を有していてもよい。バーコードには、商品コード（具体的にはＧＳ１のＧＴＩＮ（Ｇｌｏｂａｌ　Ｔｒａｄｅ　Ｉｔｅｍ　Ｎｕｍｂｅｒ））薬液の種類、内容量、製造メーカ、製造日、消費期限、有効期限、製造番号、製造記号、ロット番号、薬液が造影剤である場合はヨード濃度など、薬液の薬液に関する情報が記録されている。 The container holder 43 may also have a code reader 431 that reads bar codes (including two-dimensional codes) provided on the liquid containers 40A and 40B. The bar codes record information about the liquid, such as the product code (specifically, the GTIN (Global Trade Item Number) of GS1), the type of liquid, the content, the manufacturer, the date of manufacture, the expiry date, the expiration date, the serial number, the serial code, the lot number, and, if the liquid is a contrast medium, the iodine concentration.
　コードリーダー４３１で読み取ったこれらの情報は、注入制御ユニット１１（図１参照）で適宜処理することができる。例えば、注入制御ユニット１１には、この薬液注入装置１０で使用可能な各薬液製造メーカが販売している薬液に関する、上記の商品コード、および容器に貼付されるラベルを含む外観の画像がデータとして格納されている。そして、コードリーダー４３１によってバーコードが読み取られると、注入制御ユニット１１は、読み取った情報と格納されているデータとを照合し、一致する薬品について、読み取った情報の少なくとも一部および／または格納されている画像の少なくとも一つを、ヘッドディスプレイ４４およびコンソール１０ｂの表示デバイス１３のうち少なくともヘッドディスプレイ４４に表示させることができる。これにより、ユーザは、バーコードが正しく読み取られたかどうかを把握することができる。バーコードに記録されている情報は、薬液の注入プロトコルの設定に利用したり、薬液の注入履歴管理に利用したりすることができるので、バーコードが正しく読み取られることは重要である。 The information read by the code reader 431 can be appropriately processed by the injection control unit 11 (see FIG. 1). For example, the injection control unit 11 stores the above-mentioned product codes and images of the exterior including the labels attached to the containers of the liquids sold by each liquid manufacturer that can be used with the liquid injection device 10 as data. When the code reader 431 reads a barcode, the injection control unit 11 compares the read information with the stored data, and for a matching drug, can display at least a part of the read information and/or at least one of the stored images on at least the head display 44 out of the head display 44 and the display device 13 of the console 10b. This allows the user to know whether the barcode has been read correctly. The information recorded in the barcode can be used to set the liquid injection protocol or to manage the liquid injection history, so it is important that the barcode is read correctly.
　容器ホルダ４３は、薬液容器４０Ａ、４０Ｂが容器ホルダ４３に装着されたことを検出する容器検出センサ（不図示）をさらに有していてもよい。また、容器ホルダ４３は、薬液容器４０Ａ、４０Ｂが容器ホルダ４３に装着されたことを視覚的に示すインジケータ４３５を有していてもよい。インジケータ４３５は、例えば、容器ホルダ４３内に設けられたＬＥＤなどの発光源によって照射され、これによって発光するように構成することができる。インジケータ４３５は、例えば、コードリーダー４３１でバーコードを読み取ると点滅し、さらに、薬液容器が装着されると点灯する、というように、発光状態が変更されてもよい。インジケータ４３５は、いずれか一方の薬液容器のみに対して配置されてもよい。その場合は、造影剤が充填されている薬液容器側に配置される。 The container holder 43 may further include a container detection sensor (not shown) that detects that the liquid medicine containers 40A, 40B are attached to the container holder 43. The container holder 43 may also include an indicator 435 that visually indicates that the liquid medicine containers 40A, 40B are attached to the container holder 43. The indicator 435 may be configured to emit light by being irradiated by a light-emitting source such as an LED provided in the container holder 43. The light-emitting state of the indicator 435 may be changed, for example, so that the indicator flashes when a barcode is read by the code reader 431, and lights up when a liquid medicine container is attached. The indicator 435 may be arranged for only one of the liquid medicine containers. In that case, it is arranged on the side of the liquid medicine container filled with contrast medium.
　本形態では、ボトルである薬液容器４０Ａ、４０Ｂに適合する容器ホルダ４３について説明した。しかし、薬液容器には、ボトルだけでなくバッグである薬液容器もある（例えば、生理食塩水バッグ）。そこで、薬液容器がバッグである場合であっても薬液容器を保持できるように、容器ホルダ４３は、バッグを引っ掛けることによって保持するバッグホルダをさらに有していてもよい。一例として、図１０Ｃに示すように、バッグホルダ４３５は、縦方向に延びて容器ホルダ４３の本体に支持されたポール４３５ａと、ポール４３５ａの上端部に取り付けられたフック４３５ｂとを有することができ、このフック４３５ｂにバッグが引っ掛けられる。ポール４３５ａは、様々なサイズのバッグに対応できるように上下方向に伸縮可能に支持され、かつ／または様々な向きでバッグを保持できるように周方向に回転自在に支持されることが好ましい。また、フック４３５ｂは、使用しないときには邪魔にならないように、ポール４３５ａに回動自在（矢印参照）に取り付けられることが好ましい。 In this embodiment, the container holder 43 that fits the liquid medicine containers 40A and 40B, which are bottles, has been described. However, liquid medicine containers include not only bottles but also bags (e.g., saline bags). Therefore, in order to hold the liquid medicine container even when the liquid medicine container is a bag, the container holder 43 may further have a bag holder that holds the bag by hanging it. As an example, as shown in FIG. 10C, the bag holder 435 may have a pole 435a that extends vertically and is supported by the main body of the container holder 43, and a hook 435b attached to the upper end of the pole 435a, and the bag is hung on this hook 435b. The pole 435a is preferably supported so as to be expandable and contractible in the vertical direction so as to accommodate bags of various sizes, and/or is preferably supported so as to be rotatable in the circumferential direction so as to hold the bag in various orientations. In addition, the hook 435b is preferably attached to the pole 435a so as to be rotatable (see arrow) so as not to get in the way when not in use.
　（Ｃ－３）ヘッドディスプレイ
　ヘッドディスプレイ４４は、コンソール１０ｂが備える表示デバイス１３（図１参照）とは別に設けられ、適宜のブラケットを介して向きを任意に変更可能に注入ヘッド１０ａに支持することができる。ヘッドディスプレイ４４としては、操作者による入力操作が可能なタッチパネル式のディスプレイを好ましく用いることができる。ディスプレイ４４には、表示デバイス１１と同じ画面が表示されてもよいし、異なる画面が表示されてもよい。例えば、コードリーダー４３１で読み取った情報の少なくとも一部をディスプレイ４４に表示させることもできる。ディスプレイ４４への表示画面は注入制御ユニット１１（図１参照）により制御される。 (C-3) Head Display Head display 44 is provided separately from display device 13 (see FIG. 1) provided in console 10b, and can be supported on injection head 10a via an appropriate bracket so that its orientation can be arbitrarily changed. A touch panel display that allows input operations by the operator can be preferably used as head display 44. Display 44 may display the same screen as display device 11, or a different screen. For example, at least a part of the information read by code reader 431 can be displayed on display 44. The display screen on display 44 is controlled by injection control unit 11 (see FIG. 1).
　［Ｄ］表示画面
　図１１～２４に、コンソール１０ｂが備えるディスプレイ（表示デバイス１３）およびヘッドディスプレイ４４に表示される画面の例を示す。 [D] Display Screen FIGS. 11 to 24 show examples of screens displayed on the display (display device 13) and head display 44 provided in the console 10b.
　（Ｄ－１）注入条件の設定
　図１１～１４に、注入条件を設定する際に表示される一連の画面を示す。注入条件の設定では、図１１に示すような撮像部位選択画面が表示される。図１１に示す撮像部位選択画面では、複数の区分に分けられた人体を模した画像が表示される。複数の区分の中から１つを選択するための操作者による適宜の入力操作によって、撮像部位を指定することができる。撮像部位が設定されると、図１２に示すような、指定された撮像部位に対応する検査項目の一覧画面が表示される。表示される検査項目は、注入制御ユニット１１（図１参照）に予め登録されている。操作者による適宜の入力操作によって検査項目を選択することで、検査項目が設定される。撮像部位選択画面（図１１）および検査項目の一覧画面（図１２）には、シリンジ内の薬液の残量が表示されてもよい。 (D-1) Setting of injection conditions A series of screens displayed when setting injection conditions are shown in Figs. 11 to 14. When setting injection conditions, an imaging site selection screen as shown in Fig. 11 is displayed. In the imaging site selection screen shown in Fig. 11, an image of a human body divided into a plurality of sections is displayed. The imaging site can be specified by an appropriate input operation by the operator to select one of the plurality of sections. When the imaging site is set, a list screen of examination items corresponding to the specified imaging site is displayed as shown in Fig. 12. The displayed examination items are registered in advance in the injection control unit 11 (see Fig. 1). The examination item is set by selecting the examination item by an appropriate input operation by the operator. The remaining amount of the medicinal liquid in the syringe may be displayed on the imaging site selection screen (Fig. 11) and the list screen of examination items (Fig. 12).
　検査項目が設定されると、それに対応した注入条件設定画面が表示される。注入条件設定画面は、コンソール１０ｂの表示デバイス１３およびヘッドディスプレイ４４の両方に表示されてもよく、これにより、注入ヘッド１０ａおよびコンソール１０ｂのどちらからでも注入条件を設定できる。注入条件設定画面の一例を図１３に示す。注入条件設定画面では、撮像部位、検査項目、被検者の体重、注入する造影剤のヨード量、装着されるシリンジの容量、圧力リミット値、薬液の注入プロトコル等を表示することができる。また、被検者の心拍数を測定する心拍計が薬液注入装置１０に接続されている場合は、心拍数も表示することができる。図示した例では、注入プロトコルは、造影剤を注入する第１フェーズ、造影剤と生理食塩水とを混合して注入する第２フェーズ、生理食塩水を注入する第３フェーズを有する。また、各フェーズにおける薬液の注入速度、注入量および注入時間も表示される。注入条件は、検査項目に応じて注入制御ユニット１１に予め登録することができる。また、数値は必要に応じて操作者が任意に変更することもできる。 When the examination item is set, the corresponding injection condition setting screen is displayed. The injection condition setting screen may be displayed on both the display device 13 and the head display 44 of the console 10b, so that the injection conditions can be set from either the injection head 10a or the console 10b. An example of the injection condition setting screen is shown in FIG. 13. The injection condition setting screen can display the imaging site, the examination item, the subject's weight, the amount of iodine in the contrast agent to be injected, the volume of the attached syringe, the pressure limit value, the injection protocol of the liquid, and the like. In addition, if a heart rate monitor that measures the subject's heart rate is connected to the liquid injection device 10, the heart rate can also be displayed. In the illustrated example, the injection protocol has a first phase in which the contrast agent is injected, a second phase in which the contrast agent is mixed with saline and injected, and a third phase in which saline is injected. In addition, the injection speed, injection amount, and injection time of the liquid in each phase are also displayed. The injection conditions can be registered in advance in the injection control unit 11 according to the examination item. In addition, the numerical values can be changed arbitrarily by the operator as necessary.
　また、例えば図１３Ａに示すように、注入条件設定画面にテストボーラス（Ｔ．　Ｂｏｌｕｓ）タブが表示されてもよい。ユーザがテストボーラスボタンを選択すると、図１３Ｂに示すように、テストボーラス画面がスライドイン表示される。スライドイン表示したテストボーラス画面には、例えは、三角マークを含むタブを有することができ、この三角マークの部分をユーザが操作することによって、テストボーラス画面がスライドイン表示した図１３Ｂに示す状態から図１３Ａに示す状態へ復帰し、元の注入条件設定画面が表示されるように構成されてもよい。これにより、ユーザは直感的な操作が可能になる。 Also, for example, as shown in FIG. 13A, a test bolus tab may be displayed on the injection condition setting screen. When the user selects the test bolus button, a test bolus screen slides in as shown in FIG. 13B. The test bolus screen that slides in may have a tab that includes a triangular mark, for example, and the user may operate the triangular mark to return the test bolus screen from the state shown in FIG. 13B where it slides in to the state shown in FIG. 13A, and the original injection condition setting screen may be displayed. This allows the user to perform intuitive operations.
　注入条件設定画面にはエアチェック（Ａｉｒ　Ｃｈｅｃｋ）ボタンも表示されており、注入条件の確定後にユーザがエアチェックボタンを押す操作をすると、エアチェックが実行される。エアチェックボタンは、コンソール１０ｂの表示デバイス１３にのみ表示される。 The injection condition setting screen also displays an Air Check button, and when the user presses the Air Check button after confirming the injection conditions, an air check is performed. The Air Check button is only displayed on the display device 13 of the console 10b.
　エアチェックが実行され、注入プロトコルの設定値が所定の範囲内にあり、かつ、注入ヘッド１０ａへの薬液容器４０Ａ、４０Ｂ、シリンジ２０Ａ、２０Ｂおよび薬液回路３０のセットアップ（詳しくは後述する）が完了していれば、スタンバイ画面へ遷移する。スタンバイ画面には、例えば図１４に示すように「Ｓｔａｒｔ　ＯＫ」ボタンが表示され、操作者が所定の操作をすることで薬液の注入動作が実行される。図１４に示す画面では、注入条件の設定が完了したことを操作者に明示するため、画面の周囲を取り囲む枠線を表示させてもよい。枠線を表示させる場合、枠線の色はメインの表示領域の色と異なることが好ましい。スタンバイ画面も、コンソール１０ｂの表示デバイス１３およびヘッドディスプレイ４４の両方に表示されてもよく、これにより、注入ヘッド１０ａおよびコンソール１０ｂのどちらからでも注入動作を実行することができる。 If an air check is performed, the settings of the injection protocol are within a predetermined range, and the setup of the liquid containers 40A, 40B, the syringes 20A, 20B, and the liquid circuit 30 in the injection head 10a (described in detail later) is complete, the screen transitions to the standby screen. The standby screen displays a "Start OK" button, for example, as shown in FIG. 14, and the liquid injection operation is performed when the operator performs a predetermined operation. In the screen shown in FIG. 14, a frame line may be displayed around the periphery of the screen to clearly indicate to the operator that the setting of the injection conditions has been completed. If a frame line is displayed, it is preferable that the color of the frame line is different from the color of the main display area. The standby screen may also be displayed on both the display device 13 and the head display 44 of the console 10b, so that the injection operation can be performed from either the injection head 10a or the console 10b.
　図１５に、図１４とは異なる注入プロトコルでの注入条件設定画面の例を示す。図１５に示した例では、造影剤を注入する第１フェーズと、生理食塩水を注入する第２フェーズとを有する。 FIG. 15 shows an example of an injection condition setting screen for an injection protocol different from that shown in FIG. 14. The example shown in FIG. 15 has a first phase in which a contrast agent is injected, and a second phase in which saline is injected.
　なお、図１３～図１５では、注入のフェーズ毎に、注入される薬液の注入速度および注入量と一緒に、注入される薬液の種類（例えば、造影剤であるか生理食塩水であるか）、および混合注入の場合はその混合比も表示されているが、注入速度および注入量のみの表示であってもよい。 In addition, in Figures 13 to 15, for each injection phase, the type of medicinal liquid being injected (for example, contrast medium or saline) and, in the case of a mixed injection, the mixture ratio are also displayed along with the injection speed and injection volume of the medicinal liquid being injected, but it is also possible to display only the injection speed and injection volume.
　（Ｄ－２）薬液の注入
　図１６～２１に、薬液の注入動作中に表示される注入動作画面の例を示す。注入動作画面では、注入動作開始からのタイムラインおよび注入プロトコルを表示することができる。図示した例では、現時点での注入状況を、時間の経過とともにタイムライン上を移動するドット等の画像で表している。また、操作者が現時点での注入状況を視覚的により明確に把握し易くするために、タイムラインを表す画像および注入プロトコルを表す画像の明るさを、現時点以前は明るく表示し、現時点以降は暗く表示するというように、現時点の前後で変えてもよい。さらに、注入動作画面には、撮像装置による撮像動作の開始と連動して、撮像装置による曝射の進捗を表す撮像進捗画像を表示してもよい。図示した例では、撮像進捗画像はタイムラインの下方に表示される。 (D-2) Injection of medical fluid FIGS. 16 to 21 show examples of an injection operation screen displayed during the injection operation of a medical fluid. The injection operation screen can display a timeline and an injection protocol from the start of the injection operation. In the illustrated example, the injection status at the current time is represented by an image such as a dot moving on the timeline with the passage of time. In addition, in order to make it easier for the operator to visually grasp the injection status at the current time more clearly, the brightness of the image representing the timeline and the image representing the injection protocol may be changed before and after the current time, such as being displayed brightly before the current time and being displayed darkly after the current time. Furthermore, the injection operation screen may display an imaging progress image showing the progress of exposure by the imaging device in conjunction with the start of the imaging operation by the imaging device. In the illustrated example, the imaging progress image is displayed below the timeline.
　注入動作中には、注入圧力が公知の技術により測定または算出される。測定または算出された注入圧力の値が圧力リミット値に達した場合、図２２に示すように、タイムライン上で現時点での注入状況を表す画像の表示を変更し、操作者に視覚的または音により警告するようにしてもよい。画像の表示の変更としては、画像のサイズを大きくすること、画像の色を変更すること、画像の表示パターンを変更すること等が挙げられ、これらの１つまたは複数が実行される。設定されている圧力リミット値を注入動作画面に表示してもよく、この場合、測定または算出された注入圧力の値が圧力リミット値に達したときに、圧力リミット値の表示を変更するようにしてもよい。 During the injection operation, the injection pressure is measured or calculated using known techniques. When the measured or calculated injection pressure value reaches the pressure limit value, as shown in FIG. 22, the display of an image showing the current injection status on a timeline may be changed to warn the operator visually or audibly. Changes to the image display may include increasing the size of the image, changing the color of the image, changing the image display pattern, etc., and one or more of these may be performed. The set pressure limit value may be displayed on the injection operation screen, in which case the display of the pressure limit value may be changed when the measured or calculated injection pressure value reaches the pressure limit value.
　図２２Ａに示すように、注入動作画面には、「Ｐｒｅｓｓｕｒｅ　Ｇｒａｐｈ」（圧力グラフ）タブが表示されるようにしてもよい。ユーザが圧力グラフタブを操作すると、図２２Ｂに示すように、圧力グラフがスライドイン表示される。ユーザが再度、圧力グラフタブを操作すると、図２２Ａに示した画面に戻る。このように、注入動作中は、ユーザの操作に応じて注入プロトコルの表示と圧力グラフの表示とが切り替えられるようにしてもよい。 As shown in FIG. 22A, a "Pressure Graph" tab may be displayed on the injection operation screen. When the user operates the pressure graph tab, a pressure graph slides in as shown in FIG. 22B. When the user operates the pressure graph tab again, the screen returns to that shown in FIG. 22A. In this way, during the injection operation, the display of the injection protocol and the pressure graph may be switched depending on the user's operation.
　（Ｄ－３）注入シミュレーション
　薬液注入装置は、設定した注入条件で薬液を注入したときに、時間の経過とともにＣＴ値がどのように変化するかを表すグラフ（ＴＤＣ；Ｔｉｍｅ　Ｄｅｎｓｉｔｙ　Ｃｕｒｖｅ）をシミュレートする機能を有することができる。例えば図１３に示すように、注入条件設定画面に「Ｓｉｍｕｌａｔｉｏｎ」（シミュレーション）タブを表示させ、操作者がこの「Ｓｉｍｕｌａｔｉｏｎ」タブを選択することにより、注入条件設定画面に表示されている注入条件で薬液の注入を行なった場合のＴＤＣ曲線のシミュレート機能を実行させるようにことができる。 (D-3) Injection Simulation The liquid injector can have a function of simulating a graph (TDC; Time Density Curve) showing how the CT value changes over time when liquid is injected under set injection conditions. For example, as shown in Fig. 13, a "Simulation" tab can be displayed on the injection condition setting screen, and the operator can select this "Simulation" tab to execute a function of simulating a TDC curve when liquid is injected under the injection conditions displayed on the injection condition setting screen.
　シミュレート機能を実行させたときに表示されるシミュレート画面の例を、図２３～２４に示す。シミュレート機能が実行されると、まず、図２３に示すように、シミュレーション条件が、撮像部位を模式的に表した画像とともに表示される。本形態では、このシミュレーション画面には「ＯＫ」ボタンおよびグラフ表示ボタンも表示される。グラフ表示ボタンは、本形態ではグラフを模した図形で表示される。「ＯＫ」ボタンは、図２３に示す画面に戻るためのボタンである。グラフ表示ボタンは、グラフを意味するグラフィックシンボルで表すことができ、操作者がこのグラフ表示ボタンを選択すると、図２４に示すような、シミュレートされたＴＤＣグラフが表示される。ＴＤＣグラフには、目標ＣＴ値以上のＣＴ値を維持する時間を表す範囲も示される。操作者が「ＯＫ」ボタンを選択すると、図２３に示す画面に戻る。 　Examples of the simulation screen displayed when the simulation function is executed are shown in Figs. 23 and 24. When the simulation function is executed, first, as shown in Fig. 23, the simulation conditions are displayed together with an image that shows the part to be imaged in a schematic manner. In this embodiment, an "OK" button and a graph display button are also displayed on this simulation screen. In this embodiment, the graph display button is displayed as a graphic that resembles a graph. The "OK" button is a button for returning to the screen shown in Fig. 23. The graph display button can be represented by a graphic symbol that means a graph, and when the operator selects this graph display button, a simulated TDC graph as shown in Fig. 24 is displayed. The TDC graph also shows a range that indicates the time for which a CT value equal to or greater than the target CT value is maintained. When the operator selects the "OK" button, the screen returns to that shown in Fig. 23.
　（Ｄ－４）ルート確認
　造影のための薬液の注入に先立って、注入ルートが確立されているかどうかを確認するために、造影のための薬液の注入速度および注入時間よりも少ない注入速度および注入時間で生理食塩水を注入するルート確認が行われる。ルート確認時には、ルート確認における注入条件の確認等のために、ルート確認画面を表示することができる。 (D-4) Route Confirmation Prior to the injection of the medical fluid for contrast imaging, in order to confirm whether the injection route is established, route confirmation is performed in which physiological saline is injected at an injection speed and injection time that are slower than the injection speed and injection time of the medical fluid for contrast imaging. During route confirmation, a route confirmation screen can be displayed to confirm the injection conditions in route confirmation, etc.
　ルート確認画面の呼び出しのために、例えば、ヘッドディスプレイ４４に表示される注入条件設定画面（図２５参照）にルート確認（Ｎ．Ｐ．Ｔｅｓｔ）呼び出しボタンが表示される。ユーザがルート確認呼び出しボタンを押す操作をすることによって、ルート確認画面へ遷移する。ルート確認画面には、例えば図２６に示すように、ルート確認時の生理食塩水の注入プロトコル（注入速度および注入量）が表示される。さらに、シリンジ内の生理食塩水の残量およびルート確認開始からの経過時間を表すタイムラインがルート確認画面に表示されてもよい。また、ルート確認の実行中は、図２７に示すように、生理食塩水の経時的な注入圧力の変化を示す圧力グラスをリアルタイムに表示してもよく、これにより、ユーザは注入ルートの異常の有無を視覚的に確認することができる。図２６および図２７に示すルート確認画面には、例えば「×」マークで示される閉じるボタンが表示され、ユーザがこの閉じるボタンを操作することによって、ルート確認画面を閉じ、図２５に示した注入条件設定画面の表示に復帰するようにしてもよい。これにより、ユーザは直感的な操作が可能になる。 To call the route confirmation screen, for example, a route confirmation (N.P. Test) call button is displayed on the injection condition setting screen (see FIG. 25) displayed on the head display 44. The user presses the route confirmation call button to transition to the route confirmation screen. The route confirmation screen displays the saline injection protocol (injection rate and injection amount) at the time of route confirmation, as shown in FIG. 26, for example. In addition, the route confirmation screen may display a timeline showing the remaining amount of saline in the syringe and the elapsed time from the start of route confirmation. During route confirmation, a pressure glass showing the change in injection pressure of saline over time may be displayed in real time, as shown in FIG. 27, so that the user can visually check whether there is an abnormality in the injection route. The route confirmation screens shown in FIG. 26 and FIG. 27 may display a close button, for example, indicated by an "x" mark, and the user may operate this close button to close the route confirmation screen and return to the display of the injection condition setting screen shown in FIG. 25. This allows the user to perform intuitive operations.
　ルート確認呼び出しボタンが操作されると、コンソール１０ｂの表示デバイス１３にも、図２８に示すようにルート確認画面が表示される。本形態では、ルート確認画面は注入条件設定画面上にスライドイン表示される。コンソール１０ｂの表示デバイス１３に表示されるルート確認画面には、エアチェック（Ａｉｒ　Ｃｈｅｃｋ）ボタンも表示されており、注入条件の確定後にユーザがエアチェックボタンを押す操作をすると、エアチェックが実行され、スタンバイ状態へ遷移する。この状態でユーザがルート確認実行のための所定の操作をすることで、ルート確認が実行される。ルート確認の実行後、ユーザによる所定の操作でヘッドディスプレイ４４のルート確認画面を閉じると、コンソール１０ｂの表示デバイスのルート確認画面も閉じられ、ヘッドディスプレイ４４およびコンソール１０ｂの表示デバイス１３の表示は注入条件設定画面に戻る。スライドイン表示したルート確認画面を閉じるには、例えば、ルート確認画面を、三角マークを含むタブを有するように構成し、この三角マークの部分をユーザが操作することによって、ルート確認画面がスライドイン表示した状態からスライドイン表示する前の状態へ復帰するようにしてもよい。これにより、ユーザは直感的な操作が可能となる。 When the route confirmation call button is operated, the display device 13 of the console 10b also displays a route confirmation screen as shown in FIG. 28. In this embodiment, the route confirmation screen is displayed as a slide-in on the injection condition setting screen. The route confirmation screen displayed on the display device 13 of the console 10b also displays an air check button. When the user presses the air check button after the injection conditions are confirmed, an air check is performed and the system transitions to a standby state. In this state, the user performs a predetermined operation for performing route confirmation, and route confirmation is performed. After the route confirmation is performed, when the user closes the route confirmation screen on the head display 44 by a predetermined operation, the route confirmation screen on the display device of the console 10b is also closed, and the display of the head display 44 and the display device 13 of the console 10b returns to the injection condition setting screen. To close the route confirmation screen that has been displayed in a slide-in manner, for example, the route confirmation screen may be configured to have a tab including a triangular mark, and the user may operate the triangular mark portion to return the route confirmation screen from the slide-in display state to the state before the slide-in display. This allows the user to perform intuitive operations.
　（Ｄ－５）セルフチェックおよびセットアップ
　コンソール１０ｂの電源がオンされると、表示デバイス１３にセルフチェック画面が表示されるとともに、薬液注入装置１０の各種機能のセルフチェックが行われる。セルフチェックが終了すると、シリンジ２０Ａ、２０Ｂ、薬液容器４０Ａ、４０Ｂおよび薬液回路３０のセットアップを行うことができるようになる。セットアップは、以下に述べるような、ヘッドディスプレイ４４に表示されるガイダンスに従って行うことができる。 (D-5) Self-Check and Setup When the power of the console 10b is turned on, a self-check screen is displayed on the display device 13 and a self-check is performed on various functions of the liquid injector 10. When the self-check is completed, it becomes possible to set up the syringes 20A, 20B, the liquid containers 40A, 40B, and the liquid circuit 30. The setup can be performed by following the guidance displayed on the head display 44 as described below.
　セットアップでは、まず、シリンジセット画面が表示される。シリンジセット画面には、ユーザにシリンジの装着を促すメッセージがＯＫボタンとともに表示される。ここでいうシリンジとは、未使用のシリンジ、すなわち、薬液が充填されておらず、プランジャが最後端に位置するシリンジである。なお、セルフチェックにおいてプレッサーの位置が最後端にないことが検出されていれば、プレッサー後退画面が表示される。プレッサー後退画面には、シリンジの画像とともに後退ボタン（「Ｒｅｔｒａｃｔ」と表示）が表示され、ユーザが後退ボタンを操作することによってプレッサーが後退する。プレッサーの後退が完了した後、シリンジセット画面が表示される。 In the setup, the syringe setting screen is displayed first. On the syringe setting screen, a message urging the user to attach the syringe is displayed along with an OK button. The syringe referred to here is an unused syringe, that is, a syringe that is not filled with medicinal liquid and whose plunger is located at the rearmost end. If the self-check detects that the presser is not at the rearmost end, the presser retraction screen is displayed. On the presser retraction screen, a retraction button (displaying "Retract") is displayed along with an image of the syringe, and the presser is retracted when the user operates the retraction button. After the presser has been retracted, the syringe setting screen is displayed.
　ユーザがシリンジを装着し、シリンジセット画面のＯＫボタンを押す操作をすると、次に、ユーザにプレッサーの前進ボタンの操作を促すプレッサー前進画面に遷移する。この画面には動作開始ボタンも表示されており、ユーザが動作開始ボタンを押す操作をすると、プレッサーの前進動作が開始され、それと同時に、図２９に示すような前進アニメーション画面へ遷移する。プレッサー前進画面では、シリンジ内でプランジャが前進する様子がアニメーション表示される。前進アニメーション画面には動作停止ボタンも表示されており、ユーザが動作停止ボタンを押す操作をすることによって、プレッサー前進画面へ戻る。プレッサーが最前端まで前進すると、ユーザに薬液回路の複数回使用部の接続を促す複数回使用部セット画面へ遷移する。この画面にはＯＫボタンも表示されており、ユーザがＯＫボタンを押す操作をすると、充填画面へ遷移する。 When the user attaches the syringe and presses the OK button on the syringe set screen, the screen transitions to a presser forward screen that prompts the user to press the presser forward button. This screen also displays a start button, and when the user presses the start button, the presser forward movement begins, and at the same time, the screen transitions to a forward animation screen as shown in Figure 29. The presser forward screen displays an animation of the plunger moving forward inside the syringe. The forward animation screen also displays a stop button, and when the user presses the stop button, the screen returns to the presser forward screen. When the presser moves forward to the very front, the screen transitions to a multiple use part set screen that prompts the user to connect the multiple use part of the drug circuit. This screen also displays an OK button, and when the user presses the OK button, the screen transitions to the filling screen.
　ヘッドディスプレイ４４に表示される充填画面の一例を図３０に示す。図に示す充填画面では、Ａ側およびＢ側のそれぞれのシリンジを模式的に示すシリンジ画像、および各シリンジ画像の横に配置された充填量設定値が表示される。シリンジ画像は、充填動作中、シリンジ内の薬液量の変化（実際にはリニアアクチュエータ１３０の位置）に応じてアニメーション表示される。充填量設定値の下方には、充填方式設定ボタンが表示される。本形態では、充填方式として、「Ｆｕｌｌモード」、「Ｓｅｔモード」および「Ａｄｄモード」が設定され、ボタンを操作するたびに、これらのモードが順次切り替えられる。「Ｆｕｌｌモード」では、シリンジの満容量（本形態では１５０ｍＬ）が充填される。「Ｓｅｔモード」では、設定された数値に達するまで充填される。「Ａｄｄモード」では、設定された数値の量を充填する。いずれのモードでも、シリンジに充填された量がそのシリンジの満容量に達した場合は充填動作を停止し、それ以上の充填は行わない。また、「Ｓｅｔモード」および「Ａｄｄモード」では、充填量設定値の横に、設定値調整ボタンが表示される。 30 shows an example of a filling screen displayed on the head display 44. In the filling screen shown in the figure, a syringe image showing each of the syringes on the A side and the B side is displayed, along with a filling amount setting value arranged next to each syringe image. The syringe image is animated according to the change in the amount of medicinal liquid in the syringe (actually the position of the linear actuator 130) during the filling operation. A filling method setting button is displayed below the filling amount setting value. In this embodiment, "Full mode", "Set mode" and "Add mode" are set as the filling method, and these modes are switched in sequence each time the button is operated. In "Full mode", the syringe is filled to its full capacity (150 mL in this embodiment). In "Set mode", it is filled until it reaches the set numerical value. In "Add mode", the amount of the set numerical value is filled. In any mode, when the amount filled in the syringe reaches its full capacity, the filling operation is stopped and no further filling is performed. Additionally, in "Set mode" and "Add mode," a setting adjustment button is displayed next to the filling amount setting.
　充填量設定値の上方には、注意喚起ピクトが必要に応じて表示される。注意喚起ピクトは、エアセンサ４３２（図１０Ｂ）によってエアが検出された場合、すなわち、薬液容器からシリンジまでの間の薬液回路の分部でエアが検出された場合に表示され、エアの検出が解除されるまで表示され続けられ、充填動作は停止する。エアの検出は、シリンジ２０Ａ、２０Ｂおよび薬液回路３０の複数回使用部３００Ｂを交換し、複数回使用部３００Ｂが薬液で満たされることによって解除されてもよい。 A warning pictogram is displayed above the fill amount setting value as necessary. The warning pictogram is displayed when air is detected by air sensor 432 (FIG. 10B), that is, when air is detected in a portion of the liquid medicine circuit between the liquid medicine container and the syringe, and remains displayed until the air detection is released, at which point the filling operation is stopped. The air detection may be released by replacing syringes 20A, 20B and multiple-use portion 300B of liquid medicine circuit 30, and filling multiple-use portion 300B with liquid medicine.
　シリンジ画像の下方には、充填開始ボタンが表示される。本形態では、充填開始ボタンは、下向き矢印を模した画像が表示される。ユーザが充填開始ボタンを操作することによって、薬液の充填動作が開始される。 Below the syringe image, a start filling button is displayed. In this embodiment, the start filling button is displayed as an image resembling a downward arrow. When the user operates the start filling button, the operation of filling the medicinal liquid begins.
　充填画面の上部には、薬液容器の薬液残量が表示される。薬液残量は、薬液容器に備えられたバーコードを読み取ることによって取得された値である。薬液の充填に伴って、薬液残量の値は減少していく。薬液残量の値がゼロまたは予め決められた閾値に達すると、充填動作は停止される。このことによる充填動作の停止後、薬液容器を交換し、所定の操作を行うことによって薬液の再充填が可能である。薬液容器を交換する際、薬液容器が取り外されることによって薬液容器の認識が解除されるが、そのタイミングで、残量閾値の管理を停止し、薬液残量の表示も行わない。なお、図に示した充填画面では、造影剤に関してのみ薬液残量が表示される。 The amount of liquid remaining in the liquid container is displayed at the top of the filling screen. The remaining amount of liquid is a value obtained by reading the barcode on the liquid container. As the liquid is filled, the remaining amount decreases. When the remaining amount of liquid reaches zero or a predetermined threshold, the filling operation is stopped. After the filling operation has stopped due to this, the liquid container can be replaced and the liquid can be refilled by performing the specified operation. When replacing the liquid container, the liquid container is removed and recognition of the liquid container is released, but at that point management of the remaining amount threshold is stopped and the remaining amount of liquid is not displayed. Note that on the filling screen shown in the figure, the remaining amount of liquid is only displayed for the contrast medium.
　薬液の充填動作の完了後、ユーザによりＮｅｘｔボタンが操作されることによって、充填画面から単数回使用部セット画面へ遷移する。単数回使用部セット画面は、単数回使用部３００Ａ（図２参照）の接続をユーザに促すメッセージおよびＯＫボタンが表示される。ユーザにより単数回使用部３００Ａが接続され、さらに、単数回使用部３００Ａ内が薬液で充填されることで、セットアップが完了する。その後、ＯＫボタンが操作されると、図２５に示した注入条件設定画面へ遷移する。 After the medicinal liquid filling operation is completed, the user operates the Next button to transition from the filling screen to the single-use unit setting screen. The single-use unit setting screen displays a message prompting the user to connect the single-use unit 300A (see Figure 2) and an OK button. When the user connects the single-use unit 300A and further fills the single-use unit 300A with medicinal liquid, the setup is complete. After that, when the OK button is operated, the screen transitions to the injection condition setting screen shown in Figure 25.
　（Ｄ－６）その他
　ここで、図２５に示した、ヘッドディスプレイ４４に表示される注入条件設定画面についてより詳しく説明する。この注入条件設定画面では、前述したルート確認呼び出しボタンの他に、注入プロトコル（フェーズごとの各薬液の注入速度および注入量、注入開始からの経過時間など）、および圧力リミット値が表示される。これらは、コンソール１０ｂで設定されている注入条件と同じ値が表示される。さらに、ヘッドディスプレイ４４に表示される注入条件設定画面では、検査終了ボタン（「Ｒｅｐｌａｃｅ　Ｍｕｌｔｉ－Ｕｓｅ」と表示）が表示される。 (D-6) Others Here, the injection condition setting screen displayed on the head display 44 shown in Fig. 25 will be described in more detail. In addition to the route confirmation call button mentioned above, this injection condition setting screen displays the injection protocol (injection speed and injection amount of each liquid for each phase, elapsed time from the start of injection, etc.) and pressure limit value. These are displayed with the same values as the injection conditions set on the console 10b. Furthermore, the injection condition setting screen displayed on the head display 44 displays an examination end button (displaying "Replace Multi-Use").
　注入条件設定画面から注入動作完了までの間に表示される画面は、コンソール１０ｂの表示デバイス１３での画面と連動して遷移する。すなわち、前述した所定の条件の下でコンソール１０ｂの表示デバイス１３に表示される画面がスタンバイ画面に遷移すると、ヘッドディスプレイ４４に表示される画面もスタンバイ画面（図３１参照）に遷移する。そして、注入動作が開始されてコンソール１０ｂの表示デバイス１３に表示される画面が注入画面に遷移すると、ヘッドディスプレイ４４に表示される画面も注入画面（図３２参照）に遷移する。 The screens displayed from the injection condition setting screen until the completion of the injection operation transition in conjunction with the screen on the display device 13 of the console 10b. That is, when the screen displayed on the display device 13 of the console 10b transitions to the standby screen under the specified conditions described above, the screen displayed on the head display 44 also transitions to the standby screen (see FIG. 31). Then, when the injection operation is started and the screen displayed on the display device 13 of the console 10b transitions to the injection screen, the screen displayed on the head display 44 also transitions to the injection screen (see FIG. 32).
　注入動作が完了すると、図３３に示すように、注入画面に、注入完了を意味する「Ｉｎｊ.　Ｃｏｍｐ．」が表示されてユーザに対して注入が完了したことが報知され、さらに、ユーザに単数回使用部３００Ａの交換を促すメッセージが表示される。また、注入プロトコルの表示が暗転し、これによってもユーザは注入動作が完了したことを視覚的に認識することができる。このような画面の変化は、コンソール１０ｂの表示デバイス１３に表示されている注入画面においても同様である。 When the injection operation is completed, as shown in FIG. 33, the injection screen displays "Inj. Comp.", which means that the injection is complete, to notify the user that the injection is complete, and also displays a message urging the user to replace the single-use unit 300A. The injection protocol display also goes dark, which also allows the user to visually recognize that the injection operation is complete. This type of screen change is also seen on the injection screen displayed on the display device 13 of the console 10b.
　この段階で、単数回使用部３００Ａの流路開閉バルブ３３１が流路開閉バルブ保持ユニット１５０から取り外されたことが流路開閉バルブセンサ１５０ａによって検出されると、前述した単数回使用部セットアップ画面へ遷移する。一方、コンソール１０ｂの表示デバイス１３に表示される画面は、撮像部位選択画面（図１１参照）に遷移する。次の検査を行う場合は、これらコンソール１０ｂの表示デバイス１３に表示される画面およびヘッドディスプレイ４４に表示される画面に従って、単数回使用部３００Ａをセットアップし、注入条件を設定する一連の手順を繰り返す。 At this stage, when the flow path opening/closing valve sensor 150a detects that the flow path opening/closing valve 331 of the single-use unit 300A has been removed from the flow path opening/closing valve holding unit 150, the screen transitions to the single-use unit setup screen described above. Meanwhile, the screen displayed on the display device 13 of the console 10b transitions to the imaging site selection screen (see FIG. 11). When the next examination is to be performed, the single-use unit 300A is set up according to the screen displayed on the display device 13 of the console 10b and the screen displayed on the head display 44, and the series of procedures for setting the injection conditions is repeated.
　一方、ヘッドディスプレイ４４に表示される単数回使用部セットアップ画面には、検査終了ボタン（「Ｅｘａｍ.　Ｅｎｄ」と表示）も表示されており、この段階あるいは注入条件設定の段階で、ユーザが検査終了ボタンを操作すると、ヘッドディスプレイ４４に表示される画面は、検査終了画面へ遷移する。 Meanwhile, the single-use section setup screen displayed on the head display 44 also displays an end of examination button (displaying "Exam. End"), and when the user operates the end of examination button at this stage or during the injection condition setting stage, the screen displayed on the head display 44 transitions to the end of examination screen.
　検査終了画面は、例えば図３４に示すように、検査終了ボタン（「Ｅｘａｍ.　Ｅｎｄ」と表示）および複数回使用部交換ボタン（「Ｒｅｐｌａｃｅ　Ｍｕｌｔｉ－Ｕｓｅ」と表示）が表示される。検査終了ボタンが操作されると、複数回使用部３００Ｂおよびシリンジを取り外すことができるようにするため、前述したプレッサー後退画面（セットアップの説明参照）へ遷移し、プレッサーの後退後。電源オフを促すガイダンスが表示される。一方、ユーザが複数回使用部交換ボタンを操作すると、プレッサー後退画面へ遷移し、プレッサーの後退後。次の検査のためのセットアップが開始される。 As shown in FIG. 34, for example, the examination end screen displays an examination end button (displaying "Exam. End") and a multiple-use part replacement button (displaying "Replace Multi-Use"). When the examination end button is operated, the screen transitions to the presser retraction screen described above (see setup explanation) so that the multiple-use part 300B and syringe can be removed, and after the presser retracts, guidance is displayed encouraging the user to turn off the power. On the other hand, when the user operates the multiple-use part replacement button, the screen transitions to the presser retraction screen, and after the presser retracts, setup for the next examination begins.
　なお、本形態では、薬液回路３０の複数回使用部３００Ｂは、安全性の観点から検査に使用できる使用回数は制限される。そこで、注入制御ユニット１１（図１参照）は、複数回使用部３００Ｂが接続されてからの検査回数をカウントし、そのカウント数を複数回使用部３００Ｂの使用回数としてヘッドディスプレイ４４および／またはコンソール１０ｂの表示デバイス１３に表示させることが好ましい。複数回使用部３００Ｂの使用回数を表示させる画面は、例えば、検査が終了して次の検査のセットアップのための画面とすることができる。複数回使用部３００Ｂの使用回数を表示させることで、ユーザ自身が複数回使用部３００Ｂの使用回数をカウントすることなく、複数回使用部３００Ｂの使用回数を把握できるので、ユーザの負担が軽減される。 In this embodiment, the number of times that the multiple-use unit 300B of the drug solution circuit 30 can be used for testing is limited from the viewpoint of safety. Therefore, it is preferable that the injection control unit 11 (see FIG. 1) counts the number of tests since the multiple-use unit 300B is connected and displays the count as the number of uses of the multiple-use unit 300B on the head display 44 and/or the display device 13 of the console 10b. The screen that displays the number of uses of the multiple-use unit 300B can be, for example, a screen for setting up the next test after the test is completed. By displaying the number of uses of the multiple-use unit 300B, the user can know the number of uses of the multiple-use unit 300B without having to count the number of uses of the multiple-use unit 300B himself, thereby reducing the burden on the user.
　１０　　薬液注入装置
　１０ａ　　注入ヘッド
　１０ｂ　　コンソール
　２０Ａ、２０Ｂ　　シリンジ
　３０　　薬液回路
　４０Ａ、４０Ｂ　　容器
　４１　　キャスター付きスタンド
　４２　　自在アーム
　４３　　容器ホルダ
　４４　ヘッドディスプレイ
　５０　　医用画像撮像装置
　１１０　　筐体
　１１０Ａ、１１０Ｂ　　シリンジカバー
　１２０　　シリンジ支持アセンブリ
　１２１　　本体
　１２２　　シリンジ受け
　１２２ａ　　フランジ受け溝
　１２３　　シリンジ押さえ
　１２３ａ　　前面
　１２３ｂ　　環状凸部
　１２３ｃ　　貫通孔
　１２４　　コイルばね
　１２５　　ボールプランジャ
　１２６　　シリンジ検出センサ
　１３０　　リニアアクチュエータ
　１３１　　フレーム
　１３２　　キャップ部材
　１３３　　ロッド
　１３４　　プレッサー
　１３４ａ　　周溝
　１４０　　ニードルレスバルブ保持ユニット
　１５０　　流路開閉バルブ保持ユニット
　１５１　　駆動機構
　１５２　　エアセンサ
　１６０　　発光ユニット
　２１０　　シリンジ外筒
　２１０ａ　　内面
　２１０ｂ　　拡径部
　２１１　　ノズル部
　２１２　　フランジ
　２１２ａ　　切り欠き
　２２０　　プランジャ
　２２１　　プランジャ本体
　２２２　　係合爪
　２２２ａ　　脚部
　２２２ｂ　　変位部
　２２２ｃ　　外側突起
　２２２ｄ　　内側突起
　２３０　　ガスケット
　３０１ａ　　第１メインライン
　３０１ｂ　　第１サブライン
　３０２ａ　　第２メインライン
　３０２ｂ　　第２サブライン
　３０３　　被検者ライン
　３１３ａ　　ニードルレスバルブ
　３３０　　雄ルアーロックコネクタ
　３３１　　流路開閉バルブ
　４３０　　ホルダカバー
　４３１　　コードリーダー
　４３２　　エアセンサ

  REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 Drug injection device 10a Injection head 10b Console 20A, 20B Syringe 30 Drug circuit 40A, 40B Container 41 Stand with casters 42 Flexible arm 43 Container holder 44 Head display 50 Medical imaging device 110 Housing 110A, 110B Syringe cover 120 Syringe support assembly 121 Main body 122 Syringe receiver 122a Flange receiving groove 123 Syringe presser 123a Front surface 123b Annular convex portion 123c Through hole 124 Coil spring 125 Ball plunger 126 Syringe detection sensor 130 Linear actuator 131 Frame 132 Cap member 133 Rod 134 Presser 134a Circumferential groove 140 Needleless valve holding unit 150 Flow path opening/closing valve holding unit 151 Driving mechanism 152 Air sensor 160 Light emitting unit 210 Syringe outer cylinder 210a Inner surface 210b Enlarged diameter portion 211 Nozzle portion 212 Flange 212a Notch 220 Plunger 221 Plunger body 222 Engagement claw 222a Leg portion 222b Displacement portion 222c Outer projection 222d Inner projection 230 Gasket 301a First main line 301b First sub-line 302a Second main line 302b Second sub-line 303 Subject line 313a Needleless valve 330 Male luer lock connector 331 Flow path opening/closing valve 430 Holder cover 431 Code reader 432 Air sensor

Claims (2)

  1. 　被検者に薬液を注入するための薬液注入システムであって、
    　薬液注入機構と、
    　ディスプレイと、
    　前記薬液注入機構の動作および前記ディスプレイへの表示を制御する制御部と、
    　を有し、
    　前記制御部は、
    　薬液の注入動作中に注入圧力を監視することと、
    前記薬液の注入動作中に、時間の経過を表すタイムラインと、前記タイムライン上に現時点を表す画像と、を有する画面を表示させることと、
    　前記薬液の注入動作中に監視されている前記注入圧力が、予め設定されている注入圧力リミット値に達すると前記画像の表示を変更することと、
    　を行うように構成されている薬液注入システム。     A medical solution injection system for injecting a medical solution into a subject, comprising:
    A chemical injection mechanism;
    A display and
    A control unit that controls an operation of the liquid injection mechanism and display on the display;
    having
    The control unit is
    Monitoring the injection pressure during the injection operation of the drug solution;
    displaying a screen having a timeline showing the passage of time and an image showing the current time on the timeline during the injection operation of the medicinal liquid;
    changing the display of the image when the injection pressure monitored during the injection operation of the drug solution reaches a preset injection pressure limit value;
    The chemical injection system is configured to:
  2. 　前記画像の変更は、前記画像のサイズを大きくすること、前記画像の色を変更すること、および前記画像の表示パターンを変更することのいずれか少なくとも１つを含む、請求項１に記載の薬液注入システム。

          The chemical liquid injection system according to claim 1 , wherein the modification of the image includes at least one of increasing a size of the image, changing a color of the image, and changing a display pattern of the image.
PCT/JP2023/042433 2022-11-25 2023-11-27 Chemical solution injection system WO2024111676A1 (en)

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Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2012105577A1 (en) * 2011-02-01 2012-08-09 株式会社根本杏林堂 Drug solution injection device
WO2016084940A1 (en) * 2014-11-28 2016-06-02 株式会社根本杏林堂 Drug solution injection device
WO2020231506A1 (en) * 2019-05-16 2020-11-19 Milestone Scientific, Inc. Device and method for identification of a target region

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2012105577A1 (en) * 2011-02-01 2012-08-09 株式会社根本杏林堂 Drug solution injection device
WO2016084940A1 (en) * 2014-11-28 2016-06-02 株式会社根本杏林堂 Drug solution injection device
WO2020231506A1 (en) * 2019-05-16 2020-11-19 Milestone Scientific, Inc. Device and method for identification of a target region

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