A balloon catheter has a balloon and an outer shaft fixed to a proximal end of the balloon. Each of the proximal end of the balloon and a distal end of the outer shaft has an inner projection extending in an axial direction of the balloon catheter, an outer projection extending in the axial direction, and a gap formed between the inner projection and the outer projection. At a fixing part, the inner projection of the balloon or the outer projection of the balloon is disposed in the gap of the outer shaft, and the inner projection of the outer shaft or the outer projection of the outer shaft is disposed in the gap of the balloon. The balloon catheter has improved fixing strength between the balloon and the outer shaft without increasing an outer diameter of the fixing part between the balloon and the outer shaft.

A fluid path set including a multi-patient use section adapted for connection with a pump device and a source of injection fluid, and a per-patient use section adapted for removable fluid communication with the multi-patient use section. The per-patient use section includes a pressure isolation mechanism having a first port adapted for connection to the pump device via the multi-patient use section, a second port adapted for connection to a patient, and a pressure isolation port adapted for connection to a source of medical fluid via the multi-patient use section. The per-patient use section includes a valve member biased to a normally open position permitting fluid communication between the first port, the second port, and the pressure isolation port, and movable to a closed position to close the pressure isolation port when fluid pressure reaches a predetermined pressure level sufficient to overcome a biasing force applied to the valve member.

A method of predicting peak pressure within a fluid path, which includes a tubing set and a catheter into which at least one fluid is introduced under pressure by a pressurizing system of a fluid injection apparatus, includes (a) inputting an initial injection protocol into the fluid injection apparatus according to which the at least one fluid is intended to be introduced into the fluid path; (b) predicting an expected peak pressure level that would result in the fluid path if the initial injection protocol were to be used as intended to introduce the at least one fluid into the fluid path. The expected peak pressure level is determined before commencement of the initial injection protocol according to at least one model on the basis of a flow rate of the at least one fluid, at least one catheter characteristic, and a viscosity of the at least one fluid. The at least one model is determined experimentally for a plurality of fluids of different viscosities, for a plurality of catheters of different catheter characteristics, and for at least one tubing set of like kind to the tubing set of the fluid path.

A system for controlled delivery of medical fluids to a patient includes an inlet conduit attached to a source of a medical fluid and an outlet conduit connected to the patient. The inlet and outlet conduits are interconnected by a multiple stage control valve assembly and a pair of syringes. The control valve assembly is alternated between a first state wherein the inlet conduit communicates with a first syringe for transmitting fluid from the source to the first syringe, a second state wherein the first syringe communicates with a second syringe and is isolated from the inlet conduit and the outlet for transmitting fluid from the first syringe to the second syringe, and a third state wherein the second syringe communicates with the outlet and is isolated from the inlet and the first syringe for transmitting fluid from the second syringe to the patient through the outlet.

Apparatus and methods are provided for delivering fluid into a body lumen during a medical procedure. A distal end of an apparatus may be introduced into a body lumen, and a valve on the distal end may be opened to deliver fluid through a first lumen into the body lumen, e.g., contrast and/or other diagnostic or therapeutic agents. The valve may be closed, and a procedure may be performed within the body lumen, e.g., using a treatment element carried on the distal end. For example, the treatment element may include a balloon that may be inflated when fluid is delivered through the first lumen with the valve closed. Optionally, a prosthesis, energy source, drug platform, and the like may be carried by the balloon for treating the body lumen. In various embodiments, the valve may be located proximal or distal to the treatment element.

A control method is disclosed for determining a quality indicator of medical technology recording results data from a tomography scan of an examination structure, which scan is supported by a contrast agent, by way of a tomography system. According to an embodiment of the invention, at least one control parameter value is automatically derived from the recording results data in respect of a contrast agent image region during and/or directly after the tomography scan, which value represents a quality of the recording results data in the contrast agent image region. A control system for such a determination is also disclosed.

Methods and systems for monitoring an automated radiopharmaceutical infusion apparatus are disclosed. A user interface graphically representing infusion apparatus components may be presented on a display device. Multiple sensors may be arranged within an infusion apparatus to measure property information associated with infusion apparatus components, including fluid pathways. The property information may include radioactivity and flow information. The property information may be compared with expected results. If the property information does not match the expected results, a fault condition may be indicated on the display device. The user interface may provide information and/or functions to manage the fault conditions.

A venous access port assembly having a base, a peripheral surface, and a septum. The base defines an interior reservoir. The peripheral surface includes integrally molded X-ray discernable indicia identifying that the assembly is rated for power injection. The X-ray discernable indicia may extend through a height of the peripheral surface from a top surface to a bottom surface thereof. According to one aspect, the peripheral surface may be formed from X-ray discernable material, and the X-ray discernable indicia may be formed from the X-ray discernable material, or they may be formed by voids in the X-ray discernable material. According to another aspect, the peripheral surface may be formed from a radiotransparent or radiolucent material and applied with a radiopaque agent, and the X-ray discernable indicia may be one or more voids in the radiopaque agent or may be portions of the peripheral surface applied with the radiopaque agent.

A device for generating microbubbles may include a syringe having a barrel, a plunger and a syringe tip; a converging nozzle; and an aerator. The converging nozzle may have a coupling end, a converging tip opposite the coupling end, an exterior mating surface adjacent the converging tip, and an interior channel that fluidly couples the syringe tip and converging tip. The interior channel may have a diameter that progressively decreases from the coupling end to the converging tip. The converging nozzle may be coupled to the syringe tip. The aerator may have a retention end, a discharge end, an interior air chamber, an interior circumferential lip, and a discharge channel at the discharge end. The retention end may be coupled to the converging nozzle. The interior circumferential lip may abut the exterior mating surface. One or more air channels may fluidly couple the discharge channel and the interior air chamber.

A method of monitoring a fluid injection procedure is provided. The method includes: disposing a sensor on a catheter, where the sensor is in proximity to a tip of the catheter; inserting at least the tip of the catheter into a patient; delivering a fluid to a location within the patient via the tip of the catheter; and automatically monitoring a sensor signal from the sensor while the fluid is being delivered. Reflux end-point detection using an electrical impedance sensor has been demonstrated in a phantom. Applications include embolotherapy and angiography.