WO1999010032A1

WO1999010032A1 - Angiographic injection syringe and front-load injector adapter

Info

Publication number: WO1999010032A1
Application number: PCT/US1998/017374
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael Wayne Trull; Richard L. Abbott
Original assignee: Coeur Laboratories, Inc.
Priority date: 1997-08-22
Filing date: 1998-08-21
Publication date: 1999-03-04
Also published as: AU9112698A; EP1019121A4; JP2001513406A; EP1019121A1

Abstract

A front-load syringe injector system includes a front-load injector apparatus (60) having mounted on a front face (64) thereof a detachably engageable adapter (66). A driving head (40) is engaged with a drive mechanism (54) of the injector and the driving head disengageably engages a plunger (24) mounted in an angiographic syringe (10) mounted on the adapter. At least one of the plunger and driving head and syringe elements interacts with the adapter to effect engagement and disengagement of the plunger and driving head and syringe with respect to one another.

Description

ANGIOGRAPHIC INJECTION SYRINGE AND FRONT- LOAD INJECTOR ADAPTER

DESCRIPTION

Field Of The Invention

This invention generally relates to power-driven angiographic syringes and plunger articles for such syringes, as well as front-load injector systems comprising such syringes, and adapter assemblies by means of which the angiographic syringes of the invention are usefully coupled to front-load injector machines.

Description of the Related Art

In the field of angiography, a contrast medium of suitable indicating character (radiopacity) is introduced under pressure into coronary arteries, and the arterial network then is monitored by fluoroscopic or other visualizing means. As a result, arterial plaque deposits and/or other arterial occlusions are readily visually determined as to their size and location, so that suitable treatment methods, such as removal of the occluding material by lasing or mechanical excision, or by displacement techniques such as balloon angioplasty, may be carried out.

To effect the introduction of the contrast medium into the arterial network for angiographic study, it has been common practice to utilize injector syringes in combination with arterial catheters. The syringe may be machine-mounted in a so- called "power injector" apparatus, with the distal end of the syringe being connected to the catheter which is introduced into the arterial system to be studied. There is disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,677,980 issued July 7, 1987 to D. M. Reilly, et al., an angiographic power injector featuring a rotating turret for housing multiple angiography syringes in readiness for injection. In use, the turret is selectively rotated to align an angiographic syringe with a driving mechanism of the power injector. Specifically, as is shown in Figures 9 and 10 of this patent, the plunger of the angiographic syringe may be configured with rearwardly extending hook members which .are engaged by the head and stem portion (typically termed a "ram" in the field) of the driving mechanism.

In the plunger configuration disclosed in this patent, the hook elements on the proximal face of the plunger are diametrally opposed to one another, to form a slot therebetween through which the ram head is inserted and subsequently rotated. The head is of transversely extending character, so that it thereby engages the respective hook members. In this manner, the head and stem of the driving mechanism and the hook members are described to constitute a quick release driving connection, with the driving mechanism head fitting into the aperture formed by the hook members, and with the stem extending out from the aperture through the access slot between the hook members.

The Reilly et al. patent, at column 6, lines 24-52 thereof, describes the subsequent operation of the coupled syringe. First, the driving mechanism is forwardly translated to drive the plunger through the syringe to expel air therefrom. Next, the syringe is connected to a source of contrast media and the driving mechanism is retracted to pull the plunger back through the syringe, to draw contrast media thereinto. Finally, the driving mechanism is advanced to drive the plunger distally in the syringe and effect injection of the contrast media through a catheter attached to the syringe. The patent states that after the injection has been carried out, the driving mechanism may be disengaged from the plunger, without reversing its movement, by the simple expedient of rotating the driving mechanism 90°, so that the driving mechanism head extends from the aperture on either side (see Figure 10 of the patent). Subsequent retraction of the driving mechanism results in the head and stem of the driving mechanism being withdrawn from the aperture and slot, thereby disengaging the driving mechanism from the plunger.

As a result of the foregoing configuration of the driving mechanism, and the hook members on the plunger, the risks incident to retracting the plunger through the syringe during the angioplasty procedure are said to be eliminated, and the mating hook members and driving mechanism head are said to cooperate so that the plunger can be placed in either a driven retractable state, or an undriven non-retractable state, at any time during the injection operation and at any position of the plunger, without substantial force being applied therebetween.

While the foregoing configuration of the hook members on the plunger facilitates the engagement and disengagement of the driving mechanism, without change in the position of the plunger, it also is true that the hook members themselves provide only a very small contact area for mating with the head of the driving mechanism, when the driving mechanism is in driving or retraction engagement with the hook members.

There is thus the danger that the head of the driving mechanism may disengage from contact with the hook members during operation of the syringe, so that subsequent rotation of the driving mechanism to effect disengagement actually effects re-engagement of the driving mechanism with the hook members, in turn causing retraction of the plunger, an occurrence which is specifically desired to be avoided.

The Reilly et al. patent discloses other plunger and driving mechanism constructions, e.g., as shown in Figures 11-21 of the patent, but all such alternative constructions are relatively more complex in construction and operation. U.S. Patent 5,007,904 issued April 16, 1991 in the names of L. L. Densmore and T. A. Lindner, discloses an angiographic syringe plunger having a generally converging distal portion, and a rear face of which is provided a coupling structure which is transversely engageable by, and transversely disengageable from, a driving mechanism of a power-driven angiographic syringe. Once engaged by the driving mechanism, the plunger cannot be disengaged solely by rotation of the driving mechanism relative to the plunger in the absence of transverse translational movement of the driving mechanism and plunger relative to one another. The coupling structure disclosed in this patent includes a wall extending rearwardly from the proximal face of the plunger body and partially circumferentially thereon. The wall terminates at a proximal extremity, and a radially inwardly extending flange is joined at an outer peripheral portion thereof to the proximal extremity of the wall. In such manner, the radially inwardly extending flange and the wall form with the proximal face of the plunger a cavity transversely open to insertion of a ram head thereinto. For example, the coupling structure described in this patent may be generally C-shaped, with a continuously curved portion having an arc length not exceeding about 180°, and optionally provided with tangentially extending end segments respectively joined to the extremities of the continuously curved portion.

U.S. Patent 4,199,695 issued March 27, 1990 to Thomas A. Lindner discloses another plunger for a power-driven angiographic syringe assembly. The plunger includes a plunger body having a generally convergent distal portion and a proximal face. Laterally spaced-apart retention members are disposed on the proximal face in diametrally opposite relationship to one another, for retaining the power driving means in position once engaged with the plunger. Each of the retention members comprises a leg portion extending generally rearwardly from the proximal face and joined at a rearward part to a bridge segment laterally inwardly extending therefrom toward the other retention member, to an inner extremity, which is in spaced relationship to the corresponding inner extremity of the bridge segment of the other retention member. The inner extremities of the bridge segments thereby define a spacing accommodating transverse passage of the drive shaft therethrough. The leg portions and bridge segments of the retention members together define with the proximal face of the plunger a lateral slot accommodating transverse passage of the driving head therethrough. Transversely outwardly extending flexible, resilient flange elements are joined to the inner extremity of each of the aforementioned bridge segments and form laterally spaced-apart, transversely aligned pairs of flange elements on either side of the bridge segments, defining a transverse channel therebetween. The flange elements are shaped to define marginal portions of the transverse channel having a reduced channel width relative to a medial portion thereof. The marginal channel portions allow transverse passage of the drive shaft therethrough by deforming the flange elements bounding the marginal channel portions, so that the drive shaft thereafter is retentively held in the medial portion of the transverse channel, to accommodate free rotation of the driving mechanism relative to the plunger, without disengaging the driving mechanism from the plunger.

U.S. Patents 5,383,858 and 5,520,653, issued January 24, 1995 and May 28, 1996, respectively, to David M. Reilly, et al. describe a front-loading injector and syringe assembly, in which the syringe is mountable on and removable from a front wall of the injector housing. The front wall of the housing has a face plate presenting a pair of slots for receiving retaining flanges on the proximal end of the syringe. The syringe thus is inserted with the proximal end flanges passing through the slots, and then the syringe is rotated to engage the flanges behind associated retaining flanges of the face plate. The syringe contains a plunger with a proximal face having hook-like elements which engage with the ram tip of the injector apparatus. The ram tip is of elongate character and passes into the slot between the hook-like members on the proximal face of the plunger, so that subsequent rotation of the syringe into locking position engages the hook-like members with the end portions of the ram tip. It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved front-loadmg syπnge and injector apparatus compπsing same, for injection of liquid contrast media or other fluid

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a face plate structure accommodating such a plunger and associated angiographic syπnge

A still further object of the present invention is to provide an adapter for syπnges of different manufacturers to be used on a front-loadmg injector apparatus.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a plunger which is readily engageable with the dnvmg mechanism of a front-load power injector system, without the necessity for registration and rotational locking

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a plunger structure which avoids any contamination of the internal surfaces of the syπnge duπng loading of the syπnge with contrast fluid or other media to be dispensed therefrom

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the ensuing disclosure and appended claims

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one broad aspect, the present invention relates to a front-load syringe injector system including a front-load injector apparatus having mounted on a front face thereof a face plate adapter assembly, with a driving head engaged with a drive mechanism of the injector and such driving head disengageably engaging a plunger mounted in an angiographic syringe mounted on a front face of the front-load syringe injector, wherein at least one of the plunger and driving head elements interacts with the face plate to effect engagement and disengagement of the plunger and driving head with respect to one another.

In one specific aspect, the present invention relates to a plunger for an angiographic syringe having utility in a power-driven angiographic front-loading syringe assembly comprising power driving means including an axially extending reciprocatable driving shaft and a frustoconical shaped driving head attached to the drive shaft.

The plunger includes a plunger body having a generally convergent distal portion and a proximal face.

The plunger body has an outer circumferentially continuous edge surface for engaging an interior surface of a syringe barrel when the plunger is operatively positioned within the syringe barrel.

The proximal face of the plunger includes a circumferential surface portion.

An array of flexible resilient engagement members is joined to the circumferential surface portion of the proximal face of the plunger body and rearwardly extends therefrom. The flexible resilient engagement members in the array may be circumferentially spaced-apart, and in one preferred aspect are diametrally opposed and spaced-apart. Each of the flexible resilient engagement members has a shank portion rearwardly extending from the circumferential surface portion and terminating in a tail hook portion including a transversely and radially inwardly extending retention surface for matably engaging with a rear circumferential surface of a drive head of an injector when the drive head is operatively coupled with the plunger. Each tail hook portion at the retention surface is of increased thickness relative to the shank portion of the flexible resilient engagement member and of tapering character toward a rearmost extremity thereof, with a convexly shaped inner engagement surface for contacting the frustoconical shaped drive head to circumferentially compressively engage a frustoconical side surface of the driving head with the transversely and radially inwardly extending retention surface matably engaged with a rear circumferential surface of the driving head when the driving head is engaged with the plunger. The array of flexible resilient engagement members is arranged on the circumferential surface portion of the proximal face of the plunger so that the flexible resilient engagement members are radially inwardly spaced from the outer circumferentially continuous edge surface of the plunger, whereby the flexible resilient engagement members do not contact interior surfaces of the syringe barrel during translation of the plunger forwardly or rearwardly through the barrel.

A further aspect of the invention relates to an angiographic syringe including a plunger of the above-described type.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a face plate adapter assembly for a front-load syringe injector, including a main body having on a rear face thereof a cylindrical extension with diametrally opposite flange elements for engaging a matably shaped cavity on a front face of an injector apparatus, and lockable in position by rotation thereof so that the diametrally opposite flange elements engage retaining flange elements in the face of the injector apparatus, with a front face having a cylindrical cavity therein and a front slot opening communicating therewith with diametrally opposite retention flange portions transverse to the slot opening, for engagement with a front-load syringe having rear flange members engageable with the slot opening and lockable in position in the face plate adapter assembly by rotation so that the rear flange members of the syringe engage the retention flange portions of the main body.

The face plate main body has in the cavity a lifting ring defining an annular volume between the cavity and the lifting ring for engagement with a rear circumferential extremity of a syringe when the syringe is engaged with the face plate adapter assembly. The lifting ring serves to engage with and radially outwardly spread the flexible resilient engagement members of the plunger in the aforementioned syringe assembly comprising the plunger of the invention.

In a further aspect, the invention relates to a front-load injector system comprising an angiographic syringe including a plunger of the above-described construction.

In another broad aspect, the present invention relates to a front-load syringe injector system including a front-load injector apparatus having mounted on a front face thereof a detachably engagable adapter, with a driving head engaged with a drive mechanism of the injector and such driving head disengageably engaging a plunger mounted in an angiographic syringe mounted on the adapter, wherein at least one of the plunger and driving head and syringe elements interacts with the adapter to effect engagement and disengagement of the plunger and driving head and syringe with respect to one another.

The adapter in one embodiment includes a main body having a rear cylindrical extension, with a central bore extending through the main body and the rear cylindrical extension. The rear cylindrical extension includes diametrally opposed flanges for engaging a matably shaped cavity on a front face of an injector apparatus, and lockable in position by rotation of the main body so that the diametrally opposed flange elements engage retaining flange elements in the face of the injector apparatus. The main body includes a front slot opening communicating with the central bore, the front slot opening having diametrally opposed retention flange portions transverse to the slot opening, for engagement with a front-load syringe having rear flange members engageable with the slot opening and lockable in position in the main body by rotation so that the rear flange members of the syringe engage the retention flange portions of the main body. The main body also includes a lifting ring defining an annular volume between the central bore and the lifting ring for engagement with a rear circumferential extremity of a syringe. The rear cylindrical extension may include an outer surface circumferential groove, and has at least one locking means associated therewith, such as for example a leaf spring secured within the circumferential groove and cantilevering tangentially therefrom, so that during rotational engagement of the main body with the matably shaped cavity of the injector, features within the cavity depress the leaf spring, and when the main body is rotated to a final, installed position a recess in the injector cavity allows the leaf spring to flare outwardly and prevent backrotational removal of the adapter. Other locking means may be employed, such as a pivot arm structure associated with a pocket or cavity in the cylindrical extension or other part of the adapter.

The main body may also include a means for sealing a rear face of the main body to the front face of the injector. In a specific embodiment, the means for sealing a rear face of the main body to the front face of the injector comprises an o-ring disposed in a circumferential groove in the rear face. Alternatively, the sealing means may comprise a gasket on a flat suface of the rear face, a flat washer on a flat surface of the rear face, or other sealing means of appropriate character. A further aspect of the invention relates to a retrofit kit including a plunger, syringe, and an adapter of the above-described type.

In a further aspect, the invention relates to a front-load injector system comprising an adapter and angiographic syringe including a plunger of the above- described construction.

Other aspects and features of the invention will be more fully apparent from the ensuing disclosure and appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an angiographic syringe according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of an angiographic syringe of a general type as shown in Figure 1, in exploded view relationship to a face plate adapter assembly of a front-load syringe injector assembly, according to another aspect of the invention.

Figure 3 is a side elevation view of a plunger according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional elevation view of a plunger of the type shown in Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a rear plan view of the plunger of Figures 3 and 4.

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional elevation view of a flexible resilient engagement member of the plunger shown in Figures 3-5. Figure 7 is a front elevation view of a front-load syπnge injector face plate adapter assembly, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 8 is a rear elevation view of the face plate adapter assembly of Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a cross-sectional elevation view taken along line 9-9 of Figure 7, showing the details of the face plate adapter assembly.

Figure 10 is a rear elevation view of a dπving head assembly utilized with the face plate adapter assembly and plunger of the present invention, in one embodiment thereof.

Figure 11 is a side elevation view of the dπving head assembly of Figure 10.

Figure 12 is a cross-sectional elevation view of the dπving head assembly of Figures 10 and 11.

Figure 13 is a cross-sectional elevation view of a portion of an angiographic syπnge and plunge according to another embodiment of the present invention, with a face plate adapter assembly of alternative design

Figure 14 is a perspective view of an adapter for interconnecting an angiographic syπnge with an injector according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 15 is a perspective, disassembled view of an injector adapter kit according to another embodiment of the invention. Figure 16 is a front elevation view of an adapter and lifting πng assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 17 is a side elevation view of an adapter according to another embodiment of the invention.

Figure 18 is a cross-sectional view of an adapter of the type shown in Figure 17.

Figure 19 is a side elevation view of a plunger according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 20 is a cross-sectional elevation view of a plunger of the type shown in Figure 19.

Figure 21 is a rear view of a plunger of the type shown in Figures 19 and 20.

Figure 22 is a perspective view of a retrofit kit of a general type as shown in

Figure 15, in exploded view relationship to a front face of a front-load syπnge injector

assembly, according to another aspect of the invention

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION, AND PREFERRED MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE SAME

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an angiographic syπnge 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention As shown, the syπnge includes a ma cylmdπcal barrel 12 enclosing an inner volume 14 which in use of the syπnge is filled with contrast media or other solution or liquid to be dispensed through the distal end 16 of the syπnge At its distal end, the syπnge is provided with threading 18 m its interior surface, for connection of the distal end of the syringe to a catheter by means of luer-lock or other conventional coupling means.

The interior volume 14 of the syringe is bounded by an interior wall surface 20, as shown. At the proximal end 22 of the syringe is interiorly disposed a plunger 24 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The plunger 24 is of generally converging shape at its distal end, and includes an outer circumferentially continuous edge (side) surface 26 which contacts the inner surface 20 of the syringe. The plunger further includes an array of circumferentially spaced-apart flexible resilient engagement members 30, as hereinafter more fully described.

At the proximal end of the syringe on the exterior surface thereof are provided diametrally opposed flange or lug members 32 and 34, for engaging and locking the syringe in the face structure of a front-load injector, as illustrated in Figure 2 hereof.

As used herein, the term "diametrally opposed" means that the relevant structural elements are located at opposite sides of a cylindrical or circular element or member of the appertaining apparatus. The diametrally opposed elements for members are thus symmetrically arranged with respect to an associated diameter of the cylindrical or circular part or structure with which they are associated.

In Figure 2, the corresponding structural elements of the syringe are numbered identically to the drawing of Figure 1. As shown, the syringe is in exploded relationship to a driving head 40 of frustoconical shape, having a front circular surface 42 with a central set screw 44 therein, and a frustoconical side surface 46. The driving head in this embodiment is integrally formed with a cylindrical color 48 having a side set screw 50 therein. By means of the set screws 44 and 50, the driving head assembly may be secured to the generally rectangular ram tip 52 mounted on reciprocating shaft 54 for forward driving and rearward retraction movement of the ram tip and dπving head mounted thereon The injector apparatus 60 as shown compπses an injector housing 62 with a front face 64 to which is secured a face plate adapter assembly 66 The face plate adapter assembly has a front face 68 with a cyhndπcal cavity 70 therein and a front slot opening 72 communicating therewith. The face plate adapter assembly as hereinafter descπbed more fully, compπses a lifting πng 74, the purpose of which is to radially outwardly deform the flexible resilient engagement members 30 of the plunger 24 so that the flexible resilient engagement members thereby interact with the face plate adapter assembly 66 to permit engagement (and correspondingly, upon retraction of the ram tip and dnvmg head, disengagement) of the plunger with the dnvmg head

By the arrangement shown, the front-load angiographic syπnge is rearwardly inserted with the flange members 32 and 34 engaging the slot 72 on the face plate adapter assembly 66 After positioning in the slot, the synnge is rotated 90°, to lockmgly engage flange members 32 and 34 with an internal groove communicating with the slot and forming a retention flange transverse to the direction of slot 72.

Such engagement of the synnge with the face plate adapter assembly causes the flexible resilient engagement members 30 to be spread by the lifting nng 74 so that the frustoconical dnvmg head then engages the flexible resilient engagement members to thereby couple the synnge through the plunger to the dnving head, for subsequent forward translation of the dπving head to express contrast media for other fluid from the synnge banel mteπor volume through the distal end of the syπnge

Figure 3 is a side elevation view of a plunger 24 according to one embodiment of the present invention The plunger in this embodiment includes a plunger body 80 which may be overlaid by a resilient rubber or hard plastic cover 82 which may be stretch-fitted over the plunger body 80 as shown Alternatively, the plunger body may be a unitary one piece design without any cover or sheath member The plunger body with the cover has an outer circumferentially continuous edge surface 84 for engaging an interior surface of the syringe banel when the plunger is operatively positioned within the syringe banel.

The proximal face 86 of the plunger body includes a circumferential surface portion 88. An arcay of circumferentially spaced-apart flexible resilient engagement members 30 is joined to the circumferential surface portion 88 of the proximal face of the plunger body and rearwardly extends therefrom to a rearmost extremity 90. Each of the flexible resilient members has a shank portion 92 rearwardly extending from the circumferential surface portion 88 and terminating in a tail hook portion 94 including a transversely and radially inwardly extending retention surface 96 for matably engaging with a rear circumferential surface of the driving head of the injector when the driving head is operatively coupled with the plunger. Each tail hook portion at the retention surface 96 is of increased thickness (in the lateral dimension transverse to the length dimension of the flexible resilient engagement member) relative to the shank portion 92 of such member. The tail hook portion is of tapering character from the region of the retention surface 96 in the rearward direction toward the rearmost extremity 90 thereof, and the tail hook portion has in the embodiment shown a convexly shaped inner engagement surface 98 for contacting the frustoconical shaped driving head to circumferentially compressively engage the frustoconical side surface of the driving head with the transversely and radially inwardly extending retention surface 96 engaged with a rear circumferential surface of the driving head when the driving head is engaged with the plunger. The anay of flexible resilient engagement members 30 is circumferentially ananged on the circumferential surface portion 88 of the proximal face 86 of the plunger body so that the flexible resilient engagement members are radially inwardly spaced from the outer circumferentially continuous hedge surface of the plunger. The purpose of such radial inset of the engagement members 30 is so that such engagement members do not contact interior surfaces of the syringe barrel during translation of the plunger forwardly or rearwardly through the syringe barrel.

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional elevation view of a plunger of the type shown in Figure 3 showing the hollowed out interior volume of the plunger body. The plunger alternatively may be of solid-body construction, without such interior cavity.

The plunger body may be formed of any suitable material of construction, such as polyurethane, polyvinylchloride, polymeric rubber or block copolymer composition, or of any suitable material of construction.

Figure 5 is a rear plan view of the plunger 24 of Figures 3 and 4.

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional elevation view of a single flexible resilient engagement member of the plunger shown in Figures 3-5, enlarged to show the structural details thereof.

Figure 7 is a front elevation view of a front-load syringe injector face plate adapter assembly 110, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

As shown, the face plate adapter assembly includes a main body 112 of the shape shown, or any other convenient shape and confirmation for mounting on the face of a front-load injector apparatus.

The front face 114 of the face plate adapter assembly has a cylindrical cavity

116 therein and a front slot opening 118 communicating therewith. The face plate adapter assembly also includes diametrally opposite grooves 120 and 122 communicating with the slot opening 118 and thereby defining diametrally opposite retention flange portions 124 and 126 transverse to the slot opening, for engagement with a front-load syringe of the type shown in Figure 1 having rear flange members 32 and 34 engagable with the slot opening 118 and lockable in position in the face plate adapter assembly by rotation by 90° so that the rear flange members 32 and 34 of the syringe engage the retention flange portions 124 and 126 of the main body of the face plate adapter assembly.

The face plate main body 112 has in the cavity 116 a lifting ring 130 defining an annular volume 132 between the cavity and the lifting ring for engagement with a rear circumferential extremity of a syringe when the syringe is engaged with the face plate adapter assembly. The lifting ring 130 serves to engage with and radially outwardly spread the flexible resilient engagement members 30 of the plunger (see Figure 2) in the syringe assembly comprising the plunger as illustratively described in connection with Figures 1-6.

The main body of the face plate adapter assembly has a central opening 136 in the cavity, allowing passage therethrough of the driving head and ram head mounted on the drive shaft of the injector apparatus. The face plate adapter assembly and the embodiment shown has a hole 138 on a lower portion thereof as shown, to accommodate passage therethrough of a mechanical fastener, such as a screw or bolt for threadably engaging with a registerable opening on the face of the injector apparatus, to insure secure attachment of the face plate adapter assembly to the housing of the injector apparatus. In lieu of a threaded mechanical fastener, the hole 138 may simply accommodate a compression-fit brad or dowel for such securement purpose.

Figure 8 is a rear elevation view of the face plate adapter assembly 110 of Figure 7. The face plate adapter assembly main body 112 in this orientation has a rear face 150 of generally flat confirmation, to allow to matable engagement of the face plate adapter assembly with the face of the injector apparatus housing. The rear face has mounted thereon for integrally formed therewith a cylindrical extension 152 with diametrally opposite flange elements 154 and 156 for engaging a matably shaped cavity on a front face of an injector apparatus, and lockable in position by rotation of the main body of the face plate adapter assembly so that the diametrally opposite flange elements 154 and 156 engage retaining flange elements in the face of the injector apparatus. Thus, the face plate adapter assembly is adapted to be mounted on a front-load injector apparatus of the type described in U.S. Patent 5,383,858 issued January 24, 1995 to David M. Reilly, et al.

The cylindrical extension 152 has a cylindrical collar 158 extending outwardly therefrom, for registration with the recipient cavity in the face of the injector apparatus housing. By "matably shaped cavity" on the front face of an injector apparatus is meant a cavity which is shaped so as to be matably engaged with the cylindrical extension and diametrally opposite flange elements on the rear face of the face plate adapter assembly. Thus, the face plate adapter assembly rear face flange elements 154 and 156 are inserted into the slot on the front face of an injector housing and the face plate adapter assembly then is rotated 90° to place the flange elements 154 and 156 into a pair of oppositely positioned slots in the face of the injector housing, so that the flange elements 154 and 156 are retained behind retentive flange portions of the face of the injector housing.

Figure 9 is a cross-sectional elevation view, taken along line 9-9 of Figure 7, showing the details of the face plate adapter assembly.

As shown in Figure 9, the face plate adapter assembly has a main body 112 with the cross-sectional shape shown, wherein the rear face 150 has the cylindrical extension 152 rearwardly extending therefrom and bounding the central opening 136 The lifting nng 130 is positioned m the cavity 116 and forms the annular volume 132 which receives the proximal extremity of the syπnge, with the lifting πng having a beveled outer surface 170 as shown, which serves to engage with the flexible resilient engagement members of the plunger and to radially outwardly deform such engagement members for subsequent engagement with the frustoconical dnving head which is forwardly advanced into engagement with the plunger

Figure 10 is a rear elevation view of a dnving head 40 utilized with the face plate adapter assembly and plunger of the present invention, in one embodiment thereof.

The dnving head includes a frustoconical side surface 46 (as previously descnbed in connection with Figure 2), and the frustoconical dnvmg head is joined to a cylmdπcal collar 48 having an opening 196 therein for a set screw (set screw 50 in

Figure 2) The frustoconical dnving head has a central threaded opening 190 therein for receiving a set screw 44 (as also shown m Figure 2)

The cyhndncal collar 48 has a cavity 180 therein bounded by the linear side walls 182 and 184 and the arcuate end walls 186 and 188 to define a cavity for receiving a generally rectangular or comp mentanly shaped ram head (see element 52 in Figure 2) therein, so that the set screw 44 and set screw in threaded opening 196 may be tightenably engaged against the ram head to securely position the frustoconical dnving head thereon For this purpose, the arcuate end walls 186 and 188 may as shown define an intenor groove 198 overlaid by wall portion 199 so that the ram head once engaged with the cavity 180 may be rotated relative to the collar 48 of the frustoconical dπving head to engage the extremities of the ram tip behind wall segments 199 The rear surface 194 of the frustoconical dπving head presents a surface for matable engagement with the engagement surfaces 96 (see for example Figure 6) of the flexible resilient engagement members of the plunger, while the frustoconical side surface 46 matably engages the inner facing surface of the shank 92 of the flexible resilient engagement member.

Figure 11 is a side elevation view of the driving head assembly of Figure 10, and Figure 12 is a cross-sectional elevation view of the driving head assembly showing the set screws 44 and 50 whereby the driving head may be secured to the ram tip of an injector, contemporaneous with securement of the face plate adapter assembly thereto, to permit use of the plunger and angiographic syringe of the present invention therewith.

The embodiment of the invention variously shown and described with reference to Figures 1-12 hereof overcomes a significant problem of various prior art plunger and driving head connection/coupling anangements, namely, their susceptibility to "cocking." Cocking as used in this context refers to the tendency of the plunger to tilt or cock to one side, so as to be off-axis with respect to the longitudinally center line of the syringe. Such mis-alignment can be quite severe in some instances and can result in leakage of contrast media or other contained fluid from the interior volume of the syringe rearwardly to the driving head and injector housing, where it can deleteriously effect the function of the injector apparatus. The plunger arrangement of the present invention of the embodiment previously described minimizes plunger cocking and associated leakage problems.

Figure 13 is a cross-sectional elevation view of a portion of an angiographic syringe and plunger according to another embodiment of the present invention, shown in coupled relationship to a portion of a face plate adapter assembly of alternative design. As shown in Figure 13, the angiographic syringe 210 comprises a syringe barrel 212 whose interior wall surface 214 bounds the interior volume 216 of the syringe.

The interior volume 216 contains a plunger 218 of convergent shape at its distal portion 220. The plunger 218 has a flat proximal surface 222 on which is disposed a plurality of rearwardly extending retention elements 224 and 226, with rearmost portions 228 and 230, respectively, which are shaped for matable engagement with reverse-hooked ends 232 and 234 of projections 236 and 238 of the driving head 240.

The driving head 240 has an outer surface of frustoconical shape as shown, presenting an outer surface 242 which is slideably engagable against the interior wall surface 244 of the receptacle 246 of face plate adapter assembly 250. The face plate adapter assembly is disposed in a budding relationship to the front wall 252 of an injector housing containing the receptacateable shaft 254 which is joined at its distal end to the driving head 240.

By this anangement, the angiographic syringe 210 at its proximal end is reposed on support element 256, with the retention elements 224 and 226 rearwardly extended. The driving head 240 is drivable in either of the forward or rearward directions, as indicated by bi-directional arrow A. The translation of the driving head by the reciprocateable drive shaft 254 causes the engagement elements 232 and 234 to be deflected in the directions of movement indicated by bi-directional arrows B and C, with the resilient elements being translated radially outwardly by forward movement of the driving head, and radially inwardly by retracting movement of the driving head, as a result of the tapered configuration of the wall surface 244 and the driving head 242 surface. In operation, the angiographic syringe is positioned as shown, and forward movement of the drive shaft 254 and corresponding advancement of the driving head 240 causes the resilient elements 233 and 234 to move radially outwardly to engage with the matable surfaces 228 and 230, so that the driving head projections bear compressively outwardly against the projection elements of the plunger, to engage the driving head and plunger.

Conversely, when the plunger is retracted by the driving head, and the driving head enters the cavity bounded by conical wall surface 244, the retraction will cause the retention elements 232 and 234 to radially inwardly translate and to disengage from the engagement surfaces of the projections on the plunger.

Thus, it will be seen that the present invention contemplates a front-load angiographic syringe injector system, in which the plunger and driving head are ananged so that at least one of them interacts with the face plate to effect engagement and disengagement of the plunger and driving head relative to one another.

Other arrangements of the plunger, driving head and face plate adapter assembly are contemplated within the broad practice of the invention, wherein at least one of the plunger and driving head elements interacts with the face plate adapter assembly to effect engagement and disengagement of the plunger and driving head elements. For example, the ram may be constructed of a deformable resilient material which is constructed so that rearward pressure of the plunger on the face plate causes localized constriction of a portion of the deformable resilient material of the ram head, causing same to reactively expand against the plunger to effect engagement therewith, and which upon retraction is correspondingly deformed to effect disengagement of the driving head from the plunger. Figure 14 is a perspective view of an adapter for interconnecting an angiographic syπnge with an injector, according to another embodiment of the invention. The adapter 10 compnses a mam body 12 and mounted thereon or integrally formed therewith is a rear cyhndπcal extension 14. Main body includes a generally cyhndncal side wall surface 16 The adapter has a central bore 18 therein bound in the rear cyhndncal extension by first bounding wall 20. Central bore 18 is bound in the mam body by second bounding wall 22 and by third bounding wall 24 The first bounding wall 20 is of smaller diameter than second bounding wall 22, and the junction of such bore portions define a first annular nm 26 of the bore The second bounding wall 22 is of smaller diameter than third bounding wall 24, and the junction of the second and third bore portions define a second annular nm 28

The adapter includes front slot opening 30 communicating with the third bounding wall 24 of central bore 18 and forming therewith diametrally opposed grooves 32 and 34, and thereby defining diametrally opposed retention flange portions 36 and 38 transverse to the slot opening, for engagement with a syπnge, as descnbed below. The adapter 10 further includes an adaptive mounting means 40 for engaging and disengaging the adapter 10 from a front-loading injector

Adaptive mounting means 40 allows the adapter to be engaged and disengaged from a front end of an injector. Rear cyhndncal extension 14 includes circumferential groove or slot 42 therein In a prefened embodiment flanges 44 and 46 are diametrally opposed for engaging a matably shaped cavity on a front face of an injector apparatus, and lockable in position by rotation of the adapter so that the diametrally opposed flange elements 44 and 46 engage retaining flange elements in the face of the injector apparatus Thus, the adapter is adapted to be mounted on a front-load injector apparatus of the type descnbed in U S Patent 5,383,858 issued January 24, 1995 to David M. Reilly, et al. and in U S Patent 5,520,653 issued May 28, 1996 to David M. Reilly, et al Figure 15 is a perspective, disassembled view of an injector adapter kit according to one embodiment of the invention. The injector retrofit kit described herein is adapted to be detachably engaged to a ram or reciprocating shaft of a front- loaded injector. The injector adapter kit may comprise a syringe 50, a driving head

100, a lifting ring 120, and an adapter 10 as shown in Figure 14.

As shown in Figure 15, the syringe 50 includes a main cylindrical banel 52 enclosing an inner volume 54 which in use of the syringe is filled with contrast media or other solution or liquid to be dispensed through the distal end 56 of the syringe. At its distal end, the syringe is provided with threading 58 in its interior surface, for connection of the distal end of the syringe to a catheter by means of luer-lock or other conventional coupling means.

The interior volume 54 of the syringe is bounded by an interior wall surface

60, as shown. At the proximal end 62 of the syringe is interiorly disposed a plunger 70 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The plunger 70 is of generally converging shape at its distal end, and includes an outer circumferentially continuous edge (side) surface 72 which contacts the inner wall surface 60 of the syringe. The plunger further includes at least two diametrally opposed anays of spaced-apart flexible resilient engagement members 74, as hereinafter more fully described.

At the proximal end of the syringe on the exterior surface thereof are provided diametrally opposed flange or lug members 64 and 66, for engaging and locking the syringe to the adapter 10, as described below.

Driving head 100 is of frustoconical shape, having a front circular surface 102 with a central set screw 104 therein, and a frustoconical side surface 106. The driving head includes cylindrical collar 108. By means of the central set screw 104, soft tip set screw 107 and soft tip set screw 105 in the cylindrical collar 108, the driving head may be secured to a ram or reciprocating shaft of an injector for forward driving and rearward retraction movement of the ram tip and driving head mounted thereon.

Lifting ring 120 has a cylindrical collar 122 which, in one embodiment, is constructed and arranged in a press fit relationship with the rear first bounding wall 20 of the central bore 18 in rear cylindrical extension 14. The lifting ring 120 radially outwardly deforms the flexible resilient engagement members 74 of the plunger 70 so that the flexible resilient engagement members thereby interact with the adapter to permit engagement (and conespondingly, upon retraction of the ram tip and driving head, disengagement) of the plunger with the driving head.

By the arcangement shown, the front-load angiographic syringe is rearwardly inserted with the flange members 64 and 66 engaging slot 30 in the adapter 10. After positioning in the slot, the syringe is rotated 90°, to lockingly engage flange members

64 and 66 with the internal groove communicating with the slot and forming a retention flange transverse to the direction of slot 30.

Such engagement of the syringe with adapter causes the flexible resilient engagement members 74 to be spread by the lifting ring 120 so that the frustoconical driving head 100 then engages the flexible resilient engagement members to thereby couple the syringe through the plunger to the driving head, for subsequent forward translation of the driving head to express contrast media for other fluid from the syringe barcel interior volume through the distal end of the syringe.

The lifting ring may as shown in Figure 15 include outwardly extending shoulder elements that are diametrally opposite one another, so that the lifting ring has unshouldered circumferential portions that are diametrally opposite one another and that are between the shoulder elements. The flexible resiliant engagement members 74 of the syringe plunger 70 may or may not engage the lifting ring depending on orientation. Upon installation of the syringe, the flexible resiliant engagement members 74 of the syringe plunger 70 engage the frustoconical side surface 106 of the driving head and the plunger is thereby subsequently forwardly driveable to advance the plunger in the angiographic syringe and effect delivery of contrast medium to the patient.

The syringe plunger, after such advancement to the distal end of the interior passage in the syringe banel, may be uncoupled from the catheter or patient line connected to the distal end of the syringe. Thereafter the plunger is retractable in the interior passage of the syringe banel. Once the plunger is fully retracted, the syringe and plunger may be rotated to contact the flexible resiliant engagement members 74 with the shoulders of the lifting ring, thereby spreading the flexible resiliant engagement members 74 so that the plunger can be disengaged from the driving head.

Thus, when the flexible resiliant engagement members 74 are contacted with the shouldered portions of the lifting ring, they are spread radially outwardly, and when the flexible resiliant engagement members 74 overlie the unshouldered portions of the lifing ring, such members are in a retracted state for engagement with the driving head and associated ram tip.

Figure 16 is a front elevation view of the adapter 10 and lifting ring 120 of Figure 15 wherein the corcesponding structural elements of the adapter are numbered identically. While the lifting ring 120 is shown and described as press fitted into the adapter 10, those skilled in the art will recognize the adapter and lifting ring could be integrally formed as a single component. The lifting ring may be suitably constructed to be of varying form, and may be constructed as shown in Figure 15 with diametrally opposed lifting shoulder elements, or alternatively with a circumferentially continuous shoulder element.

Figure 17 is a side elevation view of an adapter according to another embodiment of the invention, wherein conesponding structural elements of the adapter are numbered identically to Figure 14. Adapter πng mam body 12 has mounted thereon or integrally formed therewith rear cyhndncal extension 14. Cyhndncal side wall surface 16 and circumferential groove 42 are shown. The main body 12 is of larger diameter than rear cyhndncal extension 14, and the junction of the mam body and the rear cyhndncal extension 14 define a rear face 130. Diametrally opposed flanges 44 and 46 engage a suitably matably shaped cavity on a front face of an injector apparatus, and are lockable by rotation of the ma body 12 so that the diametrally opposed flanges 44 and 46 engage retaining flange elements in the face of the injector apparatus. A means for sealing the adapter to the injector is provided, and shown as O-nng 132 disposed m a circumferential groove 134 in the rear face 130. In an alternative embodiment, a gasket or flat washer may be utilized on a flat suface of the rear face to effect sealing in place of the o-nng and groove anangement.

In this embodiment the adapter includes locking means for positionally maintaining the adapter in a locked position In the Figure 17 embodiment, the locking means includes at least one stainless steel leaf spnng 140. Leaf spnng 140 is secured at an end within circumferential groove 42 and cantilevers tangentially therefrom. Duπng rotational engagement of the adapter to the matably shaped cavity on the front face of the injector apparatus, features within the injector cavity depress each leaf spnng. Once the adapter has been rotated into a final, installed position, a recess in the injector cavity allows the leaf spnng to flare outward and return to a substantially undepressed condition With the adapter rotated to the installed position within the cavity, the now-undepressed leaf spnng acts as a pawl or detent against the recess to prevent back rotation, opposite to the direction of rotation for installation, and thus prevent removal of the adapter from the injector.

If the adapter must be removed from the injector, a slot 150 would allow access to each leaf spring. Slot 150 extends longitudinally from second annular rim 28 (shown as a dotted hidden line in Figure 17) to rear face 130 and allows a screwdriver, or other suitable tool, to be inserted into the slot and used to depress the leaf spring while the adapter is in the installed position. Once the leaf spring is depressed, the leaf spring no longer acts a pawl or detent and the adapter may be rotated opposite to the direction of rotation for installation, and affect removal of the adapter from the injector.

The slot 150 could, alternatively, only partially extend longitudinally from rear face 130 to second annular rim 28. This embodiment would maintain a thin solid section between the second annular rim 28 and the slot 150 extending from rear face 130. The slot would, therefore, not be noticeable from a frontal view of the adapter. If access to the leaf springs was desired, this thin solid section would then be removed by "knocking out" the section. A screwdriver, or other suitable tool, would then be inserted into the slot and used to depress the leaf spring for subsequent removal.

Although the leaf spring 140 is shown secured by screw 151, other means for securing the leaf spring within circumferential groove 42 include welding, brazing, bonding, and other similar mechanical/chemical securing methods.

Those skilled in the art will recognize leaf spring 140 can have a variety of cambers, such as a flat camber or a concave/convex camber, and the particular camber design of the leaf spring can be chosen without undue experimentation. The adapter, lifting πng, and leaf spnng may be constructed of stainless steel, aluminum, plastic or any other alternative mateπals of construction, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the .art. For example, the adapter and lifting nng could be molded from a plastic mateπal Additionally, locking means other than the leaf spnng could be used, such as detent structures, matable interlocks, spπng-biased expansion structures, pivot arms, heat expandable structures or chemicals, etc. With structures such as pivot arms, the adapter may be correspondingly fabncated with machined pockets or cavities containing the pivot arms

Figure 18 is a cross-sectional view of the adapter of Figure 17, showing the lifting nng 120 press fit into the adapter and showing the dnving head 100 disposed within central bore 18 The lifting πng 120 is press fit into adapter central bore 18 and forms the annular volume 160 which receives the proximal extremity of the syπnge of Figure 15, with the lifting πng having a beveled outer surface 124 as shown, which serves to engage with the flexible resilient engagement members (as shown Figure 15) of the plunger and to radially outwardly deform such engagement members for subsequent engagement with the frustoconical dnving head which is forwardly advanced into engagement with the plunger

The dnvmg head includes a frustoconical side surface 106 (as previously descnbed in connection with Figure 15) and collar 108 The frustoconical dnvmg head has a central bore 110 therein for receiving set screw 104 and soft tip set screw 105, as shown A side bore is provided in the collar 108 for the soft tip set screw 105

Figure 19 is a side elevation view of a plunger 70 according to one embodiment of the present invention The plunger in this embodiment includes a plunger body 76 which may be overlaid by a resilient rubber or hard plastic cover 78 which may be stretch-fitted over the plunger body 76 as shown Alternatively, the plunger body may be a unitary one piece design without any cover or sheath member The plunger body with the cover has an outer circumferentially continuous edge surface 80 for engaging an interior surface of the syringe banel when the plunger is operatively positioned within the syringe barrel.

The proximal face 82 of the plunger body includes a circumferential surface portion 84. An array of diametrally opposed spaced-apart flexible resilient engagement members 74 is joined to the circumferential surface portion 84 of the proximal face of the plunger body and rearwardly extends therefrom to a rearmost extremity 86. Each of the flexible resilient members has a shank portion 88 rearwardly extending from the circumferential surface portion 84 and terminating in a tail hook portion 90 including a transversely and radially inwardly extending retention surface 92 for matably engaging with a rear circumferential surface of the driving head of the injector when the driving head is operatively coupled with the plunger. Each tail hook portion at the retention surface 92 is of increased thickness (in the lateral dimension transverse to the length dimension of the flexible resilient engagement member) relative to the shank portion 88 of such member. The tail hook portion is of tapering character from the region of the retention surface 92 in the rearward direction toward the rearmost extremity 86 thereof, and the tail hook portion has in the embodiment shown a convexly shaped inner engagement surface 94 for contacting the frustoconical shaped driving head to circumferentially compressively engage the frustoconical side surface of the driving head with the transversely and radially inwardly extending retention surface 92 engaged with a rear circumferential surface of the driving head when the driving head is engaged with the plunger. The array of flexible resilient engagement members 74 is diametrally opposed on the circumferential surface portion 84 of the proximal face 82 of the plunger body so that the flexible resilient engagement members are radially inwardly spaced from the outer circumferentially continuous edge surface of the plunger. The purpose of such radial inset of the engagement members 74 is so that such engagement members do not contact interior surfaces of the syringe barrel during translation of the plunger forwardly or rearwardly through the syringe banel.

Figure 20 is a cross-sectional elevation view of a plunger of the type shown in Figure 19 showing the hollowed out interior volume of the plunger body. The plunger alternatively may be of solid-body construction, without such interior cavity.

Figure 21 is a rear plan view of the plunger 70 of Figures 19 and 20.

Figure 22 shows a retrofit kit exploded relationship to an injector apparatus. The conesponding structural elements of the adapter, syringe, lifting ring, and driving head are numbered identically to Figure 15. The retrofit kit includes at least one component selected from the group consisting of adapter 10, driving head 100, lifting ring 120, and syringe 50 with plunger 70. The injector apparatus 200 as shown comprises an injector housing 202 with a front face 204 to which is secured a face plate adapter assembly 206. The face plate adapter assembly has a front face 208 with a cylindrical cavity 210 therein and a front slot opening 212 communicating therewith. The driving head 100 may be secured to a generally rectangular ram tip mounted on a reciprocating shaft for forward driving and rearward retraction movement of the ram tip 214 and driving head 100 mounted thereon.

By the anangement shown, the adapter is rearwardly inserted with the flange members 44 and 46 engaging the slot 212 on the face plate adapter assembly 206. After positioning in the slot, the adapter is rotated 90°, to lockingly engage flange members 44 and 46 with an internal groove communicating with the slot and forming a retention flange transverse to the direction of slot 212.

The angiographic syringe 50 is rearwardly inserted with the flange members 64 and 66 engaging the slot 30 on the front face of adapter 10. After positioning in the slot, the syringe is rotated 90°, to lockingly engage flange members 64 and 66 with internal grooves 32 and 34 communicating with the slot and forming a retention flange transverse to the direction of slot 30.

Such engagement of the syringe with the adapter causes the flexible resilient engagement members 74 to be spread by the lifting ring 120 so that the frustoconical driving head then engages the flexible resilient engagement members to thereby couple the syringe through the plunger to the driving head, for subsequent forward translation of the driving head to express contrast media for other fluid from the syringe banel interior volume through the distal end of the syringe.

The embodiment of the invention variously shown and described with reference to Figures 14-22 hereof overcomes the previously described "cocking" problem of various prior art plunger and driving head connection/coupling arrangements, and the various embodiments shown also allow a retrofit kit to be offered for use with various injector designs.

Thus, it will be seen that the present invention contemplates an adapter and retrofit kit for a front-load angiographic syringe injector system, in which the adapter interacts with the injector to effect engagement and disengagement of the adapter, plunger, syringe, and driving head relative to one another.

The present invention also contemplates an angiographic syringe including a plunger of the above-described type. The present invention further contemplates a front-load injector system compπsing an adapter and angiographic syπnge including a plunger of the above- descπbed construction.

Thus, while the invention has been descnbed herein with respect to vanous illustrative features, aspects and embodiments, it will be recognized that the invention is not thus limited, and other vaπations, modifications and alternative embodiments will readily suggest themselves to those of ordinary skill in the art Accordingly, the invention is to be broadly construed, consistent with the claims hereafter set forth

Industrial Applicability

The angiographic systems of the present invention, including front-load angiographic injector apparatus, adapter assemblies, angiographic syπnges and components thereof, as vaπously descnbed herein, are usefully employed to effect introduction of a contrast medium in the arteπal network of a patient for fluoroscopic visualization of arteπal plaques, occlusions and/or structure, for purposes of diagnosis and treatment of the patient For example, if arteπal occlusions are determined to be present in a patient, by the use of the angiographic systems of the invention, such occlusions then can be treated by vanous techniques such as laser angioplasty, balloon angioplasty, bypass surgery, etc.

Claims

THE CLAIMS

1. A front-load syringe injector system including a front-load injector apparatus having mounted on a front face thereof a face plate adapter assembly, with a driving head engaged with a drive mechanism of the injector and such driving head disengageably engaging a plunger mounted in an angiographic syringe mounted on a front face of the front-load syringe injector, wherein at least one of the plunger and driving head elements interacts with the face plate to effect engagement and disengagement of the plunger and driving head with respect to one another.

2. A plunger having utility in a power-driven angiographic syringe assembly comprising power driving means including an axially extending reciprocatable drive shaft and a frustoconical shaped driving head attached to said drive shaft, the plunger comprising:

a plunger body having a generally convergent distal portion, an outer circumferentially continuous edge surface for engaging an interior surface of a syringe banel when the plunger is operatively positioned within the syringe barrel, and a proximal face including a circumferential surface portion, with an anay of circumferentially spaced-apart flexible, resilient engagement members joined to the circumferential surface portion of the proximal face of the plunger body and extending rearwardly therefrom;

each of said flexible resilient engagement members having a shank portion rearwardly extending from the circumferential surface portion of the proximal face of the plunger and terminating in a tail hook portion including a transversely and radially inwardly extending retention surface for matably engaging with a rear circumferential surface of a dnve head of an injector when the dnve head is operatively coupled with the plunger, each tail hook portion at the retention surface being of increased thickness relative to the shank portion of the flexible resilient engagement member, and of tapenng character toward a rearmost extremity thereof, with a convexly shaped inner engagement surface for contacting the frustoconical shaped dnving head to compressively engage a frustoconical side surface of the dnving head with the transversely and radially inwardly extending retention surface matably engaged with a rear circumferential surface of the dnvmg head when the d╧Çving head is engaged with the plunger; and

the anay of circumferentially spaced-apart flexible resilient engagement members being circumferentially arranged on the circumferential surface portion of the proximal face of the plunger so that the flexible resilient engagement members are radially inwardly spaced from the outer circumferentially continuous edge surface of the plunger, whereby the flexible resilient engagement members do not contact mte╧Çor surfaces of the sy╧Çnge banel dunng translation of the plunger forwardly or rearwardly through the synnge banel

3. An angiographic sy╧Çnge including a plunger according to claim 2

4. An angiographic front-load sy╧Çnge injector apparatus including an angiographic synnge according to claim 3

5. A face plate adapter assembly for a front-load sy╧Çnge injector, including a main body having on a rear face thereof a cyhndncal extension with diametrally opposite flange elements for engaging a matably shaped cavity on a front face of an injector apparatus, and lockable in position by rotation of the ma body portion so that the diametrally opposite flange elements engage retaining flange elements in the face of the injector apparatus, with a front face of the main body portion having a cylindrical cavity therein and a front slot opening communicating therewith with diametrally opposite retention flange portions transverse to the slot opening, for engagement with a front-load syringe having rear flange members engageable with the slot opening and lockable in position in the face plate adapter assembly by rotation so that the rear flange members of the syringe engage the retention flange portions of the main body, the face plate main body having in the cavity a lifting ring defining an annular volume between the cavity and the lifting ring for engagement with a rear circumferential extremity of a syringe when the syringe is engaged with the face plate adapter assembly, the lifting ring serving to engage with and radially outwardly spread the flexible resilient engagement members of a plunger of the syringe, and wherein the plunger comprises:

a plunger body having a generally convergent distal portion, an outer circumferentially continuous edge surface for engaging an interior surface of a syringe banel when the plunger is operatively positioned within the syringe banel, and a proximal face including a circumferential surface portion, with an anay of circumferentially spaced-apart flexible, resilient engagement members joined to the circumferential surface portion of the proximal face of the plunger body and extending rearwardly therefrom;

each of said flexible resilient engagement members having a shank portion rearwardly extending from the circumferential surface portion of the proximal face of the plunger and terminating in a tail hook portion including a transversely and radially inwardly extending retention surface for matably engaging with a rear circumferential surface of a driving head of an injector when the drive head is operatively coupled with the plunger, each tail hook portion at the retention surface being of increased thickness relative to the shank portion of the flexible resilient engagement member, and of tapering character toward a rearmost extremity thereof, with a convexly shaped inner engagement surface for contacting a frustoconical shaped driving head to compressively engage a frustoconical side surface of the driving head with the transversely radially inwardly extending retention surface matably engaged with a rear circumferential surface of the driving head when the driving head is engaged with the plunger;

the array of circumferentially spaced-apart flexible resilient engagement members being circumferentially ananged on the circumferential surface portion of the proximal face of the plunger so that the flexible resilient engagement members are radially inwardly spaced from the outer circumferentially continuous edge surface of the plunger, whereby the flexible resilient engagement members do not contact interior surfaces of the syringe banel during translation of the plunger forwardly or rearwardly through the syringe barrel.

6. A front-load syringe injector system including a front-load injector apparatus bearing on a front face thereof a face plate adapter assembly, said face plate adapter assembly including a main body having on a rear face thereof a cylindrical extension with diametrally opposite flange elements for engaging a matably shaped cavity on a front face of an injector apparatus, and lockable in position by rotation of the main body portion so that the diametrally opposite flange elements engage retaining flange elements in the face of the injector apparatus, with a front face of the main body portion having a cylindrical cavity therein and a front slot opening communicating therewith with diametrally opposite retention flange portions transverse to the slot opening, for engagement with a front-load syringe having rear flange members engageable with the slot opening and lockable in position in the face plate adapter assembly by rotation so that the rear flange members of the sy╧Çnge engage the retention flange portions of the main body, the face plate main body having in the cavity a lifting ╧Çng defining an annular volume between the cavity and the lifting ╧Çng for engagement with a rear circumferential extremity of a sy╧Çnge when the synnge is engaged with the face plate adapter assembly, the lifting nng serving to engage with and radially outwardly spread the flexible resilient engagement members of a plunger of the synnge,

an angiographic synnge engaged with the face plate adapter assembly, said sy╧Çnge compnsmg a plunger including

a plunger body having a generally convergent distal portion, an outer circumferentially continuous edge surface for engaging an intenor surface of a synnge banel when the plunger is operatively positioned within the sy╧Çnge banel, and a proximal face including a circumferential surface portion, with an anay of circumferentially spaced-apart flexible, resilient engagement members joined to the circumferential surface portion of the proximal face of the plunger body and extending rearwardly therefrom,

each of said flexible resilient engagement members having a shank portion rearwardly extending from the circumferential surface portion of the proximal face of the plunger and terminating in a tail hook portion including a transversely and radially inwardly extending retention surface for matably engaging with a rear circumferential surface of a dnvmg head of the injector apparatus when the dnve head is operatively coupled with the plunger, each tail hook portion at the retention surface being of increased thickness relative to the shank portion of the flexible resilient engagement member, and of tapering character toward a rearmost extremity thereof, with a convexly shaped inner engagement surface for contacting a frustoconical shaped driving head to compressively engage a frustoconical side surface of the driving head with the transversely radially inwardly extending retention surface matably engaged with a rear circumferential surface of the driving head when the driving head is engaged with the plunger;

the anay of circumferentially spaced-apart flexible resilient engagement members being circumferentially ananged on the circumferential surface portion of the proximal face of the plunger so that the flexible resilient engagement members are radially inwardly spaced from the outer circumferentially continuous edge surface of the plunger, whereby the flexible resilient engagement members do not contact interior surfaces of the syringe banel during translation of the plunger forwardly or rearwardly through the syringe banel.

7. A front-load syringe injector system comprising:

a. a front-load injector apparatus comprising:

(i) a driving mechanism;

(ii) attachment means for disengageably engaging attachment means of a plunger;

b. a face plate adapter assembly operably mounted on the front-load injector apparatus and comprising:

(i) means for attaching the face plate adapter assembly to the front- load injector apparatus; (ii) a generally cylindrical cavity extending through the face plate adapter assembly, arranged such that, during operation, the driving mechanism can move the driving head through the cavity;

c. a plunger having attached thereto attachment means for disengageably engaging the attachment means of the driving mechanism.

8. A plunger having utility in a power-driven angiographic syringe assembly comprising power driving means including an axially extending reciprocatable drive shaft and a frustoconical shaped driving head attached to said drive shaft, the plunger comprising:

a. a plunger body comprising:

(i) a generally convergent distal portion;

(ii) an outer circumferentially continuous edge surface for engaging an interior surface of a syringe banel;

(iii) a proximal face generally opposite the generally convergent distal portion comprising a circumferential surface portion;

b. an anay of circumferentially spaced-apart flexible, resilient engagement members joined to the circumferential surface portion of the proximal face of the plunger body and extending rearwardly therefrom, each of said engagement members comprising:

(i) a shank portion rearwardly extending from the circumferential surface portion of the proximal face of the plunger;

(ii) a tail hook portion at a rearward terminus of the shank portion comprising: a) a transversely and radially inwardly extending retention surface, having an attachment point and an inner terminus, for matably engaging with a rear circumferential surface of a dnve head of an injector when the dnve head is operatively coupled with the plunger,

b) a convexly shaped inner engagement curving rearward generally transverse to and outwardly from the terminus of the retention surface, resulting in a general tapenng of the tail hook portion from the retention surface to the rearmost extremity, such that upon contacting a frustocomcally shaped d╧Çving head, the retention surface can compressively engage a frustoconical side surface of the dnving head and the retention surface matably engaged with a rear circumferential surface of the dnving head; and

(in) the anay of engagement members being circumferentially ananged on the circumferential surface portion of the proximal face of the plunger so that the flexible resilient engagement members are radially inwardly spaced from the outer circumferentially continuous edge surface of the plunger, such that the flexible resilient engagement members do not contact tenor surfaces of a synnge banel du╧Çng translation of the plunger forwardly or rearwardly through the synnge barrel

An angiographic synnge including a plunger according to claim 8

An angiographic front-load synnge injector apparatus including an angiographic synnge according to claim 9

A face plate adapter assembly for a front-load synnge injector compnsmg- a. a face plate main body comprising:

(i) a rear face having a cylindrical extension attached thereto;

(ii) diametrally opposite flange elements attached to the cylindrical extension;

(iii) a front face opposite the rear face having a cylindrical cavity therein;

(iv) diametrally opposite retention flange portions extending from a perimeter of the cylindrical cavity towards the center of the cylindrical cavity and leaving slot openings transverse to the flange portions;

(v) a lifting ring concentrically positioned within the cylindrical cavity of the front face serving to engage with and spread radially outwardly flexible resilient engagement members of a plunger of the syringe;

(vi) an annular volume exterior to the lifting ring for engagement with a rear circumferential extremity of the syringe;

b. a plunger body engageable with the main body and comprising:

(i) a generally convergent distal portion,

(iii) a proximal face generally opposite the convergent distal portion and having a circumferential surface portion; c. an anay of circumferentially spaced-apart flexible, resilient engagement members joined to the circumferential surface portion of the proximal face and extending rearwardly therefrom, each of said flexible resilient engagement members comprising:

(ii) a tail hook portion attached at a rearward terminus of the shank portion and comprising a transversely and radially inwardly extending retention surface for matably engaging with a rear circumferential surface of a driving head of an injector when the drive head is operatively coupled with the plunger, the retention surface being of increased thickness relative to the shank portion of the flexible resilient engagement member, and of tapering character toward a rearmost extremity thereof, with a convexly shaped inner engagement surface for contacting a frustoconically shaped driving head to compressively engage a frustoconical side surface of the driving head;

d. the flexible resilient engagement members being circumferentially ananged such that the flexible resilient engagement members are converge towards a center of the outer circumferentially continuous edge surface of the plunger, such that the flexible resilient engagement members do not contact interior surfaces of the syringe banel during translation of the plunger forwardly or rearwardly through the syringe banel.

12. A front-load syringe injector system comprising:

a. a front-load injector apparatus comprising a face plate adapter assembly comprising:

(i) a main body; (n) a cyhndncal extension on a rear face of the main body;

(in) diametrally opposite flange elements extending outwardly from the cyhndncal extension for engaging a matably shaped cavity on a front face of an injector apparatus and lockable in position by rotation of the main body portion so that the diametrally opposite flange elements engage retaining flange elements in the face of the injector apparatus,

(iv) a front face of the mam body portion having a cyhndncal cavity therein;

(v) diametrally opposite retention flange portions extending radially inwardly from a pe╧Çmeter of the cyhndncal cavity;

(vi) slot openings transverse to the flange portion for engagement with a front-load synnge having rear flange members engageable with the slot openings and lockable in position in the face plate adapter assembly by rotation so that the rear flange members of the sy╧Çnge engage the retention flange portions of the main body,

(vn) a lifting nng concent╧Çcally positioned withm the cyhndncal cavity of the front face serving to engage with and spread radially outwardly flexible resilient members of a plunger of the synnge;

(vin) an annular volume defined by an outer surface of the lifting nng and an inner surface of the cyhndncal cavity of the front face for engagement with a rear circumferential extremity of a sy╧Çnge when the synnge is engaged with the face plate adapter assembly; an angiographic syringe engaged with the face plate adapter assembly, said syringe comprising a plunger comprising:

(i) a generally convergent distal portion,

(ii) an outer circumferentially continuous edge surface for engaging an interior surface of a syringe barrel;

(iii) a proximal face generally opposite the convergent distal portion and having a circumferential surface portion;

(iv) an array of circumferentially spaced-apart flexible, resilient engagement members joined to the circumferential surface portion of the proximal face and extending rearwardly therefrom, each of said flexible resilient engagement members comprising:

a) a shank portion rearwardly extending from the circumferential surface portion of the proximal face of the plunger;

b) a tail hook portion attached at a rearward terminus of the shank portion and comprising a transversely and radially inwardly extending retention surface for matably engaging with a rear circumferential surface of a driving head of an injector when the drive head is operatively coupled with the plunger, the retention surface being of increased thickness relative to the shank portion of the flexible resilient engagement member, and of tapering character toward a rearmost extremity thereof, with a convexly shaped inner engagement surface for contacting a frustoconically shaped driving head to compressively engage a frustoconical side surface of the driving head; c) the flexible resilient engagement members being circumferentially arranged such that the flexible resilient engagement members are converge towards a center of the outer circumferentially continuous edge surface of the plunger, such that the flexible resilient engagement members do not contact interior surfaces of the syringe banel during translation of the plunger forwardly or rearwardly through the syringe barrel.

13. A front-load syringe injector system including a front-load injector apparatus having mounted on a front face thereof a detachably engageable adapter, with a driving head engaged with a drive mechanism of the injector and such driving head disengageably engaging a plunger mounted in an angiographic syringe mounted on the adapter, wherein at least one of the plunger and driving head and syringe elements interacts with the adapter to effect engagement and disengagement of the plunger and driving head and syringe with respect to one another.

14. An adapter for interconnecting an angiographic syringe with an injector, said adapter comprising:

a main body having a rear cylindrical extension, with a central bore extending through the main body and the rear cylindrical extension;

the rear cylindrical extension including diametrally opposed flanges for engaging a matably shaped cavity on a front face of an injector apparatus, and lockable in position by rotation of the main body so that the diametrally opposed flange elements engage retaining flange elements in the face of the injector apparatus; the main body having a front slot opening communicating with the central bore, the front slot opening having diametrally opposed retention flange portions transverse to the slot opening, for engagement with a front-load syringe having rear flange members engageable with the slot opening and lockable in position in the main body by rotation so that the rear flange members of the syringe engage the retention flange portions of the main body;

the main body having a lifting ring defining an annular volume between the central bore and the lifting ring for engagement with a rear circumferential extremity of a syringe;

and the rear cylindrical extension including a locking means, so that when the main body is rotated to a final, installed position the locking means interacts with features in the injector cavity and prevents backrotational removal of the adapter.

15. An adapter for interconnecting an angiographic syringe with an injector according to claim 14, wherein the locking means is selected from the group consisting of leaf springs, detents, pivot arms, expansion elements, and heat expandable elements.

16. An adapter for interconnecting an angiographic syringe with an injector, said adapter comprising:

the rear cylindrical extension including diametrally opposed flanges for engaging a matably shaped cavity on a front face of an injector apparatus, and lockable in position by rotation of the main body so that the diametrally opposed flange elements engage retaining flange elements in the face of the injector apparatus;

the main body having a front slot opening communicating with the central bore, the front slot opening having diametrally opposed retention flange portions transverse to the slot opening, for engagement with a front-load sy╧Çnge having rear flange members engageable with the slot opening and lockable in position in the mam body by rotation so that the rear flange members of the sy╧Çnge engage the retention flange portions of the main body;

the main body having a lifting ╧Çng defining an annular volume between the central bore and the lifting nng for engagement with a rear circumferential extremity of a sy╧Çnge;

and the rear cyhndncal extension including at least one leaf spnng secured to a surface of the adapter and cantileve╧Çng tangentially therefrom, so that dunng rotational engagement of the mam body with the matably shaped cavity of the injector, features withm the cavity depress the leaf spnng, and when the main body is rotated to a final, installed position a recess in the injector cavity allows the leaf spnng flare outward and prevent backrotational removal of the adapter

17. The adapter for interconnecting an angiographic synnge with an injector according to claim 16, wherein the mam body includes a means for sealing a rear face of the main body to the front face of the injector.

18 The adapter for interconnecting an angiographic synnge with an injector according to claim 17, wherein the means for sealing a rear face of the main body to the front face of the injector comp╧Çses a sealing means selected from the group consisting of (I) an o-╧Çng disposed in a circumferential groove in the rear face, (II) a gasket on a flat suface of the rear face, and (III) a flat washer on a flat surface of the rear face.

19. A plunger having utility in a power-driven angiographic syringe assembly comprising power driving means including an axially extending reciprocatable drive shaft and a frustoconical shaped driving head attached to said drive shaft, the plunger comprising:

a plunger body having a generally convergent distal portion, an outer circumferentially continuous edge surface for engaging an interior surface of a syringe banel when the plunger is operatively positioned within the syringe banel, and a proximal face including a circumferential surface portion, with an anay of diametrally disposed spaced-apart flexible, resilient engagement members joined to the circumferential surface portion of the proximal face of the plunger body and extending rearwardly therefrom;

each of said flexible resilient engagement members having a shank portion rearwardly extending from the circumferential surface portion of the proximal face of the plunger and terminating in a tail hook portion including a transversely and radially inwardly extending retention surface for matably engaging with a rear circumferential surface of a drive head of an injector when the drive head is operatively coupled with the plunger, each tail hook portion at the retention surface being of increased thickness relative to the shank portion of the flexible resilient engagement member, and of tapering character toward a rearmost extremity thereof, with a convexly shaped inner engagement surface for contacting the frustoconical shaped driving head to compressively engage a frustoconical side surface of the driving head with the transversely and radially inwardly extending retention surface matably engaged with a rear circumferential surface of the driving head when the driving head is engaged with the plunger; and

the spaced-apart flexible resilient engagement members being diametrally opposed on the circumferential surface portion of the proximal face of the plunger so that the flexible resilient engagement members are radially inwardly spaced from the outer circumferentially continuous edge surface of the plunger, whereby the flexible resilient engagement members do not contact interior surfaces of the syringe banel during translation of the plunger forwardly or rearwardly through the syringe banel.

20. An angiographic syringe including a plunger according to claim 19.

21. An angiographic retrofit kit, comprising:

an angiographic syringe including a plunger; the plunger including

a plunger body having a generally convergent distal portion, an outer circumferentially continuous edge surface for engaging an interior surface of a syringe banel when the plunger is operatively positioned within the syringe barrel, and a proximal face including a circumferential surface portion, with an anay of diametrally disposed spaced-apart flexible, resilient engagement members joined to the circumferential surface portion of the proximal face of the plunger body and extending rearwardly therefrom;

the spaced-apart flexible resilient engagement members being diametrally opposed on the circumferential surface portion of the proximal face of the plunger so that the flexible resilient engagement members are radially inwardly spaced from the outer circumferentially continuous edge surface of the plunger, whereby the flexible resilient engagement members do not contact interior surfaces of the syringe barrel during translation of the plunger forwardly or rearwardly through the syringe banel.

22. An angiographic retrofit kit according to claim 21, further comprising an adapter, the adapter including:

a main body having a rear cylindrical extension, with a central bore extending through the main body and the rear cylindrical extension; the rear cylindrical extension including diametrally opposed flanges for engaging a matably shaped cavity on a front face of an injector apparatus, and lockable in position by rotation of the main body so that the diametrally opposed flange elements engage retaining flange elements in the face of the injector apparatus;

the main body having a front slot opening communicating with the central bore, the front slot opening having diametrally opposed retention flange portions transverse to the slot opening, for engagement with a front-load syringe having rear flange members engageable with the slot opening and lockable in position in the main body by rotation so that the rear flange members of the syringe engage the retention flange portions of the main body;

23. An angiographic retrofit kit, the kit comprising at least one component selected from the group consisting of an adapter, a syringe and plunger, and a driving head;

the adapter comprising a main body having a rear cylindrical extension, with a central bore extending through the main body and the rear cylindrical extension; the rear cylindrical extension including diametrally opposed flanges for engaging a matably shaped cavity on a front face of an injector apparatus, and lockable in position by rotation of the main body so that the diametrally opposed flange elements engage retaining flange elements in the face of the injector apparatus;

and the rear cylindrical extension including a locking means, so that when the main body is rotated to a final, installed position the locking means interacts with features in the injector cavity and prevents backrotational removal of the adapter;

an angiographic syringe including a plunger, the plunger including

a plunger body having a generally convergent distal portion, an outer circumferentially continuous edge surface for engaging an interior surface of a syringe banel when the plunger is operatively positioned within the syringe barrel, and a proximal face including a circumferential surface portion, with an array of diametrally disposed spaced-apart flexible, resilient engagement members joined to the circumferential surface portion of the proximal face of the plunger body and extending rearwardly therefrom;

the spaced-apart flexible resilient engagement members being diametrally opposed on the circumferential surface portion of the proximal face of the plunger so that the flexible resilient engagement members are radially inwardly spaced from the outer circumferentially continuous edge surface of the plunger, whereby the flexible resilient engagement members do not contact interior surfaces of the syringe banel during translation of the plunger forwardly or rearwardly through the syringe banel; the driving head comprising a front circular surface and a frustroconical side surface, wherein the driving head is secured to a ram or reciprocating shaft of the injector for forward driving and rearward retraction movement of the ram tip and driving head mounted thereon.

24. A front-load syringe injector system including a front-load injector apparatus having mounted on a front face thereof a detachably engageable adapter according to claim 14.

25. A front-load syringe injector system according to claim 24, further comprising an angiographic syringe including a plunger; the plunger including

26. A front-load syringe injector system, comprising an angiographic syringe including a plunger; the plunger including

the spaced-apart flexible resilient engagement members being diametrally opposed on the circumferential surface portion of the proximal face of the plunger so that the flexible resilient engagement members are radially inwardly spaced from the outer circumferentially continuous edge surface of the plunger, whereby the flexible resilient engagement members do not contact interior surfaces of the syringe barrel during translation of the plunger forwardly or rearwardly through the syringe barrel.