Patent ID: 7672710

Claim:
A method of controlling an imaging procedure, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing an integrated injection and imaging system featuring an injector subsystem and an imaging subsystem, with the imaging subsystem for applying energy to a patient and producing an image or a measurement of an internal region of the patient from a signal resulting from the energy applied to the patient, and with the injector subsystem having first and second pressurizing units for pressurizing a contrast medium and a diluent, respectively, for injection into the patient in connection with the imaging procedure; and (b) providing a data interface interconnecting the injector and imaging subsystems for enabling exchange of digital information therebetween, the information comprising at least timing data, such that the digital information transmitted between the subsystems is usable thereby for enabling closed loop control of one of the subsystems by the other of the subsystems through which the contrast medium and the diluent injected into the patient is adjustable so as to achieve a desired level of enhancement therewith within the internal region of the patient of which the images are acquired during the imaging procedure; wherein the closed loop control of one of the subsystems by the other of the subsystems is based upon at least one of (i) selected portions of the digital information from the imaging subsystem, (ii) selected portions of the digital information from the injector subsystem, and (iii) a physiological condition of the patient obtained from a sensor thereof.