EP2254620A1

EP2254620A1 - Appliance for the injection of fluids for applications of radioactive diagnostic fluids in nuclear medicine

Info

Publication number: EP2254620A1
Application number: EP09716089A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Graziano Azzolini
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-02-29
Filing date: 2009-02-26
Publication date: 2010-12-01
Also published as: WO2009106977A1; ITMO20080055A1

Abstract

Appliance for the injection of fluids for applications in medicine, particularly radioactive diagnostic fluids in nuclear medicine, which comprises a hydraulic circuit associable with a patient and automatic injection means for injecting a fluid for applications in medicine through the hydraulic circuit and towards the patient. The hydraulic circuit comprises an infusion line associable with the patient, first introduction means for introducing a physiological salt solution or the like associated with the infusion line and associable with the automatic injection means, and second introduction means for introducing a predetermined volume of the fluid associated with the infusion line and associable with the automatic injection means, the automatic injection means being electronically associated with a management and control unit for the controlled introduction of the physiological salt solution and the fluid towards the patient. Method for the injection of fluids for applications in medicine, particularly radioactive diagnostic fluids in nuclear medicine, which comprises a first introduction phase of a physiological salt solution or the like in an infusion line of a hydraulic circuit associated with a patient, a second introduction phase in the infusion line and towards the patient of a fluid for applications in medicine, a third introduction phase of the physiological salt solution in the infusion line, subsequently to the second introduction phase. The first, second and third introduction phases are implemented in sequence by means of automatic injection means for the controlled introduction of the physiological salt solution and of the fluid towards the patient.

Description

APPLIANCE FOR THE INJECTION OF FLUIDS FOR APPLICATIONS IN MEDICINE, PARTICULARLY RADIOACTIVE DIAGNOSTIC FLUIDS IN NUCLEAR MEDICINE

Technical Field The present invention relates to an appliance for the injection of fluids for applications in medicine, particularly radioactive diagnostic fluids in nuclear medicine.

Background Art

As is known, nuclear medicine is a method which, by means of radiology image diagnostics, allows detecting organic, anatomic or biological molecular alterations in the body of a patient.

Such method requires, to start with, the peripheral injection of a radiopharmaceutical product into a patient.

By means of tomographic acquisitions, such as positron emission tomography (PET), it is then possible to make the three-dimensional study of an organ or of a patient body area.

In particular, tomography appliances are able to detect the radiation emitted by a radiopharmaceutical product and subsequently transform it into a digital signal for computerised analysis. It is known that the infusion of the radiopharmaceutical product into the patient is traditionally done manually by an operator, by means of specific pre-filled syringes that are screened against the radiations.

Despite the screening and despite the fact that the operator, during infusion, positions the syringe so as to reduce to the utmost the exposure of his/her body to radioactive emissions, such manual operation does in fact have considerable drawbacks.

During infusion in fact, the operator must necessarily press on the syringe piston, using his/her thumb which, consequently, is exposed to the radiations that filter between the radiopharmaceutical product containment cylinder and the piston itself.

This involves a high risk for the health of the operator, whose level of exposure to the radioactive emissions must be continuously monitored by means of special detectors.

Furthermore, the operator remains alongside the patient for all the time needed to make the infusion of the radiopharmaceutical product and during any subsequent operations, such as the post-hydration of the patient and, consequently, is exposed to the radioactive emissions produced by the injected radiopharmaceutical product.

To overcome this drawback automatic appliances are known for injecting the radiopharmaceutical product into a patient.

Generally speaking, the known appliances have a housing suitable for accommodating a syringe pre-filled with the radiopharmaceutical product and have automatic injection means suitable for moving the syringe piston.

These known machines are not however without drawbacks as well.

The operator is in any case obliged to intervene manually before and after the injection of the radiopharmaceutical product, in particular to perform a preliminary cycle of pre-hydration of the patient by means of the injection of a physiological salt solution, to prepare the injection of the radiopharmaceutical product and, if necessary, to perform a cycle of post-hydration of the patient after the injection.

After the infusion cycle, furthermore, it is necessary to completely wash the hydraulic circuit of the appliance with physiological salt solution in order to ensure the total removal of the radiopharmaceutical product, for a greater safety of the operators and of whosoever comes into contact with hospital waste, and for the purpose of completely infusing the radioactive diagnostic fluid into the patient. The known apparatus are not able to provide an adequate and complete infusion cycle to the patient, and in any case oblige the operator to intervene manually with the risk of exposure to potentially hazardous radioactive emissions.

Object of the Invention

The main aim of the present invention is to provide an appliance for the injection of fluids for applications in medicine, particularly radioactive diagnostic fluids in nuclear medicine, which provides the utmost protection of the appointed operators from radioactive emissions . Another object of the present invention is to provide an appliance for the injection of fluids that permits performing a complete infusion cycle on the patient: from the preparation of the hydraulic circuit for the injection, to the subsequent pre-hydration of the patient, to the injection of the radioactive diagnostic fluid, up to the washing of the hydraulic circuit and the post- hydration of the patient.

Another object of the invention is to provide an appliance for the injection of fluids that ensures utmost safety for the patient. Another object of the invention is to provide an appliance for the injection of fluids that is simple to use.

Another object of the invention is to provide an appliance for the injection of fluids that allows speeding up the overall injection cycle of the radioactive diagnostic fluid into a patient. The above objects are achieved by the present appliance for the injection of fluids for applications in medicine, particularly radioactive diagnostic fluids in nuclear medicine, comprising at least a hydraulic circuit associable with a patient and automatic injection means for injecting a fluid for applications in medicine through said hydraulic circuit and towards said patient, characterized in that said hydraulic circuit comprises an infusion line associable with said patient, first introduction means for introducing a physiological salt solution or the like associated with said infusion line and associable with said automatic injection means, and second introduction means for introducing a predetermined volume of said fluid associated with said infusion line and associable with said automatic injection means, said automatic injection means being electronically associated with at least a management and control unit for the controlled introduction of said physiological salt solution and said fluid towards said patient.

The above objects are further achieved by the present method for the injection of fluids for applications in medicine, particularly radioactive diagnostic fluids in nuclear medicine, comprising: a first introduction phase of a physiological salt solution or the like in an infusion line of a hydraulic circuit associated with a patient; a second introduction phase in said infusion line and towards said patient of a fluid for applications in medicine; a third introduction phase of said physiological salt solution in said infusion line, subsequently to said second introduction phase; characterized in that said first, second and third introduction phases are implemented in sequence by means of automatic injection means for the controlled introduction of said physiological salt solution and of said fluid towards said patient.

Brief Description of the Drawings Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more evident from the description of a form of preferred, but not sole, embodiment, of an appliance for the injection of fluids for applications in medicine, particularly radioactive diagnostic fluids in nuclear medicine, illustrated purely as an example but not limited to the annexed drawings in which: Figure 1 is an axonometric view of the appliance according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a schematic view of the hydraulic circuit of the appliance according to the invention;

Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the operation of the appliance according to the invention. Embodiments of the Invention

With particular reference to such illustrations, an appliance for the injection of fluids for applications in medicine, particularly radioactive diagnostic fluids in nuclear medicine has been globally indicated by 1.

In particular, in the following description reference is made to the field of application of the nuclear medicine and, therefore, to the injection of radioactive diagnostic fluids, before the carrying out of diagnostic exams such as tomographic acquisitions or the like. Different applications of the appliance 1 cannot however be ruled out.

As shown in figure 1, the appliance 1 comprises a frame 2 having a base 3 for resting on the ground and supporting a container 4 housing a hydraulic circuit 5 associable with a patient.

Usefully, the base 3 has wheels 6 resting on the ground and suitable for facilitating the movement of the entire appliance 1.

The hydraulic circuit 5 comprises an infusion line 7 associable with the patient and with which are associated first introduction means 8 for introducing a physiological salt solution or the like and second introduction means 9 for introducing a predetermined volume of radioactive diagnostic fluid, of the type commonly used for diagnostic exams in nuclear medicine. The appliance 1 also comprises automatic injection means, generically indicated in figure 1 with the reference 10, which are operatively associated with the first and the second introduction means 8 and 9. The automatic injection means 10 are electronically connected to a management and control unit not shown in the illustrations, of the type of a microprocessor system or the like, suitable for performing the controlled introduction into the patient of the physiological salt solution and of the radioactive diagnostic fluid. The presence of the automatic injection means 10 controlled by the management and control unit allows, after the prearrangement of the appliance 1 and the connection of same to the patient, performing a complete cycle of the introduction of the physiological salt solution and of the radioactive diagnostic fluid without any further intervention on the part of the appointed operators. Usefully, the base 3 comprises an inner compartment for housing the management and control unit and supports on a swivel arm 11 interfacing means 12 of the visual and/or sound type, associated with the management and control unit and accessible by an operator to regulate the parameters of introduction of the physiological salt solution and of the radioactive diagnostic fluid during the patient infusion cycle. In particular, with reference to the solution shown in figure 1, the interfacing means 12 are composed of a touch screen.

The container 4 is supported by an upright 13, above the base 3, and has on the front an access opening to the hydraulic circuit 5 and a door 14 for hermetically closing such opening. Usefully, the container 4 may have a sensor device, not shown in the illustration, suitable for detecting the correct closing of the door 14. Advantageously, the container 4 is made entirely of screening material so as to retain within it the radiations emitted by the radioactive diagnostic fluid contained inside the hydraulic circuit 5.

Furthermore, the container 4 may have a lower slot, not shown in the figure 1, suitable for allowing the dispersed fluids to flow out in case of any damage to the hydraulic circuit 5.

Usefully, the base 3 has a tray 15, made of stainless steel, that is arranged underneath the container 4 and which may be used, not only to rest instruments such as syringes, needles, bottles, etc., but also to collect up any fluids that have flowed out of the hydraulic circuit 5 through the above lower slot. As shown in figure 1, the frame 2 comprises a rod 16 that extends vertically above the container 4 and which is suitable for supporting a bottle 17 of a physiological salt solution or the like.

The appliance 1 may have an electric switch, startable by an operator in the event of an anomalous situation occurring during the patient infusion cycle, and suitable for stopping the automatic injection means 10.

The appliance 1 comprises a supply circuit that may be connected to the outside power supply and, advantageously, may comprise a power supply battery, of the rechargeable type, suitable for intervening in case of an interruption in the outside power supply. The appliance 1 may also have one or more light sources, not shown in the figure 1, suitable for lighting determinate operating areas in case of an interruption of the outside power supply.

As shown in the figures 1 and 2, all the elements of the hydraulic circuit 5 are fixed to a support element 18, substantially plate-shaped and made of polymer material.

The support element 18 has fastening/release means for the quick fastening to/release from one of the inner walls of the container 4, genetically indicated by the reference 19, which allow the quick installation and removal of the entire hydraulic circuit 5 on/from the appliance 1. The quick fastening/release means 19 may e.g. be of the trip type but alternative embodiments cannot however be ruled out. Usefully, in the case of the breakage of the hydraulic circuit 5 with leakage of the radioactive diagnostic fluid, the presence of the support element 18 and of the quick fastening/release means 19 permits the quick removal of the entire hydraulic circuit 5 and facilitates the cleaning operations of the container 4, which is composed of smooth and easy-to-wash surfaces. The first introduction means 8 are composed of a first piston device, of the type of a conventional syringe for injections, fastened to the support element 18 by means of suitable first retention means 20, of the clip type or the like. The second introduction means 9 are composed of a second piston device, of the type of a syringe for injections conventionally used for the injection of the radioactive diagnostic fluid, fastened to the support element 18 by means of suitable second retention means 21, of the clip type or the like, and associated with the infusion line 7 downstream with respect to the first piston device 8. Usefully, the second piston device 9 comprises a containment chamber having external screening from radiations and pre-filled with a predetennined volume of radioactive diagnostic fluid to be injected into a patient.

The automatic injection means 10 comprise a first actuator 22 and a second actuator 23 operatively associated with the first piston device 8 and with the second piston device 9 respectively. In particular, the first and the second actuator 22 and 23 are of the electromechanical linear actuator type. Different embodiments cannot however be ruled out.

Advantageously, the first and the second actuator 22 and 23 have grip means for gripping the free extremities of the pistons of the first and second piston devices 8 and 9. The hydraulic circuit 5 comprises an inlet line 24 for the physiological salt solution which has, at one extremity, a first connector 25 associable with the bottle 17 and which is associated, at the opposite extremity, with a valve 26. In particular, the valve 26 is of the type of a three-way valve with an inlet mouth 26a associated with the inlet line 24, and inlet/outlet mouth 26b associated with the dispensing/suction mouth of the first piston device 8 and an outlet mouth 26c associated with the infusion line 7. Along the infusion line 7 is a second connector 27, of the type of a T connector, arranged downstream with respect to the valve 26 and having an inlet mouth 27a associated with the dispensing mouth of the second piston device 9. The hydraulic circuit 5 comprises a pressure detector 28 suitable for detecting and signalling to the management and control unit any abnormal pressure values inside the infusion line 7, fixed to the support element 18 by means of suitable third retention means 29, of the clip type or the like.

For example, high pressure values may be caused by an out of vein injection potentially dangerous for the patient, while low pressure values may be caused by a breakage of the infusion line 7. In both cases, the abnormal pressure is detected by the pressure detector 28, and the abnormality is then communicated to the management and control unit which stops the infusion cycle.

In particular, along the infusion line 7 is a third connector 30, of the type of a T connector, arranged downstream of the second connector 27 and having a connection mouth 30a associated with the pressure detector 28.

Advantageously, between the mouth 30a and the pressure detector 28 a solenoid valve may be placed, schematised in figure 2 and indicated by the reference 31, suitable for isolating the pressure detector 28 from the rest of the hydraulic circuit 5 and usable, in particular, during the operations of preparation of the appliance 1, before the infusion cycle.

The hydraulic circuit 5 also comprises a hydrophobic filter 32 suitable for expelling the air inside the infusion line 7 and fixed to the support element 18 by means of suitable fourth retention means 33, of the clip type or the like. In particular, at an end section of the infusion line 7 is a fourth connector 34, of the type of a T connector, arranged downstream of the third connector 30, having an air outlet mouth 34a, associated with the hydrophobic filter 32, and an outlet mouth 34b for the fluid introduced by the first or the second piston device 8 or 9, associated with an outlet line 35 towards the patient. The method for the injection of the radioactive diagnostic fluid into a patient is shown schematically in figure 3, and is indicated genetically by the reference A. First of all, the hydraulic circuit 5 is positioned by an operator inside the container 4, and the support element 18 is fixed to the inner wall of the container 4 by means of the quick fastening/release means 19. The door 14 is then closed, the inlet line 24 is connected to the bottle 17 and the outlet line 35 of the hydraulic circuit 5 is connected to a venous catheter on the patient. The method A comprises a first introduction phase B of the physiological salt solution into the infusion line 7 towards the patient, by means of the first piston device 8.

In particular, during such first introduction phase B, by means of the action of the first actuator 22, the first piston device 8 aspirates the physiological salt solution from the bottle 17, through the inlet line 24 and through the mouth 26a and the mouth 26b of the valve 26 and, subsequently, introduces the physiological salt solution into the infusion line 7, through the mouth 26b and the mouth 26c of the valve 26. The first introduction phase B of the physiological salt solution comprises a phase B 1 for the elimination of the air inside the infusion line 7, with the patient connected to the circuit and, therefore, without any manual intervention being required on the part of the operator.

In particular, during such air elimination phase Bl, the entire infusion line 7 is filled with the physiological salt solution and the air is expelled through the hydrophobic filter 32.

The first introduction phase B of the physiological salt solution may also comprise a patient pre-hydration phase B2, in which the physiological salt solution is injected into the patient according to predefined volume and flow. The method A comprises a second introduction phase C of the radioactive diagnostic fluid into the infusion line 7 towards the patient by means of the second piston device 9.

In particular, during such second phase C, by the action of the second actuator 23, the second piston device 9 introduces the radioactive diagnostic fluid already present inside the containment chamber in the infusion line 7, through the mouth 27a of the second connector 27.

The method A comprises a third introduction phase D of the physiological salt solution in the infusion line 7 towards the patient, by means of the first piston device 8 and subsequently at the second phase C.

In particular, during such third introduction phase D, by means of the action of the first actuator 22 the first piston device 8 aspirates the physiological salt solution from the bottle 17, through the inlet line 24 and through the mouth 26a and the mouth 26b of the valve 26 and, subsequently, introduces the physiological salt solution into the infusion line 7, through the mouth 26b and the mouth 26c of the valve 26.

The third introduction phase D of the physiological salt solution comprises an emptying phase Dl of the infusion line 7 of the radioactive diagnostic fluid residues.

In particular, during such emptying phase Dl, the entire infusion line 7 is filled with the physiological salt solution, so as to allow the introduction into the patient of all the radioactive diagnostic fluid and so as to eliminate potentially hazardous radioactive residues from the hydraulic circuit 5. The third introduction phase D of the physiological salt solution may also comprise a patient post-hydration phase D2, in which the physiological salt solution is injected into the patient according to predefined volume and flow. Advantageously, the first phase B, the second phase C and the third phase D are performed in sequence by means of the first and the second actuator 22 and 23, which are moved by the management and control unit of the appliance 1 for the controlled introduction of the physiological salt solution and of the radioactive diagnostic fluid into the patient.

Advantageously, the method A comprises a preliminary setting phase E for the preliminary setting of the infusion cycle to be carried out on the patient, performed by the operator with the aid of the touch screen 12.

In particular, the preliminary setting phase E may envisage the selection of a standard infusion cycle, indicated by means of the reference F, which envisages the phase Bl for the elimination of the air from the infusion line, the phase C for the introduction of the radioactive diagnostic fluid and the phase Dl for the emptying of the infusion line of radioactive diagnostic fluid residues.

Alternatively, the preliminary setting phase E may envisage the personalisation of the infusion cycle, in particular the following may be performed: a first definition phase Gl for the definition of the total volume and/or flow parameters of the physiological salt solution to be introduced into the patient during the pre-hydration phase B2; a second definition phase G2 for the definition of the flow and, if necessary, the volume parameters of the radioactive diagnostic fluid to be introduced during the second introduction phase C; a third definition phase G3 for the definition of the total volume and/or flow parameters of the physiological salt solution to be introduced during the post-hydration phase D2.

It has in fact been found how the described invention achieves the proposed objects, and in particular the fact is underlined that the described appliance guarantees the utmost protection of the appointed operators from radioactive emissions.

The appliance does in fact allow automating a complete patient infusion cycle, both of the physiological salt solution and of the radioactive diagnostic fluid, thus reducing to the utmost the number of manual interventions on the part of the appointed operators.

The almost total absence of manual intervention also results in faster execution times of the complete infusion cycle.

The described appliance also guarantees the utmost safety for the patient, in particular thanks to the presence of the pressure detector inside the hydraulic circuit.

An even further advantage is provided by the ease of use of the appliance.

The invention thus conceived is susceptible to numerous modifications and variations, all of which falling within the scope of the inventive concept. Furthermore all the details can be replaced with others that are technically equivalent.

In practice, the materials used, as well as the contingent shapes and dimensions, may be any according to requirements without because of this moving outside the protection scope of the following claims.

Claims

1) Appliance for the injection of fluids for applications in medicine, particularly radioactive diagnostic fluids in nuclear medicine, comprising at least a hydraulic circuit associable with a patient and automatic injection means for injecting a fluid for applications in medicine through said hydraulic circuit and towards said patient, characterized in that said hydraulic circuit comprises an infusion line associable with said patient, first introduction means for introducing a physiological salt solution or the like associated with said infusion line and associable with said automatic injection means, and second introduction means for introducing a predetermined volume of said fluid associated with said infusion line and associable with said automatic injection means, said automatic injection means being electronically associated with at least a management and control unit for the controlled introduction of said physiological salt solution and said fluid towards said patient. 2) Appliance according to claim 1, characterized in that said first introduction means comprise at least a first piston device associated with said infusion line. 3) Appliance according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said first piston device is associable with at least a bottle containing said physiological salt solution. 4) Appliance according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said second introduction means comprise at least a second piston device having a containment chamber for a predetermined volume of said fluid and associated with said infusion line, downstream with respect to said first piston device. 5) Appliance according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one between said first and second piston device is of the type of a syringe or the like.

6) Appliance according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said automatic injection means comprise at least a first actuator operatively associated with said first piston device.

7) Appliance according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said automatic injection means comprise at least a second actuator operatively associated with said second piston device.

8) Appliance according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one between said first and second actuator is of the linear actuator type. 9) Appliance according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one between said first and second actuator comprises grip means for gripping the free extremity of the piston of said first or second piston device.

10) Appliance according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said second piston device comprises at least a portion screened against radiations.

11) Appliance according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said hydraulic circuit comprises at least an inlet line of said physiological salt solution, associated with said first piston device and associable with said bottle containing physiological salt solution. 12) Appliance according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said hydraulic circuit comprises at least a valve, of the type of a three- way valve, associated with said inlet line, with said first piston device and with said infusion line.

13) Appliance according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said hydraulic circuit comprises at least a pressure detector associated with said infusion line, downstream of said second piston device.

14) Appliance according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said hydraulic circuit comprises at least a hydrophobic filter or the like associated with said infusion line, downstream of said second piston device. 15) Appliance according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said hydraulic circuit comprises at least an outlet line associated with said infusion line and associable with said patient.

16) Appliance according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a supporting frame having at least a container for housing said hydraulic circuit.

17) Appliance according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said hydraulic circuit comprises a support element having fastening/release means for the quick fastening to/release from at least one inner wall of said container.

18) Appliance according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said quick fastening/release means are of the trip type or the like. 19) Appliance according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said support element is substantially plate-shaped.

20) Appliance according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said support element is at least in part made of polymer material.

21) Appliance according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said hydraulic circuit comprises retention means on said support element for retaining at least one between said first and second piston device, said pressure detector and said hydrophobic filter.

22) Appliance according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said container is at least in part made of screening material against radiations.

23) Appliance according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said container comprises at least an opening and at least a door for hermetically closing said opening.

24) Appliance according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said container comprises at least a sensor device suitable for detecting the opening of said door and electronically associated with said management and control unit.

25) Appliance according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said container comprises at least a lower slot suitable for allowing the dispersed fluids to flow out in case of any damage to said hydraulic circuit.

26) Appliance according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said frame comprises at least a tray arranged underneath said container.

27) Appliance according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said frame comprises at least a compartment for housing said management and control unit.

28) Appliance according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said frame comprises wheels resting on the ground. 29) Appliance according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said frame comprises at least a support rod for supporting said bottle of a physiological salt solution or the like.

30) Appliance according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises visual and/or sound interfacing means supported by said frame and electronically associated with said management and control unit.

31) Appliance according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said interfacing means comprise at least a touch screen or the like.

32) Appliance according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a supply circuit electrically associable with an outside power supply.

33) Appliance according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least a power supply battery.

34) Method for the injection of fluids for applications in medicine, particularly radioactive diagnostic fluids in nuclear medicine, comprising: a first introduction phase of a physiological salt solution or the like in an infusion line of a hydraulic circuit associated with a patient; a second introduction phase in said infusion line and towards said patient of a fluid for applications in medicine; - a third introduction phase of said physiological salt solution in said infusion line, subsequently to said second introduction phase; characterized in that said first, second and third introduction phases are implemented in sequence by means of automatic injection means for the controlled introduction of said physiological salt solution and of said fluid towards said patient.

35) Method according to claim 34, characterized in that said first introduction phase comprises An elimination phase for the elimination of the air inside said infusion line.

36) Method according to one or more of the claims 34 and 35, characterized in that said first introduction phase comprises a pre-hydration phase of said patient.

37) Method according to one or more of the claims 34 to 36, characterized in that said third introduction phase comprises an emptying phase of said infusion line of said fluid residues.

38) Method according to one or more of the claims 34 to 37, characterized in that said third introduction phase comprises a post-hydration phase of said patient.

39) Method according to one or more of the claims 34 to 38, characterized in that it comprises at least a first definition phase for the definition of the total volume and/or flow parameters of the physiological salt solution to be introduced during said pre-hydration phase. 40) Method according to one or more of the claims 34 to 39, characterized in that it comprises at least a second definition phase for the definition of the total volume and/or flow parameters of the fluid to be introduced during said second introduction phase. 41) Method according to one or more of the claims 34 to 40, characterized in that it comprises at least a third definition phase for the definition of the total volume and/or flow parameters of the physiological salt solution to be introduced during said post-hydration phase.