How to Setup Injector for Contrast Agents: A Technologist's Guide

Before you start: checks and preparation

Begin with the room and the device. Confirm the injector is powered, the terminal responds and there are no active alarms. Check the contrast and saline containers: correct product, concentration, expiry date and, where applicable, the warming time; see the warming rules article. Wash hands and use the aseptic technique your protocol requires.

Inspect the disposables. The tubing set must be in intact packaging, not expired and the right type for the injector. On the syringeless ulrich medical CT motion the pump tubing is set up once a day and stays in use for 24 hours, so record the time it was started on the log.

Loading media and priming

Connect the tubing to the containers according to the on-screen guidance: two contrast connections and one saline connection on CT motion. Check that each container is attached to the correct connection and that the labels match the programmed media. The system then fills the line; this priming step removes the air from the pump tubing.

On the cordless MRI injectors, such as the compact Max 2M, a 24-hour Easy-Click-Cassette is inserted once a day. An RFID chip blocks reuse after 24 hours, so a cassette that has expired cannot be used again.

• Verify product, concentration and expiry on every container
• Connect containers to the connection shown on the screen
• Prime the line and watch for bubbles
• Log the start time of the 24-hour tubing or cassette

Air purge and connecting the patient line

An air purge contrast injector routine removes air from the patient line before connection to the cannula. Attach a new patient tubing for each patient, fill it until fluid appears at the end with no bubbles, and only then connect to the patient's cannula. Check the connection for tightness and that the line is not kinked.

Both CT motion (dual air detection in pump and patient tubing) and Max 2M (air detection in the patient tubing) stop the injection if air is detected, but this is a safety net, not a substitute for careful purging. Never override an air alarm without finding the cause.

At the end of the day, follow the shutdown routine in the instructions: dispose of the patient tubing, document the end of the 24-hour period, remove or flag any set that must not be reused and clean the exterior with approved agents. A tidy shutdown makes the next morning's set-up faster and safer.

Programming and starting the injection

Select the protocol at the terminal or from the scanner list and verify volume, flow rate and saline flush before arming the injector. Protocol content is defined by the radiologist; the technologist only confirms that the entered values match the order. See our protocols article for how protocols are standardised.

Check the venous access with the saline test injection your protocol requires, and watch the site during the injection. If there is any sign of extravasation, stop the injection immediately and follow your local procedure.

Training and handling alarms

Formal contrast injector training should cover set-up, container changes, air purge, alarm handling, end-of-day shutdown and cleaning. Practise on a simulated set-up before first patient use, and repeat refresher sessions after software updates and for new staff. Keep a one-page checklist beside the console.

Beckfinity provides user training with installation of ulrich medical injectors in the UAE; contact our specialists to plan sessions for your team. For common faults and routine checks see our service and maintenance guide.