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Return to Article: Using CANopen for Networking Medical Devices

E-Z-EM has received FDA clearance for EmpowerSync, a CANopen CiA 425 device that enables synchronized operation of the company’s EmpowerCT and EmpowerCTA injector systems and CT scanners that communicate via the CiA 425–compliant communication network. The protocol enables automated and coordinated operation of both the scanner and the injector system from the scanner’s control system.

CiA 425 profiles for medical add-on devices such as contrast media injectors and electrocardiographs (ECG) provide a high degree of plug-and-play capability. This means that the specification restricts the bit-rate to 250 Kb/sec and defines five classes for the contrast media injectors. The heartbeat producer and consumer times as well as some process data object turnaround times are specified in the profile. The injector profile supports ECG triggering, KVO (keep veins open) function, and extravasation detection. The profile supports up to eight pistons. The piston content is readable via service data objects. It is compliant to the DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine) standard.