Methods and devices for delivery of compositions to conduits
View Patent ↗The present invention comprises systems, methods and devices for the delivery of visualizable or treatment compositions or therapeutic agents comprising device elements for diagnosis and/or treatment of conduits. A delivery system comprising an introducer shaft having at least one exit port and at least one delivery catheter for placement of compositions into the conduit, such as a fallopian tube.
1. A method of diagnosis, comprising,
a) providing a visualizable composition to at least a portion of at least one fallopian tube of a human or animal by a delivery system that delivers an effective amount of the visualizable composition, wherein the delivery system comprises a delivery device comprising at least an introducer shaft comprising an atraumatic tip for positioning the tip at the uterine fundus and at least one exit port for providing at least one catheter; at least one catheter, wherein at least one catheter comprises an end structure on a delivery end, wherein the end structure is a cup, nozzle or balloon, and maintains the delivery end in at least one uterine cornua and aids in localized delivery of the visualizable composition, and elements for providing the visualizable composition into and through at least one catheter;
b) subjecting the human or animal to a visualization procedure; and
c) determining where the visualizable fluid flows.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising,
providing a visualizable composition to the uterus.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein patency or occlusion of at least one fallopian tube is determined.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the visualizable composition is contrast medium.
5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the contrast medium is sonolucent substances, radiopaque substances, iodine based contrast media, urografin, omnipaque, diatrizoate, metrizoate, ioxaglate iopamidol, iohexol, ioxilan, iopromide and iodixanol, non-iodine based contrast media, barium sulfate, gadolinium, ionic or non-ionic contrast material, gas/liquid phase contrast media, air in saline, frothed compositions, compositions comprising metals, paramagnetic materials, high atomic number non-metal materials, radioisotopes, gases or gas precursors, chromatophores, fluorophores, electrical impedance materials or combinations thereof.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the visualization procedure is sonography, ultrasound, fluoroscopy, radiography, nuclear medicine techniques, magnetic resonance techniques or combinations thereof.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the visualizable composition is provided without removal and re-introduction or substantial repositioning of the introducer shaft.
8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising a delivery device stabilizer for holding the delivery device in place once the device is positioned.