Method and apparatus of tubal patency catheter and delivery systems
A method and apparatus for assessing bodily cavities and lumens utilizing an integrated, automated aerating device is described. The aeration device can selectively supply a gas a liquid during ultrasound and radiographic procedures for enhanced visualization of the uterine cavity and fallopian tubes.
1. A method for delivering an aerated liquid to a target site comprising:
delivering a liquid through a first lumen in a catheter, wherein the first lumen has a venturi;
delivering a gas to a second lumen in the catheter from an ambient gas supply;
channeling the gas from the second lumen to the first lumen during the delivering of the liquid;
mixing the gas with the liquid in a throat of the first lumen resulting in aerated liquid;
delivering the aerated liquid out of an outlet port on the catheter, wherein the outlet port is less than 9 inches from a location of the channeling of the gas to the first lumen; and
controllably stopping the delivering of the gas, wherein the controllably stopping the delivering of the gas comprises covering a gas port on a lateral side of a handle attached to the catheter, and wherein the covering comprises placing a hand on the gas port.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising delivering an implant through the catheter, and deploying the implant to the target site.
3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising controllably restarting the delivering of the gas.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the target site comprises a uterine cavity.
5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising curving the catheter to a cornu of a uterine cavity.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the delivering the liquid comprises rotating a lever on the handle attached to the catheter, and wherein the rotating the lever comprises compressing a reservoir.
7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising straightening the catheter.
8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising delivering a drug to the target site.
9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the outlet port is less than 5 inches from the location of the channeling of the gas to the first lumen.
10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the outlet port is less than 2 inches from the location of the channeling of the gas to the first lumen.
11. The system of claim 1 , wherein a ratio of a length of the catheter to a length from the outlet port to the location of the channeling of the gas to the first lumen is greater than 2:1.
12. The system of claim 1 , wherein a ratio of a length of the catheter to a length from the outlet port to the location of the channeling of the gas to the first lumen is greater than 3:1.
13. A method for delivering an aerated liquid to a target site comprising:
delivering a liquid through a first lumen in a catheter, wherein the first lumen has a venturi;
delivering a gas to a second lumen in the catheter from an ambient gas supply;
channeling the gas from the second lumen to the first lumen during the delivering of the liquid;
mixing the gas with the liquid in a throat of the first lumen resulting in aerated liquid;
delivering the aerated liquid out of an outlet port on the catheter, wherein the outlet port is less than 9 inches from a location of the channeling of the gas to the first lumen; and
controllably stopping the delivering of the gas, wherein the controllably stopping the delivering of the gas comprises covering a gas port on a lateral side of a handle attached to the catheter, and wherein the covering comprises placing a cap on the gas port.
14. The method of claim 13 , further comprising delivering an implant through the catheter, and deploying the implant to the target site.
15. The method of claim 13 , further comprising controllably restarting the delivering of the gas.
16. The method of claim 13 , wherein the target site comprises a uterine cavity.
17. The method of claim 13 , further comprising curving the catheter to a cornu of a uterine cavity.
18. The method of claim 13 , wherein the delivering the liquid comprises rotating a lever on the handle attached to the catheter, and wherein the rotating the lever comprises compressing a reservoir.
19. The method of claim 13 , further comprising delivering a drug to the target site.
20. A method for delivering an aerated liquid to a target site comprising:
delivering a liquid through a first lumen in a catheter, wherein the first lumen has a venturi;
delivering a gas through a second lumen in the catheter;
channeling the gas from the second lumen to the first lumen during the delivering of the liquid;
mixing the gas with the liquid in a throat of the first lumen resulting in aerated liquid;
delivering the aerated liquid out of an outlet port on the catheter, wherein the outlet port is less than 9 inches from a location of the channeling of the gas to the first lumen; and
controllably stopping the delivering of the gas, wherein the controllably stopping the delivering of the gas comprises covering a gas port on a lateral side of a handle attached to the catheter, and wherein the covering comprises placing a hand on the gas port.