Irrigation and aspiration device and method
Irrigation and/or aspiration devices and methods may be configured to aspirate and irrigate alone, sequentially, or concurrently. The devices and methods may provide a base with a removable head, and adapted for partial or complete separation of the irrigation and aspiration functions. The devices and methods can be configured to aspirate and/or irrigate the nasal and sinus cavities. The devices and methods may be manually and/or automatically controlled. The devices and methods may include removable, and/or replaceable, and/or refillable, and easily cleanable reservoirs for aspirant and irrigant. The device head and/or aspirant reservoir may comprise a diagnostic device, i.e., test device and/or container after use of the devices and methods.
1. A method for diagnosis of one or more biological specimen comprising:
positioning a hand-held device, wherein the hand-held device comprises:
a removable and replaceable head comprising a housing,
an irrigant reservoir within the housing, wherein the irrigant reservoir is configured to contain irrigation fluid,
an aspirant reservoir within the housing, wherein the aspirant reservoir is configured to contain aspirated fluid,
a diagnostic element in the aspirant reservoir,
a nozzle extending from the housing,
a controller for the delivery and/or removal of fluids,
an aliquot chamber comprising a diagnostic specimen, and
a body configured to releasably couple to the housing, wherein the body comprises a pump configured to draw fluid into the aspirant reservoir and expel irrigation fluid from the irrigant reservoir,
wherein the positioning comprises positioning the nozzle in an orifice of a patient to seal the nozzle against the orifice;
using the controller to expel irrigation fluid from the irrigation reservoir, through the nozzle, and into the orifice;
using the controller to activate an aspiration pressure to draw fluid from the orifice through the nozzle and into the aspiration reservoir;
activating the diagnostic element, wherein the activating comprises delivering the diagnostic specimen to the fluid from the aspiration reservoir and exposing the diagnostic element to the fluid in the aspiration reservoir.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein exposing the diagnostic element to the fluid comprises shaking the head.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein exposing the diagnostic element to the fluid comprises passing the fluid through a pressure sensitive trap.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the delivering of the diagnostic specimen comprises pressing a button.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the delivering of the diagnostic specimen comprises popping a blister chamber.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the delivering of the diagnostic specimen comprises opening fluid communication between the aliquot chamber and the diagnostic element.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the delivering of the diagnostic specimen comprises pressing a flexible element.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the delivering of the diagnostic specimen comprises wicking.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the diagnostic element comprises a test strip.
10. A method for diagnosis of one or more biological specimen comprising:
positioning a hand-held device, wherein the hand-held device comprises:
a removable and replaceable head comprising a housing,
an irrigant reservoir within the housing, wherein the irrigant reservoir is configured to contain irrigation fluid,
an aspirant reservoir within the housing, wherein the aspirant reservoir is configured to contain aspirated fluid,
a diagnostic element,
a nozzle extending from the housing,
a controller for the delivery and/or removal of fluids,
an aliquot chamber comprising a diagnostic specimen, and
a body configured to releasably couple to the housing, wherein the body comprises a pump configured to draw fluid into the aspirant reservoir and expel irrigation fluid from the irrigant reservoir,
wherein the positioning comprises positioning the nozzle in an orifice of a patient to seal the nozzle against the orifice;
using the controller to expel irrigation fluid from the irrigation reservoir, through the nozzle, and into the orifice;
using the controller to activate an aspiration pressure to draw fluid from the orifice through the nozzle and into the aspiration reservoir; and
activating the diagnostic element, wherein the activating comprises wicking fluid in the aspiration reservoir to the diagnostic element.
11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the wicking comprises microfluidic capillary action.
12. The method of claim 10 , wherein the wicking comprises flow from an electrical charge.
13. The method of claim 10 , further comprising separating a wall before the wicking.
14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the separating of the wall comprises breaking a blister.
15. The method of claim 13 , wherein the separating of the wall comprises breaking a membrane.
16. The method of claim 13 , wherein the separating of the wall comprises opening a seal.
17. The method of claim 10 , wherein the diagnostic element comprises a test strip.
18. A method for diagnosis of one or more biological specimen comprising:
positioning a hand-held device, wherein the hand-held device comprises:
a removable and replaceable head comprising a housing,
an irrigant reservoir within the housing, wherein the irrigant reservoir is configured to contain irrigation fluid,
an aspirant reservoir within the housing, wherein the aspirant reservoir is configured to contain aspirated fluid,
a diagnostic element in the aspirant reservoir,
a nozzle extending from the housing,
a controller for the delivery and/or removal of fluids,
a body configured to releasably couple to the housing, wherein the body comprises a pump configured to draw fluid into the aspirant reservoir and expel irrigation fluid from the irrigant reservoir,
wherein the positioning comprises positioning the nozzle in an orifice of a patient to seal the nozzle against the orifice;
using the controller to expel irrigation fluid from the irrigation reservoir, through the nozzle, and into the orifice;
using the controller to activate an aspiration pressure to draw fluid from the orifice through the nozzle and into the aspiration reservoir;
activating the diagnostic element, wherein the activating comprises exposing the diagnostic element to the fluid in the aspiration reservoir, and wherein exposing the diagnostic element to the fluid comprises shaking the head.
19. The method of claim 18 , wherein exposing the diagnostic element to the fluid comprises passing the fluid through a pressure sensitive trap.
20. The method of claim 18 , wherein the diagnostic element comprises a test strip.