Contrast agent generation and injection system for sonographic imaging

• US 10,172,643 B2
• Filed: 01/12/2017
• Issued: 01/08/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 10/03/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Femasys, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Femasys, Inc.
• Inventors: Lee-Sepsick, Kathy, Azevedo, Max S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Akar, Serkan
• Application Number:
  US15/404,887
• Publication Number:
  US 20170252065A1
• Time in Patent Office: 726 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/42 Gynaecological or obstetrical instruments or methods ligaturing clamps or clips for the umbilical cord A61B17/122; curettage A61B17/320708; dilators A61M29/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/481 involving the use of contrast agent, e.g. microbubbles introduced into the bloodstream analysis of echo signal exploiting properties of a contrast enhancer in devices for short-range imaging with acoustic waves G01S7/52039
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 31/005 for contrast media
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/007 for contrast media
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1407 Infusion of two or more substances
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1452 pressurised by means of pistons

Abstract

The present invention comprises methods and devices for generating and providing contrast medium for sonography of structures such as ducts and cavities. The invention provides for creation of a contrast medium comprising detectable acoustic variations between two phases, for example, a gas and a liquid. Sonography is the primary means of imaging but other conventional detection means may also be employed with the present invention.

Claims

1. A contrast medium generating and delivery device, comprising,

a container assembly comprising a first and second syringe, the first syringe configured for containing saline and the second syringe configured for containing air;

a contrast medium generating chamber comprising a static mixer;

a first connection for fluid connection between the first syringe and the contrast medium generating chamber; and

a second connection for fluid connection between the second syringe and the contrast medium generating chamber via one way check valve;

an air port positioned between the second syringe and the contrast medium generating chamber that are in fluid connection with each other via the one way check valve; and

a third connection for fluid connection between the contrast medium generating chamber and an exit port that is provided distal to the contrast medium generating chamber;

pressure relieve valve provided distal to the contrast medium generating chamber and in fluid connection with the contrast medium generating chamber;

first and second syringe plungers, respectively disposed within the first and second syringes and configured for simultaneously moving saline and air into the respective syringes wherein the fluid connections for the first syringe for saline are configured so that saline enters into the first syringe by traverse movement of the plungers, and the fluid connections for the second syringe for air are configured so that air enters through the air port into the second syringe, and for simultaneously moving the contained saline and air from the respective syringe to the contrast medium generating chamber to form a contrast medium that through the exit port.

2. The device of claim 1, further comprising a component for actuating both syringe plungers simultaneously.

3. The device of claim 1, further comprising a catheter attached to the exit port.

4. The device of claim 1, further comprising a stop cock positioned between the contrast medium generating chamber and the exit port.

5. The device of claim 4, further comprising a catheter attached to the exit port.