Methods and devices for delivery of compositions to conduits

• US 8,052,669 B2
• Filed: 09/29/2008
• Issued: 11/08/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 02/25/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Femasys, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Femasys, Inc.
• Inventors: Marcus, Jeffrey A., Azevedo, Max S., Currie, Daniel S., Lee-Sepsick, Kathy
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran; Susan
• Assistant Examiner(s): Craigo; William
• Application Number:
  US12/240,791
• Publication Number:
  US 20090024108A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,135 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 604/515
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/12022 Occluding by internal devices, e.g. balloons or releasable wires plugging an opening in the wall of an organ A61B17/0057; occluders for the cervical canal A61F6/146; vas deferens occluders A61F6/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/12099 characterised by the location of the occluder
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/12159 Solid plugs; being solid before insertion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/12186 liquid materials adapted to be injected
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1219 expandable in contact with liquids
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/12195 comprising a curable material
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/22012 in direct contact with, or very close to, the obstruction or concrement for removing obstructions in blood vessels by laser A61B18/245
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/320758 with a rotating cutting instrument, e.g. motor driven A61B17/320725, A61B17/32075 and A61B17/320783 take precedence; for removing intra-ocular material A61F9/00763; endoscopic rotatable cutting instruments A61B17/32002
• 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 17/43 for artificial insemination
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/435 for embryo or ova transplantation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22051 with an inflatable part, e.g. balloon, for positioning, blocking, or immobilisation A61B2017/22048, A61B2017/3486 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22084 stone- or thrombus-dissolving
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/4225 Cervix uteri
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/4233 Operations on Fallopian tubes, e.g. sterilization A61B2017/1125 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 6/005 Packages or dispensers for contraceptive devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 6/225 transcervical
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 31/00 Devices for introducing or retaining media, e.g. remedies, in cavities of the body A61M25/00 takes precedence ; introducing or retaining ophthalmic products into the ocular cavities A61F9/0008
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 31/005 for contrast media
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 15/00 Drugs for genital or sexual disorders for disorders of sex hormones A61P5/24; Contraceptives

Abstract

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.

Claims

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.