Suspension device and method

Abstract

A device and method for providing a suspended agent such as a contrast agent without mechanical resuspension. A volume of agent ( 12 ) is divided into sub-volumes in a network ( 8 ) of tubes ( 18 ), cells ( 42 ), sponges ( 44 ), grooves ( 48 ), etc. A propellant fluid ( 16 ) flows through the network ( 8 ) to release the suspended agent ( 12 ). The network ( 8 ) may be internal to a container ( 10 ) for the propellant fluid ( 16 ). Alternatively, the network ( 8 ) may be adjacent an exit port ( 24 ) of a container ( 10 ) for the propellant fluid ( 16 ), or may be in-line between a propellant fluid container ( 10 ) and a patient. The invention reduces sedimentation of agents into one or a few aggregates and eliminates a mechanical mixing step. The invention thus provides a uniformly suspended agent, improving patient health and safety and increasing cost and time savings.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for administering an agent to a patient comprising 
 providing a tubular network containing subvolumes of an agent out of suspension, the network containing ports for inflow and outflow of a propellant fluid to release the agent from the network,    connecting the network to a vessel of a patient,    providing the propellant fluid to the inflow port to suspend the agent and administering the suspended agent to the patient.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the network is within a syringe.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the syringe contains the propellant fluid.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the agent administered is a contrast agent.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the tubular network is configured randomly, in parallel, coiled, or helically.  
     
     
         6 . A method for administering a volume of an agent to a patient comprising 
 dividing said volume into a plurality of subvolumes of an agent out of suspension in a network,    providing a propellant fluid under pressure to said network at an inflow port to contact and suspend the subvolumes of agent, and    administering the suspended agent to a patient from an outflow port of the network to a patient connector.    
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  further comprising containing said propellant fluid in a container with the network internal to the container.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6  wherein said container is a dose delivery container.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6  wherein said container is a packaging container.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8  wherein said dose delivery container is selected from the group consisting of a manual syringe, a power syringe and a bag.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 6  further comprising containing said propellant fluid in a container with the network external to the container.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein said container has an exit port and said network is operably connected adjacent said exit port.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11  wherein said network is operably connected in-line between said container and said patient connector.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11  wherein said agent is released by injecting said propellant fluid into an entry port of said container.  
     
     
         15 . A method of administering a volume of an agent to a patient comprising 
 containing subvolumes of an agent out of suspension in a tubular network capable of insertion within a syringe and connection to a vessel of a patient,    providing a propellant fluid to said network,    pressurizing said propellant fluid to initiate flow of said fluid to resuspend said agent, and    administering said suspended agent to said patient vessel through a patient connector.    
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the agent is a contrast agent.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12  wherein pressure is provided by a mechanical source.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12  wherein pressure is provided by a manual source.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the network is within a syringe.  
     
     
         20 . A method for administering an agent to a patient comprising 
 providing the agent in a tubular network in an interior of a container having an exit port capable of coupling to a patient connector and defining an interior space containing a propellant fluid, the network having a single passageway containing subvolumes of the agent, an outflow port in fluid communication with the exit port, and an inflow port opening into the interior space, and    flowing the propellant fluid into the inflow port and through the passageway to release subvolumes of the agent from the outflow port through the exit port to the patient connector to administer the agent to the patient.    
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20  wherein the container is a syringe.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 20  wherein the patient is administered a contrast agent.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 20  wherein the patient is imaged by a method selected from the group consisting of computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound, and X-ray.  
     
     
         24 . A method for administering an agent to a patient comprising 
 providing subvolumes of an agent in a helical tube within a syringe having a side wall defining an interior space, an exit port connected to a patient connector, and a plunger positioned in the interior space and having a sealing engagement with the side wall, the interior space between the plunger and the exit port containing a propellant fluid for the agent and the plunger being movable in the interior space toward the exit port, the tube defining a continuously open and uninterrupted fluid passageway within the interior space of the syringe and located between the plunger and the exit port, the fluid passageway having an outflow port in fluid communication with the exit port of the syringe and an inflow port opening into the interior space,    providing pressure to the plunger to flow propellent fluid through the fluid passageway to contact the agent for flow from the outflow port and exit port and into a patient connector.