Suspension device and method
US6770051B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 30, 2001 |
| Grant date | Aug 3, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 28, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61M5/1452
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
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.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.