Apparatus and method to convey a fluid

Abstract

An apparatus includes a fluid path, a coupling, and a nozzle. The fluid path is to carry a fluid including one or more microparticles. The coupling is located in the fluid path. The nozzle is located in the fluid path to move the fluid through a stagnant region located near the coupling.

1 .- 20 . (canceled) 
   
   
       21 . A method comprising:
 introducing a fluid including one or more microparticles into a fluid path including a coupling; and   aligning the fluid path near the coupling with a force field.   
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein aligning the fluid path near the coupling with the force field comprises aligning the fluid path near the coupling with a gravitational field. 
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising introducing a cancer patient into the fluid path. 
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein introducing the fluid including one or more microparticles into the fluid path including the coupling includes introducing a slurry of radioactive microparticles under pressure into the fluid path. 
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising introducing a flushing fluid having a volume of between about twenty millilitres and about eighty millilitres. 
   
   
       26 .- 29 . (canceled) 
   
   
       30 . A method comprising:
 coupling a source of high density microparticles having high specific activity to a mammal; and   delivering the high density microparticles having high specific activity to the mammal at a pressure of between about 5 psig and about 30 psig at the source.   
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein coupling the source of high density microparticles having high specific activity to the mammal comprises connecting a catheter between the source and the mammal. 
   
   
       32 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein delivering the high density microparticles having high specific activity to the mammal at the pressure of between about 5 psig and about 30 psig at the source comprises delivering more than about 90% of the high density microparticles available at the source to the mammal. 
   
   
       33 .- 41 . (canceled)