System and method for delivering a substance to a body cavity

Abstract

A system and method for creating a medicated atmosphere in an organ, or body cavity is disclosed. The system includes a flexible aerosolization catheter that can be manipulated during use, a device for the introduction of the aerosolization catheter, a medication delivery apparatus configured to control delivery of a medication to the catheter, a gas delivery apparatus in communication with the catheter, a gas pressure relief apparatus configured to relieve pressure in the organ or body cavity, and a central controller. The method includes providing insufflation gas and an aerosol of medication to an organ or body cavity while controlling overall pressure in the organ or cavity. The method may also include re-entering a patient through at least one port to apply gas and an aerosolized medicament, in either a post-operative procedure or in a chemotherapy context.

1 .- 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A system for providing a controlled environment in a body cavity of a patient, the system comprising:
 a source of pressurized gas;   a source of liquid;   a nebulizing catheter comprising:
 at least one liquid lumen and at least one gas lumen; 
 the at least one liquid lumen in communication with the source of liquid and the at least one gas lumen in communication with the source of pressurized gas; 
 the nebulizing catheter having a distal end positionable in a body cavity; 
 the at least one liquid lumen and the at least one gas lumen oriented at the distal end to mix the gas and fluid to generate an aerosol inside the body cavity to cover exposed organs and a wall of an abdomen; and 
   wherein the liquid comprises at least one of hyaluronic acid or heparin.   
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 21 , further comprising a gas heater positioned between the source of pressurized gas and the nebulizing catheter. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 21 , further comprising a liquid heater positioned between the source of liquid and the nebulizing catheter. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the source of pressurized gas is in communication with an insufflator, the insufflator configured to provide humidified gas to the nebulizing catheter. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 24 , further comprising a central controller in communication with the insufflator, the source of pressurized gas, and the source of liquid, wherein the central controller is configured to monitor and adjust delivery of liquid by the source of liquid to the nebulizing catheter. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 25 , further comprising a pressure relief valve configured for positioning adjacent the body cavity. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein the pressure relief valve comprises an active pressure relief valve in communication with the body cavity. 
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 27 , wherein the pressure relief valve is in communication with the body cavity via an external pressure sense line, and wherein the pressure relief is controllable by the central controller. 
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the central controller is configured to maintain a pressure of 100 p.s.i. for gas supplied to the nebulizing catheter. 
     
     
         30 . A system for providing a controlled environment in a body cavity of a patient, the system comprising:
 a source of pressurized gas;   a source of liquid;   a nebulizing catheter comprising:
 at least one liquid lumen and at least one gas lumen; 
 the at least one liquid lumen in communication with the source of liquid and the at least one gas lumen in communication with the source of pressurized gas; 
 the nebulizing catheter having a distal end positionable in the body cavity; 
 the at least one liquid lumen and the at least one gas lumen oriented at the distal end to mix the gas and fluid to generate an aerosol inside the body cavity to cover exposed organs and a wall of an abdomen; 
   a liquid and gas dispensing controller configured to manage delivery to the nebulizing catheter of gas from the source of pressurized gas and liquid from the source of liquid;   and   wherein the liquid comprises at least one of hyaluronic acid or heparin.   
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 30 , further comprising a gas heater positioned between the source of pressurized gas and the nebulizing catheter. 
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 30 , further comprising a liquid heater positioned between the source of liquid and the nebulizing catheter. 
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 30 , further comprising an insufflator gas configured to provide humidified gas to the nebulizing catheter. 
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 33 , wherein the central controller is integrated into the insufflator. 
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 33 , wherein the central controller is separate from the insufflator. 
     
     
         36 . The system of  claim 33 , wherein the insufflator comprises a display configured to show parameters of at least one of a temperature or a humidification of gas used in the insufflator. 
     
     
         37 . The system of  claim 34 , further comprising a pressure relief valve controlled by the central controller to maintain a pressure of gas delivered to the nebulizing catheter. 
     
     
         38 . The system of  claim 37 , wherein the pressure relief valve comprises an active pressure relief valve. 
     
     
         39 . The system of  claim 38 , wherein the pressure relief valve is in communication with the body cavity via an external pressure sense line. 
     
     
         40 . The system of  claim 39 , wherein the central controller is configured to maintain a pressure of 100 p.s.i. for gas supplied to the nebulizing catheter.