Methods and devices for determining lumen occlusion

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention describe methods of determining the occlusion of body lumens and apparatuses for doing so. In one particular embodiment, the occlusion of the fallopian tubes by an intrafallopian contraceptive device may be confirmed by contrast enhanced ultrasonography (also known as stimulated acoustic emission hysterosalpingo-contrast sonography). In these embodiments a contrast agent containing microbubbles is used.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A handheld syringe comprising:
 a first barrel;   a second barrel;   a plunger coupled to the first and second barrels;   a mixer coupled to the first and second barrels;   wherein the handheld syringe is configured to be operable by hand to depress the plunger and expel a first fluid from the first barrel and a second fluid from the second barrel into the mixer, where the first and second fluids are mixed at a point of use to create an echogenic contrast agent including microbubbles.   
     
     
         2 . The handheld syringe of  claim 1 , further comprising a luer at a distal end of the handheld syringe. 
     
     
         3 . The handheld syringe of  claim 2 , wherein the mixer is a static mixer. 
     
     
         4 . The handheld syringe of  claim 3 , further comprising a pressure gauge coupled to the handheld syringe that measures a pressure required to press the mixed echogenic contrast agent including microbubbles from the handheld syringe. 
     
     
         5 . The handheld syringe of  claim 3 , wherein the first barrel holds a source for the microbubbles. 
     
     
         6 . A kit comprising:
 a balloon catheter; and   a handheld syringe comprising:
 a first barrel; 
 a second barrel; 
 a plunger coupled to the first and second barrels; 
 a mixer coupled to the first and second barrels; 
 wherein the handheld syringe is configured to be operable by hand to depress the plunger and expel a first fluid from the first barrel and a second fluid from the second barrel into the mixer, where the first and second fluids are mixed at a point of use to create an echogenic contrast agent including microbubbles. 
   
     
     
         7 . The handheld syringe of  claim 6 , further comprising a luer at a distal end of the handheld syringe. 
     
     
         8 . The handheld syringe of  claim 7 , wherein the mixer is a static mixer. 
     
     
         9 . The kit of  claim 8 , further comprising a pressure gauge coupled to the handheld syringe that measures a pressure required to press the mixed echogenic contrast agent including microbubbles from the handheld syringe 
     
     
         10 . The kit of  claim 8 , further comprising instructions for using the handheld syringe with the balloon catheter for determining fallopian tube occlusion. 
     
     
         11 . The kit of  claim 8 , further comprising instructions for using the handheld syringe with the balloon catheter for determining fallopian tube occlusion using contrast enhanced ultrasonography. 
     
     
         12 . The kit of  claim 8 , further comprising instructions for using the handheld syringe with the balloon catheter to visualize a fallopian tube. 
     
     
         13 . The kit of  claim 8 , further comprising instructions for using the handheld syringe with the balloon catheter to visualize an intrafallopian contraceptive device within a fallopian tube. 
     
     
         14 . The kit of  claim 8 , wherein the first barrel holds a source for the microbubbles.