Medical devices and methods for creating bubbles

Abstract

A dedicated device for detection of vascular shunts can include a first chamber, a second chamber, and a third chamber. The first chamber can be configured to hold liquid, the second chamber to hold gas, and the third chamber can be in communication with the first and second chambers. The third chamber can include small-scale geometric features configured to produce gas bubbles as liquid from the first chamber and gas from the second chamber simultaneously flow into the third chamber. The device can also include a device opening in communication with the third chamber such that a mixture of liquid and gas bubbles can flow out of the device opening. The device can also include a plunger configured to force the liquid and the gas simultaneously from the first and second chambers, through the third chamber to mix with each other and produce bubbles, and further through the device opening.

1 . A method for imaging an interior of a body, the method comprising:
 attaching a bubble generating device to an intravenous line, the bubble generating device comprising a first chamber configured to hold a liquid, a second chamber configured to hold a gas, and a plunger, the device configured to simultaneously and continuously force the liquid and the gas from the first and second chambers to mix with each other and produce bubbles and flow through the device opening upon advancement of the plunger;   advancing the plunger to simultaneously and continuously produce bubbles and cause the resulting bubble mixture to flow through the intravenous line; and   imaging the mix of bubbles and liquid inside a body using ultrasound.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising positioning a catheter during pericardiocentisis, using the bubble mixture. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the bubble mixture is a mixture of saline solution and gas. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the bubble mixture is agitated immediately prior to entering the intravenous line. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the bubbles are produced by small geometric features within the bubble generating device. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the small geometric features are disposed along a tapered portion of the bubble generating device. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the volume of liquid that flows through the intravenous line while the plunger is advanced is no more than 20 mL. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the bubble mixture has a constant ratio of liquid and gas. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the plunger comprises two plunger portions positioned such that the two plunger portions can be advanced together as one plunger. 
     
     
         10 . A method for generating a cloudy mix of fluid and gas for imaging an interior of a body, the method comprising:
 advancing a plunger to simultaneously and continuously force both saline solution from a first chamber and gas from a second chamber into a third chamber to produce a bubble mixture and inject the bubble mixture from the third chamber into a body; and   imaging the bubble mixture inside the body using ultrasound.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising positioning a catheter during pericardiocentisis, using the bubble mixture. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the bubble mixture is produced by small geometric features. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein bubbles in the bubble mixture are produced as the mixture exits the third chamber. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the volume of saline solution injected into the body while the plunger is advanced is no more than 20 mL. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the bubble mixture has a constant ratio of saline solution and gas. 
     
     
         16 . A method for generating an agitated saline solution for imaging an interior of a body, the method comprising:
 advancing a plunger to simultaneously and continuously agitate a saline solution and inject the agitated saline solution into a body; and   imaging the agitated saline solution inside the body using ultrasound while the solution is still agitated.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising positioning a catheter during pericardiocentisis, using the agitated saline solution. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the agitated saline solution is produced by small geometric features. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the agitated saline solution comprises gas bubbles mixed with the saline solution. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the volume of saline solution injected into the body while the plunger is advanced is no more than 20 mL.