Method and apparatus of tubal patency catheter and delivery systems

Abstract

A method and apparatus for assessing bodily cavities and lumens utilizing an integrated, automated aerating device is described. The aeration device can selectively supply a gas a liquid during ultrasound and radiographic procedures for enhanced visualization of the uterine cavity and fallopian tubes.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An aeration system for delivering an aerated liquid to a target site comprising:
 a catheter having a first lumen, a second lumen, an outlet port, and a channel between the first lumen and the second lumen, wherein the first lumen has a venturi having a constriction, and wherein the channel connects to the first lumen at the constriction, wherein the outlet port is less than 9 inches from a location of the channel between the first lumen and the second lumen, and   a handle attached to the catheter, wherein the handle has a gas port on a lateral side of the handle, and wherein the gas port is in direct fluid communication with the second lumen.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the venturi has a converging inlet nozzle and a diverging outlet diffuser, and wherein the constriction is between the inlet nozzle and the outlet diffuser. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the catheter has a neck having a neck longitudinal axis, and wherein the catheter has a head having a head longitudinal axis, and wherein the neck longitudinal axis intersects the head longitudinal axis at a non-zero angle. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the catheter has a curving element configured to be slidably extended along the catheter. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the gas port is configured to be controllably closable by a hand. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the handle comprises a lever. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the handle comprises a reservoir. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the lever is configured to compress the reservoir. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the channel connects to the first lumen at an aeration length from the outlet port, and wherein the aeration length is less than 5 inches. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the catheter has a catheter length, and wherein the channel connects to the first lumen at an aeration length from the outlet port, and wherein the ratio of the catheter length to the aeration length is greater than 2:1. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a curving element configured to be slidably extended along the catheter. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a straightening element configured to be slidably extended along the catheter. 
     
     
         13 . An aeration system for delivering an aerated liquid to a target site comprising:
 a catheter having an outlet port, a first lumen, a second lumen, and a channel between the first lumen and the second lumen, and wherein the catheter has a catheter length; and   wherein the channel connects to the first lumen at an aeration length from the outlet port, wherein the ratio of the catheter length to the aeration length is greater than 2:1; and   wherein the first lumen has a venturi, and wherein the channel connects to the first lumen at the venturi.   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the aeration length is less than 9 inches. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the ratio of the catheter length to the aeration length is greater than 3:1. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the venturi has a converging inlet nozzle, a venturi constriction, and a diverging outlet diffuser, and wherein the channel connects to the first lumen at at least one of the constriction and the diverging outlet diffuser. 
     
     
         17 . A method for delivering an aerated liquid to a uterine cavity comprising:
 delivering a liquid through a first lumen in a catheter, wherein the first lumen has a venturi;   delivering a gas through a second lumen in the catheter;   channeling the gas from the second lumen to the first lumen during the delivering of the liquid;   mixing the gas with the liquid in a throat of the first lumen resulting in aerated liquid;   delivering the aerated liquid out of an outlet port on the catheter, wherein the outlet port is less than 9 inches from the location of the channeling of the gas to the first lumen;   delivering an implant through the catheter, and deploying the implant to the uterine cavity;   controllably stopping the delivering of the gas;   controllably restarting the delivering of the gas.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the controllably stopping the delivering of the gas comprises covering a gas port on a lateral side of a handle attached to the catheter. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising curving the catheter to a cornu of a uterine cavity; and further comprising straightening the catheter. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein delivering a liquid comprises rotating a lever on a handle attached to the catheter, and wherein the rotating the lever comprises compressing a reservoir.