Method of Dispensing a Material

Abstract

A method and system for dispensing a material through a delivery apparatus is provided. The material initially comprises or is manipulated to comprise a low viscosity. The material either can comprise a curable material or can comprise initiators, which can be activated to raise the viscosity at a later time and position. The low viscosity material is moved through the delivery apparatus for a relatively long distance using low energy. Upon nearing an end use application, the material and/or initiators can be activated by a curing agent, such as a light or heat source, such that the viscosity of the material be raised prior to the end use application thereof. Therefore, the present invention provides a method and system for moving a material normally having a higher viscosity a long distance requiring lower energy and pressure.

1 . A method of dispensing a material through a delivery apparatus, comprising:
 pumping a material capable of changing viscosities through the delivery apparatus toward a patient's body, wherein the material is one of blood or medicine;   at least partially changing the viscosity of the material while pumping the material toward a dispensing apparatus; and   dispensing the material comprising the at least partially changed viscosity through the dispensing apparatus to an end use application.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising adding a UV light initiator to the material prior to pumping the material though the delivery apparatus. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the viscosity is changed by exposing the material to an ultraviolet (UV) light source. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising adding a heat-curable initiator to the material prior to pumping the material though the delivery apparatus. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein viscosity is changed by exposing the material to a heat source. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the end use application is one of an infection site on the patient's body or a surgery site on the patient's body. 
     
     
         7 . A method of dispensing a material through a delivery apparatus, comprising:
 taking a material capable of changing viscosities;   reducing the viscosity of the material from a first viscosity to a second viscosity;   pumping the material having the second viscosity through the delivery apparatus;   at least partially raising the viscosity of the material to a third viscosity while pumping the material toward a dispensing apparatus; and   dispensing the material comprising the third viscosity through the dispensing apparatus to an end use application.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the third viscosity is the same as the first viscosity. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the third viscosity is higher than the first viscosity. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the third viscosity is lower than the first viscosity. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the material is one of blood, medicine, resin, oil, silicone, and plastics. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 7  further comprising adding a UV light initiator to the material prior to pumping the material though the delivery apparatus. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the viscosity is raised by exposing the material to an ultraviolet (UV) light source. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 7  further comprising adding a heat-curable initiator to the material prior to pumping the material though the delivery apparatus. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein viscosity is raised by exposing the material to a heat source. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 7  wherein reducing the viscosity includes thinning the material. 
     
     
         17 . A system for dispensing a material, comprising:
 a delivery apparatus having a first end and a second end;   a curing station at or near the second end of the delivery apparatus;   a material capable of changing viscosities capable of being pumped through the delivery apparatus and towards the curing station, wherein the material is one of blood or medicine; and   a pump in fluid communication with the delivery apparatus for pumping the material through the delivery apparatus toward a patient's body;   wherein the curing station is adapted to at least partially raise the viscosity of the material prior to dispensing of the material from the curing station.   
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17  wherein the material includes a UV initiator and the curing station includes a UV-light that raises the viscosity of the material. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 17  wherein the material includes a heat initiator and the curing station includes a heat source for raising the viscosity of the material. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 17  wherein the delivery apparatus is a tube. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 17  wherein the delivery apparatus includes a dispensing apparatus at the second end and the delivery apparatus dispenses the material within the patient's body.