# US 10,369,343 B2 · Apparatus and method to convey a fluid > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,369,343 B2 - Document ID: US10369343B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/479,274 - Filed: 2006-06-30 - Published: 2008-01-03 - Granted: 2019-08-06 - Earliest claimed: 2006-06-30 - Assignees: Biocompatibles UK Limited - Applicants: Thomas J. Simpson; Jim Hagerman - Inventors: Thomas J. Simpson; Jim Hagerman - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10369343B2 ## CPC - A61M 37/0069: {Devices for implanting pellets, e.g. markers or solid medicaments (for introducing of radioactive sources for interstitial radiation therapy, i.e. brachytherapy A61N5/1027)} - A61M 5/14: Infusion devices, e.g. infusing by gravity; Blood infusion; Accessories therefor - A61M 5/142: Pressure infusion, e.g. using pumps - A61M 2206/14: Static flow deviators in tubes disturbing laminar flow in tubes, e.g. archimedes screws - A61M 2206/20: having means for promoting or enhancing the flow, actively or passively - A61N 5/1001: {using radiation sources introduced into or applied onto the body; brachytherapy} - A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)} - A61N: ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY (measurement of bioelectric currents A61B; surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body A61B18/00; anaesthetic apparatus in general A61M; incandescent lamps H01K; infrared radiators for heating H05B) ## Abstract An apparatus includes a fluid path, a coupling, and a nozzle. The fluid path is to carry a fluid including one or more microparticles. The coupling is located in the fluid path. The nozzle is located in the fluid path to move the fluid through a stagnant region located near the coupling. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A microparticle delivery apparatus for delivering one or more microparticles to a patient, the apparatus comprising: a fluid path having a fluid flow of a fluid including the one or more microparticles; a coupling located in the fluid path; and a nozzle located in the fluid path to move the fluid through a stagnant region positioned radially outward of the nozzle, the nozzle including an input port at an upstream end thereof and an output port at a most downstream end thereof defining a central fluid path through the nozzle from the input port to the output port, the nozzle further including one or more side ports positioned near the input port of the nozzle, the one or more side ports defining at least one additional fluid path through the nozzle, wherein the fluid flow flows into the nozzle via the input port, a first portion of the fluid flow that flows into the nozzle via the input port flows through the central fluid path and out of the nozzle via the output port and into the fluid path, and a second portion of the fluid flow that flows into the nozzle via the input port flows through the one or more side ports and moves the fluid through the stagnant region and into the fluid path while bypassing the central fluid path of the nozzle. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the input port has an input port cross-sectional area and the output port has an output port cross-sectional area, the input port cross-sectional area being greater than the output port cross-sectional area. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the nozzle includes a nozzle fluid path from the input port to the output port that includes a taper. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the taper has a slope of less than about forty-five degrees. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the nozzle includes a flanged fitting substantially centered in the coupling and sized to form a seal to substantially prevent back flow. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the seal includes an elastomeric seal. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the seal includes a flange forming a flat-face seal. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the coupling includes a seal. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the coupling includes a tapered fitting. ### Claim 10 A microparticle delivery apparatus for delivering one or more microparticles to a patient, the apparatus comprising: a fluid path having a fluid flow of a fluid including the one or more microparticles; a coupling located in the fluid path; and a nozzle located in the fluid path to move the fluid through a stagnant region positioned radially outward of the nozzle, the nozzle having a longitudinal axis and including an input port at an upstream end thereof and an output port at a most downstream end thereof defining a central fluid path through the nozzle from the input port to the output port, wherein at least a portion of the input port and at least a portion of the output port are in-line with the longitudinal axis of the nozzle, the nozzle further including one or more side ports positioned near the input port of the nozzle, the one or more side ports defining at least one additional fluid path through the nozzle, wherein the fluid flow flows into the nozzle via the input port, a first portion of the fluid flow that flows into the nozzle via the input port flows through the central fluid path and out of the nozzle via the output port and into the fluid path, and a second portion of the fluid flow that flows into the nozzle via the input port flows through the one or more side ports and moves the fluid through the stagnant region and into the fluid path while bypassing the central fluid path of the nozzle.