# US 2014/0155745 A1 · Venturi Effect Mixing Catheter Apparatus and Methods of Using the Same > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0155745 A1 - Document ID: US20140155745A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/958,067 - Filed: 2013-08-02 - Published: 2014-06-05 - Earliest claimed: 2012-12-04 - Assignees: Cook Medical Technologies LLC - Applicants: Cook Medical Technologies, LLC - Inventors: Kate Duncan - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140155745A1 ## CPC - A61M 31/005: {for contrast media} - A61M 25/0097: {characterised by the hub (tube connectors or tube couplings A61M39/10)} - A61M 39/10: Tube connectors or tube couplings - A61B 8/481: {involving the use of contrast agents, e.g. microbubbles introduced into the bloodstream} - A61M 2210/1433: Uterus - 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)} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract An apparatus and method for introducing a solution, including a mixture of air bubbles in saline into the uterus and fallopian tubes is described. The apparatus comprises a hub including a proximal end portion adapted for removable attachment to a solution source and a distal end portion adapted for removable attachment with a catheter. A lumen having a variable diameter extends between the hub proximal and distal end portions. The geometry of the variable diameter lumen is configured to create the Venturi effect, in which a vacuum is created as a result of a reduction in fluid pressure and in increase in fluid velocity of the solution flowing through the constricted portion of the hub lumen. The vacuum draws air through the airflow passage and into the hub lumen where it mixes with the saline flowing therethrough to create a mixture of air bubbles in saline. The contrast image crated by the air bubbles in saline allows the uterus and fallopian tubes to be sonographically visualized. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus for introducing a solution into a body cavity comprising: a hub comprising a proximal end portion adapted for removable attachment to a solution source and a distal end portion, a lumen having a variable diameter and extending between the hub proximal and distal end portions, an airflow passage in communication with the lumen, wherein the lumen diameter is constricted between the hub proximal and distal end portions and wherein at least a portion of the constricted lumen is in communication with the airflow passage; a catheter comprising a distal end portion and a proximal end portion and at least one lumen extending between the distal and proximal end portions, the proximal end portion of the catheter removably attached to the hub distal end portion. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the hub comprises an integral piece of molded material. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the hub comprises multiple pieces of molded material secured together. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the airflow passage further comprises a filter. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a positioner member located between the catheter proximal and distal end portions. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the positioner comprises a cervical occlusion device secured to an outer surface of the catheter. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the catheter comprises at least two lumens. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The apparatus of claim 7 wherein at least one of the two lumens comprises a balloon inflation lumen. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the hub further comprises a Luer fitting at the proximal end portion of the hub adapted for communication with the solution source. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the portion of the variable diameter lumen having the smallest diameter is substantially centrally located between the hub proximal and distal ends. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the lumen tapers radially inwardly from the proximal end portion of the hub to the smallest diameter portion and then tapers radially outwardly from the smallest diameter portion to the distal end portion of the hub. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the hub lumen is configured to create a vacuum as a result of a reduction in fluid pressure and in increase in fluid velocity of the solution flowing through the constricted portion of the hub lumen. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the airflow passage is configured to allow air to be drawn therethrough and into a stream of solution flowing through the hub lumen as a result of the vacuum created. ### Claim 14 A method for introducing a solution into a body cavity comprising: a. providing a catheter apparatus comprising i. a hub having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion adapted for attachment to a catheter, a lumen having a constricted diameter extending between the hub proximal and distal end portions and an airflow passage in communication with a portion of the hub lumen having a constricted diameter; b. inserting a distal end portion of the catheter into a body cavity; c. flowing a solution through the hub lumen to generate a vacuum in the lumen, d. permitting air to flow through the airflow passage to mix with the solution flowing through the hub lumen to create an aerated mixture of air bubbles in solution; e. introducing the mixture of air bubbles in solution into the body cavity through the distal end portion of the catheter. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14 wherein at least a portion of the solution comprises sterile saline. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14 further comprising occluding a portion of a body cavity prior to introducing the aerated mixture into the body cavity. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14 further comprising ultrasonically imaging the uterus and fallopian tubes to observe the aerated mixture flowing therethrough. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14 comprising generating a vacuum as a result of a reduction in fluid pressure and in increase in fluid velocity of the solution flowing through the constricted diameter portion of the hub lumen. ### Claim 19 A method for delivering a solution into a body cavity comprising the steps of: a. positioning the distal end of a catheter into the body cavity of a patient; b. injecting the solution through the lumen of a hub that is disposed outside of a patient, wherein the hub lumen is in fluid communication with the catheter; c. applying the Venturi effect to the solution flowing through the hub lumen to create a vacuum, wherein the vacuum causes air to be automatically drawn into the hub lumen through an air intake line to create a mixture of air bubbles in the solution within the hub lumen; d. emitting the mixture of bubbles in solution out of the distal end of the catheter and into the body cavity. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, wherein disposing the distal end of the catheter into the body cavity comprises guiding the catheter through the cervix and into the uterus of the patient.