Medical devices for endoscopically dispensing agents and related methods of use

Abstract

To provide improved medical devices for endoscopically dispensing agents and related methods of use.SOLUTION: A medical system includes a propellant source (20) containing a propellant fluid, containers (30, 40) containing a material, and a shaft (50) having a plurality of lumens (52, 54, 56), each of the plurality of lumens having a first opening at a proximal end of the shaft and a second opening at a distal end of the shaft. The plurality of lumens are fluidly coupled to one or more of the propellant source and at least one of the plurality of containers, and a first lumen surrounds, is coaxial with, or is side-by-side with, at least one other lumen.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE The present disclosure relates generally to endoscopic medical devices and related methods of use. More specifically, in some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to endoscopic medical tools and methods related to accessing and dispensing fluids and / or medications to a target site. [Background technology]

[0002] A medical tool for dispensing fluids and / or therapeutic agents to a target site, for example, using an adhesive to create a protective layer to minimize bleeding, may include a catheter with a dispensing tip. A drawback of endoscopic systems using such tools includes, for example, clogging of the dispensing tip with adhesive, which typically hardens quickly once mixed. Such clogging can prevent further dispensing of adhesive. In such cases, the dispensing tip or the entire endoscopic device may need to be replaced, which requires the device to be removed from the patient. This can increase procedure time or cause the user to lose track of the treatment site when the endoscopic device is reinserted into the patient. The present disclosure may solve one or more of these problems, or other problems in the art. However, the scope of the disclosure is defined by the appended claims, not by its ability to solve a particular problem. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0003] Disclosed is a medical system comprising a propellant source configured to contain a propellant fluid, a plurality of containers each configured to contain a material, and a shaft having a plurality of lumens, each of the plurality of lumens having a first opening at a proximal end of the shaft and a second opening at a distal end of the shaft, wherein the plurality of lumens are fluidly coupled to one or more of the propellant source and at least one of the plurality of containers, and a first lumen of the plurality of lumens surrounds, is coaxial with, or is aligned with at least one other lumen of the plurality of lumens.

[0004] A propellant source may be fluidly coupled to each of the plurality of containers and to the first lumen. The shaft may include a tip at the distal most end of the shaft, the tip including structure for mixing contents within the shaft.

[0005] The tip may include a distal opening, a passageway connecting at least one of the shaft's multiple lumens to the distal opening, and an auger rotatably disposed within the passageway and configured to move material with the passageway toward the distal opening.

[0006] The material in a first container of the plurality of containers may be a first agent, and the material in a second container of the plurality of containers may be a second agent that is different from the first agent. The propellant fluid may be a gas configured to mix with the first agent in the first container and with the second agent in the second container, and the gas may transport each of the first agent and the second agent through a respective lumen of the plurality of lumens.

[0007] The first agent and the second agent may be configured to contact each other to form a mixture at or adjacent to the distal opening of the shaft, and at least one of the adhesive properties, viscosity, and therapeutic properties of the mixture may be greater than the adhesive properties, viscosity, and therapeutic properties of each of the first agent and the second agent, respectively.

[0008] The gas from the first lumen may be configured to atomize the mixture. At least one of the plurality of containers may be a syringe. The syringe may include a barrel having an inlet at a proximal end thereof and an outlet at a distal end thereof, the barrel having a chamber between the inlet and the outlet, a piston inserted into the inlet and configured to move relative to the barrel, and material in the chamber configured to be expelled from the outlet by moving the piston toward the outlet.

[0009] Each lumen of the plurality of lumens may be fluidly isolated from the other lumens of the plurality of lumens from the first opening of each lumen to the second opening of each lumen. The propellant source may be fluidly coupled directly to the first lumen, an inlet of each of the multiple containers may be fluidly coupled to the propellant source, and an outlet of each of the multiple containers may be fluidly coupled to a respective one of the multiple lumens at the proximal end of the shaft.

[0010] The multiple lumens fluidly coupled to the multiple containers may share a common wall, with the first lumen surrounding the multiple lumens fluidly coupled to the multiple containers. An actuator may be coupled to the outlet of the propellant source, to the first lumen, and to each of the plurality of containers, and the actuator may be configured to control the release of the propellant fluid from the propellant source.

[0011] The actuator may be configured to individually control the release of propellant fluid into each of the first lumen and the first and second containers of the plurality of containers, and the propellant fluid may be configured to aerosolize a mixture of the first and second materials at the distal end of the shaft.

[0012] The propellant source may be fluidly coupled directly to an inlet of a first container of the plurality of containers, the first container may be configured to contain a liquid. The propellant source may be fluidly coupled directly to an inlet of a second container of the plurality of containers, the second container may be configured to contain a powder, the propellant fluid may be configured to communicate the liquid through the first lumen and the powder through the second lumen, the second lumen may be fluidly isolated from the first lumen, the fluid and powder may be configured to contact each other to form a mixture at or adjacent the distal opening of the shaft, and at least one of adhesive properties, viscosity, and therapeutic properties may be greater than the adhesive properties, viscosity, and therapeutic properties of the fluid and powder, respectively.

[0013] Disclosed is a medical system comprising a propellant source configured to contain a propellant fluid, a plurality of containers each configured to contain a material, and a shaft having a plurality of lumens, each of the plurality of lumens having a first opening at a proximal end of the shaft and a second opening at a distal end of the shaft, wherein the plurality of lumens are fluidly coupled to one or more of the propellant source and at least one of the plurality of containers, and a first lumen of the plurality of lumens surrounds, is coaxial with, or is aligned with at least one other lumen of the plurality of lumens.

[0014] A propellant source may be fluidly coupled to each of the plurality of containers and to the first lumen. The shaft may include a tip at the distal most end of the shaft, the tip including structure for mixing contents within the shaft.

[0015] The tip may include a distal opening, a passageway connecting at least one of the shaft's multiple lumens to the distal opening, and an auger rotatably disposed within the passageway and configured to move material with the passageway toward the distal opening.

[0016] The material in a first container of the plurality of containers may be a first agent, and the material in a second container of the plurality of containers may be a second agent that is different from the first agent. The propellant fluid may be a gas configured to mix with the first agent in the first container and with the second agent in the second container, and the gas may transport each of the first agent and the second agent through a respective lumen of the plurality of lumens.

[0017] The first agent and the second agent may be configured to contact each other to form a mixture at or adjacent to the distal opening of the shaft, and at least one of the adhesive properties, viscosity, and therapeutic properties of the mixture may be greater than the adhesive properties, viscosity, and therapeutic properties of each of the first agent and the second agent, respectively.

[0018] The gas from the first lumen may be configured to atomize the mixture. At least one of the plurality of containers may be a syringe. The syringe may include a barrel having an inlet at a proximal end thereof and an outlet at a distal end thereof, the barrel having a chamber between the inlet and the outlet, a piston inserted into the inlet and configured to move relative to the barrel, and material in the chamber configured to be expelled from the outlet by moving the piston toward the outlet.

[0019] Each lumen of the plurality of lumens may be fluidly isolated from the other lumens of the plurality of lumens from the first opening of each lumen to the second opening of each lumen. The propellant source may be fluidly coupled directly to the first lumen, an inlet of each of the multiple containers may be fluidly coupled to the propellant source, and an outlet of each of the multiple containers may be fluidly coupled to a respective one of the multiple lumens at the proximal end of the shaft.

[0020] The multiple lumens fluidly coupled to the multiple containers may share a common wall, and the first lumen may surround the multiple lumens fluidly coupled to the multiple containers. An actuator may be coupled to the outlet of the propellant source, to the first lumen, and to each of the plurality of containers, and the actuator may be configured to control the release of the propellant fluid from the propellant source.

[0021] The actuator may be configured to individually control the release of propellant fluid into each of the first lumen and the first and second containers of the plurality of containers, and the propellant fluid may be configured to aerosolize a mixture of the first and second materials at the distal end of the shaft.

[0022] The propellant source may be fluidly coupled directly to an inlet of a first container of the plurality of containers, the first container may be configured to contain a liquid. The propellant source may be fluidly coupled directly to an inlet of a second container of the plurality of containers, the second container may be configured to contain a powder, the propellant fluid may be configured to communicate the liquid through the first lumen and the powder through the second lumen, the second lumen may be fluidly isolated from the first lumen, the fluid and powder may be configured to contact each other to form a mixture at or adjacent the distal opening of the shaft, and at least one of adhesive properties, viscosity, and therapeutic properties may be greater than the adhesive properties, viscosity, and therapeutic properties of the fluid and powder, respectively.

[0023] A medical system is disclosed that includes a propellant source containing a propellant gas, a first container fluidly coupled to the propellant source and containing a powder, a second container fluidly coupled to the propellant source and containing a fluid, and a shaft having a first lumen fluidly coupled to the first container, a second lumen fluidly coupled to the second container, and a third lumen fluidly coupled to the propellant source, wherein the propellant gas propels the powder through the first lumen and propels the fluid through the second lumen such that the fluid mixes with the powder distal to distal openings of the first and second lumens.

[0024] A first material may be flowed through a first lumen of the shaft via a propellant fluid, and a second material different from the first material may be flowed through a second lumen of the shaft via a propellant fluid, the first lumen being coaxial with, aligned with, or surrounding the second lumen, and a mixture of the first and second materials may be applied to tissue adjacent the distal-most end of the shaft.

[0025] The shaft may be inserted into a natural orifice in the body, the shaft may be advanced to a target site in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract of the body, and the mixture may be applied to tissue at the target site. The mixture may be configured to adhere to tissue in the gastrointestinal tract, and the material may include a therapeutic agent.

[0026] The propellant gas may flow through a third lumen of the shaft, surrounding the first lumen and the second lumen, and applying the mixture may include aerosolizing the mixture with the propellant gas at or adjacent to the distal-most end of the shaft.

[0027] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate various exemplary embodiments and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosed embodiments. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0028] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of a medical system, according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] 2 is a cross-sectional view of a medical device of the medical system of FIG. 1 taken along line 2-2, according to one embodiment. [Figure 3] 2 is a catheter tip for use in the medical system of FIG. 1, according to one embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of another example of a medical system, according to one embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of another example of a medical system, according to one embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of another example of a medical system, according to one embodiment. [Figure 7] 7 is a cross-sectional view of a medical device of the medical system of FIG. 6 taken along line 7-7, according to one embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] The present disclosure will be described with reference to exemplary medical systems and tools for accessing a target site and dispensing one or more medications, such as multiple fluids that, once mixed, form an adhesive gel or liquid and / or a regenerative agent. Such medications or fluids can minimize delayed bleeding in a patient. However, it should be noted that references to specific procedures and / or specific medications are provided for convenience only and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the concepts underlying the disclosed devices and application methods can be utilized in any suitable treatment, medical or otherwise. The present disclosure can be understood with reference to the following description and the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are referred to with the same reference numerals.

[0030] For ease of description, portions of the disclosed devices and / or their components are referred to as proximal and distal portions. Note that the term "proximal" is intended to refer to the portion of the device closer to the user, and the term "distal" is used herein to refer to the portion farther from the user. Similarly, "distally" extending indicates that a component extends in the distal direction, and "proximally" extending indicates that a component extends in the proximal direction. Furthermore, as used herein, the terms "about," "approximately," and "substantially" indicate a range of values ​​within + / - 10% of the stated or implied value. Additionally, terms indicating the geometry of components / surfaces refer to exact and approximate shapes.

[0031] 1, one embodiment of a medical system 10 is shown. The medical system 10 includes a propellant fluid containment device 20, a first container 30 and a second container 40 containing a first and second agent, respectively, and a catheter 50 (e.g., a shaft). These elements may be directly connected or connected by tubes, hoses, valves, etc., as described herein.

[0032] The containment device 20 is configured to contain a propellant fluid, such as a gas, e.g., carbon dioxide, or any other gas or fluid known in the art, for dispensing a material, such as a medical powder or reagent, into a patient at a target location. While shown as a polygonal container, the containment device 20 may be any shape, such as a sphere, or any other shape known in the art for containing a gas. For example, the containment device 20 may be a carbon dioxide tank or cylinder commonly found in medical settings, such as a hospital, and may be connected to various components of the medical system 10 by one or more conduits, as described herein. The containment device 20 may include one or more outer walls defining one or more internal chambers (not shown), which are configured to contain a propellant fluid. The walls of the containment device 20 may be formed of any material suitable for containing a propellant fluid, such as, but not limited to, a metal alloy, a ceramic, or other material known in the art. The propellant fluid contained in the internal chamber of the containment device 20 may be under pressure. Thus, the walls may be formed of a material and / or thickness suitable for containing a propellant fluid at a pressure of, for example, but not limited to, about 5 pounds per square inch (PSI) (about 34.474 kPa) to about 40 PSI (about 275.790 kPa). For example, gases that may be contained within containment device 20 include CO or other similar gases for propelling material from the medical device into the body. It will be understood that these gases are exemplary and are not limiting of the types of gases that may be contained within containment device 20.

[0033] Continuing with reference to FIG. 1 , the storage device 20 is fluidly connected to the catheter 50 via a first conduit 22, to the first container 30 via a second conduit 24, and to the second container 40 via a third conduit 26. Although not shown, the storage device 20 may include one or more actuators and valves for controlling the release of propellant fluid into each of the first conduit 22, the second conduit 24, and the third conduit 26. Alternatively, or in addition, an actuator (such as the actuator illustrated in FIG. 5 ) may be used to control the release of propellant fluid from the storage device 20. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, varying the amount of propellant fluid released from the storage device 20 into each of the first and second containers 30, 40 can change the mixture ratio of the fluids, solids, or agents contained in the first and second containers 30, 40 and / or can change the rate of discharge of the final mixture from the catheter 50, as described in more detail herein. Additionally or alternatively, one or more pressure regulators may be associated with one or more of the containment device 20, the first, second, and third conduits 22, 24, 26, or the first and second containers 30, 40. The pressure regulators can maintain an appropriate pressure of the propellant gas throughout the medical system 10. It will be understood that the first, second, and third conduits 22, 24, 26, and other conduits described herein, can be any material known for conveying materials used in medical settings. These conduits can be rigid or flexible, depending on the desired application.

[0034] As further shown in FIG. 1 , the first container 30 and the second container 40 are downstream of the storage device 20. The first container 30 and the second container 40 may have similar or different properties, such as shape, size, etc. The first container 30 and the second container 40 may each contain one or more agents in fluid or solid (including particle) form, which may be activated when mixed together and have additional properties, such as adhesive properties, for treating a target site. The first container 30 and the second container 40 may be formed of any material known in the art for containing therapeutic agents or other fluids or solids for delivery to the human body. For example, the material used to form the first and second containers 30, 40 may be chemically inert to the one or more agents contained therein. Furthermore, the first container 30 and the second container 40 may be designed to withstand the pressure of the propellant gas transmitted from the storage device 20 to the first container 30 and the second container 40, respectively. Additionally, one or more of the first and second containers 30, 40 may have fins or other protrusions therein to aid in mixing of the propellant gas and one or more agents to produce a uniform mixture at the downstream outlets of each of the first and second containers 30, 40. While only two containers are shown in FIG. 1, it will be understood that any number of containers may be suitably included in the medical system 10, based on the number of agents, solvents, or other fluids or solids to be delivered by the catheter 50.

[0035] As further shown in FIG. 1 , the downstream outlets of the first container 30 and the second container 40 are connected to the catheter 50 by the fourth conduit 32 and the fifth conduit 42, respectively. The fourth conduit 32 and the fifth conduit 42 each transport a mixture of the contents of the respective container and the propellant fluid from the containment device 20. As described herein, each mixture enters a separate lumen at the proximal-most end 50 a of the catheter 50. As described herein, a regulator can be used to vary the pressure of the propellant fluid and / or the mixture of the propellant fluid and any of the agents described herein. For example, one or more regulators can be operably associated with one or more of the first container 30 or the second container 40 and / or the downstream outlets of one or more of the fourth conduit 32 and the fifth conduit 42.

[0036] As will be appreciated, each of the storage device 20, first container 30, and second container 40 may be a separate element, such as a storage tank found in a hospital or other medical setting. Alternatively, one or more containers may be attached to or contained within a housing and associated with an actuator, such as the actuator described in FIG. 5. In this manner, the medical system 10 may be handheld or portable.

[0037] Referring to FIG. 2, a cross-section of a catheter 50 taken along line 2-2 in FIG. 1 is shown. The catheter 50 may be a shaft (e.g., a flexible sheath, catheter, tube, etc.) including a second lumen 54 and a third lumen 56, each of which is fluidly separated from the other. A first lumen 52, fluidly separated from the second and third lumens 54, 56, is defined by the outermost walls 50b of the second and third lumens 54, 56 and the outermost wall 50a of the catheter 50 and surrounds the second and third lumens 54, 56. As shown in FIG. 2, the second and third lumens 54, 56 share a common wall 50c, resulting in a semicircular cross-section for each of the lumens 54 and 56, although it is understood that the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, the second and third lumens 54, 56 may be independent tubes disposed within the catheter 50, with a space separating these independent tubes, which may be fluidly connected to the first lumen 52. For example, the second and third lumens 54, 56 can be separate tubes having circular or other cross-sectional shapes. Although not shown, the second lumen 54 and / or the third lumen 56 can be attached to the outer wall of the catheter 50 by one or more protrusions, adhesive, or other means to maintain the appropriate spacing between and positioning of the second and third lumens 54, 56 relative to the outer wall of the catheter 50. Furthermore, the first, second, and third lumens 52, 54, 56 can all extend to the distal-most end 50b of the catheter 50. Alternatively, one or more of the first, second, or third lumens 52, 54, 56 can terminate proximal to the distal-most end 50b of the catheter 50.

[0038] As described in more detail herein, the propellant fluid from the first lumen 52 may mix with or come into contact with the mixture of reagent and propellant fluid from the second and third lumens 54, 56, respectively, at the distal-most end 50b of the catheter 50 (see FIG. 1 ). As this occurs, the chemical properties of the mixture may change, producing, for example, an adhesive mixture. Additionally, or alternatively, after the fluids, reagents, etc. exit the distal-most end 50b, the combined mixture may activate a reagent, such as an antimicrobial or other reagent, or the reagent may already be activated in one or both of the mixtures released from the first and second containers 30, 40. The additional physical properties of the mixture resulting from the contact / mixing after exiting the distal-most end 50b may differ from the physical properties of the reagent or other fluid or mixture exiting the first and second containers 30, 40. For example, the resulting mixture may be more viscous, adhesive, a gel, and / or may activate a therapeutic agent.

[0039] A method of operating the medical system 10 will now be described. The catheter 50 is inserted into a patient and advanced to a target site. The catheter 50 may be inserted directly into the patient without the use of a guide device, or the catheter 50 may be advanced over an endoscope, guidewire, or other similar device previously advanced to the target site. The catheter 50 may be inserted through a natural orifice, such as the mouth, anus, etc., or through a surgical incision in the body. Once the distal-most tip of the catheter, e.g., distal-most end 50b, is positioned at the target site, a user can activate one or more actuators associated with the containment device 20 and / or the medical system 10 to generally release propellant gas from the container 20 into one or more of the first conduit 22, the second conduit 24, and the third conduit 26. The one or more actuators allow a user to control the amount of propellant fluid flowing into each of the first, second, and third lumens 22, 24, and 26, thereby controlling the rate of dispersion of reagents or other fluids or solids within the first and second containers 30, 40. The propellant gas enters the first and second containers 30, 40 and mixes with the reagents, fluids, or solids therein. According to one example, a first mixture of a first reagent and propellant gas travels from the first container 30 via the fourth conduit 32 to the second lumen 54. Similarly, a second mixture of a second reagent and propellant gas can travel from the second container 40 via the fifth conduit 42 to the third lumen 56.

[0040] The first and second mixtures then exit the second and third lumens 54 and 56, respectively, at the distal end 50b of the catheter 50. The first and second mixtures are mixed with the propellant fluid from the first lumen 52 and, in some embodiments, may be sprayed by the propellant fluid from the first lumen 52. According to one example, when the first and second mixtures are mixed after exiting the distal-most end 50b, the resulting mixture can be activated or crosslinked, for example, to produce a gel or liquid adhesive that can adhere to a target site and / or to activate one or more therapeutic agents in the resulting mixture. As the mixture is dispensed from the distal end 50b of the catheter 50, the catheter 50 can be moved relative to the target site to deposit the resulting mixture at the target site. In this manner, the first and second mixtures do not come into contact within the catheter 50, thereby preventing the mixture from becoming an adhesive within the catheter 50 and preventing the adhesive from hardening within the catheter 50 and completely or partially blocking the exit port of the catheter 50 at the distal end 50b.

[0041] It is understood that if the catheter 50 is otherwise pre-loaded with medications, fluids, or solids in the first and second containers 30, 40, the first and second containers 30, 40 can be eliminated from the system 10. For example, the second lumen 54 and the third lumen 56 can be pre-loaded with different medications. According to one example, the storage device 20 can be directly connected to the catheter 50 without an intervening container. In this example, the storage device 20 can supply propellant gas directly to the first, second, and third lumens 52, 54, 56, forcing the first and second medications into the second and third lumens 54, 56, respectively, such that the propellant gas from the first lumen 52 can spray a mixture of the first and second medications at the distal-most end 50b of the catheter 50. This can reduce the size and improve portability of the medical system 10 and can result in more uniform and / or complete distribution of the medications at the target site. Alternatively, or additionally, the first and second containers 30, 40 may be attached to the second and third lumens 54, 56, respectively, if the user determines that additional first and second agents need to be dispensed to the target site. According to one example, each element of the system 10 may be threaded, snap-fit, or the like, relative to the other elements to allow for quick, efficient, and safe addition or removal of elements. In this manner, the containment device 20 may be disconnected from the second and third lumens 54, 56, and the first and second containers 30, 40 may be inserted between the containment device 20 and the second and third lumens 54, 56, respectively.

[0042] A catheter tip 60 according to one embodiment is shown in FIG. 3. The catheter tip 60 may include an auger 62 for moving and / or mixing one or more of the first mixture and the second mixture toward an outlet 67 (or outlets) at the distal-most end 66. The catheter tip 60 may include a tapered section 64 that tapers toward the distal-most end 66. The catheter tip 60 may be integrally formed with the catheter 50 or may be attached to the distal-most end 50b of the catheter 50, for example, by adhesive, a snap-fit ​​connection, or the like. The catheter tip 60 may be permanently fixed to the catheter 50 or removably attached. The catheter tip 60 may dispense a drug mixture with or without drug spray. For example, the auger 62 can move the combined first and second mixtures from the second and third lumens 54 and 56, respectively, at the distal-most end 50b of the catheter 50 toward the distal-most end 66, so that the combined mixture can be dispensed at the target site without atomizing the combined mixture. Alternatively, the combined mixture can be moved toward the distal-most end 66 of the catheter tip 60, and the propellant gas from the first lumen 52 can atomize the combined mixture and propel it out of the catheter 50 (through the catheter tip 60) toward the target site.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 3 , the auger 62 may include a single helical thread where the thread diameter and / or pitch decreases at the tapered section 64 of the catheter tip 60, which can increase the accuracy of dispensing the agent from the catheter tip 60 to the target site. The auger 62 is not limited to a single thread, nor is the auger 62 limited to a thread size and / or pitch. Furthermore, the auger 62 may include protrusions or threaded surfaces that promote mixing of the agent therein during dispersion. The auger 62 can be driven by any known method, including, but not limited to, electrical or pneumatic drive.

[0044] Referring to FIG. 4, another example medical system 110 is shown. The containment device 20, first conduit 22, and catheter 50 have similar features to those of the medical system 10 of FIG. 1. According to one example, a first syringe 130 contains a first fluid, drug, or other material in a first chamber 130a, and a second syringe 140 contains a second fluid, drug, or other material in a second chamber 140a. The first and second syringes 130, 140 may be any known syringes used in medical systems that include pistons that exit the distal-most ends of the syringe bodies or barrels and expel material from the first and second chambers 130a, 140a, respectively. The first and second chambers 130a, 140a of the first and second syringes 130, 140, respectively, can be filled with material, e.g., a drug, therapeutic agent, etc., by removing the piston, adding material, and reinserting the piston. Alternatively, or additionally, the first and second syringes 130, 140 can be filled through their distal-most ends by creating a vacuum in the first and second chambers 130a, 140a by pulling the pistons proximally.

[0045] Actuation of syringe 130, for example, by depressing the plunger into the body / barrel, causes the first medicament in first chamber 130a to flow through second conduit 132 and into second lumen 54. Similarly, actuation of syringe 140 causes the second medicament in second chamber 140a to flow through third conduit 142 and into third lumen 56. First syringe 130 and second syringe 140 can be activated individually or simultaneously. Furthermore, first and second syringes 130, 140 can be activated by a user by depressing the proximal-most ends of the plungers of first and second syringes 130, 140, for example, with a hand or finger. Alternatively, or additionally, first and second syringes 130, 140 can be actuated pneumatically or using a mechanical or electrical device to depress the respective pistons of first and second syringes 130, 140. For example, the pistons of each of the first and second syringes 130, 140 may be connected to a device having a motor, e.g., an electrically driven motor, that can individually or simultaneously actuate the pistons of each of the first and second syringes 130, 140. The device may further include a processor and memory having a program stored therein that can control the motor to actuate the first and second syringes 130, 140.

[0046] The first and second medicaments of the medical system 110 can be dispersed from the distal end 50b of the catheter 50, for example, by using a propellant gas to spray a mixture of the first and second medicaments. For example, as described above, the first lumen 52 can be disposed around the second and third lumens 54, 56 and can receive the propellant gas from the containment device 20 via the first conduit 52. The propellant gas can force the combined mixture of the first and second medicaments out of the distal-most end 50b of the catheter 50. Alternatively, the mixing catheter tip 60 of FIG. 3 can be used to dispense a combined mixture of the first and second medicaments, as described herein.

[0047] Referring to FIG. 5, another example of a medical system 210 is shown. The medical system 210 includes similar features to the medical system 10 of FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 5, the containment device 20 is attached to an actuation mechanism 270 via a first conduit 22. The actuation mechanism 270 may be a console, trigger mechanism, or the like having one or more actuation elements for fluidly coupling the containment device 20 to elements downstream of the actuation mechanism 270, such as the first and second containers 30, 40. The actuation mechanism 270 is connected to the first lumen 52 via a second conduit 272, to the first container 30 via a third conduit 274, and to the second container 40 via a fourth conduit 276. The actuation mechanism 270 may include valves, individual fluid passageways, and / or other actuators for controlling the release of fluid into each of the conduits 272, 274, and 276. The actuation mechanism 270 allows a user to control the amount of propellant fluid released into each of the first lumen 52, the first container 30, and the second container 40. By controlling the propellant fluid, the user can control the amount of first and second medicaments released from the distal-most end 50b of the catheter 50, as well as the rate at which the propellant gas is released from the first lumen 52 at the distal-most end 50b. The actuation mechanism 270 may further include a processor and memory having one or more programs stored therein that can automatically operate the actuation mechanism 270 to disperse the propellant fluid from the containment device 20.

[0048] Another embodiment of a medical system 310 is shown in FIG. 6. The medical system 310 includes a containment device 20 fluidly coupled to a first container 330 and a second container 340 via first and second conduits 322, 324, respectively. The first container 330 may contain a fluid, such as, but not limited to, saline. The second container 340 may contain one or more medications, such as a powder or a mixture of powders, that may be activated by contact with a fluid, such as saline, or any other medically appropriate fluid, stored in the first container 330.

[0049] The first container 330 is fluidly coupled to the proximal-most end 350a of the catheter 350 via a third conduit 332. The second container 340 is similarly fluidly coupled to the proximal-most end 350a of the catheter 350 via a fourth conduit 342. Both the first and second lumens 352, 354 extend from the proximal-most end 350a to the distal-most end 350b of the catheter 350, although one or both of the first and second lumens 352, 354 may terminate proximal to the distal-most end 350b. The arrangement is not limited, and it will be understood that the first container 330 may be fluidly coupled to the second lumen 354, and the second lumen may be fluidly coupled to the first lumen 352.

[0050] Referring to Figure 7, a cross-section of the catheter 350 taken along line 7-7 in Figure 6 is shown. The first lumen 352 is coaxially disposed with the second lumen 354, and the first lumen 352 is defined by the outermost wall 350b of the second lumen 354 and the outermost wall 350a of the catheter 350. As discussed herein, a mixture of fluid and propellant gas from the first container 330 can be transferred along the first lumen 352, and one or more agents from the second container 340 can be transferred along the second lumen 354 with the propellant gas. Alternatively, one or more agents from the second container 340 can be transferred along the first lumen 352, and the propellant gas and fluid mixture can be transferred along the second lumen 354. In both configurations, the propellant gas and fluid mixture can spray the one or more agents at the distal-most end 350b of the catheter 350. This interaction can support mixing of the powdered agent and crosslink or activate one or more agents, propelling them toward the treatment site. This also minimizes cloud formation during application of the powdered agent during application to the target site. While only one lumen, second lumen 354, is shown for transporting the powdered agent, the present invention is not limited in this respect, and multiple containers and / or lumens can be used. Additionally, the powdered agent can be forced into the lumen of the catheter in any manner described herein.

[0051] While different medical systems have been described, it will be understood that the particular arrangement of elements in these medical systems is not limiting. Furthermore, the size and shape of the catheter or shaft of the medical system, or the method of dispensing the medical system, is not limiting. As described in the examples herein, agents, such as fluids or powders, are dispensed from the distal end of the catheter, where they interact with each other or with additional substances to change one or more of their physical properties. In this manner, therapeutic agents, such as adhesives for limiting bleeding, can be applied endoscopically without clogging the lumens, passageways, inlets, or outlets of the medical system.

[0052] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the disclosed device without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the configuration of the propellant-containing device, the shaft and lumen therein, and / or the drug-containing reservoir can be modified to provide the desired medical treatment. Other embodiments of the present disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims.

Claims

1. a propellant source configured to contain a propellant fluid; a plurality of containers each configured to contain an ingredient; a shaft having a plurality of lumens, each of the plurality of lumens having a first opening at a proximal end of the shaft and a second opening at a distal end of the shaft; the plurality of lumens are fluidly coupled to one or more of the propellant source and at least one of the plurality of containers; A medical system wherein a first lumen of the plurality of lumens surrounds, is coaxial with, or is aligned with at least one other lumen of the plurality of lumens.

2. The medical system of claim 1 , wherein the propellant source is fluidly coupled to each of the plurality of containers and to the first lumen.

3. The medical system of claim 1 or 2, wherein the shaft includes a tip at a distal-most end of the shaft, the tip including a structure for mixing contents within the shaft.

4. The tip is a distal opening; a passageway connecting at least one of the plurality of lumens of the shaft to the distal opening; The medical system of claim 3 , comprising: an auger rotatably disposed within the passageway and configured to move material with the passageway toward the distal opening.

5. the material in a first container of the plurality of containers is a first drug; The medical system of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the material in a second container of the plurality of containers is a second drug different from the first drug.

6. 6. The medical system of claim 5, wherein the propellant fluid is a gas configured to mix with the first drug in the first container and with the second drug in the second container, the gas configured to transport each of the first drug and the second drug through a respective lumen of the plurality of lumens.

7. the first agent and the second agent are configured to contact each other to form a mixture at or adjacent to a distal opening of the shaft; 7. The medical system of claim 5 or 6, wherein at least one of the adhesive properties, viscosity, and therapeutic properties of the mixture is greater than the adhesive properties, viscosity, and therapeutic properties of each of the first drug and the second drug.

8. The medical system of claim 7 , wherein the gas from the first lumen is configured to atomize the mixture.

9. At least one of the plurality of containers is a syringe, and the syringe comprises: a barrel having an inlet at a proximal end of the barrel, an outlet at a distal end of the barrel, and a chamber between the inlet and the outlet; a piston inserted into the inlet and configured to move relative to the barrel; The medical system of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the material in the chamber is configured to be expelled from the outlet by moving the piston towards the outlet.

10. 10. The medical system of claim 1, wherein each lumen of the plurality of lumens is fluidly isolated from other lumens of the plurality of lumens from the first opening of each lumen to the second opening of each lumen.

11. 2. The medical system of claim 1, wherein the propellant source is fluidly coupled directly to the first lumen, an inlet of each of the plurality of containers is fluidly coupled to the propellant source, and an outlet of each of the plurality of containers is fluidly coupled to a respective one of the plurality of lumens at the proximal end of the shaft.

12. 12. The medical system of claim 11, wherein the plurality of lumens fluidly coupled to the plurality of containers share a common wall, and the first lumen surrounds the plurality of lumens fluidly coupled to the plurality of containers.

13. 2. The medical system of claim 1, further comprising an actuator coupled to the propellant source outlet, the first lumen, and each of the plurality of containers, the actuator configured to control the release of the propellant fluid from the propellant source.

14. 14. The medical system of claim 13, wherein the actuator is configured to individually control the release of the propellant fluid into each of the first lumen and a first container and a second container of the plurality of containers, and the propellant fluid is configured to aerosolize a mixture of a first material and a second material at the distal end of the shaft.

15. the propellant source is directly fluidly coupled to an inlet of a first container of the plurality of containers, the first container being configured to contain a liquid; the propellant source is directly fluidly coupled to an inlet of a second container of the plurality of containers, the second container being configured to contain a powder; the propellant fluid is configured to communicate the liquid through the first lumen and to communicate the powder through a second lumen, the second lumen being fluidly isolated from the first lumen; the fluid and the powder are configured to contact each other to form a mixture at or adjacent to a distal opening of the shaft; The medical system of claim 1 , wherein at least one of adhesive properties, viscosity, and therapeutic properties is greater than the adhesive properties, viscosity, and therapeutic properties of the fluid and the powder, respectively.

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