Pressure valve for a medical device

Abstract

To provide an improved medical device for delivering pressurized fluid.SOLUTION: A medical device (20) for delivering a material by using a pressurized fluid includes an enclosure (60) having a first chamber (68) and a second chamber (66) separated by a membrane (76) and an outlet, and a pin (70) configured to move within the enclosure between a first position and a second position, wherein a proximal end of the pin blocks the outlet when the pin is in the first position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE The present disclosure relates generally to medical systems and devices for delivering pressurized fluids, for example, to methods and tools for controlling the release of medication from medical devices that use a pressurized fluid source. [Background technology]

[0002] Fluid delivery systems and devices are used to deliver various fluids, such as gases, during medical procedures. These procedures may involve delivering fluids within a range of suitable pressures and / or flow rates. These fluids may include materials or agents (e.g., hemostatic agents) that are optimally delivered to tissue at the appropriate pressures and / or flow rates for a particular application.

[0003] Medical fluid delivery systems often require the delivery of fluid from a pressurized storage tank (such as a cartridge or similar housing) to a target via a housing that contains the medication. Controlling the delivery of the medication may require proper administration or metering of the medication to provide an accurate and safe dose of the medication to the target. This may require controlled release of the pressurized fluid and / or medication. The present disclosure may solve one or more of these or other problems in the art. However, the scope of the present disclosure is defined by the appended claims, rather than by its ability to solve a particular problem. Summary of the Invention

[0004] According to one aspect, a medical device configured to deliver a material using a pressurized fluid includes an enclosure having a first chamber and a second chamber separated by a membrane and an outlet, the medical device including a pin configured to move within the enclosure between a first position and a second position, and a proximal end of the pin configured to block the outlet when the pin is in the first position.

[0005] The membrane may include a plurality of pores fluidly connecting the first chamber and the second chamber. The second chamber may be configured to contain a material, and the membrane may be configured to prevent the material from migrating from the second chamber to the first chamber.

[0006] The first chamber may include an inlet, and pressurized fluid may be configured to enter the first chamber via the inlet. The pin may be configured to move from the first position when the pressure of the pressurized fluid exceeds a pressure threshold.

[0007] The apparatus may further include a spring configured to bias the pin in the first position. The pin may be configured to move from the first position when the pressure of the pressurized fluid overcomes the spring force of the spring on the pin.

[0008] The pin may be configured to move from the first position when the pressure of the pressurized fluid overcomes the spring force of the spring on the pin and the external atmospheric pressure on the pin. The distance between the proximal end of the pin and the membrane when the pin is in the second position may be sufficient to allow at least a portion of the material to move from the second chamber into the outlet.

[0009] The pin may be configured to move from the second position to the first position when the pressure of the pressurized fluid falls below a pressure threshold. The pin may include a protrusion configured to extend into the outlet opening in a first position, configured to be positioned completely outside the outlet opening in a second position, and configured to be positioned at least partially within the outlet opening in a third position of the pin between the first and second positions, wherein when the pin is in the third position, pressurized fluid is able to flow from the second chamber through the opening and material is not able to flow from the second chamber through the opening.

[0010] The pin may be configured to be moved to a third position between the first and second positions when the pressure of the pressurized fluid in the first chamber is greater than a first threshold and less than a second threshold.

[0011] The pressurized fluid can be configured to enter the second chamber from the first chamber when the pin is in the third position, but the material can be configured to remain in the second chamber when the pin is in the third position.

[0012] The apparatus may further include an actuator configured to supply pressurized fluid to the first chamber when actuated. The device may further include a body having an input opening for receiving pressurized fluid and an output opening for delivering pressurized fluid, the body defining a fluid passage between the input and output openings, and the device may include a handle configured to receive an enclosure for containing pressurized fluid, the enclosure configured to be attached to the body and to form part of the fluid passage between the input and output openings.

[0013] According to another aspect, a medical device configured to deliver a material includes a body having an input opening for receiving pressurized fluid and an output opening for delivering the material, the medical device includes an enclosure having a first chamber and a second chamber, the medical device includes a membrane including a plurality of pores, the membrane being disposed between the first chamber and the second chamber, and the medical device includes a pin configured to move within the enclosure between a first position and a second position and configured to close the output opening in the first position.

[0014] The second chamber may be configured to contain the material, and the diameter of each of the plurality of pores may be configured to be smaller than the particle size of the material particles. The pin may include a protrusion extending from a proximal-most end of the pin, and the protrusion may be configured to extend into the output opening in the first position.

[0015] The distance between the protrusion in the second position and the output opening may be sufficient to allow material and propellant fluid to enter from the second chamber into the output opening. According to another aspect, a method of controlling delivery of a material to a patient's body includes actuating an actuator such that an enclosure containing pressurized fluid releases the pressurized fluid from the enclosure, the method including supplying the material to a first chamber, the method including moving a pin in a second chamber adjacent to the first chamber from a closed position to an open position, the open position being configured to allow a mixture of the material and the propelling fluid in the second chamber to enter from the second chamber, and delivering the mixture of the material and the propelling fluid in the second chamber to a target site.

[0016] 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]

[0017] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of a delivery system according to one exemplary embodiment. [Figure 2] 2 is a cross-sectional view of an enclosure of the delivery system of FIG. 1 according to one embodiment. [Figure 3] 3 is a cross-sectional view of the enclosure of FIG. 2 according to one embodiment. [Figure 4A] 10 is a cross-sectional view of an enclosure of the delivery system of FIG. 1 according to another embodiment. [Figure 4B] 1. FIG. 4 is a cutaway view of an enclosure of the delivery system of FIG. 1 according to another embodiment. [Figure 5] 10 is a cross-sectional view of an enclosure of the delivery system of FIG. 1 according to another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] The present disclosure is described with reference to exemplary medical systems for dispensing materials or agents (such as therapeutic or hemostatic agents) through the use of pressurized fluid. Devices associated with the medical systems may improve the functionality and / or safety of the medical systems by delivering regulated amounts of material to a target site. In some examples, an enclosure containing the material or agent may be supplied with pressurized fluid to agitate the material and deliver an appropriate dosage of the material.

[0019] References to any particular procedure are provided in this disclosure for convenience only and are not intended to limit the disclosure. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the concepts underlying the disclosed apparatus and application methods can be utilized in any suitable procedure (medical or otherwise). This disclosure can be understood with reference to the following description and accompanying drawings, in which like elements are referred to by the same reference numerals.

[0020] Both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only, and are therefore not limited to the features claimed. As used herein, the terms "comprising," "having," and other variations thereof are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that, for example, a process, method, article, or apparatus that includes a list of elements does not necessarily include only those elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.

[0021] For ease of explanation, portions of a device and / or components of a device will be referred to as proximal and distal. It should be noted that the term "proximal" is intended to refer to the portion of the device closer to the user, or upstream in the propulsion fluid path, and the term "distal" is intended to refer to the portion of the device farther from the user, or downstream in the propulsion fluid path. Similarly, "distally" extending indicates that a component extends in a distal direction, and "proximally" extending indicates that a component extends in a proximal direction. Furthermore, as used herein, the terms "about," "approximately," and "nearly" indicate a range of values ​​within + / - 10% of the stated or implied value. Additionally, terms referring to the geometry of a component / surface refer only to the approximate shape.

[0022] Referring to FIG. 1 , a delivery system 10 according to one embodiment is shown. The delivery system 10 includes an applicator device 20, such as a handheld device. The applicator device 20 has a handle 30 at its proximal end and one or more triggers or actuators 36 configured to actuate the delivery system 10 to expel a propellant fluid. A tube 100 (e.g., a catheter) or applicator tip can be attached to a distal outlet 34 of the delivery system 10 to assist in delivering the propellant fluid and / or a mixture of the propellant fluid and a medicant (e.g., a hemostatic agent, drug, or other pharmaceutical agent) to a desired location. By way of example, the outlet 34 can include a male or female luer fitting, but is not limited to this configuration.

[0023] The containment device 50 (e.g., a cartridge or enclosure) may be contained within the handle 30 or may be attached to the handle 30. The containment device 50 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 torpedo-shaped device, the containment device 50 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 50 may be a carbon dioxide tank or cylinder typically found in a medical facility, such as a hospital, and may be connected to the applicator 20 by a conduit (not shown). The containment device 50 includes one or more outer walls defining one or more internal chambers (not shown) configured to contain the propellant fluid. The walls of the containment device 50 may be formed of any material suitable for containing a propellant fluid, such as, but not limited to, an alloy, ceramic, or other material known in the art. The propellant fluid contained in the internal chamber of the containment device 50 may be under pressure. Accordingly, the walls are formed of a material and / or thickness suitable for containing a propellant fluid at pressures up to, for example, about 1200 pounds per square inch (PSI) or about 850 PSI. For example, gases that may be contained within containment device 20 include carbon dioxide (CO), which has a vapor pressure of about 2,000-8,000 kPa at standard device temperatures, or nitrogen (N), which has a vapor pressure of less than 40 MPa at standard device temperatures. It will be understood that these gases are by way of example only and are not limiting of the types of gases that may be contained within containment device 50.

[0024] With continued reference to FIG. 1 , the containment device 50 may be attached directly to the application device 20 by any attachment device 38, including, but not limited to, a threaded connector, a pressure washer adapter, a piercing pin and seal arrangement, or any other device known in the art. It will also be understood that the attachment device 38 or any other device for attaching the containment device 50 to the application device 20 may include an actuator 39 (e.g., a tab, button, etc.) for opening or rupturing a burst disc or pressure relief valve attached to the containment device 50 and / or the application device 20. The actuator 39 may be activated at the end of the procedure to release any residual propellant fluid from the containment device 50. An alarm, such as a tactile or audible alarm, may be generated when the containment device 20 is attached to the application device 20. Alternatively or additionally, the actuator 39 may include a piercing pin for piercing a seal or membrane of an opening in the containment device 50 to fluidly connect the containment device 50 to the application device 20.

[0025] In some cases, a cap 33 may be removably attached to the proximal-most end of the handle 30 and may control and / or assist in the attachment of the containment device 50 to the application device 20 within the handle 30. In some instances, the cap 33 may contact the proximal-most end of the containment device 50 and move or bias the containment device 50 toward the entrance 32 of the application device 20. The cap 33 may provide additional support to secure the containment device 50 to the application device 20. In some cases, the cap 33 may be movably connected to the handle 30 and may include a lever or similar handle (not shown) connected thereto. Movement of the lever may move the cap 33 proximally and distally relative to the handle 30. This movement may move the containment device 50 toward and away from the attachment device 38.

[0026] Once the storage device 50 is attached to the applicator 20, actuation of one or more actuators 36 (only a single actuator 36 is shown in FIG. 1 ) of the applicator 20 can cause propellant fluid to be expelled from the storage device 50, propagate through the applicator 20, and be expelled through the outlet 34 of the applicator 20 into the catheter 100. It will be understood that in some embodiments, only one actuator 36 may need to be actuated. Alternatively, or additionally, multiple actuators 36 can be actuated simultaneously to expel propellant fluid, for example, as a safety measure. In some cases, actuation of one or more actuators 36 can release pressure buildup within the delivery system 10, causing the regulator 40 to expel propellant fluid from the storage device 50 at a predetermined pressure. The applicator 20 can include a handle or grip, such as a garden hose handle or other piston-like structure. The actuator 36 can be any push button, trigger mechanism, or other device that, when actuated, opens a valve and expels propellant fluid.

[0027] As previously mentioned, one or more regulators 40 may assist in regulating the amount of propellant fluid released from the containment device 20 at a particular pressure. For example, the regulator 40 may be a two-stage regulator or two single-stage regulators, such as two piston regulators (aligned in series). The attachment device 38 may include a piercing pin for piercing the seal of the containment device 50 when the containment device 50 is attached to the applicator 20. The propellant fluid pressure may be further regulated by a membrane regulator 44 located in series after the regulator 40. The combination of the regulator 40 and the membrane regulator 44 may reduce the pressure of the gas from the containment device 20 to an acceptable outlet pressure (i.e., the pressure of the gas and any material at the outlet 34). The pressure of the gas in the delivery system 10 after the regulators 40, 44 in the tubing 48 of the applicator 20 and the pressure of the gas at the target area within the patient may be predetermined based on the tissue to which the gas and material are to be dispensed. Alternatively or additionally, the pressure of the gas after regulators 40, 44 can be determined based at least in part on the pressure required to open a valve in an enclosure containing the drug, as described herein below. The allowable pressure at outlet 34 can be approximately ±40% deviation from the target pressure or approximately ±25% deviation from the target pressure. For example, regulator 40 can reduce the inlet pressure of the dispensing propellant fluid to approximately 50-150 PSI (345-1.03 MPa), and membrane regulator 44 can then reduce the propellant fluid to approximately 30-40 PSI (207-276 KPa). According to one example, regulator 40 and membrane regulator 44 reduce the propellant fluid to its desired output pressure based on predetermined settings during manufacture. Alternatively or additionally, one or both of regulator 40 and membrane regulator 44 can include a mechanism (not shown) for adjusting the pressure of the propellant fluid output from each regulator. Additionally, the pressure of the driving fluid at the outlet of membrane regulator 44 may be approximately equal to the pressure of the driving fluid at outlet 34. Alternatively, the pressure of the driving fluid at outlet 34 may be different from the pressure of the driving fluid at the outlet of membrane regulator 44.In some cases, a burst or safety valve 22 may be present in the fluid passage of the tube 48 that may rupture or release if the pressure of the propellant fluid downstream of the regulators 40, 44 is greater than a threshold value. An example of a delivery system 10 incorporating one or more of the features described above is shown in U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 589,633, filed October 1, 2019, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0028] 1 and 2 show an enclosure 60 configured to contain a material P (e.g., a powder or other agent, such as a hemostatic agent). The enclosure 60 is configured to contain the material P away from the driving fluid path without sufficient pressure exerted by the driving fluid, as described herein below. Alternatively, the material P can be contained within the driving fluid path, and the outlet of the fluid passageway can be closed or otherwise blocked without sufficient pressure exerted by the driving fluid.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 2 , the enclosure 60 may include a body 62 connected to a housing 64. While the body 62 is shown as a cylindrical member, it may be of any suitable shape. The outer diameter of at least a portion of the outermost wall of the body 62 may be smaller than the inner diameter of at least a portion of the innermost wall of the housing 64. In this manner, a portion of the housing 64 may accommodate a portion of the body 62 to connect the body 62 to the housing 64. In some examples, the body 62 may be attached to the housing 64 via threads 62 a, 64 a. Alternatively, the body 62 may be connected to the housing 64 via adhesives, welding, or other known techniques for sealing an enclosure to a medical device. The membrane 76 described herein may be attached to the body 62 and / or the housing 64. For example, as shown in FIG. 2 , the radially outermost portion of the membrane 76 may be seated or otherwise attached (e.g., via adhesive) within an annular slot in the housing 64. Alternatively or additionally, the membrane 76 may be sandwiched between the body 62 and the housing 64. As will be explained in more detail, membrane 76 may define a wall between chamber 66 and chamber 68 .

[0030] With continued reference to Figure 2, chamber 66 is defined by the exterior walls of body 62 on three sides (e.g., the top and both sides in Figure 2) and membrane 76 at the bottom of chamber 66 in Figure 2. Although chamber 66 is shown as being generally cylindrical, chamber 66 may take any shape suitable for containing and dispensing material P. The volume of chamber 66 is approximately 5.1 cm 3 ~21.6cm 3 (2 inches 3 ~8.5 inches 3 For example, the volume of chamber 66 may be increased or decreased based on, for example, the amount of material P, the particle size of material P, the type of medical procedure being performed using delivery system 10, and / or other factors.

[0031] The pin 70 may extend into the chamber 66 and may be movable relative to the chamber 66. A lumen 72 is defined through the top wall of the body 62, FIG. 2. The lumen 72 may accommodate a portion of the pin 70 as it moves relative to the chamber 66. The diameter of the outermost surface of the pin 70 may be approximately equal to the diameter of the innermost wall defining the lumen 72. Additionally or alternatively, a seal (not shown), such as a rubber sealing ring, may be disposed at the proximal end of the lumen 72 (at the bottom region of the lumen 72, FIG. 2) to seal the lumen 72 from the chamber 66. This seal may prevent the propellant fluid and / or material P from entering the lumen 72 during use.

[0032] A cap 63 may cover the top of the body 62, as shown in FIG. 2 . A spring 74 may extend from the cap 63, be attached to the cap 63 at a first end, extend into the lumen 72, and be attached to the top facing surface of the pin 70 via a second end opposite the first end. As described herein, the spring 74 may bias the pin 70 toward the membrane 76 in a closed position (e.g., a first position) opposite the direction of arrow S in FIG. 3 . Additionally or alternatively, the lumen 72 may be exposed to the outside atmosphere to help the pin 70 achieve the closed position when no propellant gas is flowing, as described herein below. For example, the pin 70 may be biased to the closed position by a combination of spring force from the spring 74 and the pressure of the outside atmosphere.

[0033] 2 and 3, the bottom end of pin 70 (the end opposite the end connected to spring 74) may be rounded or tapered. The tapered end of pin 70 may seal the proximal-most opening of lumen 102 of tube 100 when pin 70 is in the closed position. In other cases, some (or all) of pores 78 may not be covered or may only be partially covered by pin 70. The opening of lumen 102 may be the outlet of chamber 66. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the tapered end of pin 70 may seat against the surface of membrane 76 facing chamber 66 to seal the proximal-most end of lumen 102 (e.g., the path out of chamber 66). When the driving fluid is at sufficient pressure to overcome the force of spring 74 and / or the pressure of the external atmosphere, pin 70 may move in the direction of arrow S, as shown in FIG. 3, to expose the proximal-most opening of lumen 102, as described herein.

[0034] Referring to FIG. 2 , membrane 76 may be Y-shaped, funnel-shaped, or conical, with its walls tapering from the sidewall of body 64 away from chamber 66. According to one example, at least a portion of membrane 76 may have a shape similar to the tapered shape of pin 70. Membrane 76 may include a plurality of pores 78 fluidly connecting chamber 66 to chamber 68. The diameter of pores 78 may be large enough to allow fluid gas (e.g., propellant fluid) to enter chamber 66 from chamber 68 in the direction indicated by arrow B, but small enough to prevent material P from entering chamber 66 through pores 78. In some examples, pores 78 may include a lattice structure that forms random pathways from a first side of membrane 76 to a second side opposite the first side. The diameter of pores 78 may be approximately 0.038 mm to 0.10 mm (approximately 0.0015 inches to 0.004 inches). However, the diameter of the pores 78 may be greater than 100 micrometers. Furthermore, each pore 78 may have the same diameter from the first side to the second side of the membrane 76, or the diameter of some pores 78 may vary from the first side to the second side of the membrane 76. It will be understood that the diameter of the pores 78 may be selected based on the size of the particles of material P contained within the chamber 68. For example, the diameter of the pores 78 may be larger if the size of the particles of material P is larger, and vice versa. Additionally, the shape and size of the interstices may be uniform, and the distribution of the interstices about the membrane, or the size, shape, and dispersion, may be varied as needed.

[0035] 2 and 3, chamber 68 is formed between the proximal-most surface of membrane 76 (the bottom surface of membrane 76 in FIGS. 2 and 3) and housing 64. Tube 48 allows fluid to enter chamber 68 from regulators 40, 44 (downstream of the fluid passageway of containment device 50) upon actuation of one or more actuators 36. For example, fluid flows from containment device 50 through regulators 40, 44, tube 48, and into chamber 68 in the direction indicated by arrow A.

[0036] When the driving fluid is not activated and therefore does not flow into chamber 68, or when the driving fluid flowing into chamber 68 is below a threshold value (sufficient pressure to overcome the spring force of spring 74 and / or external atmospheric pressure), pin 70 remains in the closed position (FIG. 2). However, when the driving fluid pressure is sufficient to overcome the spring force of spring 72 and / or external atmospheric pressure, the driving fluid pushes against the tapered portion of pin 70 and urges pin 70 in the direction indicated by arrow S in FIG. 3 and toward an open position (e.g., the second position). In the open position, a distance D is defined between the proximal-most abutting surface of the tapered surface of pin 70 and the distal-most abutting surface of membrane 70. Distance D may be a distance suitable for the mixture of driving fluid and material P to flow from chamber 66 through lumen 102 of tube 100 to the target site. For example, distance D may be between about 1.58 mm and about 6.35 mm (about 0.0625 inches and about 0.25 inches). However, it is understood that distance D may be selected to be large enough to allow unimpeded flow of the mixture from chamber 66 through an outlet within chamber 66 to the proximal-most end of lumen 102, as shown by arrow C in FIG. 3 . In some cases, pin 70 may be in a third position between the first and second positions. The third position may allow a space to form between pin 70 and membrane 76, but may not be large enough to allow material P to enter lumen 102. In this case, material P may be agitated by the propellant fluid prior to delivering the mixture to the target site. Pin 70 may be moved to the third position by the pressure of the propellant gas exceeding a first threshold and falling below a second threshold (e.g., the first threshold may be sufficient to begin moving spring 74, and the second threshold may be sufficient to overcome the full spring force or additional amount of spring 74).

[0037] A method of applying an agent (e.g., a medical agent or a hemostatic agent) to a target site using medical system 10 will be described with reference to Figures 1-3. Storage device 50 is attached to handle 30 (e.g., via attachment device 38). In one example, storage device 50 is inserted into the lumen of handle 30 and moved toward inlet 32, e.g., via cap 33. In another example, tubing (such as medical tubing with a propellant gas) can be used to connect storage device 50 to inlet 32. At this time, pin 70 is biased against membrane 76 and the proximal-most opening of lumen 102, as shown in Figure 2.

[0038] Once the propellant gas supply is fluidly connected to the applicator 20, a user may activate the medical system 10 by actuating one or more actuators 36. Actuation of one or more actuators 36 causes propellant fluid to flow from the containment device 50, through the regulators 40, 44, and along the tube 48 into the chamber 68, as indicated by arrow A in FIG. 2. When the propellant fluid fills the chamber 68, the pressure of the propellant fluid flowing into the chamber 68 through the capillary pore 78 may move the pin 70 and spring 74 in the direction indicated by arrow S ( FIG. 3 ). For example, the spring 74 may be selected to have a spring force less than the pressure of the pressurized fluid through the regulators 40, 44. That is, the regulators 40, 44 may allow the propellant fluid to enter the chamber 68 with sufficient pressure to overcome the spring force of the spring 74. In this manner, the pin 70 is moved in the direction indicated by arrow S.

[0039] In some cases, the proximal-most end of the pin 70 covers every pore 78. In other cases, some (or all) of the pores 78 are uncovered or only partially covered by the pin 70. When the propellant gas enters the chamber 66 through the pores 78 (in the direction indicated by arrow B), the propellant fluid mixes with the material P. In some cases, the propellant fluid may mix with the material P before the pin 70 is moved from the closed position to the open position. With the pin 70 in the open position, as shown in FIG. 3, the mixture of the propellant fluid and the material P may be delivered to the target site through the lumen 102. When the user deactivates the actuator 36, the pin 70 moves in the direction opposite arrow S and returns to the closed position (FIG. 2). Actuating the actuator 36 again (e.g., a second time) may cause the propellant fluid to flow into the chamber 68 and move the pin 70 to the open position of FIG. 3. In this manner, the user may selectively deliver the material P to the target tissue in a controlled manner.

[0040] 4A and 4B, two alternative embodiments for returning the pins 70', 70" to the closed position are shown. In FIG. 4A, the spring 74' may be integrally formed with the housing 62. For example, a portion of the spring 74' may be partially embedded within the housing 62 (e.g., during molding of the housing 62). In this example, the spring 74' may surround the outer circumference of at least a portion of the pin 70'. The pin 70' may include a protrusion 70a' to connect the spring 74' to the pin 70'. The protrusion 70a' may be an annular ring, or the protrusion 70a' may include one or more protrusions around the outer circumference of the pin 70' to which the spring 74' may connect. In this case, the spring 74' may be stationary and the pin 70' may move relative to the lumen 72'.

[0041] 4B, spring 74" is disposed within lumen 72" of housing 62. In this example, spring 74" may not be formed with housing 62. Rather, spring 74" may be connected to body 62 and / or cap 63 at a first end and attached to pin 70" at one or more points along spring 74". Spring 74" surrounds a portion of pin 70". In both FIGS. 4A and 4B, a seal, such as an annular seal, may be disposed at the proximal end of lumens 72', 72" to seal lumens 72', 72" and prevent propellant fluid and / or material P from entering lumens 72', 72".

[0042] Referring to FIG. 5 , another example pin 70′″ is shown with a protrusion 70A′″ extending proximally from the proximal-most tip of the pin 70′″. The protrusion 70A′″ can extend into the lumen 102 of the tube 100. The diameter of the radially outermost surface of the protrusion 70A′″ can be smaller than the diameter of the radially innermost surface defining the lumen 102, allowing the protrusion 70A′″ to move relative to the lumen 102. As the pin 70′″ moves in the direction indicated by arrow S, the protrusion 70A′″ can move out of the lumen 102 such that a portion of the protrusion 70A′″ is disposed within the chamber 66. The outer diameter of the protrusion 70A′″ and the inner diameter of the lumen 102 allow an annular space between the protrusion 70A′″ and the wall of the lumen 102. This annular space is large enough to allow the inflow of pressurized fluid but small enough not to allow the inflow of material P into the lumen 102. In some instances, the outer diameter of the protrusion 70A'" can be approximately 0.13 mm to 1.3 mm (approximately 0.005 inches to 0.050 inches). While the protrusion 70A'" is shown as cylindrical, its shape can be, but is not limited to, a cone, a parabola that reduces to a point, or an ellipse. In some examples, the inner diameter of the lumen 102 can be approximately 1.3 mm to 3.16 mm (approximately 0.050 inches to 0.125 inches). For example, when the propellant fluid is released into the chamber 68, the pressure of the propellant fluid may be insufficient to overcome the spring force of the spring 74'" to move the pin 70'" from a closed position (e.g., FIG. 2) to a fully open position (e.g., FIG. 3). At least a portion of the protrusion 70A'" can remain within the lumen 102 until the pressure of the propellant fluid in the chamber 68 is sufficient to completely overcome the spring force of the spring 74. This may be beneficial to aid in clearing lumen 102 (e.g., to remove any material trapped by lumen 102) without supplying material P from chamber 66 back into lumen 102. Additionally or alternatively, the user may mix or agitate material P in chamber 66 prior to releasing the mixture of propellant fluid and material P. For example, one or more actuators 36 may include one or more settings for releasing the propellant fluid at a predetermined pressure.In some cases, one or more actuators 36 may be actuated to emit propellant fluid at a pressure sufficient to clear the lumen 102 and / or mix the material P within the chamber 66. In other cases, one or more actuators 36 may be actuated to emit propellant fluid at a pressure sufficient to overcome the spring force of the spring 74''' and move the pin 70''' to a fully open position, allowing a mixture of the propellant fluid and the material P to move into the lumen 102 (e.g., as shown by arrow C in FIG. 3 ). For example, one or more actuators 36 may be depressed to a first position to emit propellant fluid at a first pressure range and to a second position to emit propellant fluid at a second pressure range different from the first pressure range. Alternatively or additionally, a first actuator 36 may emit propellant fluid at a first pressure range, and a second actuator 36 may emit propellant fluid at a second pressure range.

[0043] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the disclosed apparatus without departing from the scope of the invention. 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 the true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims.

Claims

1. 1. A medical device configured to deliver a material by using a pressurized fluid, comprising: the medical device comprises an enclosure having a first chamber and a second chamber separated by a membrane and an outlet; the medical device includes a pin configured to move within the enclosure between a first position and a second position; The medical device, wherein the proximal end of the pin is configured to block the outlet when the pin is in the first position.

2. The medical device of claim 1 , wherein the membrane includes a plurality of pores fluidly connecting the first chamber and the second chamber.

3. The medical device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the second chamber is configured to contain the material, and the membrane is configured to prevent the material from migrating from the second chamber to the first chamber.

4. The medical device of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first chamber includes an inlet, and the pressurized fluid is configured to enter the first chamber via the inlet.

5. The medical device of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the pin is configured to move from the first position when the pressure of the pressurized fluid exceeds a pressure threshold.

6. The medical device of any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a spring configured to bias the pin in the first position.

7. 7. The medical device of claim 6, wherein the pin is configured to move from the first position when the pressure of the pressurized fluid overcomes the spring force of the spring on the pin.

8. 7. The medical device of claim 6, wherein the pin is configured to move from the first position when the pressure of the pressurized fluid overcomes the spring force of the spring on the pin and the external atmospheric pressure on the pin.

9. 9. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the distance between the proximal end of the pin and the membrane when the pin is in the second position is sufficient to allow at least a portion of the material to move from the second chamber into the outlet.

10. The medical device of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the pin is configured to move from the second position to the first position when the pressure of the pressurized fluid falls below the pressure threshold.

11. 11. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the pin includes a protrusion configured to extend into an opening of the outlet in the first position, configured to be positioned completely outside the opening of the outlet in the second position, and configured to be positioned at least partially within the opening of the outlet in a third position of the pin between the first and second positions, wherein when the pin is in the third position, the pressurized fluid is able to flow from the second chamber through the opening and the material is prevented from flowing from the second chamber through the opening.

12. 5. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the pin is configured to be moved to a third position between the first position and the second position when a pressure of the pressurized fluid in the first chamber is greater than a first threshold and less than a second threshold.

13. 13. The medical device of claim 12, wherein the pressurized fluid is configured to enter the second chamber from the first chamber when the pin is in the third position, but the material is configured to remain in the second chamber when the pin is in the third position.

14. 14. The medical device of any one of claims 1 to 13, further comprising an actuator configured to supply the pressurized fluid to the first chamber when the actuator is actuated.

15. a body having an input opening for receiving the pressurized fluid and an output opening for delivering the pressurized fluid, the body defining a fluid passage between the input opening and the output opening; a handle configured to receive an enclosure containing the pressurized fluid; The medical device of any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the enclosure is configured to be attached to the body and to form part of the fluid passageway between the input opening and the output opening.

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