Abstract:
The present invention relates to an ultrasonic syringe and method of use for delivery and withdrawal of fluids from a human and/or animal patient. The ultrasonic syringe apparatus comprises a generator, a movable ultrasound transducer, a barrel, an ultrasound transducer tip, a radiation surface, an orifice located at the front end of the barrel, and a syringe head. The apparatus may further comprise a channel, a valve located on the distal end of the channel, and an orifice within the side wall which enables fluids to be delivered into the barrel. Ultrasonic waves emitting from the radiation surface induce vibrations within the fluids, sonicating the fluids, thereby eliminating the pain and discomfort associated with receiving injections, reducing and/or eliminating the force required to administer the injection, decreasing delivery time of the fluids into the body, and delivering ultrasonic energy to the tissue via the sonicated fluids.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a medical apparatus method for the delivery or withdrawal of fluids from a patient, and more particularly, to an ultrasonic syringe. 
     Various infections, conditions, and diseases of the body can be difficult to treat with out the administering of medications via transdermal injections. Different types of fluids, such as, but not limited to, medications, vaccines, water, saline solutions, and blood products can be injected into the body or withdrawn from the body. In medical practice, such fluids are administered in several ways, such as, but not limited to subcutaneously, intravenously, and/or intramuscularly depending on an identified treatment purpose. Also, injections are the best way to deliver a precise dose of medication quickly. When given, fluids such as drugs are immediately delivered to the blood stream, and tend to take effect more quickly than when given by any other route. 
     The fluids are typically administered to the patient or withdrawn from the patient by a practitioner, who may be a physician, nurse, orderly, nurse practitioner, or other such individual. 
     A typical manual syringe is a device for introducing and/or injecting fluids into or withdrawing them from the body. Generally, a syringe consists of a hypodermic needle attached to a hollow cylinder that is fitted with a sliding plunger. Fluid is expelled from the syringe when the plunger is depressed. Physical force is needed to push in the plunger in order to discharge fluid into the patient&#39;s body. The practitioner administering the injection is required to use physical force to discharge the fluid from the syringe into the body. Such use of physical force can cause injury not only to the patient but also to the practitioner administering the injections. 
     The physical force required to administer the injection causes tension and/or pain on the practitioner&#39;s arms, shoulders, fingers and/or thumb, especially since several injections are administered to different patients each day. Furthermore, it is very painful for the patient when the hypodermic needle is inserted into the body with such physical force. The patient is typically already in pain and receiving the injection should not increase the pain. 
     These manual syringe devices provide uneven thumb and/or finger pressure when injection is being, delivered, the practitioner has very little control over the flow rate of the fluid exiting the hypodermic needle, there is also very poor control of hypodermic needle tip which can lead to damage to skin, tissue and/or veins, and generally unnecessary pain and discomfort in patient. 
     Various powered and/or electrical syringes are also present in the prior art. These devices were developed to overcome the problems associated with manual syringes, however, these electronically and/or mechanically powered syringes are not without problems. These devices do not reduce and/or eliminate the pain and discomfort associated with receiving injections, sonicate fluids prior to and during delivery into the body, and are sometimes cumbersome to use. 
     Current syringes fail to eliminate the pain and/or discomfort associated with administering an injection to the body of a patient. Additionally, such syringes fail to decrease drug delivery time and force required in administering the injection. Hence, there is a need for a syringe with faster administration time, eliminating the pressure on the practitioner&#39;s arms, shoulders, fingers and/or thumb, especially since several injections are administered to different patients each day, therefore increasing the quality of work life for the practitioner, and reducing the time spent delivering drugs via injections to the body. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Apparatus and methods in accordance with the present inventions may resolve many of the needs and shortcomings discussed above and will provide additional improvements and advantages as will be recognized by those skilled in the art upon review of the present disclosure. 
     The present inventions provide an ultrasonic syringe for delivering and withdrawing fluids from the body. The ultrasonic syringe apparatus comprises an ultrasound generator, a movable ultrasound transducer, a transducer tip at the distal end of the ultrasound transducer, a radiation surface at distal end of transducer tip, a barrel, and a syringe head. 
     The apparatus of the present invention may further comprise an attachment stub configured into the barrel. The attachment stub may include a valve for the regulation of the flow of fluid into the barrel. Ultrasonic waves emitting through the transducer tip at the radiation surface may sonicate fluid contained within the cavity defined by the barrel and the transducer tip by inducing vibrations within these fluids. The sonicated fluids may then be injected into the body through a hypodermic needle that may be attached to the syringe head. This use in sonodynamic therapy provides for the activation of therapeutic agents by the ultrasound essentially at the same time it is being administered to the body. 
     Sonicating fluids prior and during delivery to the body provides several advantages to the patient, such as, but not limited to, elimination and/or reduction of pain and discomfort from receiving the injection, elimination of tissue damage during injection, and reduction of infection in the patient as a result of the anesthetic and antimicrobial properties of ultrasound. 
     The ultrasonic syringe may enable the practitioner administering the injection to do so without applying physical force, therefore, physical force may be decreased and/or eliminated. The ultrasonic waves emitted from the radiation surface within the barrel may push the fluids through the hypodermic needle into the body. 
     Injecting fluids subcutaneously, intravenously, intramuscularly, and/or through catheters into the body with the present invention may entail filling the cavity portion of the ultrasonic syringe barrel with the selected fluids, activating the transducer and depressing the ultrasound transducer. The ultrasound transducer may be depressed manually or mechanically. When depressed manually, minimal force may be required to push the transducer down because the ultrasonic waves emitting from the radiation surface reduces the physical force required by the practitioner to depress the transducer. The ultrasound waves emitting through the radiation surface at the distal end of the ultrasound tip induce vibrations within the barrel causing the fluids to be sonicated. The pumping action provided by the ultrasound energy emitted from the ultrasound transducer may also be controlled by adjusting the amplitude of the ultrasonic vibrations. Sonicated fluids may move through the orifice located at the front end of the barrel to the syringe head, and may be injected into the patient&#39;s body. 
     The ultrasonic syringe also has the ability of enhancing therapeutic effects and reducing the force required for injection by changing the viscosity of the fluid being injected through the action of the ultrasound energy on the fluid physical properties. 
     The present invention may be used to introduce and/or deliver fluids into the body. Activating the ultrasound transducer creates vibrations within the transducer tip resulting in the emission of ultrasonic waves from the radiation surface. The ultrasonic waves induce vibrations within the fluids in the barrel. Ultrasonic waves coming in contact with the fluids sonicate and activate the fluids as they are delivered into the body. 
     The barrel of the present invention holds the fluid before it may be injected into the body of a patient. The width of the barrel may be variable and depends on the use; such as use on a human body, or use on an animal, and/or on the amount of fluids needed. The barrel may be fabricated from a disposable and/or autoclavable plastic material, polymer, metal, glass, and/or any combination thereof. Material selection may be based on the desired effect of the barrel on the emitted ultrasound waves. Depending on the particular application, it may be desirable for the barrel to reflect ultrasound waves, adsorb ultrasound waves or transmit ultrasound waves and materials of construction would be selected accordingly. The barrel may be formed in a variety of shapes such as, but not limited to cylindrical, oval and/or rectangular. The back end may be the area opposite and away from the syringe head. The front end of the barrel may be located at the proximal end of the syringe head. An orifice located at the front end of the barrel serves to transport the fluids out of the barrel. An orifice located at the back end of the barrel receives the transducer tip within the barrel. 
     The ultrasound transducer of the present invention may be located at the back end of the barrel. The ultrasound transducer may be imbedded into the barrel and/or detachable from the barrel. An ultrasound generator may be connected to the ultrasound transducer. The ultrasound generator and transducer may be a single piece imbedded into each other. Alternatively, the ultrasound transducer may be battery operated. The ultrasound transducer may be a movable part that slides forward and backwards within the barrel. Sliding forward, the ultrasound transducer pushes the fluids in the barrel towards an orifice located at the front end of the barrel. Emitted ultrasonic energy eases the push of the fluids, consequently, the fluids in the barrel exit the orifice moving through the hypodermic needle into the patient&#39;s body. 
     The present invention may also be used to withdraw fluids, such as, but not limited to blood samples, from the body of a human and/or animal patient. After the hypodermic needle may be introduced into the body from which the fluid sample may be to be withdrawn, the ultrasound transducer may be activated creating a vacuum within the barrel. The ultrasound transducer may be pulled back away from the front end of the barrel manually and/or by mechanical means. As the transducer may be pulled back away from the front end of the barrel towards the back end, ultrasonic waves induce vibrations within the drawn fluids in the barrel. 
     Alternatively, fluids may be introduced into the barrel through one or multiple orifices within the side wall of the barrel. In an alternative embodiment, the present invention may comprise an orifice located within the side wall of the barrel, and a valve. The orifice may further comprise a channel originating from the orifice located within the side wall of the barrel and terminating at a valve. The valve may be located at the distal end of the channel. Fluids may be delivered to the barrel through the valve. The valve further prevents fluids from flowing back out from the orifice within the side wall of the barrel into the channel. The valve may be manually and/or mechanically controlled. 
     At least one of the materials may, but need not, be a carrier for at least one of the other materials utilized. Acceptable carriers may include, but are not limited to, water, a saline solution, and/or alcohol. At least one of the materials may, but need not, be a pharmaceutical or therapeutic agent. Preferably, at least one of the materials is preferably capable of eliciting a positive therapeutic effect, such as, but not limited to oxygen. 
     The vibrations induced by the ultrasound energy in the barrel, and the sonicated fluids reduce patient pain during the administration of the injection. Penetration force may be also decreased. The ultrasonic waves reduce the physical force required to administer the injection, hence, reducing the tension and/or eliminating the pain in the practitioners arms, shoulders, fingers and/or thumb. Ultrasonic waves may be also delivered to the tissue via sonicated fluids providing therapeutic benefits to the patient. 
     Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, and from the claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a dimensional schematic view of aspects of an exemplary embodiment of an ultrasonic syringe according to the present inventions. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a schematic view of aspects of an embodiment of an ultrasonic syringe according to the present inventions; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a side view of aspects of an exemplary embodiment of an ultrasonic syringe according to the present invention including an attachment stub. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The figures generally illustrate embodiments of an ultrasonic syringe  10  including aspects of the present inventions. The particular exemplary embodiments of the ultrasonic syringe  10  illustrated in the figures have been chosen for ease of explanation and understanding of various aspects of the present inventions. These illustrated embodiments are not meant to limit the scope of coverage but instead to assist in understanding the context of the language used in this specification and the appended claims. Accordingly, many variations from the illustrated embodiments may be encompassed by the appended claims. 
     The present inventions provide an ultrasonic syringe  10  for the delivery of fluids  25  to a patient or the withdrawal of fluids  25  from a patient. The ultrasonic syringe  10  according to the present invention may provide increased comfort to the patient as well as to the practitioner administering the fluid  25 . The effectiveness of the delivery of the fluid  25  may also be increased by the ultrasonic syringe  10  according to the present inventions. 
     As generally illustrated throughout the Figures, the ultrasonic syringe  10  generally includes an ultrasound generator  15  connected to a movable ultrasound transducer  20 . A transducer tip  30  may be located at the distal end of the ultrasound transducer  20 . The distal end of the transducer tip  30  may be configured as a radiation surface  40 . At least portions of the transducer tip may be slideably received inside a barrel  50 . An orifice  60  located at the front end of barrel  50  defines a passage  56  to syringe head  70 . Hypodermic needle  140  may be affixed to syringe head  70 . Fluid  25  may be loaded into the barrel  50  of the ultrasonic syringe  10  and sonicated by the radiation surface of the transducer tip  30  as the fluid is injected from the barrel  50  through the hypodermic needle  140  into a patient. Similarly, fluid may be sonicated by the radiation surface  40  of the transducer tip  30  while the fluid  25  is withdrawn through the hypodermic needle  140  into the barrel  50  of the ultrasonic syringe  10  from the patient. 
     The ultrasound generator  15  may produce an electrical signal having various frequencies. The electrical signal may be then supplied to the ultrasound transducer  20  to drive the ultrasound transducer  20 . A power source such as a battery or mains electric may be connected to the ultrasound generator  15  to provide electrical power to the ultrasound generator  15  for generation of the electrical signal. The ultrasound generator  15  may be configured to produce an electrical signal having a constant signal frequency or may be configured to produce an electrical signal having a variable signal frequency controllable by, for example, the practitioner. 
     In some embodiments, the signal frequency may be controlled automatically by the ultrasound generator  15 . Such embodiments of the ultrasound generator may include feedback from the ultrasound transducer  20  and/or the transducer tip  30  so that the ultrasound generator  10  may detect resonance of the transducer tip  30 . The ultrasound generator  10  may then adjust the frequency of the electrical signal in order to resonate the transducer tip  30 . 
     The ultrasound transducer  20  converts the electrical signal supplied by the ultrasound generator  15  into a mechanical oscillation. The transducer tip  30  may be mechanically connected to the ultrasound transducer  20  so that the mechanical oscillation may be transmitted to the transducer tip  30  by the ultrasound transducer  20  to excite the transducer tip  30 . The mechanical oscillation has an oscillation frequency that generally corresponds to the signal frequency supplied to the ultrasound transducer  20  by the ultrasound generator  15 . Thus, the transducer tip  30  may be excited by the ultrasound transducer  20  at an oscillation frequency that generally corresponds to the signal frequency supplied to the ultrasound transducer  20  by the ultrasound generator  15 . 
     The signal driving the ultrasound transducer may be a sinusoidal wave, square wave, triangular wave, trapezoidal wave, or any combination thereof. 
     The ultrasound transducer  20  may use piezoelectric crystals which have the property of changing size in response to changes in voltage to excite the transducer tip  30 . Alternatively, the ultrasound transducer  20  may employ magnetostrictive materials or may be configured in other ways that would be recognized by those skilled in the art upon review of the present disclosure. 
     The transducer tip  30  may be excited at an oscillation frequency by the ultrasound transducer  20 , which may induce a corresponding tip vibration in the transducer tip  30 . The tip frequency, meaning the frequency at which the transducer tip  30  vibrates, may generally approximate the oscillation frequency and harmonics of the oscillation frequency of the ultrasound transducer  20 . Accordingly, the tip frequency of the transducer tip  30  may be controlled by adjusting the signal frequency produced by the ultrasound generator  15  and, hence, the oscillation frequency of the ultrasound transducer  20 . 
     The horn utilized may be capable of vibrating in resonance at a frequency of approximately 16 kHz or greater. The ultrasonic vibrations traveling down the horn may have an amplitude of approximately 1 micron or greater. It is preferred that the horn utilized be capable of vibrating in resonance at a frequency between approximately 20 kHz and approximately 200 kHz. 
     The transducer tip  30  may be configured to resonate generally at the signal frequency of range of signal frequencies produced by the ultrasound generator  15  so that the transducer tip  30  resonates when exited by the ultrasound transducer  20 . The transducer tip  30  may be configured with a radiation surface  40  which may be generally a distal portion of the transducer tip  30 . Ultrasonic waves  90  generated by excitation of the transducer tip  30  may then emanate from the radiation surface  40 . 
     The barrel  50  of the ultrasonic syringe  10  defines an interior barrel surface  52  and an exterior barrel surface  54 , and the interior barrel surface  52  defines a passage  56 . Portions of the transducer tip  30  including the radiation surface  40  may extend into the passage  56  and may be sealably and slideably received within said passage  56  so that the portions of the transducer tip  30  including the radiation surface  40  in combination with the interior barrel surface  52  define a cavity  58  capable of containing the fluid  25  with the passage  56 . A seal  80  or combination of seals  80  may be provided in some embodiments such that the transducer tip  30  may be sealably received within the passage  56 . The seal  80  may be constructed of a resilient elastomer to reduce the transmission of vibrations from the transducer tip to the barrel and the hypodermic needle  140 . A portion of the cavity  58  may be defined by the radiation surface  40  so that ultrasonic waves emitted from the radiation surface would be directed into the fluid  25  contained within the cavity  58  to sonicate the fluid  25 . 
     The barrel  50  may also be configured with a syringe head, which may be a point of attachment for a hypodermic needle  140 . The syringe head  70  may be formed in portions of the exterior barrel surface  54 . Various features may be included in the syringe head  70  for the attachment of a hypodermic needle  140  such as seals and threading. In some embodiments, a portion of the interior barrel surface  52  may be configured as an orifice  60  to form a path of fluid communication between the cavity  58  and the syringe head  70  so that fluid  25  may pass between the cavity  58  and the hypodermic needle  140  attached at the syringe head through the orifice  60  for delivery to or withdrawal from the patient. 
     The hypodermic needle  140  may be a hollow needle that defines a needle lumen  146  from a proximal needle end  144  to a distal needle end  142  through which the fluid  25  may pass for delivery to or from a patient. The hypodermic needle  140  may be made of stainless steel or other suitable materials. The proximal needle end  144  may be configured for attachment to the ultrasonic syringe  10  at the syringe head  70 . When attached to the ultrasonic syringe  10 , the needle lumen  146  may be in fluid communication with the cavity  58  so that fluid  25  may pass between the cavity  58  and the distal needle end  142 . The distal needle end  142  may be formed into a point, may include a sharpened edge, and otherwise configured to readily puncture skin and other bodily tissues. The hypodermic needle  140  may be of various sizes which may be selected by the practitioner depending upon the particular application. 
     In some embodiments, the volume of the cavity  58  may be adjusted by sliding the transducer tip  30  within the passage  56 . By sliding the transducer within the passage  56 , fluid  25  may be forced from the cavity  58  through the orifice  60  and through the hypodermic needle  140  and delivered to the patient. Similarly, by sliding the transducer tip  30  within the passage  56 , fluid  25  may be withdrawn from the patient through the hypodermic needle  140  attached at the syringe head  70 , through the orifice  60  and into the cavity  58 . Such embodiments would be useful, for example, for the delivery of a single measured dose of fluid  25  to a patient. Accordingly, the barrel may include various marking indicative of the volume of the cavity  58  passed upon the position of the transducer tip  30  within the passage  56 . 
     In other embodiments, the volume of the cavity  58  may remain relatively constant. In these embodiments, the barrel  50  may further include an attachment stub  130  configured, for example, to allow fluid communication between a reservoir and the ultrasonic syringe  10  so that the ultrasonic syringe could be used to deliver, for example, saline solution to the patient. The attachment stub  130  may be configured in various ways to enable connection of the ultrasonic syringe  10  to the reservoir of fluid  25  and may include various attachment mechanisms as would be understood by those skilled in the art upon review of this disclosure. A tube, for example, may be attached to the reservoir and to the attachment stub  130 . The tube may be attached to a reservoir to form a path of fluid communication between the reservoir and the cavity  58  which passes through the tube and through the attachment stub  130 . The attachment feature may include a valve  110  configured to control the flux of fluid  25  through the attachment stub  130 . Such embodiments may be useful for a more continuous delivery of fluid  25  to or from the patient. 
     The ultrasound energy may be used to activate the therapeutic agent either directly or indirectly through oxygenation, the production of free radicals and/or ozone. The potential for ultrasound to produce cavitation and micro-streaming can be utilized for some embodiments. 
     Turning now to the Figures, aspects of the present inventions including the ultrasonic syringe  10  may be depicted in  FIG. 1 . The ultrasonic syringe  10  comprises an ultrasound generator  15  connected to a movable ultrasound transducer  20 , a transducer tip  30  located at the distal end of the ultrasound transducer  20 , a radiation surface  40  at the distal end of the transducer tip  30 , a barrel  50 , an orifice  60  located at the front end of barrel  50  and a syringe head  70 . The ultrasound transducer  20  may be integral with the transducer tip  30  as to form a single part. Alternatively, the ultrasound transducer  20  may be a separate piece attached to the transducer tip  30  by mechanical or other means. The means of attaching the ultrasound transducer  20  to the transducer tip  30  may be such as to allow the ultrasound transducer  20  to be removed and replaced by the practitioner. Transducer tip  30  may be formed in a variety of shapes, such as, but not limited to, flat, round, and/or any combination thereof. Ultrasound transducer  20  may be integral with the barrel  50  so as to form a single part. Alternatively, the ultrasound transducer  20  may be a separate piece attached to barrel  50  by mechanical or other means. It may be preferable to have ultrasound transducer  20  detachable from barrel  50 . A detachable and/or removable ultrasound transducer  20  from the barrel  50  enables the practitioner to change barrel  50 , clean and/or sanitize ultrasound transducer  20  and/or barrel  50 . Furthermore, the ability to change barrel  50  reduces the spread of diseases. Ultrasound transducer  20  may be connected to ultrasound generator  15 . Alternatively, ultrasound transducer  20  may be battery operated whereby the battery (not shown) is inserted and/or imbedded into the ultrasound transducer  20 . 
       FIG. 1  depicts a side view of an embodiment of the ultrasonic syringe  10  apparatus of the present invention where ultrasound transducer  20  may be slideably disposed inside the barrel  50 . As illustrated in this embodiment, a portion of the barrel may be configured to define an aperture  100  configured so that the transducer tip  30  may slideably pass through the aperture  100 . 
     As the ultrasound transducer  20  may be activated, ultrasonic waves  90  traveling at a preselected frequency, amplitude, intensity and/or signal form may be sent through the ultrasound transducer  20  to the transducer tip  30  and emitted from the radiation surface  40 . Radiation surface  40  of the present invention may be formed in a variety of shapes, such as, but not limited to, flat, conical, rounded and/or any combination thereof. A flat surface may be preferred for embodiments that do not prefer focusing of the ultrasound waves. The proximal end of barrel  50  may be the area in which the ultrasound transducer  20  may be either attached permanently and/or detachable from the barrel  50 . The syringe head  70  may be located at the distal end of barrel  50 . Alternatively, barrel  50  may have an opening or orifice  60  located at the back end that receives a detachable and/or removable ultrasound transducer  20 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , a seal  80  prevents fluid  25  from exiting the cavity  58  by passing around portions of the transducer tip  30 . Seal  80  also prevents air from entering into the cavity  58 . Barrel  50  may be pre-filled with fluid  25  to be injected or the ultrasonic syringe  10  may be filled by mechanically and/or manually pulling back ultrasound transducer  20 . Ultrasound transducer  20  imbedded and/or attached to barrel  50  may be activated with fluid  25  present within barrel  50 . Ultrasound transducer  20  may be then depressed either mechanically by a motor (not pictured) and/or manually by pushing down ultrasound transducer  20 . Ultrasonic energy at a pre-selected frequency may be sent through transducer tip  30  as ultrasound transducer  20  may be being depressed. Depressing ultrasound transducer  20  pushes the fluid  25  in the barrel  50  forward towards center orifice  60 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the ultrasound transducer  20  may be movable, and depresses forward towards the front end of the barrel  50  when pushed, mechanically and/or manually, and moves backwards towards the back end of barrel  50  when fluid  25  may be being withdrawn from the patient. When ultrasound transducer  20  may be pulled back towards the back end of the barrel  50 , it creates a vacuum which enables fluid  25  to be withdrawn from the patient through center orifice  60  into the barrel  50 . Ultrasound transducer  20  moves forwards and backwards within barrel  50 . Radiation surface  40  emits ultrasonic waves  90  inducing vibrations and sonicating the fluid  25  within the barrel  50  prior and during delivery to patient. The adjustability of the cavity  58  portion of the barrel  50  allows for the optimization of standing waves to be generated in the cavity  58 . This allows the enhancement of micro cavitation and micro-streaming as desired. Furthermore disinfection properties of the apparatus may be enhanced. Adjustability of the barrel also allows control of the ultrasonic interaction of the ultrasound transducer  20  with hypodermic needle  140 . This permits focusing of ultrasound at or through the needle if desired. 
     Ultrasound transducer  20  may be fully depressed with radiation surface  40  pushing out the sonicated fluid  25  through center orifice  60  into the body via hypodermic needle  140 . Hypodermic needle  140  may be affixed to syringe head  70  by mechanical mean or other means. Hypodermic needle  140  may be variable in size depending oil the designated use, such as, but not limited to use on large farm animals, such as cows, and horses. 
       FIG. 3  depicts a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the ultrasonic syringe  10  apparatus of the present invention comprising a port  120  within the side wall of barrel  50 , a attachment stub  130 , and a valve  110  at the distal end of attachment stub  130 . Attachment stub  130  originates from port  120  and terminates at valve  110 . The valve  110  depicted may be manually controlled, although mechanically and/or automatically controlled valves including check valves may also be used with the present invention. Fluid  25  may be introduced through valve  110  into attachment stub  130 . Fluid  25  may flow through attachment stub  130 , entering through port  120  into barrel  50 . Valve  110  prevents fluid  25  entering into barrel  50  through port  120  on the side wall of barrel  50  from flowing back out of port  120  on side wall of barrel  50  into attachment stub  130 . Preferably, this alternative embodiment may be used for delivery of fluid  25  to the patient. Activating ultrasound transducer  20  creates ultrasound vibrations within the fluid  25  in barrel  50 . Ultrasonic waves  90  coming in contact with fluid  25  within the barrel  50  sonicate the fluid  25  prior and during delivery to patients. Sonicated fluid  25  may be pushed through orifice  60  by a combination of the ultrasonic waves  90  and the depressing of ultrasound transducer  20 . 
     Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that any arrangement that is calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments. It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. The disclosed steps of the methods are not intended to be restricted to the order listed. Combinations of the above embodiments and; other embodiments will be apparent to those having skill in the art upon review of the present disclosure. The scope of the present invention should be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.