Patent Description:
In certain medical procedures, it may be necessary to stop or minimize bleeding internal to the body. For example, an endoscopic medical procedure may require hemostasis of bleeding tissue within the gastrointestinal tract, for example in the esophagus, stomach, or intestines.

During an endoscopic procedure, a user inserts a sheath of an endoscope into a body lumen of a patient. The user utilizes a handle of the endoscope to control the endoscope during the procedure. Tools are passed through a working channel of the endoscope via, for example, a port in the handle, to deliver treatment at the procedure site near a distal end of the endoscope. The procedure site is remote from the operator.

To achieve hemostasis at the remote site, a hemostatic agent may be delivered by a device inserted into the working channel of the endoscope. Agent delivery may be achieved through mechanical systems, for example. Such systems, however, may require numerous steps or actuations to achieve delivery, may not achieve a desired rate of agent delivery or a desired dosage of agent, may result in the agent clogging portions of the delivery device, may result in inconsistent dosing of agent, or may not result in the agent reaching the treatment site deep within the GI tract. <CIT> discloses an apparatus for delivering a powdered agent into a subject's body which may include a first passage for receiving a pressurized gas. The apparatus also may include a container housing a powdered agent. The container may be in fluid connection with the first passage. At least a portion of the pressurized gas is introduced into the powdered agent in the container to fluidize the powdered agent. The apparatus also may include a second passage for receiving the powdered agent from the container. In a first configuration of the apparatus, the second passage may not be in fluid connection with the container. In a second configuration of the apparatus, the second passage may be in fluid connection with the container. The apparatus may be configured to transition between the first configuration and the second configuration. <CIT> discloses a dosage inhalator for the inhalation of a pharmacologically active compound in solid, micronized form. The inhalator comprises a propellant container, a propellant dispensing unit, and a dosing unit for dosing the pharmacologically active compound. The dosing unit comprises a storage chamber for the active compound, a dose loading unit directly connected thereto, and a nozzle. The dose loading unit comprises a movable perforated membrane, and a holder for the perforated membrane. The membrane is displaceable between a first position where active compound is introduced into the perforations of the membrane, and second position where the perforations of the membrane are inserted into a propellant passage. While the membrane is in the second position, the propellant dispensing unit may be operated, allowing propellant originally stored in the propellant container to remove the active compound from the perforations inserted into the propellant passage and carry said compound out the nozzle. <CIT> relates to a volume knob-type dry powder storage and inhalation device. The device comprises a shell and a knob arranged at the top of the shell, the shell is internally provided with a drug measurement mechanism, a drug dropping mechanism and a drug inhalation mechanism which are arranged in sequence from top to bottom, and the knob is in transmission connection with the drug measurement mechanism. <CIT> discloses a powder dispenser which includes a first powder reservoir having at least one first opening, and a second powder reservoir having at least one second outlet opening, the second outlet opening being spaced from the first outlet opening. In addition, the dispenser includes a metering dose plate having a first metered dose hole and a second metered dose hole, the metered dose holes being configured to each hold a predetermined amount of powder. The metering dose plate is disposed adjacent to the first and second outlet openings with the metering dose plate, relative to the outlet openings, being reversibly movable between a first position and a second position. With the metering dose plate moving from the first position to the second position relative to the outlet openings, the first metered dose hole passes below the first outlet opening and the second metered dose hole passes below the second outlet opening. Further, the first metered dose hole defines a first fixed path as the metering dose plate moves reversibly between the first and second positions relative to the outlet openings, and the second metered dose hole defines a second fixed path as the metering dose plate moves reversibly between the first and second positions relative to the outlet openings. The first fixed path is spaced from the second fixed path such that the first metered dose hole does not overlap the second path during movement of the metering dose plate and such that the second metered dose hole does not overlap the first path during movement of the metering dose plate. The current disclosure may solve one or more of these issues or other issues in the art.

The claimed invention comprises a medical device as defined by the appended independent claim <NUM>. Further embodiments of the claimed invention are defined by the appended dependent claims.

Further disclosed in this document is a medical device which may comprise a cartridge including a plurality of chambers, wherein each of the chambers stores a pre-filled amount of agent, a lumen for receiving a pressurized gas, a channel establishing fluid communication between a first end of the cartridge and the lumen for delivering agent from the cartridge to the lumen, and a plunger coupled to a second end of the cartridge so that the plunger is aligned with one chamber of the plurality of chambers, wherein the plunger advances longitudinally into the one chamber, thereby pushing the pre-filled amount of agent towards the channel, and wherein the cartridge is rotatable relative to the plunger to align the plunger with another of the plurality of chambers. The plunger may be coupled to the cartridge so that the plunger is spring-biased to a position outside of the one chamber and aligned with the one chamber. The medical device may further comprise a trigger including a lever coupled to a linkage via a first articulating joint and a linkage coupled to a plunger via a second articulating joint.

Also disclosed herein is an unclaimed method of administering an agent via a medical device may comprise positioning the medical device, including an enclosure, a barrier, and a lumen, so that a distal end of the lumen is adjacent to a targeted site, wherein the barrier is positioned between the enclosure and the lumen, the enclosure containing agent, and the barrier including at least one opening for storing the agent, providing a pressurized gas to the lumen, and rotating the barrier relative to the lumen so that fluid communication is established between the at least one opening and the lumen to deliver the agent from the at least one opening to the lumen. The method may further comprise rotating the barrier relative to the lumen so that the at least one opening and the lumen are not in fluid communication after a dose of the agent is delivered from the at least one opening to the lumen.

Reference will now be made in detail to aspects of the present disclosure and of the claimed invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same or similar reference numbers will be used through the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. The term "distal" refers to a portion farthest away from a user when introducing a device into a subject (e.g., patient). By contrast, the term "proximal" refers to a portion closest to the user when placing the device into the subject.

Both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the features, as claimed. As used herein, the terms "comprises," "comprising," "having," "including," or other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. In this disclosure, relative terms, such as, for example, "about," "substantially," "generally," and "approximately" are used to indicate a possible variation of ±<NUM>% in a stated value or characteristic.

The present disclosure may solve one or more of the limitations in the art. The scope of the claimed invention, however, is defined by the attached claims and not the ability to solve a specific problem. The present disclosure is drawn to medical devices configured to administer doses of agents, e.g., therapeutic agents, among other aspects. The agent may be in any suitable form, including a powder form, which may be delivered to a stream of propellant/pressurized gas, e.g., CO<NUM>, nitrogen, air, etc. Said medical devices allow for the administration of agents in metered doses, which allows for a greater consistency in the quantity of the agent that reaches a target site.

Referring to <FIG>, a medical system <NUM>, e.g., an endoscope, is shown. Medical system <NUM> includes a flexible shaft <NUM> (e.g., a catheter) and a handle <NUM> connected at a proximal end of flexible shaft <NUM>. Handle <NUM>, or some other device for actuating or controlling medical system <NUM> and any tool or devices associated with medical system <NUM>, includes first and second actuating devices <NUM>, <NUM>, which control articulation of flexible shaft <NUM>, and/or an articulation joint at a distal end of flexible shaft <NUM>, in multiple directions. Devices <NUM>, <NUM>, may be, for example, rotatable knobs that rotate about their axes to push/pull actuating elements (not shown). The actuating elements, such as cables or wires suitable for medical procedures (e.g., medical grade plastic or metal), extend distally from a proximal end of medical system <NUM> and connect to flexible shaft <NUM> to control movement thereof. Alternatively, or additionally, a user may operate actuating elements independently of handle <NUM>. Distal ends of actuating elements may extend through flexible shaft <NUM> and terminate at an actuating joint and/or a distal tip of flexible shaft <NUM>. For example, one or more actuating elements may be connected to an articulation joint, and actuation of actuating elements may control the actuating joint or the distal end of flexible shaft <NUM> to move in multiple directions.

In addition, one or more electrical cables (not shown) may extend from the proximal end of endoscope <NUM> to the distal end of flexible shaft <NUM> and may provide electrical controls to imaging, lighting, and/or other electrical devices at the distal end of flexible shaft <NUM>, and may carry imaging signals from the distal end of flexible shaft <NUM> proximally to be processed and/or displayed on a display. Handle <NUM> may also include ports <NUM>, <NUM> for introducing and/or removing tools, fluids, or other materials from the patient. Port <NUM> may be used to introduce tools. Port <NUM> may be connected to an umbilicus for introducing fluid, suction, and/or wiring for electronic components. For example, as shown in <FIG>, port <NUM> receives a tube <NUM>, which extends from the proximal end to the distal end of flexible shaft <NUM>, via a working channel 50a of shaft <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, tube <NUM> of medical device <NUM> is attached to a pressurized gas source <NUM>, e.g., CO<NUM>, which may be controlled by a user to turn on/off and to adjust a rate at which gas flows into tube <NUM>. Source <NUM> may be a gas canister or tank, a source of gas supplied by a medical facility, or any other suitable source. Medical device <NUM> further includes an enclosure <NUM>, and a barrier <NUM> positioned between enclosure <NUM> and tube <NUM>. Enclosure <NUM> and barrier <NUM> are coupled to a proximal portion of tube <NUM>, distal of the connection between tube <NUM> and source <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrate an embodiment of medical device <NUM>, <NUM>' in <FIG> in further detail. As discussed above, medical device <NUM> includes enclosure <NUM> defining a cavity for containing an agent <NUM>, a tube (e.g., a catheter or a sheath) <NUM> defining a lumen 100a receiving pressurized gas, e.g., CO<NUM>, from a proximal end, and barrier <NUM> positioned between the cavity of enclosure <NUM> and lumen 100a. The shape or size of enclosure <NUM> is not particularly limited, and may be any suitable shape or size, including cylindrical. As indicated by the directional arrows in <FIG>, barrier <NUM> is rotatable relative to tube <NUM> and lumen 100a, e.g., about a central axis of barrier <NUM>. In other embodiments, barrier <NUM> may be rotatable relative to both tube <NUM> and enclosure <NUM>. In some other embodiments, enclosure <NUM> may be rotatable relative to barrier <NUM> and/or tube <NUM>. Rotation of barrier <NUM> may be by any suitable action, for example, by hand or by mechanical, electrical, or pneumatic action.

Barrier <NUM> may be an annular, disk-like structure with openings and a passage therethrough. For example, barrier <NUM> includes a first opening 12a on the barrier surface (e.g., an upper surface) adjacent to the cavity of enclosure <NUM>, for receiving agent <NUM> in a passage <NUM> that extends through barrier <NUM>. Barrier <NUM> further includes a second opening 12b on the opposite barrier surface (e.g., a bottom surface) adjacent to tube <NUM> and lumen 100a, from which agent <NUM> may be dispensed into lumen 100a. It is noted that the size and shape of first opening 12a and second opening 12b are not particularly limited, and may be any suitable size or shape. First opening 12a and second opening 12b are located on opposite ends of barrier <NUM>, but are connected via passage <NUM> extending across the length and thickness of barrier <NUM>. Tube <NUM> also includes an opening <NUM> which may or may not be aligned with second opening 12b of barrier <NUM>, depending on the rotational position of barrier <NUM> relative to tube <NUM> and lumen 100a. Thus, the rotation of barrier <NUM> relative to tube <NUM> may establish fluid communication between opening 12b and lumen 100a for delivering agent <NUM> from passage <NUM> to lumen 100a. Enclosure <NUM> feeds opening 12a with agent <NUM> via gravity, and passage <NUM> storing agent <NUM> feeds lumen 100a with agent <NUM> via gravity when second opening 12b and lumen opening <NUM> are aligned. In other embodiments, agent <NUM> may be delivered to opening 12a and/or lumen 100a via other suitable mechanisms. Barrier <NUM> may also be rotated so that second opening 12b and opening <NUM> of lumen 100a are not aligned, thereby inhibiting the delivery of agent <NUM> from passage <NUM> to lumen 100a. In this instance, passage <NUM> receives and stores agent <NUM>, until fluid communication between opening 12b of passage <NUM> and lumen 100a is established. It is noted that enclosure <NUM>, in any rotational position of barrier <NUM>, is not in fluid communication with lumen 100a. Furthermore, in embodiments prior to any use, passage <NUM> may be empty an without agent <NUM>.

In some embodiments, a bottom end of the cavity of enclosure <NUM> may include a wall <NUM> adjacent to barrier <NUM>. Wall <NUM> may include an opening 105a that may or may not be aligned with opening 12a of barrier <NUM>, depending on the rotational position of barrier <NUM> relative to enclosure <NUM>. Thus, in such embodiments, barrier <NUM> and/or enclosure <NUM> may be rotated to align opening 105a with opening 12a of barrier <NUM> to deliver agent <NUM> from enclosure <NUM> to passage <NUM> through opening 12a. This is illustrated in <FIG>, in which opening 105a of wall <NUM> and opening 12a of barrier <NUM> are aligned, thereby feeding passage <NUM> with agent <NUM> from enclosure <NUM>. <FIG> shows barrier <NUM> rotated by approximately <NUM>° from its position in <FIG> relative to enclosure <NUM>, and as a result, opening 105a of wall <NUM> and opening 12a are not aligned, being on opposite ends from one another. It is understood that the barrier <NUM> may be rotatable to any degree for alignment with opening 12a. Thus, opening 12a is sealed by wall <NUM>, and agent <NUM> is no longer fed into opening 12a. It is noted that opening 105a aligns with opening 12a when second opening 12b does not align with opening <NUM> of tube <NUM>, and opening 105a does not align with opening 12a when second opening 12b aligns with opening <NUM> of tube <NUM>. Thus, passage <NUM> may receive agent <NUM>, prior to agent <NUM> being fed to lumen 100a. This allows for medical device <NUM> to administer a metered dose, i.e., the amount of agent <NUM> stored in passage <NUM>, per each degree of rotation, e.g., <NUM>°, of barrier <NUM> and/or enclosure <NUM>. Furthermore, in some other embodiments, both wall <NUM> and tube <NUM> may respectively include a plurality of openings. It is noted that passage <NUM> is capable of connecting openings of wall <NUM> and of tube <NUM> that are <NUM>° apart. However, this is not desired, and in such embodiments, none of the openings of wall <NUM> are <NUM>° apart from any of the openings of tube <NUM>. As a result, there cannot be fluid communication between passage <NUM> and said openings of wall <NUM> and tube <NUM>, at the same time. Instead, fluid communication between passage <NUM> and the openings of wall <NUM> and tube <NUM> is staggered, but not simultaneous. Such embodiments would allow for continuous rotation (both clockwise and counterclockwise) of barrier <NUM> relative to enclosure <NUM> to result in passage <NUM> receiving agent <NUM> after a degree of rotation and subsequently dispensing agent <NUM> after a further degree of rotation of barrier <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, an example of how medical device <NUM> may be used is further discussed below. A user may deliver a distal end of tube <NUM> of medical device <NUM> into the body of a subject, e.g., via a natural orifice (such as a mouth or anus) and through a tortuous natural body lumen of the subject, such as an esophagus, stomach, colon, etc. Tube <NUM> may be delivered in any suitable way, for example, through working channel 50a of endoscope <NUM>, by inserting a distal end of tube <NUM> into port <NUM> of endoscope <NUM>. A user may direct/position the distal end of tube <NUM> to an intended target site for administration of agent <NUM>. A user may then fill enclosure <NUM> with agent <NUM>, if not filled already, and rotate barrier <NUM> and/or enclosure <NUM> relative to tube <NUM> and lumen 100a so that opening 105a aligns with opening 12a, thereby feeding passage <NUM> with agent <NUM>. As discussed above, when opening 105a aligns with opening 12a, second opening 12b does not align with opening <NUM> of tube <NUM>. Thus, agent <NUM> is received and stored by passage <NUM>. A user may then rotate barrier <NUM> to align opening 12b with opening <NUM> of tube <NUM>, so that all of agent <NUM> stored in passage <NUM> is fed from passage <NUM> to lumen 100a, thereby administering a metered dose of agent <NUM>. A user may turn on the pressurized gas source at any time prior to the alignment of opening 12b with opening <NUM> and supply pressurized gas until the metered dose of agent <NUM> reaches the target tissue site. Alternatively, a user may start supply of pressurized gas after the supply of agent <NUM> to lumen 100a.

In <FIG>, another medical device <NUM>' is shown. Like the device discussed above, medical device <NUM>' includes an enclosure <NUM>' defining a cavity for containing an agent <NUM>, a tube (e.g., a catheter or a sheath) <NUM> defining a lumen 100a receiving pressurized gas, e.g., CO<NUM>, from a proximal end, and a barrier <NUM> positioned between the cavity of enclosure <NUM> and lumen 100a. The shape or size of enclosure <NUM>' is also not particularly limited, and may be any suitable shape or size. As indicated by the directional arrows in <FIG>, barrier <NUM> is also rotatable relative to tube <NUM> and lumen 100a. In other embodiments, barrier <NUM> may be rotatable relative to both tube <NUM> and enclosure <NUM>'. In some other embodiments, enclosure <NUM>' may be rotatable relative to barrier <NUM> and/or tube <NUM>. Rotation of barrier <NUM> and enclosure <NUM>' may also be actuated by any suitable action.

Barrier <NUM>, as shown in both <FIG>, includes a plurality of openings, i.e., six openings 22a-22f, of equal or approximately equal size, i.e., width or diameter, symmetrically arranged radially about a central axis of rotation of barrier <NUM>. It is noted that the number of openings, the size of openings, the shape of openings, and the arrangement of openings on barrier <NUM> is not particularly limited, and may be any suitable configuration. For example, in other embodiments, barrier <NUM> may have four circular openings, each of which has varying diameters from one another. Each of openings 22a-22f extends through the thickness of barrier <NUM>, and is configured to receive and store a pre-determined or selected amount of agent <NUM>, depending on the size of the openings. Thus, agent <NUM> from enclosure <NUM> feeds into openings 22a-22f, via gravity in some embodiments, until said openings are filled. Note that <FIG> shows half of barrier <NUM> in perspective to show the position of openings 21a, 21b, 21c, and 21d.

By rotation of barrier <NUM> relative to tube <NUM> and lumen 100a, one of openings 22a-22f may align with opening <NUM>, thereby establishing fluid communication between the one opening and lumen 100a for delivering agent <NUM> from the one opening to lumen 100a via gravity. In some embodiments, enclosure <NUM>' may further include a seal <NUM>, which is positioned adjacently above barrier <NUM>, above where one of openings 22a-22f may be located, and directly above opening <NUM> of tube <NUM>. Thus, as one opening of openings 22a-22f aligns with opening <NUM> via rotation of barrier <NUM>, an excess amount of agent <NUM> above the one opening is shaved off by seal <NUM> and the one opening is sealed from receiving further agent <NUM> from enclosure <NUM>' when that opening aligns with opening <NUM> of tube <NUM>. This allows for medical device <NUM>' to administer a metered dose, i.e., the amount of agent <NUM> stored in openings 22a-22f, per each degree of rotation, e.g., <NUM>°, of barrier <NUM> and/or enclosure <NUM>'. It is noted that as a result of such configuration, when fluid communication is established between one of openings 22a-22f and lumen 100a, no fluid communication is established between the other remaining openings and lumen 100a, as the bottom of the remaining openings is sealed by tube <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, which shows a top view of barrier <NUM>, barrier <NUM> may also be rotated so that none of openings 22a-22f are aligned with opening <NUM> of tube <NUM>, thereby inhibiting the delivery of agent <NUM> from any of openings 22a-22f to lumen 100a. In this instance, an amount of agent <NUM> is stored in openings 22a-22f until fluid communication between the openings and lumen 100a is established.

Referring to <FIG>, an example of how medical device <NUM>' may be used is further discussed below. Similar to medical device <NUM>, medical device <NUM>' may be delivered into the body of a subject, and directed to an intended target site for agent <NUM> administration in the same manner. A user may then fill enclosure <NUM>' with agent <NUM>, if not filled already, which will fill openings 22a-22f with agent <NUM>. The user then may rotate barrier <NUM> relative to tube <NUM> and lumen 100a so that one of openings 22a-22f aligns with opening <NUM>. Such alignment results in seal <NUM> shaving off an excess amount of agent <NUM> above the one opening, sealing the one opening from being fed any more of agent <NUM> from enclosure <NUM>', and feeding lumen 100a with agent <NUM> stored in the one opening. As discussed above, when the one opening aligns with opening <NUM> of tube <NUM>, the remaining openings 22a-22f do not align with opening <NUM> of tube <NUM>. Thus, agent <NUM> is stored within the remaining openings 22a-22f, until each of the remaining openings is aligned with opening <NUM> via rotation of barrier <NUM>, in turn. A user may turn on the pressurized gas source at any time prior to or during the alignment of one of the openings 22a-22f with opening <NUM>, as in the embodiment described in connection with <FIG>.

In <FIG>, another medical device <NUM>‴ is shown. Medical device <NUM>‴ is similar to medical device <NUM>', and differences between the two devices will be highlighted. Device <NUM>"' may include any of the features of device <NUM>' and operate in the same or substantially the same way. Medical device <NUM>‴ includes an enclosure <NUM>"', a barrier <NUM>, and lumen <NUM>. Moreover, enclosure <NUM>"' further includes a seal <NUM>, which is positioned adjacently above barrier <NUM>, above where one of openings 42a-42c may be located, and directly above opening <NUM> of tube <NUM>. However, unlike medical device <NUM>', lumen 100a of medical device <NUM>"' receives pressurized gas from a second lumen <NUM>, which is connected to tube <NUM> at a point that is proximal to opening <NUM>. Alternatively, medical device <NUM>‴ may receive pressurized gas from a proximal end of lumen 100a, and may be without second lumen <NUM>. Medical device <NUM>"' further includes, in at least some embodiments, an intermediary barrier <NUM> including an opening <NUM>, positioned between barrier <NUM> and tube <NUM>. As indicated by the directional arrows in <FIG>, barrier <NUM> is rotatable relative to intermediary barrier <NUM>, tube <NUM>, and lumen 100a. In other embodiments, enclosure <NUM>"' may also be rotatable relative to barrier <NUM>, intermediary barrier <NUM>, tube <NUM>, and lumen 100a. Rotation of enclosure <NUM>"' and barrier <NUM> may be actuated by any suitable action.

Barrier <NUM>, as shown in both <FIG>, includes three openings, i.e., 42a-42c, of different sizes, i.e., widths or diameter, arranged radially about a central axis of rotation of barrier <NUM>, like barrier <NUM> (referring to <FIG>). A first opening 42a has the smallest width of the three openings, a second opening 42c has the largest width of the three openings, and a third opening 42b has a width in between that of first opening 42a and that of second opening 42c. Thus, each of openings 42a-42c receives and stores different amounts or doses of agent <NUM>.

To help a user differentiate between the different sizes of openings 42a-42c, enclosure <NUM>"' and/or barrier <NUM> may further include markings on their outer surfaces that indicate the locations of openings 42a-42c relative to one another, and to openings <NUM> and <NUM>. Thus, a user may rotate barrier <NUM> and/or enclosure <NUM>"', relative to intermediary barrier <NUM>, tube <NUM>, and lumen 100a, to select one of openings 42a-42c based on a desired amount or dose of agent <NUM>.

Intermediary barrier <NUM>, as shown in both <FIG>, includes opening <NUM>. Opening <NUM> may be aligned with lumen opening <NUM>, and also openings 42a-42c, depending on the rotational position of barrier <NUM> relative to intermediary barrier <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, opening <NUM> is at least the same width as the largest opening of barrier <NUM>, i.e., second opening 42c.

Any one of openings 42a-42c may be aligned with intermediary opening <NUM> and lumen opening <NUM> via rotation of barrier <NUM>. Such alignment establishes fluid communication between one of openings 42a-42c and lumen 100a for delivering agent <NUM> from one of openings 42a-42c to lumen 100a via gravity. Similar to that of medical device <NUM>', as one opening of openings 42a-42c aligns with opening <NUM> of intermediary barrier <NUM> and opening <NUM> via rotation of barrier <NUM>, an excess amount of agent <NUM> above the one opening is shaved off by seal <NUM> and the one opening is sealed from further receiving agent <NUM> from enclosure <NUM>"'. This allows for medical device <NUM>"' to administer a metered dose, the amount of agent <NUM> stored in openings 42a-42c, per each degree of rotation, e.g., <NUM>°, of barrier <NUM>. As a result of such configuration, when fluid communication is established between one of openings 42a-42c and lumen 100a, no fluid communication is established between the other remaining openings 42a-42c and lumen 100a.

Barrier <NUM> may also be rotated so that none of openings 42a-42c is aligned with intermediary opening <NUM> and lumen opening <NUM>, thereby inhibiting the delivery of agent <NUM> from enclosure <NUM>"' to lumen 100a. In this instance, varying amounts of agent <NUM> are stored in openings 42a-42c until fluid communication between openings 42a-42c and lumen 100a is established.

It is further noted in some embodiments, intermediary barrier <NUM> may also be rotatable relative to enclosure <NUM>"', barrier <NUM>, tube <NUM>, and lumen 100a, so that opening <NUM> does not align with any of the openings of barrier <NUM>, and/or opening <NUM> as well. This is applicable in embodiments having barriers with multiple openings. By being able to misalign opening <NUM> from opening <NUM>, a user may select another opening 42a, 42b, 42c, etc., via rotation of barrier <NUM>, that is not adjacent to the currently aligned opening, without having to inadvertently dispense agent <NUM> stored in openings adjacent to the currently aligned opening, via the necessary degree of rotation to select other non-adjacent openings.

Referring to <FIG>, an example of how medical device <NUM>‴ may be used is further discussed below. Similar to medical devices <NUM> and <NUM>', medical device <NUM>"' may be delivered into the body of a subject, and directed to an intended target site for agent <NUM> administration in the same manner. A user may then fill enclosure <NUM>' with agent <NUM>, if not filled already, and rotate barrier <NUM> relative to intermediary barrier <NUM>, tube <NUM>, and lumen 100a, so that one of openings 42a-42c aligns with openings <NUM> and <NUM>. Such alignment results in seal <NUM> shaving off an excess amount of agent <NUM> above the one opening, sealing the one opening from being fed any more of agent <NUM> from enclosure <NUM>"', and feeding lumen 100a with agent <NUM> stored in the one opening. As discussed above, when the one opening aligns with opening <NUM> of intermediary barrier <NUM> and opening <NUM> of tube <NUM>, the remaining openings 42a-42c do not align with openings <NUM> and <NUM>. Thus, agent <NUM> is stored within the remaining openings 42a-42c, until each of the remaining openings is aligned with openings <NUM> and <NUM> via rotation of barrier <NUM>. A user may turn on the pressurized gas source at any time prior to or during the alignment of one of the openings 42a-42c with openings <NUM> and <NUM>, as in previously described embodiments.

Referring to <FIG>, another medical device <NUM>" is shown. Medical device <NUM>" includes a trigger <NUM>, a rotating cartridge <NUM> including a plurality of chambers, a lumen <NUM> receiving pressurized gas from a proximal end, and a channel <NUM> establishing fluid communication between a distal end of cartridge <NUM> and lumen <NUM> for delivering agent <NUM> from cartridge <NUM> to lumen <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, cartridge <NUM> includes a plurality of symmetrically-arranged chambers, i.e., six chambers 32a-32f, of equal or substantially equal size, each of which stores a pre-filled amount of agent <NUM>.

Trigger <NUM> includes a lever 18a coupled to a linkage 18c via an articulating joint 18b, and linkage 18c coupled to a plunger 18e via another articulating joint 18d. A distal portion of plunger 18e is housed within a proximal portion of cartridge <NUM>, and is coupled to cartridge <NUM> in any suitable manner so that the distal end of plunger 18e faces one of chambers 32a-32f with which plunger 18e is aligned. A spring <NUM> coils around a distal portion of plunger 18e outside of cartridge <NUM> up until a stop <NUM> fixated on plunger 18e, thereby spring-biasing plunger 18e in its aforementioned position of facing one of chambers 32a-32f. Spring <NUM> is not particularly limited and may be any suitable spring. Likewise, stop <NUM> may be of any suitable material, such as rubber.

Trigger <NUM> is configured so that when lever 18a is pulled proximally, linkage 18c likewise pivots proximally relative to plunger 18e via articulating joint 18d. Such movements of lever 18a and linkage 18c result in plunger 18e longitudinally advancing towards cartridge <NUM> and into one of chambers 32a-32f, thereby propelling the pre-filled amount of agent <NUM> towards and through channel <NUM>, which extends downward to tube <NUM>, thereby feeding agent <NUM> to tube <NUM> via gravity. The longitudinal advancement of plunger 18e may be actuated by any suitable mechanisms, including, but not limited to, mechanical, electrical, or pneumatic mechanisms. Plunger 18e advances within cartridge <NUM> and one of chambers 32a-32f up until spring <NUM> is fully compressed, thereby inhibiting any further advancement of plunger 18e towards cartridge <NUM>. Once lever <NUM> is released, spring-biased plunger 18e automatically reverts back to its initial position of being outside of and facing one of chambers 32a-32f.

Cartridge <NUM> is rotatable relative to plunger 18e so that any one of chambers 32a-32f is aligned with plunger 18e. In some embodiments, cartridge <NUM> may be configured to rotate or revolve automatically, after one of chambers 32a-32f is emptied by plunger 18e, so that an adjacent chamber 32a-32f storing a pre-filled amount of agent <NUM> is aligned with plunger 18e.

Claim 1:
A medical device (<NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>‴), comprising:
an enclosure (<NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>‴) defining a cavity for containing agent;
a lumen (<NUM>) for receiving a pressurized gas;
a source (<NUM>) of the pressurized gas; and
a barrier (<NUM>) positioned between the cavity and the lumen, the barrier including a passage (<NUM>) extending through the barrier for storing agent, wherein rotation of the barrier relative to the lumen establishes fluid communication between the passage and the lumen for delivering agent from the passage to the lumen,
wherein the barrier includes a first opening (12a) and a second opening (12b) located on opposite ends of the barrier and connected via the passage;
the device characterized in that the lumen is a flexible catheter (<NUM>) capable of traversing a tortuous body lumen.