| abstract |
A device and method for providing a suspended agent such as a contrast agent without mechanical resuspension. A volume of agent ( 12 ) is divided into sub-volumes in a network ( 8 ) of tubes ( 18 ), cells ( 42 ), sponges ( 44 ), grooves ( 48 ), etc. A propellant fluid ( 16 ) flows through the network ( 8 ) to release the suspended agent ( 12 ). The network ( 8 ) may be internal to a container ( 10 ) for the propellant fluid ( 16 ). Alternatively, the network ( 8 ) may be adjacent an exit port ( 24 ) of a container ( 10 ) for the propellant fluid ( 16 ), or may be in-line between a propellant fluid container ( 10 ) and a patient. The invention reduces sedimentation of agents into one or a few aggregates and eliminates a mechanical mixing step. The invention thus provides a uniformly suspended agent, improving patient health and safety and increasing cost and time savings. |