| 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. |