Dispensing instrument with supported balloon

Abstract

A fluid dispensing instrument having a dispenser operable to place a drug material into the uterine cavity of a female and an expandable balloon cooperating with balloon support structure operable to move the drug material from the uterine cavity into both canals of the Fallopian tubes of a female. The instrument has a housing carrying a piston and cylinder assembly. The balloon is attached to an elongated flexible tubular probe mounted on one end of the housing. The piston and cylinder assembly is operable to fully collapse the balloon prior to insertion through the cervical opening into the uterine cavity. After the balloon is inserted into the uterine cavity, an ampulla storing the drug material is loaded into the instrument. The piston and cylinder assembly is actuated to initially expand the balloon and move a plunger into the ampulla to dispense the drug material into the uterine cavity. The balloon is then fully expanded to move the drug material from the uterine cavity into the canals of the Fallopian tubes. The support structure cooperating with the balloon prevents the balloon from expanding back through the cervical opening into the vaginal passage. The support structure is a monofilament nylon arranged in intersecting latitudinal and longitudinal directions about a lower portion of the balloon.