METHOD FOR LOCATING AN IMPLANTED FLUID ACCESS PORT
First Claim
1. A method of adding or removing fluid from an implanted gastric band system through an access port, comprising:
- providing an external locator comprising a radio frequency transmitter/receiver for sending an interrogation signal and receiving a response;
maneuvering the external locator outside a patient within whom has been implanted a fluid-actuated gastric band system having a fluid access port, the fluid access port including a radio frequency receiver/transmitter;
sending an interrogation signal from the external locator to stimulate the access port receiver/transmitter to generate a response signal;
adjusting the position of the external locator until the response signal indicates that a reference point on the external locator is positioned over an entrance point on the patient'"'"'s body directly over the access port;
passing a hypodermic needle through the entrance point and into the access port; and
introducing fluid to or removing fluid from the access port using the needle.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An implanted fluid access port locator system for adjustable gastric bands. The system may include an access port having an RFID tag with its antenna adjacent to the receiving portion of the port. An external locator with radio frequency transmitter/receiver circuitry sends read or interrogation signals to the RFID tag and may send write signals to the tag to write treatment data to memory of the RFID tag. The locator may include an antenna array with four patch antenna arranged in pairs to model two monopulse radar antenna systems. The locator also includes processor(s) and logic modules/circuitry for processing the tag response signals received by the antenna array to determine location information for the RFID tag and associated port, i.e., to identify the center of the port relative to the antennae array or array face such as with strength and direction information relative to the array face. A method of locating implanted fluid access port includes providing radio frequency transmitter/receiver circuitry on the access port and manipulating a handheld locator outside the body to pinpoint the position and orientation of the access port. A mark may be made with a handheld locator to direct insertion of a needle for adding or removing fluid from an implanted system through the access port.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of adding or removing fluid from an implanted gastric band system through an access port, comprising:
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providing an external locator comprising a radio frequency transmitter/receiver for sending an interrogation signal and receiving a response;
maneuvering the external locator outside a patient within whom has been implanted a fluid-actuated gastric band system having a fluid access port, the fluid access port including a radio frequency receiver/transmitter;
sending an interrogation signal from the external locator to stimulate the access port receiver/transmitter to generate a response signal;
adjusting the position of the external locator until the response signal indicates that a reference point on the external locator is positioned over an entrance point on the patient'"'"'s body directly over the access port;
passing a hypodermic needle through the entrance point and into the access port; and
introducing fluid to or removing fluid from the access port using the needle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of adding or removing fluid from an implanted gastric band system through an access port, comprising:
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providing an implanted fluid-actuated gastric band system having a fluid access port with a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag;
providing an external locator comprising a radio frequency transmitter for sending an interrogation signal and receiving a response, and circuitry for reading information received from the RFID tag;
locating an entrance point over the implanted fluid access port by maneuvering the external locator over the general area where the access port is located;
sending an interrogation signal from the external locator to stimulate the access port RFID tag to generate a response signal;
passing a hypodermic needle through the entrance point and into the access port;
introducing fluid to or removing fluid from the access port using the needle based on the information received from the RFID tag. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of adding or removing fluid from an implanted gastric band system through an access port, comprising:
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providing a fluid-actuated gastric band system having a fluid access port, the fluid access port comprising a body with a surface for receiving a needle and an antenna mounted on or within the body proximate to the needle receiving surface;
providing an external locator comprising a transmitter/receiver for sending an interrogation signal to and receiving a response from the access port antenna;
maneuvering the external locator over the implanted fluid access port;
sending an interrogation signal from the external locator to stimulate the access port antenna to generate a response signal;
adjusting the position of the external locator until the response signal indicates that a reference point on the external locator is positioned over an entrance point on the patient'"'"'s body directly over the access port;
passing a hypodermic needle through the entrance point and into the access port; and
introducing fluid to or removing fluid from the gastric band system via the access port using the needle. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification