METHODS OF OPERATING AN IMPLANTABLE INJECTION PORT SYSTEM
First Claim
1. A method of operating an implantable injection port system, comprising:
- providing an implantable injection port having a housing defining an upper face, a lower face, and a peripheral outer wall, a septum held within the housing and open to the upper face, the septum being capable of penetration by a needle along the vertical axis, the port further including a space below the septum defining a fluid reservoir and an outlet conduit through the housing from the reservoir, wherein the port further includes a plurality of fasteners incorporated into the housing to enable a user to attach the port to tissue without sutures, the fasteners each having an undeployed position and a deployed position, the deployed position extending below the lower face of the port;
providing a protective fixture adapted to removably attach over the lower face of the port to protect a user from contacting the fastener;
providing a deployment tool having a distal end with a recess that receives the port therein such that the lower face of the port is exposed, the tool including a mechanism for transmitting movement of a proximal actuator to the port for moving the fasteners from their undeployed positions to their deployed positions;
with the protective fixture attached over the lower face of the port, inserting the port upper face first into the recess of the tool distal end;
disengaging the protective fixture from the port; and
implanting the port.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A surgical fastening system for implantable devices such as injection port systems. The implantable device may contain a plurality of fasteners in pre-deployment position, may have a housing fitted over or around it which contains a plurality of fasteners in pre-deployment position, or may be a part of a two-part system into which it fits. Accordingly, the present invention also encompasses a deployment system or tool that optionally positions the implantable device, and which causes the fasteners to move into post-deployment position. The fasteners may be staples, metal loops, coils, springs or hooks formed of biocompatible materials, including shape memory alloys such as NiTi.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method of operating an implantable injection port system, comprising:
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providing an implantable injection port having a housing defining an upper face, a lower face, and a peripheral outer wall, a septum held within the housing and open to the upper face, the septum being capable of penetration by a needle along the vertical axis, the port further including a space below the septum defining a fluid reservoir and an outlet conduit through the housing from the reservoir, wherein the port further includes a plurality of fasteners incorporated into the housing to enable a user to attach the port to tissue without sutures, the fasteners each having an undeployed position and a deployed position, the deployed position extending below the lower face of the port; providing a protective fixture adapted to removably attach over the lower face of the port to protect a user from contacting the fastener; providing a deployment tool having a distal end with a recess that receives the port therein such that the lower face of the port is exposed, the tool including a mechanism for transmitting movement of a proximal actuator to the port for moving the fasteners from their undeployed positions to their deployed positions; with the protective fixture attached over the lower face of the port, inserting the port upper face first into the recess of the tool distal end; disengaging the protective fixture from the port; and implanting the port. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of operating an implantable injection port system, comprising:
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providing an implantable injection port having an upper face, a lower face, and a septum open to the upper face, the septum being capable of penetration by a needle along the vertical axis, the port further including a space below the septum defining a fluid reservoir and having an outlet conduit extending sideways away from the port, wherein the port further includes a plurality of sharp fasteners incorporated therein to enable a user to attach the port to tissue without sutures, the fasteners each having an undeployed position and a deployed position, the deployed position extending below the lower face of the port; providing a protective fixture snapped over the lower face of the port to protect a user from contacting the sharp fastener; providing a deployment tool having a distal end having an open bottom that descends down over and captures the port therein upper face first, the tool having an actuator for moving the fasteners from their undeployed positions to their deployed positions; inserting the port upper face first into the recess of the tool distal end; unsnapping the protective fixture from the port; and moving the fasteners from their undeployed positions to their deployed positions into tissue, thus implanting the port. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification