Vascular access system and clearing method
First Claim
1. A method for clearing an obstruction from a vascular access system having an access port, with a chamber for receiving medication, a septum covering the chamber and an outlet from the chamber, and a catheter connected to the outlet of the chamber, said method comprising:
- (a) inserting a non-coring needle transdermally through said septum chamber, said needle having an opening at its tip askew to the longitudinal axis thereof;
(b) feeding a wire into said needle;
(c) orienting said opening toward said outlet of said chamber;
(d) feeding said wire out of said opening of said needle into said outlet; and
(e) feeding said wire through said catheter to force a portion of said obstruction out of the way.
9 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A vascular access system and clearing method. A vascular access system is provided comprising an implantable access port for receiving medication transdermally, a catheter connected to an outlet in said port for infusing that medication into the blood stream, a wire for clearing the catheter of an obstruction, and a non-coring needle for inserting the wire transdermally into the access port and catheter. The access port includes a chamber for receiving medication, the chamber having an outlet whose bottom portion is substantially flush with the bottom portion of the chamber outlet to promote emptying of the chamber and feeding the guide wire into the outlet. The catheter is attached to the port by placing it over a cannula connected to the outlet and forcing a sleeve over the end of the catheter. An obstruction is cleared from the catheter by inserting the needle transdermally into the chamber, feeding the wire into the needle, tilting the needle so as to move the opening of the needle near the outlet of the chamber and feeding the wire from the opening of the needle through the outlet into the catheter to force all or a portion of the obstruction out of the way. The wire is then removed and an anti-fibrolitic material is injected transdermally to dissolve some or all of the remaining obstruction. Such an anti-fibrolitic material may also be used to soften the obstruction prior to forcing it out of the way with the wire.
175 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A method for clearing an obstruction from a vascular access system having an access port, with a chamber for receiving medication, a septum covering the chamber and an outlet from the chamber, and a catheter connected to the outlet of the chamber, said method comprising:
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(a) inserting a non-coring needle transdermally through said septum chamber, said needle having an opening at its tip askew to the longitudinal axis thereof; (b) feeding a wire into said needle; (c) orienting said opening toward said outlet of said chamber; (d) feeding said wire out of said opening of said needle into said outlet; and (e) feeding said wire through said catheter to force a portion of said obstruction out of the way. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A vascular access system, comprising:
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(a) an access port having a chamber with a bottom portion, a side wall extending away from said bottom portion to form a chamber opening, a septum covering said opening and an outlet in said side wall, said outlet having an interior surface forming a smooth transition with said bottom portion of said chamber; (b) a catheter connected to said outlet so as to pass fluid therebetween; (c) a wire having a predetermined diameter; and (d) non-coring needle means for transdermal insertion into said chamber through said septum, said needle means having a tip and an opening disposed at said tip, said opening being askew to the longitudinal axis of said needle means, and for feeding said wire through said needle means, out said opening therein, through said outlet and through said catheter to clear an obstruction therein. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification