Inplantable access devices

• US 5,503,630 A
• Filed: 06/06/1995
• Issued: 04/02/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 03/01/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Michigan Transtech Corporation
• Original Assignee: Michigan Transtech Corporation
• Inventors: Ensminger, William D., Gavin, Robert F.
• Primary Examiner(s): YASKO JR, JOHN D
• Application Number:
  US08/468,200
• Time in Patent Office: 301 Days
• Field of Search: 604/93, 604/174, 604/175, 604/181, 604/183, 604/245-247, 604/256, 604/257, 604/280, 604/283
• US Class Current: 604/288.03
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3653 Interfaces between patient blood circulation and extra-corporal blood circuit
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/0211 with multiple chambers in a single site
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/0214 some or all chambers sharing a single septum
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/062 used with a catheter
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/0633 the seal being a passive seal made of a resilient material with or without an opening
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/064 Slit-valve
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/0653 Perforated disc
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/0666 Flap-valve
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/0673 comprising means actively pressing on the device passing through the seal, e.g. inflatable seals, diaphragms, clamps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/0686 comprising more than one seal
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/0208 Subcutaneous access sites for injecting or removing fluids transcutaneous access sites A61M39/0247; implantable infusion devices A61M5/14276
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/0606 without means for adjusting the seal opening or pressure A61M39/0693 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/00 Devices for bringing media into the body in a subcutaneous, intra-vascular or intramuscular way; Accessories therefor, e.g. filling or cleaning devices, arm-rests vaccination appliances for veterinary use A61D1/025 ; tube connectors, tube couplings, valves or branch units specially adapted for medical use A61M39/00; containers specially adapted for medical or pharmaceutical purposes A61J1/00; combinations of vial and syringe for mixing or transferring their contents A61J1/20; holders for containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/16
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/3286 Needle tip design, e.g. for improved penetration
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/3291 Shafts with additional lateral openings

Abstract

An access port for implantation within the body of a patient for providing repeated access to a specific site within the patient and communicating with the site by an implanted internal catheter. The access ports in accordance with this invention includes a dual housing having two inlet orifices each leading to a reduced diameter guide passageway. An external filament such as a needle, guide wire, optical fiber, or external catheter can be introduced into either of the inlet orifices and fed through the housing. This system allows for the introduction of therapeutic agents, the removal of fluids, or the introduction of sensing or articulating devices to multiple sites within the patient.

Claims

1. An implantable access port for permitting the introduction of an external filament such as an external catheter, needle, guide wire or optical fiber within a patient comprising:

a housing defining first and second generally funnel shaped entrance orifices,

mounting means for supporting said housing subcutaneously,

first and second housing passageways extending respectively from said first and second entrance orifices and respectively defining first and second exit orifices,and

first and second articulating valve means respectively disposed in said first and second passageways, each of said first and second valve means for permitting said external filament to pass through said valve means while restricting the flow of fluids across said valve means.

2. An implantable access port according to claim 1 further comprising a catheter connected to each of said exit orifices.

3. An implantable access port according to claim 2 wherein said catheter communicates each of said exit orifices to distinct sites within said patient.

4. An implantable access port according to claim 2 wherein said catheter comprises a dual lumen catheter and wherein each of said lumens has a flow port and each of said flow ports are displaced along said catheter.

5. An implantable access port according to claim 2 wherein said port housing includes at least one physical feature which can be palpated after implantation which serves to differentiate the intended functions of said external filament introduced through said first and second valve means.

6. An implantable access port according to claim 5 wherein said features designate said first entrance orifice for infusion of a fluid and said second entrance orifice for withdrawal of a fluid.

7. An implantable access port for permitting the introduction of an external filament such as an external catheter, needle, guide wire or optical fiber within a patient comprising:

a first housing defining a first generally funnel shaped entrance orifice;

a first housing passageway extending from said first entrance orifice and defining a first exit orifice;

a first articulating valve means disposed in said first passageway, said first valve means for permitting an external filament to pass through said first valve means while restricting the flow of fluid across said first valve means;

a second housing defining a second generally funnel shaped entrance orifice,

a second housing passageway extending from said second entrance orifice and defining a second exit orifice;

a second articulating valve means disposed in said second passageway, said second valve means for permitting an external filament to pass through said second valve means while restricting the flow of fluid across said second valve means; and

mounting means for supporting both said first and second housings subcutaneously.

8. An implantable access port according to claim 7 further comprising first and second catheters respectively connected to said first and second exit orifices.

9. An implantable access port according to claim 8 wherein said catheters are adapted to communicate said first and second exit orifices with distinct sites within said patient.

10. An implantable access port according to claim 8 wherein said first and second catheters comprise a single, dual lumen catheter.

11. An implantable access port according to claim 10 wherein each of said lumens has a flow port and each of said flow ports is displaced relative to the other along said catheter.

12. An implantable access port according to claim 7 wherein said first and second housings includes at least one physical feature adapted to be externally palpated after implantation of said port, said physical features providing indicia to differentiate intended functions of said first and second housings and of an external filament introduced through said first and second valve means.

13. An implantable access port according to claim 12 wherein said physical features designate said first entrance orifice for infusion of a fluid and said second entrance orifice for withdrawal of a fluid.

14. An implantable access port according to claim 7 wherein said first and second housings are integral with one another.

15. An implantable access port according to claim 7 wherein said first and second housings are unitarily formed with one another.