Implantable access devices

• US 5,527,278 A
• Filed: 06/06/1995
• Issued: 06/18/1996
• 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:
  US08/467,268
• Time in Patent Office: 378 Days
• Field of Search: 604/93, 604/49, 604/174, 604/175, 604/245-249, 604/280, 604/283, 604/905
• US Class Current: 604/288.01
• 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 include a housing having an inlet orifice 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 the access device and fed through the housing. The system allows the introduction of therapeutic agents, the removal of fluids from the body, or the introduction of sensing or articulating devices to the specific site within the patient.

Claims

1. A method of providing repeated access to a preselected site within a patient by an external filament comprising the steps of:

providing an access port having a housing including an entrance orifice, an exit orifice and a passageway connecting the entrance orifice to the exit orifice,

providing a catheter,

making an incision in the patient'"'"'s skin,

locating the site within the patient through the incision,

affixing one end of the catheter to the site,

affixing an opposite end of said catheter to the access port exit orifice,

inserting the access port through the incision to a subcutaneous position, and closing the incision.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the access port includes means for enabling the incision to be stretched open during said insertion step, said incision being made to a dimension which results in the stretching of the incision when the port is inserted thereinto.

3. A method according to claim 2 wherein the site is a peripheral vein in the arm of the patient.

4. A method according to claim 2 further comprising the steps of providing a cutting tool having a blade for forming said incision and cutting a subcutaneous pocket for receiving said port and using said tool to form said incision and said pocket.

6. An implantable patient access port according to claim 1 wherein the port increases in width along smooth surfaces from the exit orifice toward the entrance orifice until reaching a maximum width, the port also increases in height along smooth surfaces from the exit orifice toward the entrance orifice until reaching a maximum height.

7. An implantable patient access port according to claim 1 wherein said step of making the incision includes the step of making the incision to a width which is less than the maximum width of the port.

8. An implantable patient access port according to claim 7 wherein said step of inserting the port through the incision includes the step of stretching the skin defining the incision to form a layer opening.

9. An implantable patient access port according to claim 8 wherein said stretching step includes the step of using the port to stretch the skin defining the incision.

5. A method of providing repeated access to a peripheral vein within a patient by an external filament such as an external catheter, needle, wire or optical fiber,comprising the steps of:

providing an access port having a housing forming an entrance orifice for receiving said filament and an exit orifice, said access port having a shape in which its cross-sectional dimension enlarges from said exit orifice to said entrance orifice,

providing a catheter,

making an incision in the patient'"'"'s skin,

locating the vein through the incision,

affixing one end of the catheter to the vein,

affixing an opposite end of the catheter to the port exit orifice,

inserting the port through the incision to a subcutaneous position, and

closing the incision.