Vascular access port with needle detector
First Claim
1. A vascular access port system for detecting the presence or absence of a needle, the system comprising:
- a vascular access port including a portal housing containing an internal reservoir with first and second openings, a self-sealing septum disposed in the first opening, and a catheter extending from the portal housing, the catheter defining a lumen extending therethrough in fluid communication with the reservoir via the second opening;
a detecting circuit configured to detect the presence or absence of the needle in the reservoir; and
an indicating circuit configured to indicate the presence or absence of the needle in the reservoir;
wherein the indicating circuit is configured to generate a removal signal when the needle is removed from the reservoir;
wherein the removal signal comprises an alarm.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A vascular access port system including circuits for detecting and indicating the presence or absence of a needle. The detecting and indicating circuits may be carried in whole or in part by one of or both of the needle and/or the vascular access port. The detecting and indicating circuits may utilize a conductive needle, a mechanical switch, a magnetic switch, a Hall effect sensor, an electric field, a magnetic field, or an inductor, for example, for detection purposes. The vascular access port system permits the practitioner to confirm that the needle has been correctly inserted into the VAP, and notifies the patient and/or practitioner if the needle has been accidentally withdrawn.
145 Citations
78 Claims
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1. A vascular access port system for detecting the presence or absence of a needle, the system comprising:
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a vascular access port including a portal housing containing an internal reservoir with first and second openings, a self-sealing septum disposed in the first opening, and a catheter extending from the portal housing, the catheter defining a lumen extending therethrough in fluid communication with the reservoir via the second opening; a detecting circuit configured to detect the presence or absence of the needle in the reservoir; and an indicating circuit configured to indicate the presence or absence of the needle in the reservoir; wherein the indicating circuit is configured to generate a removal signal when the needle is removed from the reservoir; wherein the removal signal comprises an alarm. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. A vascular access port system for detecting the presence or absence of a needle, the system comprising:
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a vascular access port including a portal housing containing an internal reservoir with first and second openings, a self-sealing septum disposed in the first opening, and a catheter extending from the portal housing, the catheter defining a lumen extending therethrough in fluid communication with the reservoir via the second opening; and means for detecting and indicating the presence or absence of a needle extending into the reservoir; wherein the detecting and indicating means comprises means for generating a removal signal when the needle is removed from the reservoir; wherein the removal signal comprises an alarm. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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41. A vascular access port system for detecting the presence or absence of a needle, the system comprising:
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a vascular access port including a portal housing containing an internal reservoir with first and second openings, a self-sealing septum disposed in the first opening, and a catheter extending from the portal housing, the catheter defining a lumen extending therethrough in fluid communication with the reservoir via the second opening; a detecting circuit configured to detect the presence or absence of the needle in the reservoir; and an indicating circuit configured to indicate the presence or absence of the needle in the reservoir; wherein the detecting circuit generates a detection signal indicative of a proximity of the needle to the reservoir; wherein the indicating circuit generates an indicator signal indicative of the detection signal; wherein the indicating circuit includes a transducer and wherein the transducer generates the indicator signal; and wherein the indicator signal is tactile.
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42. A vascular access port system for detecting the presence or absence of a needle, the system comprising:
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a vascular access port including a portal housing containing an internal reservoir with first and second openings, a self-sealing septum disposed in the first opening, and a catheter extending from the portal housing, the catheter defining a lumen extending therethrough in fluid communication with the reservoir via the second opening; a detecting circuit configured to detect the presence or absence of the needle in the reservoir; and an indicating circuit configured to indicate the presence or absence of the needle in the reservoir; wherein the detecting circuit generates a detection signal indicative of a proximity of the needle to the reservoir; wherein the indicating circuit generates an indicator signal indicative of the detection signal; wherein the indicating circuit includes a transducer and wherein the transducer generates the indicator signal; and wherein the transducer generates a removal signal when the needle is removed from the reservoir. - View Dependent Claims (43)
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44. A vascular access port system for detecting the presence or absence of a needle, the system comprising:
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a vascular access port including a portal housing containing an internal reservoir with first and second openings, a self-sealing septum disposed in the first opening, and a catheter extending from the portal housing, the catheter defining a lumen extending therethrough in fluid communication with the reservoir via the second opening; a detecting circuit configured to detect the presence or absence of the needle in the reservoir; and an indicating circuit configured to indicate the presence or absence of the needle in the reservoir; wherein the needle detecting circuit is closed by the needle when the needle extends into the reservoir; wherein the needle detecting circuit includes the needle as a conductive path; wherein the septum is at least partially conductive, and wherein the needle detecting circuit includes the septum. - View Dependent Claims (45)
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46. A vascular access port system for detecting the presence or absence of a needle, the system comprising:
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a vascular access port including a portal housing containing an internal reservoir with first and second openings, a self-sealing septum disposed in the first opening, and a catheter extending from the portal housing, the catheter defining a lumen extending therethrough in fluid communication with the reservoir via the second opening; a detecting circuit configured to detect the presence or absence of the needle in the reservoir; and an indicating circuit configured to indicate the presence or absence of the needle in the reservoir; wherein the needle is magnetic and wherein the needle detecting circuit includes a magnetic switch disposed in the reservoir.
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47. A vascular access port system for detecting the presence or absence of a needle, the system comprising:
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a vascular access port including a portal housing containing an internal reservoir with first and second openings, a self-sealing septum disposed in the first opening, and a catheter extending from the portal housing, the catheter defining a lumen extending therethrough in fluid communication with the reservoir via the second opening; a detecting circuit configured to detect the presence or absence of the needle in the reservoir; and an indicating circuit configured to indicate the presence or absence of the needle in the reservoir; wherein the needle detecting circuit includes an emitter element connected to a power source to generate an electrical field, wherein the needle detecting circuit includes a detector element, and wherein the emitter element is movable with respect to the detector element. - View Dependent Claims (48)
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49. A vascular access port system for detecting the presence or absence of a needle, the system comprising:
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a vascular access port including a portal housing containing an internal reservoir with first and second openings, a self-sealing septum disposed in the first opening, and a catheter extending from the portal housing, the catheter defining a lumen extending therethrough in fluid communication with the reservoir via the second opening; a detecting circuit configured to detect the presence or absence of the needle in the reservoir; and an indicating circuit configured to indicate the presence or absence of the needle in the reservoir; wherein the needle detecting circuit comprises a magnet and a Hall effect sensor, and wherein the Hall effect sensor is movable with respect to the magnet. - View Dependent Claims (50, 51)
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52. A vascular access port system for detecting the presence or absence of a needle, the system comprising:
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a vascular access port including a portal housing containing an internal reservoir with first and second openings, a self-sealing septum disposed in the first opening, and a catheter extending from the portal housing, the catheter defining a lumen extending therethrough in fluid communication with the reservoir via the second opening; a detecting circuit configured to detect the presence or absence of the needle in the reservoir; and an indicating circuit configured to indicate the presence or absence of the needle in the reservoir; wherein the needle detecting circuit includes a primary coil connected to a power source, wherein the needle detecting circuit includes a secondary coil, and wherein the primary coil is movable with respect to secondary coil. - View Dependent Claims (53, 54)
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55. A vascular access port system for detecting the presence or absence of a needle, the system comprising:
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a vascular access port including a portal housing containing an internal reservoir with first and second openings, a self-sealing septum disposed in the first opening, and a catheter extending from the portal housing, the catheter defining a lumen extending therethrough in fluid communication with the reservoir via the second opening; a detecting circuit configured to detect the presence or absence of the needle in the reservoir; and an indicating circuit configured to indicate the presence or absence of the needle in the reservoir; wherein the needle detecting circuit comprises a magnetically permeable element and an inductive coil, and wherein the magnetically permeable element is movable with respect to the inductive coil. - View Dependent Claims (56, 57)
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58. A vascular access port system for detecting the presence or absence of a needle, the system comprising:
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a vascular access port including a portal housing containing an internal reservoir with first and second openings, a self-sealing septum disposed in the first opening, and a catheter extending from the portal housing, the catheter defining a lumen extending therethrough in fluid communication with the reservoir via the second opening; and means for detecting and indicating the presence or absence of a needle extending into the reservoir; wherein the needle detecting and indicating means is electrical; wherein the needle detecting and indicating means includes a detecting circuit and an indicating circuit; wherein the indicating circuit includes a transducer; wherein the transducer generates an insertion signal when the needle extends through the septum and into the reservoir.
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59. A vascular access port system for detecting the presence or absence of a needle, the system comprising:
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a vascular access port including a portal housing containing an internal reservoir with first and second openings, a self-sealing septum disposed in the first opening, and a catheter extending from the portal housing, the catheter defining a lumen extending therethrough in fluid communication with the reservoir via the second opening; and means for detecting and indicating the presence or absence of a needle extending into the reservoir; wherein the needle detecting and indicating means is electrical; wherein the needle detecting and indicating means includes a detecting circuit and an indicating circuit; wherein the indicating circuit includes a transducer; wherein the transducer generates an removal signal when the needle is removed from the reservoir. - View Dependent Claims (60)
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61. A vascular access port system for detecting the presence or absence of a needle, the system comprising:
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a vascular access port including a portal housing containing an internal reservoir with first and second openings, a self-sealing septum disposed in the first opening, and a catheter extending from the portal housing, the catheter defining a lumen extending therethrough in fluid communication with the reservoir via the second opening; a detecting circuit configured to detect the presence or absence of the needle in the reservoir; and an indicating circuit configured to indicate the presence or absence of the needle in the reservoir; wherein the indicating circuit is configured to generate a removal signal when the needle is removed from the reservoir; wherein the needle detecting circuit is closed by the needle when the needle extends into the reservoir; wherein the needle detecting circuit includes the needle as a conductive path; and wherein the septum is at least partially conductive, and wherein the needle detecting circuit includes the septum. - View Dependent Claims (62)
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63. A vascular access port system for detecting the presence or absence of a needle, the system comprising:
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a vascular access port including a portal housing containing an internal reservoir with first and second openings, a self-sealing septum disposed in the first opening, and a catheter extending from the portal housing, the catheter defining a lumen extending therethrough in fluid communication with the reservoir via the second opening; a detecting circuit configured to detect the presence or absence of the needle in the reservoir; and an indicating circuit configured to indicate the presence or absence of the needle in the reservoir; wherein the indicating circuit is configured to generate a removal signal when the needle is removed from the reservoir; wherein the needle is magnetic and wherein the needle detecting circuit includes a magnetic switch disposed in the reservoir.
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64. A vascular access port system for detecting the presence or absence of a needle, the system comprising:
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a vascular access port including a portal housing containing an internal reservoir with first and second openings, a self-sealing septum disposed in the first opening, and a catheter extending from the portal housing, the catheter defining a lumen extending therethrough in fluid communication with the reservoir via the second opening; a detecting circuit configured to detect the presence or absence of the needle in the reservoir; and an indicating circuit configured to indicate the presence or absence of the needle in the reservoir; wherein the indicating circuit is configured to generate a removal signal when the needle is removed from the reservoir; wherein the needle detecting circuit includes an emitter element connected to a power source to generate an electrical field, wherein the needle detecting circuit includes a detector element, and wherein the emitter element is movable with respect to the detector element. - View Dependent Claims (65)
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66. A vascular access port system for detecting the presence or absence of a needle, the system comprising:
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a vascular access port including a portal housing containing an internal reservoir with first and second openings, a self-sealing septum disposed in the first opening, and a catheter extending from the portal housing, the catheter defining a lumen extending therethrough in fluid communication with the reservoir via the second opening; a detecting circuit configured to detect the presence or absence of the needle in the reservoir; and an indicating circuit configured to indicate the presence or absence of the needle in the reservoir; wherein the indicating circuit is configured to generate a removal signal when the needle is removed from the reservoir; wherein the needle detecting circuit comprises a magnet and a Hall effect sensor, and wherein the Hall effect sensor is movable with respect to the magnet. - View Dependent Claims (67, 68)
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69. A vascular access port system for detecting the presence or absence of a needle, the system comprising:
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a vascular access port including a portal housing containing an internal reservoir with first and second openings, a self-sealing septum disposed in the first opening, and a catheter extending from the portal housing, the catheter defining a lumen extending therethrough in fluid communication with the reservoir via the second opening; a detecting circuit configured to detect the presence or absence of the needle in the reservoir; and an indicating circuit configured to indicate the presence or absence of the needle in the reservoir; wherein the indicating circuit is configured to generate a removal signal when the needle is removed from the reservoir; wherein the needle detecting circuit includes a primary coil connected to a power source, wherein the needle detecting circuit includes a secondary coil, and wherein the primary coil is movable with respect to secondary coil. - View Dependent Claims (70, 71)
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72. A vascular access port system for detecting the presence or absence of a needle, the system comprising:
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a vascular access port including a portal housing containing an internal reservoir with first and second openings, a self-sealing septum disposed in the first opening, and a catheter extending from the portal housing, the catheter defining a lumen extending therethrough in fluid communication with the reservoir via the second opening; a detecting circuit configured to detect the presence or absence of the needle in the reservoir; and an indicating circuit configured to indicate the presence or absence of the needle in the reservoir; wherein the indicating circuit is configured to generate a removal signal when the needle is removed from the reservoir; wherein the needle detecting circuit comprises a magnetically permeable element and an inductive coil, and wherein the magnetically permeable element is movable with respect to the inductive coil. - View Dependent Claims (73, 74)
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75. A vascular access port system for detecting the presence or absence of a needle, the system comprising:
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a vascular access port including a portal housing containing an internal reservoir with first and second openings, a self-sealing septum disposed in the first opening, and a catheter extending from the portal housing, the catheter defining a lumen extending therethrough in fluid communication with the reservoir via the second opening; a detecting circuit configured to detect the presence or absence of the needle in the reservoir; and an indicating circuit configured to indicate the presence or absence of the needle in the reservoir; wherein the indicating circuit is configured to generate a removal signal when the needle is removed from the reservoir; wherein the indicating circuit includes a transducer and wherein the transducer generates the indicator signal; wherein the indicator signal is tactile.
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76. A vascular access port system for detecting the presence or absence of a needle, the system comprising:
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a vascular access port including a portal housing containing an internal reservoir with first and second openings, a self-sealing septum disposed in the first opening, and a catheter extending from the portal housing, the catheter defining a lumen extending therethrough in fluid communication with the reservoir via the second opening; a detecting circuit configured to detect the presence or absence of the needle in the reservoir; and an indicating circuit configured to indicate the presence or absence of the needle in the reservoir; wherein the indicating circuit is configured to generate a removal signal when the needle is removed from the reservoir; wherein the indicating circuit includes a transducer and wherein the transducer generates the indicator signal; wherein the transducer generates the removal signal when the needle is removed from the reservoir.
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77. A vascular access port system for detecting the presence or absence of a needle, the system comprising:
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a vascular access port including a portal housing containing an internal reservoir with first and second openings, a self-sealing septum disposed in the first opening, and a catheter extending from the portal housing, the catheter defining a lumen extending therethrough in fluid communication with the reservoir via the second opening; and means for detecting and indicating the presence or absence of a needle extending into the reservoir; wherein the detecting and indicating means comprises means for generating a removal signal when the needle is removed from the reservoir; wherein the needle detecting and indicating means is electrical; wherein the needle detecting and indicating means includes a detecting circuit and an indicating circuit; wherein the indicating circuit includes a transducer; wherein the transducer generates an insertion signal when the needle extends through the septum and into the reservoir.
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78. A vascular access port system for detecting the presence or absence of a needle, the system comprising:
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a vascular access port including a portal housing containing an internal reservoir with first and second openings, a self-sealing septum disposed in the first opening, and a catheter extending from the portal housing, the catheter defining a lumen extending therethrough in fluid communication with the reservoir via the second opening; and means for detecting and indicating the presence or absence of a needle extending into the reservoir; wherein the detecting and indicating means comprises means for generating a removal signal when the needle is removed from the reservoir; wherein the needle detecting and indicating means is electrical; wherein the needle detecting and indicating means includes a detecting circuit and an indicating circuit; wherein the indicating circuit includes a transducer; wherein the transducer generates the removal signal when the needle is removed from the reservoir.
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Specification