Systems and methods for radiographically identifying an access port

• US 8,382,724 B2
• Filed: 09/30/2011
• Issued: 02/26/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/04/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bard Peripheral Vascular Incorporated (Becton, Dickinson & Co)
• Original Assignee: C.R. Bard, Inc. (Becton, Dickinson & Co)
• Inventors: Worthen, Sean M., Powers, Kelly B., Maniar, Ketan K.
• Primary Examiner(s): BERDICHEVSKY, AARTI
• Application Number:
  US13/250,909
• Publication Number:
  US 20120018073A1
• Time in Patent Office: 515 Days
• Field of Search: 604/288.01, 604/288.02
• US Class Current: 604/288.02
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/12 Arrangements for detecting or locating foreign bodies
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/0205 for injecting media
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/0211 with multiple chambers in a single site
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/0238 having means for locating the implanted device to insure proper injection, e.g. radio-emitter, protuberances, radio-opaque markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/32 with radio-opaque indicia
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/582 by tactile feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/6054 Magnetic identification systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2207/00 Methods of manufacture, assembly or production
• 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 39/0247 Semi-permanent or permanent transcutaneous or percutaneous access sites to the inside of the body peritoneal dialysis catheters A61M1/285; tracheostomy devices A61M16/0465; measuring pressure within the body A61B5/03; colostomy devices A61F5/445; gastrotomy feeding tubes A61J15/0015; means for fixing a feeding tube outside of the body A61J15/0053
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/10 Methods of surface bonding and/or assembly therefor

Abstract

An access port for subcutaneous implantation is disclosed. Such an access port may comprise a body for capturing a septum for repeatedly inserting a needle therethrough into a cavity defined within the body. Further, the access port may include at least one feature structured and configured for identification of the access port subsequent to subcutaneous implantation. Methods of identifying a subcutaneously implanted access port are also disclosed. For example, a subcutaneously implanted access port may be provided and at least one feature of the subcutaneously implanted access port may be perceived. Further, the subcutaneously implanted access port may be identified in response to perceiving the at least one feature. In one embodiment, an identification feature is included on a molded insert that is incorporated into the access port so as to be visible after implantation via x-ray imaging technology.

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing an implantable access port, comprising:

forming a radiopaque insert comprising a first material and a metal oxide, the insert including a feature identifying the access port as a power-injectable port via x-ray imaging technology subsequent to subcutaneous implantation thereof;

placing the radiopaque insert into a mold cavity; and

injection molding a port base in the mold cavity over the radiopaque insert using the first material.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first material is acetyl resin and the metal oxide is bismuth trioxide.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the placing step includes positioning the radiopaque insert such that no portion of the insert is visible from the port exterior.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the placing step includes positioning the radiopaque insert such that a surface of the insert is visible from the port exterior.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the identification feature includes alphanumeric indicia.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the alphanumeric indicia includes the letters “

C” and

“

T”

.

7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of joining a port cap to the port base over a septum that is captured therebetween.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the step of joining includes ultrasonically welding the port cap to the port base.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the injection molding step includes forming a port base that defines two separate fluid cavities.

10. A method for manufacturing an implantable access port, comprising:

forming a radiopaque insert comprising a first material and a metal oxide, the insert including a feature identifying the access port as a power-injectable port via x-ray imaging technology subsequent to subcutaneous implantation thereof;

placing the radiopaque insert into a recess defined by a body of the access port; and

encapsulating the radiopaque insert within the body of the access port.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the first material is acetyl resin and the metal oxide is bismuth trioxide.

12. The method according to claim 10, wherein the placing step includes sliding the radiopaque insert into a slot forming the recess.

13. The method according to claim 10, wherein the encapsulating step includes overmolding a material over the recess.

14. The method according to claim 10, wherein the identification feature includes alphanumeric indicia.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the alphanumeric indicia includes the letters “

C” and

“

T”

.

16. The method according to claim 10, further comprising the step of joining a port cap to the port base over a septum that is captured therebetween.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the step of joining includes ultrasonically welding the port cap to the port base.