Subcutaneous vascular access port, and method of using same

• US 20050085778A1
• Filed: 10/14/2004
• Published: 04/21/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/14/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert A. Parks
• Original Assignee: Robert A. Parks
• Inventors: Parks, Robert A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,351,233 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/288.20
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/0208 Subcutaneous access sites for injecting or removing fluids transcutaneous access sites A61M39/0247; implantable infusion devices A61M5/14276

Abstract

A surgically implantable access port has a main port body with an internal chamber formed therein, and an outlet tube connected to the main port body. The internal chamber is configured to readily receive a guide wire therein, and to passively direct the tip of a guide wire to an outlet, which is in fluid communication with the outlet tube. The chamber in the main port body is formed in a directionally aimed conical shape. The outlet may be located at the lowest area of the chamber, to help direct a guide wire thereto. A specialized needle is also described, having a curved tip with an opening formed therein. The top inner and the and the bottom outer surfaces of the needle, adjacent the tip opening, are rounded and non-sharp to avoid damaging a guide wire when used therewith. Methods of using the port and needle are also disclosed.

Claims

1. An implantable vascular access port, comprising:

a main port body having a hollow internal chamber formed therein with a curved floor at the base of the internal chamber, and having an outlet formed in a side wall thereof in communication with the internal chamber;

a septum covering a surface of the main port body and formed from a flexibly resilient material;

a hollow outlet tube attached to the main port body and in fluid communication with the outlet thereof;

wherein the internal chamber of the access port is formed in a funnel shape directed substantially toward the outlet.

2. The vascular access port of claim 1, wherein the main port body is provided with a curved inner wall which slopes gradually downwardly toward the outlet.

3. The vascular access port of claim 1, wherein the internal chamber tapers toward the outlet of the main port body.

4. The vascular access port of claim 1, wherein the outlet is located proximate the floor of the internal chamber.

5. The vascular access port of claim 1, wherein the internal chamber has a central axis which curves through approximately 90 degrees between the inlet thereof and the outlet.

14. A method of using the vascular access port of claim 1, comprising the steps of:

inserting a tip of a guide wire needle through a septum of the vascular port; and

threading a guide wire through the guide wire needle, through the internal chamber of the access port, through the outlet, and out through the outlet tube, whereby the shape of the internal chamber facilitates alignment of the guide wire with the outlet aperture of the access port.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the guide wire has a hydrophilic coating thereon.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the guide wire has a hydrophilic coating thereon.

18. A medical kit comprising the vascular access port of claim 1, and a guide needle for use in feeding a guide wire through a vascular port, wherein the guide needle comprises a hollow needle body having a curved tip and having an opening formed in the tip;

wherein the opening of the needle tip has a rounded lower edge portion formed thereon at a lower, outwardly facing edge thereof, and also has a rounded upper edge portion formed thereon at an upper, inwardly facing edge of the opening.

6. An implantable vascular access port, comprising:

a main port body having a hollow internal chamber formed therein with a curved floor below the internal chamber, said main port body having an outlet aperture formed in a side wall thereof in communication with the internal chamber;

a septum covering a surface of the main port body and formed from a flexibly resilient material;

a hollow outlet tube attached to the main port body and in fluid communication with the internal chamber thereof via the outlet aperture;

wherein the internal chamber tapers toward the outlet of the main port body.

7. The vascular access port of claim 6, wherein the outlet aperture is located proximate the floor of the internal chamber.

8. The vascular access port of claim 6, wherein the internal chamber has a central axis which curves through approximately 90 degrees between the inlet thereof and the outlet aperture.

9. A guide needle for use in feeding a guide wire through a vascular port, comprising:

a hollow needle body having a curved tip and having an opening formed in the tip,

wherein the opening of the needle tip has a rounded lower edge portion formed thereon at a lower, outwardly facing edge thereof, and also has a rounded upper edge portion formed thereon at an upper, inwardly facing edge of the opening.

10. The guide needle of claim 9, wherein the needle further comprises a hollow reservoir body having a space formed therein, the reservoir body being attached to and in fluid communication with the needle body.

11. The guide needle of claim 10, wherein the reservoir body has a directional pointer formed thereon which points in the same direction as the needle tip.

12. A guide needle for use in feeding a guide wire through a vascular port, comprising:

a hollow needle body having a curved tip and having an opening formed in the tip;

a hollow reservoir body having a space formed therein, the reservoir body attached to and in fluid communication with the needle body;

wherein the opening of the needle tip has a rounded lower edge portion formed thereon at a lower, outwardly facing edge thereof, and also has a rounded upper edge portion formed thereon at an upper, inwardly facing edge of the opening

13. The guide needle of claim 12, wherein the reservoir body has a directional pointer formed thereon which points in the same direction as the needle tip.

16. A method of removing an accumulated sheath from a distal end of a catheter attached to an implanted vascular access port in a patient, comprising the steps of:

inserting a tip of a guide wire needle through a septum of the vascular port;

threading a guide wire through the guide wire needle, through the internal chamber of the access port, through the outlet, and out through the outlet tube, whereby the shape of the internal chamber facilitates alignment of the guide wire with the outlet aperture of the access port;

extending the guide wire through the catheter and outwardly beyond the distal end of the catheter;

placing a loop of a loop snare over the sheath; and

pulling the sheath off of the guide wire using the loop snare.