Septum including at least one identifiable feature, access ports including same, and related methods

• US 20060224129A1
• Filed: 12/28/2005
• Published: 10/05/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/07/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bard Peripheral Vascular Incorporated (Becton, Dickinson & Co)
• Original Assignee: C.R. Bard, Inc. (Becton, Dickinson & Co)
• Inventors: Burnside, Eddie K., Tallarida, Steven J., Gerondale, Jay D., Beasley, Jim C.
• Granted Patent: US 8,177,762 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/288.10
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/0045 Radiopaque indicia
• 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 39/0208 Subcutaneous access sites for injecting or removing fluids transcutaneous access sites A61M39/0247; implantable infusion devices A61M5/14276
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/04 having pierceable self-sealing members

Abstract

A septum for use in access port for providing subcutaneous access to a patient is disclosed. More particularly, a septum including at least one topographical feature configured for identification of the septum is disclosed. An access port including such a septum is also disclosed. In addition, an access port comprising a septum and a means for identification of the septum is disclosed. Also, a method of identifying a subcutaneously implanted access port is disclosed. Specifically, an access port including a septum may be provided and at least one topographical feature of the septum of the access port may be perceived. The subcutaneously implanted access port may be identified in response to perceiving the at least one feature of the septum of the access port.

Claims

1. An access port for providing subcutaneous access to a patient, comprising:

a body configured for capturing a septum for repeatedly inserting a needle therethrough into a cavity defined within the body; and

at least one topographical feature of the septum configured for identification of the septum.

2. The access port of claim 1, wherein the at least one topographical feature is selected from the group comprising:

at least one protrusion and at least one recess.

3. The access port of claim 1, wherein the at least one topographical feature comprises a plurality of protrusions.

4. The access port of claim 3, wherein each of the plurality of protrusions exhibits a generally rounded end or a substantially planar end.

5. The access port of claim 4, wherein each of the plurality of protrusions is substantially identical.

6. The access port of claim 3, wherein the plurality of protrusions comprises three substantially identical protrusions, wherein the three protrusions are positioned substantially equidistantly from a central axis of the septum.

7. The access port of claim 3, wherein at least one of the plurality of protrusions is elongated, wherein the at least one elongated protrusion extends linearly or arcuately.

8. The access port of claim 7, wherein the at least one elongated protrusion comprises at least two linearly extending elongated protrusions, wherein the at least two linearly extending elongated protrusions are substantially parallel to one another.

9. The access port of claim 1, wherein the at least one topographical feature comprises a single protrusion, wherein the single protrusion is substantially aligned with a central axis of the septum.

10. The access port of claim 1, wherein a side periphery of the access port is generally triangular.

11. A septum for an access port for providing subcutaneous access to a patient, comprising:

a body exhibiting at least one topographical feature configured for identification of the septum.

12. The septum of claim 11, wherein the at least one topographical feature comprises a plurality of protrusions.

13. The septum of claim 12, wherein each of the plurality of protrusions exhibits a generally rounded end or a substantially planar end.

14. The septum of claim 13, wherein each of the plurality of protrusions is substantially identical.

15. The septum of claim 12, wherein the plurality of protrusions comprises three substantially identical protrusions, wherein the three protrusions are positioned substantially equidistantly from a central axis of the septum.

16. An access port for providing subcutaneous access to a patient, comprising:

a body configured for capturing a septum for repeatedly inserting a needle therethrough into a cavity defined within the body; and

a means for identifying the septum.

17. The access port of claim 16, wherein the means for identifying the septum comprises one or more protrusions.

18. The access port of claim 16, wherein the means for identifying the septum comprises a visually perceivable feature selected from the group comprising:

a color, a symbol, a letter, a pattern, and indicia.

19. The access port of claim 16, wherein the means for identifying the septum comprises an x-ray detectable feature or an ultrasound detectable feature.

20. The access port of claim 16, wherein the means for identifying the septum comprises an RFID tag.

21. A method of identifying a subcutaneously implanted access port, comprising:

providing an access port including a septum;

perceiving at least one topographical feature of the septum of the access port; and

identifying the subcutaneously implanted access port in response to perceiving the at least one feature of the septum of the access port.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein perceiving the at least one topographical feature comprises palpating the at least one topographical feature or visually perceiving the at least one topographical feature.