Abstract: An access port for subcutaneous implantation is disclosed. The access port may include a body for capturing a septum for repeatedly inserting a needle therethrough into a cavity defined within the body. The access port may further 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. 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 sandwiched between base and cap portions of the access port so as to be visible after implantation via x-ray imaging technology.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an implantable access port, including forming a port body. The port body can include a fluid cavity located in a central region, the fluid cavity having a base surface lying in a first plane, and a plurality of recessed sections located in a peripheral region surrounding the central region, the plurality of recessed sections having a depth extending from a bottom surface of the peripheral region through the first plane. The method further includes locating a septum over the fluid cavity, and positioning a radiopaque insert in the plurality of recessed sections.

Abstract: A method of treating a patient using a power-injectable access port, including implanting the power-injectable access port in the patient, imaging the power-injectable access port following implanting, and power injecting a fluid into the patient through the power-injectable access port. The power-injectable access port includes a septum covering a reservoir, the septum including a radiopaque material forming at least one letter, the at least one letter indicating that the power-injectable access port is suitable for power injection. The power-injectable access port is designed to accommodate a pressure developed within the reservoir of at least 35 psi, and a fluid flow rate of at least 1 milliliter per second. Imaging the power-injectable access port produces an image, and the method includes identifying the at least one letter on the image to confirm that the power-injectable access port is suitable for power injecting a fluid.

Abstract: A power-injectable access port and methods of making are described. One method of making includes forming a power-injectable access port housing, creating a screen including one or more apertures through the screen in the shape of one or more alphanumeric characters, suspending a radiopaque material in a silicone material to form a radiopaque suspension, and depositing the radiopaque suspension onto a surface of the power-injectable access port housing through the one or more apertures of the screen to create at least one radiopaque identification feature. The at least one radiopaque identification feature may have a thickness protruding from an outer surface of the port base such that it is perceivable by sight and touch prior to implantation of the power injectable access port, and is observable via imaging technology subsequent to subcutaneous implantation of the power-injectable access port.

Abstract: An access port for subcutaneous implantation is disclosed. The access port may include a body for capturing a septum for repeatedly inserting a needle therethrough into a cavity defined within the body. The access port may further 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. 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 sandwiched between base and cap portions of the access port so as to be visible after implantation via x-ray imaging technology.

Abstract: A method of using a power-injectable port includes obtaining the power-injectable access port, attaching a catheter to an outlet stem of the power-injectable access port, and implanting the power-injectable access port and the catheter into a patient. The method further includes identifying the power-injectable access port following the implanting, inserting a distal end of a needle through the septum and into the reservoir, and injecting contrast media through the needle at a rate of at least one milliliter per second. The power-injectable access port includes a housing, a septum, a reservoir, and an outlet stem in fluid communication with the reservoir. The power-injectable access port is rated for injection of contrast media at a flow rate of at least 1 milliliter per second. The power-injectable access port is structured for operation at a pressure in the reservoir of at least 35 psi.

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 an insert that is incorporated into the access port so as to be visible after implantation via x-ray imaging technology.

Abstract: A guidance system for assisting with the insertion of a needle or other medical component into the body of a patient is disclosed. The guidance system utilizes ultrasound imaging or other suitable imaging technology. In one embodiment, the guidance system comprises an imaging device including a probe for producing an image of an internal body portion target, such as a vessel. One or more sensors are included with the probe. The sensors sense a detectable characteristic related to the needle, such as a magnetic field of a magnet included with the needle. The system includes a processor that uses data relating to the detectable characteristic sensed by the sensors to determine a position and/or orientation of the needle in three spatial dimensions. The system includes a display for depicting the position and/or orientation of the needle together with the image of the target.

Abstract: A method of power injecting a contrast medium into a patient, including obtaining a power-injectable access port suitable for power injection. The power injectable access port includes a housing defining a reservoir, and a septum. The septum may include a self-sealing material, and a radiopaque material. The radiopaque material may form a selected pattern when an x-ray is taken through the septum for identifying the power-injectable access port as being suitable for power injection. The power-injectable access port may be structured for accommodating a pressure developed within the reservoir of at least 35 psi, and may be designed to accommodate a fluid flow rate of at least 1 milliliter per second. After implanting the power-injectable access port in the patient, the method may include imaging the power-injectable access port and confirming via the selected pattern in the septum that the power-injectable access port is suitable for injecting the contrast medium.

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 an insert that is incorporated into the access port so as to be visible after implantation via x-ray imaging technology.

Abstract: A safety needle assembly of an infusion set for infusing fluids into a subcutaneously implanted access port is disclosed. The needle assembly is configured to prevent fluid/vapor escape therefrom so as to reduce or prevent fluid exposure to a clinician using the needle assembly. In one embodiment, the needle assembly comprises a handle portion including a needle extending therefrom, the needle defining a lumen for passage of a fluid therethrough. The needle assembly also includes a safety assembly defining a needle hole through which the needle initially extends. The safety assembly is selectively and axially slidable along the needle in order to shield a distal tip of the needle and prevent user contact therewith. A fluid isolation component is included in the safety assembly for isolating fluid escape from the needle to prevent exposure to a clinician.

Abstract: A method of power injecting a contrast medium into a patient, including obtaining a power-injectable access port suitable for power injection. The power injectable access port includes a housing defining a reservoir, and a septum. The septum may include a self-sealing material, and a radiopaque material. The radiopaque material may form a selected pattern when an x-ray is taken through the septum for identifying the power-injectable access port as being suitable for power injection. The power-injectable access port may be structured for accommodating a pressure developed within the reservoir of at least 35 psi, and may be designed to accommodate a fluid flow rate of at least 1 milliliter per second. After implanting the power-injectable access port in the patient, the method may include imaging the power-injectable access port and confirming via the selected pattern in the septum that the power-injectable access port is suitable for injecting the contrast medium.

Abstract: A catheter connector assembly which may be included with a corporeal drainage system, and a method of draining fluid from a bodily cavity. The catheter connector assembly may include a catheter connector and a drainage line connector. The catheter connector may include a connector body with a coupling feature, a deformable sealing element, and a retaining member. The drainage line connector may include a drainage line body first and second hinge clips, and an actuator. The actuator is designed to deform the deformable sealing element when the drainage line connector is coupled to the catheter connector.

Abstract: An assembly for identifying a power injectable vascular access port, including a vascular access port and an identification feature. The port is structured for power injection and includes a housing and a septum together defining a reservoir. A radiographic feature incorporated into the port is perceivable via x-ray following subcutaneous implantation, the radiographic feature identifying the port as suitable for flowing fluid at a fluid flow rate of at least 1 mL/sec therethrough. A structural feature of the port is perceivable via palpation following subcutaneous implantation, the structural feature identifying the port as suitable for accommodating a pressure within the reservoir of at least 35 psi. The identification feature is separated from the port and confirms that the port is both suitable for flowing fluid at a rate of at least 1 mL/sec therethrough and suitable for accommodating a pressure within the reservoir of at least 35 psi.

Abstract: A catheter includes a proximal portion designed for residing externally of a patient vasculature and a distal portion having a distal tip designed for placement in a desired position within the patient vasculature. A storage component is embedded in a portion of the catheter, the storage component including a radio-frequency identification (RFID) chip. The RFID chip includes non-volatile memory that is programmable by a RFID encoder. The storage component includes data related to the placement of the distal tip of the catheter in the desired position within the patient vasculature.

Abstract: A catheter assembly for regulation or transfer of fluids to and from a patient. The catheter assembly may include a catheter and a valve assembly. The valve assembly may include a diaphragm having two unidirectional slit valves that open in different directions, a first unidirectional slit valve opening distally in response to an infusion-induced pressure and a second unidirectional slit valve opening proximally in response to an aspiration-induced pressure.

Abstract: A power-injectable access port suitable for providing subcutaneous access to a patient and suitable for power injection. The access port includes a septum, a housing, and a reservoir defined by the septum and the housing. The septum may include a material that seals passages formed by puncturing the septum with a hollow slender element or another suitable access mechanism, and a radiopaque material forming a selected pattern when an x-ray is taken through the septum for identifying the power-injectable access port as being suitable for power injection. The housing and the septum may be structured for accommodating a pressure developed within the reservoir of at least 35 psi. The power-injectable access port may be designed to accommodate a flow rate of at least 1 milliliter per second of a fluid.

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 an insert that is incorporated into the access port so as to be visible after implantation via x-ray imaging technology.

Abstract: A sacrificial catheter assembly and method of use for placing a functional catheter within the body of a patient, such as into the patient's vasculature, is disclosed. In one embodiment, the sacrificial catheter assembly comprises a sacrificial catheter including an elongate body that defines a longitudinally extending lumen. A stylet is removably received within the lumen of the sacrificial catheter such that the catheter and stylet can be advanced together to a target destination within the body of the patient. The sacrificial catheter is configured so as to then be proximally slid over the stylet to remove the sacrificial catheter from the body while the stylet remains in place at the target destination. A functional catheter can then be distally slid over the stylet to place the functional catheter at the target destination. The stylet can then be removed from the body of the patient.

Abstract: A method for using a medical device in connection with a catheter for regulation or transfer of fluids to and from a patient. The method may include obtaining and using a medical device including a diaphragm having two unidirectional slit valves disposed therein that actuate in different directions, one slit valve actuating in one direction in response to infusion-induced pressure and another slit valve actuating in another direction in response to aspiration-induced pressure. The method may include infusing fluid through one of the unidirectional slit valves, through a lumen, and into a patient's body. The method may also include aspirating fluid from a patient's body through the lumen and another unidirectional slit valve.