Abstract: A power-injectable access port includes a housing defining an internal cavity and including a plurality of suture apertures, a needle-penetrable septum captured by the housing enabling needle access to the internal cavity, a stem having a lumen in fluid communication with the internal cavity, the stem configured for coupling to a catheter, and a radiopaque identification feature observable via imaging technology subsequent to subcutaneous implantation of the port, the feature indicating that the port is suitable for power injection.

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.

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: 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 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: 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 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: A multi-lumen catheter including a generally cylindrical body enclosing a first and second lumen separated by a generally planar septum. A first and second tip section extend from a distal end of the body. The first and second tip section may each include a generally planar surface. The second tip section may include a first segment extending from the distal end of the body to a transition segment and a second segment extending from the transition segment to a distal end of the second tip section.

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 corporeal drainage system and a method of draining fluid from a bodily cavity. The corporeal drainage system includes a connection tube and a fluid receptacle in fluid communication with the connection tube. The fluid receptacle creates a negative pressure in the system by transitioning from a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration. The system may include an activation member to initiate transitioning of the fluid receptacle.

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: 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.

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 medical device is disclosed comprising a diaphragm having at least one slit valve disposed therein, and a valve housing configured to secure the diaphragm at a peripheral portion of the diaphragm, wherein a central portion of the diaphragm is positioned relative to the peripheral portion of the diaphragm such that compressive forces acting on the peripheral portion of the diaphragm create moment forces which bias the slit valve in a closed position. A method is disclosed for using the device in connection with a catheter for regulation of fluids to and from a patient.

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 engraved or otherwise defined by the access port, so as to be visible after implantation via x-ray imaging technology.

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: 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 hemodialysis catheter, including an elongate body with an outer wall enclosing an arterial lumen and a venous lumen, and a method of making same. The catheter includes a first continuous loop and a second continuous loop formed from a distal extension of the outer wall, the first continuous loop beginning at a first side of the distal end of the body to define a first enclosed opening, and the second continuous loop beginning at a second side of the distal end of the body to define a second enclosed opening.

Abstract: A corporeal drainage system and a method of draining fluid from a bodily cavity. The corporeal drainage system includes a connection tube and a fluid receptacle in fluid communication with the connection tube. The fluid receptacle creates a negative pressure in the system by transitioning from a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration. The system may include an activation member to initiate transitioning of the fluid receptacle.