US5226879A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Implantable access device
Assignee: MICHIGAN A CORP OF MI, University of, Regents of
•
Filing: 1992-01-10
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Granted: 1993-07-13
•
Expires: 2012-01-10
Abstract
Abstract An infusion device which permits transcutaneous access to an implanted catheter for use in introducing an external filament such as a optical fiber, external catheter, guide wire or rigid needle. In accordance with this invention the device includes a valve assembly including a first valve element defining an aperture with a sealing member which is normally to engage and seal against the aperture. The sealing element is made from a hard material such as a metal. Upon introduction of a rigid external introducer such as a needle, the needle directly contacts the sealing member plug unsealing it from the valve element aperture which then closes against the external element. The device enables repeated access using a sharp introduced element such as a needle without it contacting soft sealing elements which could be degraded by such repeated access.
Inventors
- 👤 William D. Ensminger
- 👤 James A. Knol
- 👤 James C. Andrews
- 👤 John J. Mastroeni
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 16:32
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M39/00; A61M39/02; A61M39/0208; A61M39/06; A61M39/0606; A61M2039/0211; A61M2039/062; A61M2039/0633; A61M2039/064; A61M2039/0653; A61M2039/0666; A61M2039/0686
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 35
Claim 1
Independent Claim
146 words
An implantable access port to permit the introduction of an external filament such as an external catheter, needle, guide wire or optical fiber within a patient comprising: a housing defining a generally funnel shaped entrance orifice, an entrance passageway and an exit passageway, said entrance orifice for guiding said external filament into said housing entrance passageway and an exit passageway, an elastomeric valve element disposed within said housing between said entrance and exit passageways defining an aperture for permitting the passage of said external filament therethrough, sealing means for defining a plug which is urged into sealing engagement with said valve element aperture, said plug being forced from sealing engagement with said aperture upon contact with said external filament as said external filament is introduced into said port through said entrance passageway, and mounting means formed by said housing for enabling fastening of said housing subcutanously.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
146 words
An implantable access port to permit the introduction of an external filament such as an external catheter, needle, guide wire or optical fiber within a patient comprising: a housing defining a generally funnel shaped entrance orifice, an entrance passageway and an exit passageway, said entrance orifice for guiding said external filament into said housing entrance passageway and an exit passageway, an elastomeric valve element disposed within said housing between said entrance and exit passageways defining an aperture for permitting the passage of said external filament therethrough, sealing means for defining a plug which is urged into sealing engagement with said valve element aperture, said plug being forced from sealing engagement with said aperture upon contact with said external filament as said external filament is introduced into said port through said entrance passageway, and mounting means formed by said housing for enabling fastening of said housing subcutanously.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
57 words
An implantable access port according to claim 1 wherein said plug is shaped to extend partially through and expand said valve element aperture when said external filament is not within said housing and wherein said valve element aperture constricts into sealing engagement with said external filament upon said plug being forced from sealing engagement with said aperture.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
An implantable access port according to claim 2 wherein said plug defines a convex outer surface which aids in expanding said valve element aperture.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
An implantable access port according to claim 1 wherein said aperture is circular.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
53 words
An implantable access port according to claim 1 wherein said housing entrance passageway is oriented with respect to said plug whereby upon introduction of said external filament, said filament contacts said plug and is prevented from contacting said sealing element while said plug is in said sealing engagement with said valve element aperture.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
An implantable access port according to claim 5 wherein said plug defines a concave central area which is engaged by said external filament.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
An implantable access port according to claim 1 wherein said plug is formed of a metal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
An implantable access port according to claim 1 wherein said sealing means comprises a disk having plural leaves with each having plug segments at near the center of said disk which together define said plug.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
An implantable access port according to claim 8 wherein said sealing means disk is made of metal and wherein said plug segments are formed integrally by said disk.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
An implantable access port according to claim 8 wherein said plug segments are formed by separate metal elements bonded to a substrate.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
An implantable access port according to claim 1 wherein said sealing member plug is supported by an arm urging said plug into engagement with said valve element aperture.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
An implantable access port according to claim 1 further comprising a second elastomeric valve element disposed in engagement with said sealing means and positioned adjacent said exit passageway.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
An implantable access port according to claim 12 wherein said second elastomeric valve element comprises a leaflet valve having plural leaves which join near the center of said valve.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
218 words
An implantable patient access port to permit the introduction of a needle for the removal or introduction of a fluid through an implanted catheter, or permitting the introduction of a filament such as an external catheter, guide wire or optical fiber, comprising: a housing defining a generally funnel shaped entrance orifice for guiding said needle into a housing entrance passageway, said housing further having an exit passageway with a valve chamber within said housing between said entrance and exit passageway, said housing further having means for connecting said passageway to said implanted catheter, an elastomeric valve element positioned within said valve chamber adjacent said housing entrance passageway, and having a generally round aperture located in alignment with said housing entrance passageway. sealing means for defining a plug which is normally biased into sealing engagement with said valve element aperture and enlarging said aperture, said plug being formed of a hard material for enabling repeated engagement with said needle, said plug projecting toward said housing entrance passageway whereby insertion of said needle or said filament and engagement with said plug forces said plug to deflect out of said aperture and allowing said valve member aperture to constrict into sealing contact with said needle or said filament, and mounting means formed by said housing enabling fastening of said housing subcutaneously.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
218 words
An implantable patient access port to permit the introduction of a needle for the removal or introduction of a fluid through an implanted catheter, or permitting the introduction of a filament such as an external catheter, guide wire or optical fiber, comprising: a housing defining a generally funnel shaped entrance orifice for guiding said needle into a housing entrance passageway, said housing further having an exit passageway with a valve chamber within said housing between said entrance and exit passageway, said housing further having means for connecting said passageway to said implanted catheter, an elastomeric valve element positioned within said valve chamber adjacent said housing entrance passageway, and having a generally round aperture located in alignment with said housing entrance passageway. sealing means for defining a plug which is normally biased into sealing engagement with said valve element aperture and enlarging said aperture, said plug being formed of a hard material for enabling repeated engagement with said needle, said plug projecting toward said housing entrance passageway whereby insertion of said needle or said filament and engagement with said plug forces said plug to deflect out of said aperture and allowing said valve member aperture to constrict into sealing contact with said needle or said filament, and mounting means formed by said housing enabling fastening of said housing subcutaneously.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
58 words
An implantable access port according to claim 14 wherein sad housing passageway is oriented with respect to said plug whereby upon introduction of said needle or said external filament, said needle or said filament contacts said plug and is prevented from contacting said sealing element while said plug is in said sealing engagement with said sealing element aperture.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
An implantable access port according to claim 14 wherein said plug defines a concave central area which is engaged by said needle or said external filament.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
An implantable access port according to claim 14 wherein said plug is formed of a metal.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
32 words
An implantable patient access port according to claim 14 wherein said sealing member comprises a disk having plural leaves which join at near the center of said disk to define said plug.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
27 words
An implantable access port according to claim 18 wherein said plug is defined by a plug segment disposed at the center region of each of said leaves.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
28 words
An implantable access port according to claim 18 wherein said sealing means disk is made of metal and wherein said plug segments are formed integrally by said disk.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
22 words
An implantable access port according to claim 18 wherein said plug segments are formed by separate metal elements bonded to a substrate.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
28 words
An implantable access port according to claim 14 wherein said sealing member plug is supported by an arm urging said plug into engagement with said valve element aperture.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
25 words
An implantable access device according to claim 14 wherein said plug defines a convex shaped outer surface with a central region defining a concave disk.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
28 words
An implantable access device according to claim 14 further comprising a second elastomeric valve element disposed in engagement with said sealing means and positioned adjacent said exit passageway.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
29 words
An implantable access device according to claim 24 wherein said second elastomeric valve element comprises a leaflet valve having plural leaves which join near the center of said valve.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
153 words
An implantable access port to permit the introduction of an external filament such as an external catheter, needle, guide wire or optical fiber within a patient comprising: a housing defining a generally funnel shaped entrance orifice for guiding sad external filament into a housing entrance passageway, said housing further defining an exit passageway and a valve chamber positioned between said passageways, a sealing ball element disposed within said valve chamber, a valve member disposed in said housing valve chamber defining a ball seat wherein when said ball rests on said ball seat, fluid flow between said entrance and exit passageways is inhibited, said ball seat positioning said ball such that said external filament engages said ball and displaces said ball from sealing contact with said ball seat thereby allowing said external filament to enter said exit passageway, said ball being resiliently biased into engagement with said seat when said external filament is removed.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
153 words
An implantable access port to permit the introduction of an external filament such as an external catheter, needle, guide wire or optical fiber within a patient comprising: a housing defining a generally funnel shaped entrance orifice for guiding sad external filament into a housing entrance passageway, said housing further defining an exit passageway and a valve chamber positioned between said passageways, a sealing ball element disposed within said valve chamber, a valve member disposed in said housing valve chamber defining a ball seat wherein when said ball rests on said ball seat, fluid flow between said entrance and exit passageways is inhibited, said ball seat positioning said ball such that said external filament engages said ball and displaces said ball from sealing contact with said ball seat thereby allowing said external filament to enter said exit passageway, said ball being resiliently biased into engagement with said seat when said external filament is removed.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
27 words
An implantable access device according to claim 26 wherein said ball seat positions said ball off-center with respect to the axis of said entrance and exit passageways.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
27 words
An implantable access device according to claim 26 wherein said ball seat is defined by a piston member which is resiliently biased by an elastomeric biasing member.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
32 words
An implantable access device according to claim 28 wherein said piston member is caused to be displaced toward said entrance orifice upon said ball being displaced allowing passage of said external filament.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
56 words
An implantable access device according to claim 29 wherein said elastomeric biasing member comprises a bushing having a central passageway through which said external filament passes upon introduction of said filament and wherein compression of said bushing caused by displacement of said ball causes said central passageway to constrict into sealing engagement with sad external filament.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
104 words
An implantable access port to permit the introduction of an external filament such as an external catheter, needle, guide wire or optical fiber within a patient comprising: a housing defining a generally funnel shaped entrance orifice, an entrance passageway and an exit passageway, said entrance orifice for guiding said external filament into said housing entrance passageway and an exit passageway, valve means disposed within said housing valve chamber having an elastomeric sealing element defining an aperture through which said filament passes, and having an actuating element which causes said aperture to constrict around said filament after said filament has been introduced into said housing.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
104 words
An implantable access port to permit the introduction of an external filament such as an external catheter, needle, guide wire or optical fiber within a patient comprising: a housing defining a generally funnel shaped entrance orifice, an entrance passageway and an exit passageway, said entrance orifice for guiding said external filament into said housing entrance passageway and an exit passageway, valve means disposed within said housing valve chamber having an elastomeric sealing element defining an aperture through which said filament passes, and having an actuating element which causes said aperture to constrict around said filament after said filament has been introduced into said housing.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-07-12 | 1997-01-11 | 1997-07-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-07-12 | 2001-01-11 | 2001-07-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-07-12 | 2005-01-11 | 2005-07-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |