Abstract:
An implantable access port comprises a housing defining a fluid receiving chamber and a septum covering an opening of the housing to permit access to the fluid receiving chamber in combination with a light source coupled to the housing, the light source aimed so that, when the port is implanted subcutaneously in a desired orientation, light transmitted from the light source impinges on an area of skin adjacent to a location of the septum.

Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM 
       [0001]    This application claims the priority to the U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/973,569, entitled “Implantable Access Port with Luminous Guide and Identification System,” filed Sep. 19, 2007. The specification of the above-identified application is incorporated herewith by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    bcutaneously implanted ports provide convenient fluid inlets to catheters while minimizing interference with mobility and reducing the probability of infections. However, it may at times be difficult to locate accurately the opening of such a subcutaneous port or to identify a type of the port. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Described herein is an implantable access port comprising a housing defining a fluid receiving chamber and a septum covering an opening of the housing to permit access to the fluid receiving chamber in combination with a light source coupled to one of the housing and a catheter connected thereto, the light source aimed so that, when the port is implanted subcutaneously in a desired orientation, light transmitted from the light source impinges on an area of skin adjacent to a location of the septum. 
         [0004]    In another aspect, a method for one of identifying and accessing a subcutaneously implanted port, comprises determining a general location of the port by palpation and engaging a power source of the subcutaneous port to activate a light source of the port in combination with locating a septum of the subcutaneous port guided by light from the light source. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]      FIG. 1  is a diagram showing an embodiment of an illuminated port according to the invention; 
           [0006]      FIG. 2  is a diagram showing an embodiment of a power supply for illuminating a port according to the invention; and 
           [0007]      FIG. 3  is a diagram showing a second embodiment of a power supply for illuminating a port according to the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0008]    The present invention may be further understood with reference to the following description and to the appended drawings, wherein like elements are referred to with the same reference numerals. 
         [0009]    According to embodiments of the present invention, a subcutaneous port for fluid connection with a catheter or other medical conduit is provided with illumination that emanates therefrom enhancing accurate location of the septum and facilitating injection thereto. Such ports may be manufactured smaller as the illuminated guide feature enables more accurate location of the septum as compared to location by palpation, etc. 
         [0010]    The illumination system according to the invention may also be used to facilitate identification of a type or purpose of a subcutaneous port. For example, a scheme may be devised whereby different patterns and/or colors of the illumination uniquely identify a manufacturer, type and model of port. Alternatively, a convention may be adopted by which ports having a specific illumination pattern and/or pattern are employed for specific purposes. For example, the illuminated identification feature of a port may indicate the specific anatomical structure into which the catheter attached thereto opens. This may be particularly useful for patients fitted with multiple ports, and/or for patients treated by personnel unfamiliar with their particular medical condition. 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  shows an exemplary embodiment of a subcutaneous port with integral illumination according to the invention. The exemplary port  100  comprises a housing  102  defining a fluid chamber  114  into which therapeutic agents are injected and/or from which bodily fluids are withdrawn. As would be understood by those skilled in the art, the fluid chamber  114  is generally fluidly connected to a catheter or other conduit via a flow passage  112  which extends along an inlet/outlet  106 . The fluid chamber  114  is open on one side, with the opening sealed by the septum  104  which, as would be understood by those skilled in the art is preferably formed of a material such as silicone or any other self-sealing material that permits repeated needle punctures without losing its ability to seal the opening to the chamber  114 . The port  100  may further comprise a valve  116  located in the inlet/outlet  106 , such as a PASV valve. A flange  108  may be used to suture the port  100  in place on an anatomical structure. 
         [0012]    A light source  110  is disposed within the port  100  so that light emitted therefrom shines outward from the chamber  114 , through the septum  104  toward a surface of the skin. That is, the light source  110  is oriented so that when the port  100  is implanted in a desired orientation with the septum  104  facing the skin, light from the light source  110  shines toward the skin illuminating the skin covering the septum  104 . Thus, the position and orientation of the septum  104  may be accurately determined with the help of the illumination from light source  110  and the injection device may be inserted directly into the septum  104  via the illuminated portion of skin. The exemplary light source  110  is preferably selected to have an output power sufficient to remain visible after passing through the septum  104  and the skin. The port  100  further may further comprise a power source  120  to energize the light source  110 , as described below. As would be understood by those skilled in the art, for embodiments in which light is to be transmitted through the port  100  or septum  104 , one or both of the septum  104  and a top ring of the housing  102  surrounding the septum  104  are preferably formed of translucent elastomers. 
         [0013]    In the exemplary embodiment the light source  110  is integral with the housing  102  and is disposed at the bottom of the fluid chamber  114  (i.e., a surface opposite an inner surface of the septum  104 ). Those of skill in the art will understand that one or multiple light sources may be placed at different locations in the port  100 , to provide light passing through the septum  104  according to the invention. For example, the light source may be located anywhere inside the fluid chamber  114 , or on top of the port housing  102 , near the septum  104 , etc. Multiple light sources may be disposed inside or around the outer surface of the septum  104 . 
         [0014]    The exemplary light source  110  may comprise one or more light emitting diodes (LED&#39;s) or other sources of light. For example, organic LED&#39;s, incandescent lights, chemically luminescent materials, or other light producing devices may be used according to the invention. LED&#39;s may be advantageous due to their low power consumption and long life. A light source producing little heating during operation is preferred, to avoid damaging surrounding tissue. Different embodiments of the light source according to the invention may employ luminescent gases, fluorescent or phosphorescent materials and other technologies to generate guide and identification light sufficiently strong to be visible transdermally. 
         [0015]    The light source  110  may be turned on and off using conventional techniques. For example, a switch  121  may be placed on the port  100  to manually switch the light source  110 . The switch  121  may be palpated through the skin and, after the general location of the device has been ascertained, pushed to energize the light source  110 . A momentary switch may be used, so that the light source  110  de-energizes when the pressure on the switch  121  is removed. A latching switch may also be used, which will remain energized until the switch  121  is turned off by palpating it a second time. Furthermore, the light source  110  may be of a type that emits a pattern of light by intermittently turning on and off according to a predetermined sequence. As will be described below, external means for activating the light source  110  may also be used. 
         [0016]      FIG. 2  shows, in one embodiment, light source  110  as including an LED  200  coupled to a power source  202  by conductors  206 . The exemplary power source  202  comprises, for example, one or more batteries  204 , which may be conventional or rechargeable. Those skilled in the art will understand that any other suitable energy producing device may be employed as the power source  202  coupled, for example, to a resistor  208  to limit the current drawn by the LED  200  or other light source. 
         [0017]    An alternative activation mechanism for the light source  110  may comprise a coil disposed in the power source and an external RF emitting coil. As shown in  FIG. 3 , an LED  250  is connected by conductors  256  to a power source  252  comprising a coil  254 . A portable external device (not shown) containing an RF emitting coil may be passed over the skin in the general location of the port  100  so that RF energy transmitted by the RF emitting coil induces a current in the nearby coil  254 , energizing the LED  250  and illuminating the skin over the septum. Once the external device is removed from the vicinity of the port, the current stops and the LED  250  turns off. 
         [0018]    The present invention has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments. Those skilled in the art will understand that changes may be made in details, particularly in matters of shape, size, material and arrangement of parts. Accordingly, various modifications and changes may be made to the embodiments. For example, the exemplary devices described may utilize alternative light emission and power generation means. The specifications and drawings are, therefore, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.