Patent Description:
A clinician typically strives to minimize incision sizes and port-pocket sizes created in patients when implanting vascular access ports. Correspondingly smaller sized access ports are chosen to minimize scarring from implanting the ports. Unfortunately, smaller- sized ports may not always match the body habitus of the patients. This can result in access ports that cannot be located or palpated for infusion-set access.

If larger-sized access ports are implanted to avoid locating-and-palpating issues associated with infusion-set access, the larger-sized access ports might end up being too large for the patients - particularly following weight loss that is typical for cancer patients if they become cachectic. This can create cosmetic challenges for the patients, as well as possible skin erosion issues.

In view of the foregoing, a vascular access port is needed that minimizes port placement scarring and avoids the locating-and-palpating issues associated with infusion-set access. Disclosed herein are inflatable access ports, catheter assemblies including the inflatable access ports, and methods thereof that address at least the foregoing.

<CIT> discloses an obstruction device which includes a proximal obstruction balloon and a distal obstruction balloon mounted on a shaft, the balloons being inflatable via an inflation lumen, and a delivery system that includes an insertion tool and an injection site assembly assembled with one of the balloons. The insertion tool includes a connector connectable to the injection site assembly and which permits passing tools and injection fluid therethrough.

<CIT> discloses a method of implanting a subcutaneous injection port having stabilizing elements.

<CIT> discloses an implantable access port including a sandwiched radiopaque insert.

In a first aspect of the invention, there is provided herein a catheter assembly according to claim <NUM>.

The dependent claims define preferred embodiments.

Disclosed herein is an inflatable port including a housing, a chamber within the housing, a septum over the chamber, a hollow stem extending from the housing, and a bladder around at least a portion of the housing. The chamber has a major opening and a minor opening. The septum is over the major opening of the chamber. The septum is fixed to the housing. The stem fluidly connects to the chamber by way of the minor opening of the chamber. The bladder is configured to increase a size of the inflatable port upon inflation of the bladder and decrease the size of the inflatable port upon deflation of the bladder.

In some embodiments, the bladder is fixed to the housing around the major and minor openings of the chamber. Fixing the bladder to the housing around the major opening of the chamber provides unobstructed needle access to the septum. Fixing the bladder to the housing around the minor opening of the chamber provides fluid communication between the chamber and the stem.

In some embodiments, the bladder is a needle penetrable, self-sealing bladder configured for inflation by way of penetration with a needle and injection with a fluid in a syringe.

In some embodiments, the bladder is a needle penetrable, self-sealing bladder configured for deflation by way of penetration with a needle and withdrawal of a fluid form the bladder into a syringe.

In some embodiments, the fluid is selected from a liquid including water or saline and a gas including air, nitrogen, or argon. In some embodiments, the fluid is sterile saline.

In some embodiments, the housing has a structural integrity for mechanically assisted pressurized injections to achieve a desired flow rate of injectant through the inflatable port.

Also disclosed herein is catheter assembly including an inflatable port, a catheter configured to fluidly connect to the inflatable port, and a catheter lock configured to lock the catheter on to the inflatable port. The inflatable port includes a housing, a chamber within the housing, a septum over the chamber, a hollow stem extending from the housing, and a bladder around at least a portion of the housing. The chamber has a major opening and a minor opening. The septum is over the major opening of the chamber. The septum is fixed to the housing. The stem fluidly connects to the chamber by way of the minor opening of the chamber. The bladder is configured to increase a size of the inflatable port upon inflation of the bladder and decrease the size of the inflatable port upon deflation of the bladder. The catheter includes an end portion configured to slide over the stem of the inflatable port. The catheter has a lumen in fluid communication with the chamber of the inflatable port when connected to the inflatable port. The catheter lock is configured to slide over the end portion of the catheter over the stem of the inflatable port to lock the catheter on the stem of the inflatable port.

Also disclosed herein is a method for implanting a catheter assembly including obtaining components of the catheter assembly; introducing the catheter to a superior vena cava of a patient through a first incision near a clavicle of the patient; introducing the inflatable port to a port pocket in the patient created through a second incision below the first incision on a chest of the patient; connecting the catheter to the inflatable port and locking the catheter on the stem of the inflatable port; inflating the inflatable port to an appropriately sized port for the patient. The components of the catheter assembly include the inflatable port, the catheter including an end portion configured to slide over a stem of the inflatable port, and a catheter lock configured to slide over the end portion of the catheter over the stem of the inflatable port to lock the catheter on the stem of the inflatable port.

Inflating the inflatable port from a smaller size to a larger size of the inflatable port corresponding to the appropriately sized port for the patient may enable the second incision to be a smaller incision than that typically required of existing ports. This minimizes scarring for the patient.

The method may also include closing the port pocket with sutures about the second incision before inflating the inflatable port.

The inflatable port may include a housing, a chamber within the housing, a septum over the chamber, a hollow stem extending from the housing, and a bladder around at least a portion of the housing. The chamber has a major opening and a minor opening. The septum is over the major opening of the chamber. The septum is fixed to the housing. The stem fluidly connects to the chamber by way of the minor opening of the chamber. The bladder is a needle penetrable, self-sealing bladder. The bladder is configured to increase a size of the inflatable port upon inflation of the bladder and decrease the size of the inflatable port upon deflation of the bladder.

The method may also include penetrating the bladder with a needle and injecting the bladder with a fluid from a syringe to inflate the inflatable port.

The method may also include penetrating the bladder with a needle and withdrawing a fluid from the bladder to deflate the inflatable port. The method also includes removing the inflatable port from the port pocket of the patient after withdrawing the fluid from the bladder.

These and other features of the concepts provided herein will become more apparent to those of skill in the art in view of the accompanying drawings and following description, which disclose particular embodiments of such concepts in greater detail.

Labels such as "left," "right," "front," "back," "top," "bottom," "forward," "reverse," "clockwise," "counter clockwise," "up," "down," or other similar terms such as "upper," "lower," "aft," "fore," "vertical," "horizontal," "proximal," "distal," and the like are used for convenience and are not intended to imply, for example, any particular fixed location, orientation, or direction.

With respect to "proximal," a "proximal portion" or a "proximal end portion" of, for example, a catheter disclosed herein includes a portion of the catheter intended to be near a clinician when the catheter is used on a patient. Likewise, a "proximal length" of, for example, the catheter includes a length of the catheter intended to be near the clinician when the catheter is used on the patient. A "proximal end" of, for example, the catheter includes an end of the catheter intended to be near the clinician when the catheter is used on the patient. The proximal portion, the proximal end portion, or the proximal length of the catheter can include the proximal end of the catheter; however, the proximal portion, the proximal end portion, or the proximal length of the catheter need not include the proximal end of the catheter. That is, unless context suggests otherwise, the proximal portion, the proximal end portion, or the proximal length of the catheter is not a terminal portion or terminal length of the catheter.

With respect to "distal," a "distal portion" or a "distal end portion" of, for example, a catheter disclosed herein includes a portion of the catheter intended to be near or in a patient when the catheter is used on the patient. Likewise, a "distal length" of, for example, the catheter includes a length of the catheter intended to be near or in the patient when the catheter is used on the patient. A "distal end" of, for example, the catheter includes an end of the catheter intended to be near or in the patient when the catheter is used on the patient. The distal portion, the distal end portion, or the distal length of the catheter can include the distal end of the catheter; however, the distal portion, the distal end portion, or the distal length of the catheter need not include the distal end of the catheter. That is, unless context suggests otherwise, the distal portion, the distal end portion, or the distal length of the catheter is not a terminal portion or terminal length of the catheter.

With respect to "uninflated," as in an uninflated state of a bladder of an inflatable port, the uninflated state of the bladder includes a state of the bladder in which the bladder has not yet been inflated by a clinician. That is, the bladder in its uninflated state includes the bladder of a newly unpackaged inflatable port. With respect to "inflated," as in an inflated state of the bladder of the inflatable port, the inflated state of the bladder includes a state of the bladder in which at least some fluid has been injected into the bladder by a clinician. That is, the bladder of the inflated port in its inflated state includes at least a partially inflated bladder. When a maximum amount of fluid has been injected into the bladder of the inflatable port, the bladder is "fully inflated. " With respect to "deflated," as in a deflated state of the bladder of the inflatable port, the deflated state of the bladder includes a state of the bladder in which at least some fluid has been withdrawn from the bladder by a clinician. That is, the bladder of the inflated port in its deflated state includes at least a partially inflated bladder. Context can determine whether the inflated port is in its inflated state or its deflated state.

A clinician typically strives to minimize incision sizes and port-pocket sizes created in patients when implanting vascular access ports. Correspondingly smaller sized access ports are also chosen to minimize scarring from implanting the ports. Unfortunately, smaller-sized access ports may not always match the body habitus of the patients. This can result in access ports that cannot be located or palpated for infusion-set access.

If larger-sized ports are implanted to avoid locating-and-palpating issues associated with infusion-set access, the larger-sized ports might end up being too large for the patients - particularly following weight loss that is typical for cancer patients if they become cachectic. This can create cosmetic challenges for the patients, as well as possible skin erosion issues.

In view of the foregoing, an access port is needed that minimizes port-placement scarring and avoids the locating-and-palpating issues associated with infusion-set access. Disclosed herein are inflatable ports, catheter assemblies including the inflatable ports, and methods thereof that address at least the foregoing.

As shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, an inflatable port <NUM> includes a housing <NUM>, a chamber <NUM> within the housing <NUM>, a septum <NUM> over the chamber <NUM>, a hollow stem <NUM> extending from the housing <NUM>, and a bladder <NUM> around at least a portion of the housing <NUM>. The chamber <NUM> has a major opening and a minor opening. The septum <NUM> is over the major opening of the chamber <NUM>. The septum <NUM> is fixed to the housing <NUM>. The stem <NUM> fluidly connect to the chamber <NUM> by way of the minor opening of the chamber <NUM>. The bladder <NUM> is configured to increase a size of the inflatable port <NUM> upon inflation of the bladder <NUM> and decrease the size of the inflatable port <NUM> upon deflation of the bladder <NUM>.

The bladder <NUM> can be fixed to the housing <NUM> around the major and minor openings of the chamber <NUM>. Fixing the bladder <NUM> to the housing <NUM> around the major opening of the chamber <NUM> provides unobstructed needle access to the septum <NUM>. Fixing the bladder <NUM> to the housing <NUM> around the minor opening of the chamber <NUM> provides fluid communication between the chamber <NUM> and the stem <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the bladder <NUM> can also be a needle penetrable, self-sealing bladder configured for inflation by way of penetration with a needle and injection with a fluid in a syringe. The bladder <NUM> can also be configured for deflation by way of penetration with a needle and withdrawal of a fluid form the bladder <NUM> into a syringe.

The fluid for inflating the bladder <NUM> can be selected from a liquid including water or saline (e.g., sterile saline) and a gas including air, nitrogen, or argon.

The housing <NUM> can have a structural integrity for mechanically assisted pressurized injections that achieve a desired flow rate of injectant through the inflatable port <NUM>. Mechanically assisted pressurized injection are useful for providing contrast media during computerized tomography ("CT") scans.

The inflatable port <NUM> can also be configured with one or more radiopaque elements configured for identifying the inflatable port <NUM> by radiography.

As shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, a catheter assembly <NUM> includes the inflatable port <NUM>, a catheter <NUM> configured to fluidly connect to the inflatable port <NUM>, and a catheter lock <NUM> configured to lock the catheter <NUM> on to the inflatable port <NUM>. The inflatable port <NUM>, as set forth above, includes the housing <NUM>, the chamber <NUM> within the housing <NUM>, the septum <NUM> over the chamber <NUM>, the hollow stem <NUM> extending from the housing <NUM>, and the bladder <NUM> around at least a portion of the housing <NUM>. The catheter <NUM> includes an end portion configured to slide over the stem <NUM> of the inflatable port <NUM>. The catheter <NUM> has a lumen <NUM> in fluid communication with the chamber <NUM> of the inflatable port <NUM> when connected to the inflatable port <NUM>. The catheter lock <NUM> is configured to slide over the end portion of the catheter <NUM> over the stem <NUM> of the inflatable port <NUM> to lock the catheter on the stem <NUM> of the inflatable port <NUM>.

The catheter <NUM> (e.g., the end portion of the catheter <NUM>), the catheter lock <NUM>, or both the catheter <NUM> and the catheter lock <NUM> can also be configured with one or more radiopaque elements configured for identifying the inflatable port <NUM> by radiography.

A method for implanting the catheter assembly <NUM> can include obtaining components of the catheter assembly <NUM>; introducing the catheter <NUM> to a superior vena cava of a patient P (see <FIG>) through a first incision near a clavicle of the patient P; introducing the inflatable port <NUM> to a port pocket in the patient P created through a second incision below the first incision on a chest of the patient P; connecting the catheter <NUM> to the inflatable port <NUM> and locking the catheter <NUM> on the stem <NUM> of the inflatable port <NUM>; inflating the inflatable port <NUM> to an appropriately sized port for the patient P. Again, the components of the catheter assembly <NUM> include the inflatable port <NUM>, the catheter <NUM> including an end portion configured to slide over the stem <NUM> of the inflatable port <NUM>, and the catheter lock <NUM> configured to slide over the end portion of the catheter <NUM> over the stem <NUM> of the inflatable port <NUM> to lock the catheter on the stem <NUM> of the inflatable port <NUM>. The inflatable port <NUM> includes a housing <NUM>, a chamber within the housing <NUM>, a septum <NUM> over the chamber, a hollow stem <NUM> extending from the housing <NUM>, and a bladder <NUM> around at least a portion of the housing <NUM>.

Inflating the inflatable port <NUM> from a smaller size to a larger size of the inflatable port <NUM> corresponding to the appropriately sized port for the patient P enables the second incision to be a smaller incision than that typically required of existing ports. This minimizes scarring for the patient P.

The method can also include closing the port pocket with sutures about the second incision before inflating the inflatable port <NUM>. The inflatable port <NUM> can be inflated before closing the port pocket or through the patient's skin once the port pocket has been closed.

The method can also include penetrating the bladder <NUM> with a needle (e.g., non-coring needle) and injecting the bladder <NUM> with a fluid from a syringe to inflate the inflatable port <NUM>. This is shown in <FIG>.

The method can also include penetrating the bladder <NUM> with a needle (e.g., non-coring needle) and withdrawing a fluid from the bladder <NUM> to deflate the inflatable port <NUM>. This is shown in <FIG>.

The method also includes removing the inflatable port <NUM> from the port pocket of the patient after withdrawing the fluid from the bladder <NUM>.

In view of the foregoing, an inflatable port is disclosed having a minimal profile (e.g., a minimal height and width) when uninflated for at least placement during an implantation procedure. Following placement of the inflatable port, the inflatable port can be inflated to increase the height of the inflatable port, the width of the inflatable port, or both. The increase in the size of the inflatable port can provide improved stability as well as an improved ability to locating the inflatable port by way of palpatation. The inflatable port can also be deflated for downsizing of the inflatable port. The decrease in size of the inflatable port can provide an appropriate size of the inflatable port for a patient experiencing weight loss and resulting exposure of the port profile under his or her skin. As such, the inflatable port can be inflated or deflated depending upon particular dimensions needed at a time in the patient's timeline of treatment (e.g., cancer treatment).

Claim 1:
A catheter assembly (<NUM>), comprising:
a) an inflatable port (<NUM>), comprising:
a housing (<NUM>);
a chamber (<NUM>) in the housing (<NUM>), the chamber (<NUM>) having a major opening and a minor opening;
a septum (<NUM>) over the major opening of the chamber (<NUM>), the septum (<NUM>) fixed to the housing (<NUM>);
a hollow stem (<NUM>) extending from the housing (<NUM>), the stem fluidly connected to the chamber (<NUM>) by way of the minor opening of the chamber; and
a bladder (<NUM>) around at least a portion of the housing (<NUM>) configured to increase a size of the inflatable port (<NUM>) upon inflation of the bladder (<NUM>) and to decrease the size of the inflatable port (<NUM>) upon deflation of the bladder (<NUM>);
b) a catheter (<NUM>) including an end portion configured to slide over the stem (<NUM>) of the inflatable port (<NUM>), the catheter having a lumen (<NUM>) in fluid communication with the chamber (<NUM>) of the inflatable port (<NUM>); and
c) a catheter lock (<NUM>) configured to slide over the end portion of the catheter over the stem (<NUM>) of the inflatable port (<NUM>), thereby locking the catheter (<NUM>) on the stem (<NUM>) of the inflatable port (<NUM>).