Injectable Vascular Access Port with Discernable Markers for Identification

Abstract

An improved injection port identification for injection ports implanted under the skin of a patient. The injection port has an x-ray discernable marker allowing for the determination of a pressure rating for the injection port when so implanted. A plurality of concurrent visual, RF, light emitting and sonic means for signaling the port's pressure rating are also employable to provide multiple concurrent affirmations of the port's readiness for high pressure injections.

1 . A method for marking an implantable injection port comprising the step of:
 engaging a marker formed of material which is clearly discernable in an X-ray image, to said injection port.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  additionally comprising the step of:
 engaging said marker from a plurality of said markers each of which has a non alphanumeric shape which is clearly discernable from the others in said plurality, in said x-ray image; 
 forming a lookup table of respective shapes of each said marker in said plurality and matching a respective pressure rating to each respective said shape; 
 with said injection port implanted in a patient, discerning said respective shape of a said marker in said x-ray image of said injection port while implanted; 
 matching said discerned respective shape of said marker in said x-ray image to a respective matching image shape in said lookup table; 
 ascertaining a pressure rating of said injection port implanted in said patient by discerning the respective pressure rating related to said respective matching image shape in said lookup table matching said shape of said marker in said x-ray image; and 
 providing means for users speaking any language, to ascertain a said pressure rating of said injection port without a language translation through the employment of said non alphanumeric markers to ascertain a pressure rating of said implanted port, 
 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , additionally comprising the steps of:
 employing software adapted to the task and running on a microprocessor, to identify said discerned respective shape of said marker in said x-ray image;   employing said software to ascertain, from said lookup table of pressure ratings matched to respective marker images, a determined said pressure rating for said marker so identified; and   employing said software to take an action to prevent an injection from a communication to said injection port, should said determined pressure rating of said implanted pressure port be less than a required injection pressure rating.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2  additionally comprising the step of:
 placing an RFID in an engaged position on a body of said injection port or a clip configured to engage upon a lumen outlet of said port; 
 programming electronic memory of said RFID with identification information about a pressure rating of said injection port; 
 communicating RF energy to said injection port when implanted in a patient to generate a transmission of said identification information; and 
 employing said transmission to discern said pressure rating. 
 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  additionally comprising the step of:
 engaging one or a plurality of additional port identifiers which allow an identification of a said injection port while implanted in a patient from a group of additional port identifiers including, a light source activated to an illuminated state to communicate light through the skin of said patient by said RF transmission and, a buzzer activated to communicate sound through the skin of said patient by said RF transmission. 
 
     
     
         6 . An injection port for implantation under the skin of a patient, comprising:
 a body having an injectable reservoir for receiving fluid from a injection through a septum covering said reservoir;   a first marker in a communicating mount with said injection port, said first marker formed of a marker material which is clearly discernable for shape from surrounding material in an X-ray image of said port when implanted in a patient; and   said first marker when viewed upon said x-ray image of said injection port, providing means to discern a pressure rating of said injection port, without removing said pressure port from said implantation.   
     
     
         7 . The injection port of  claim 6  additionally comprising:
 said first marker formed of a nonferrous material including one or a combination of marker materials from a group including, nonferrous materials including nitenol, tungsten, titanium, stainless steel, teflon, silicone nitride, Zirconium, gadolinium oxysulfide, and inks formed of a bio-compatible carrier and one or a combination of said marker materials; and 
 the employment of such non-ferrous marker materials singularly or in combination providing means to minimize interaction of said injection port while implanted, with radiated energy during an MRI. 
 
     
     
         8 . The injection port of  claim 7  additionally comprising:
 said first marker having a non alphanumeric shape clearly identifiable in said x-ray image; and 
 said shape discernible to indicate a pressure rating for said injection port to viewers speaking and reading any language. 
 
     
     
         9 . The injection port of  claim 6  additionally comprising:
 a second marker being an RFID having electronic memory and a data processor configured to broadcast port identification information when energized from outside a patient's body by RF; and 
 a receiving device configured to receive said broadcast port information and provide a video display discernible by a user to ascertain said port identification information. 
 
     
     
         10 . The injection port of  claim 7  additionally comprising:
 a second marker being an RFID having electronic memory and a data processor configured to broadcast port identification information when energized from outside a patients body by RF; and 
 a receiving device configured to receive said broadcast port information and provide a video display discernible by a user to ascertain said port identification information. 
 
     
     
         11 . The injection port of  claim 8  additionally comprising:
 a second marker being an RFID having electronic memory and a data processor configured to broadcast port identification information when energized from outside a patients body by RF; and 
 a receiving device configured to receive said broadcast port information and provide a video display discernible by a user to ascertain said port identification information. 
 
     
     
         12 . The injection port of  claim 9  additionally comprising:
 one or a plurality of supplemental markers from a group of supplemental markers including, an LED in electrical communication with said RFID which illuminates to communicate light through the patient's skin when said RFID is energized by said RF, an electronic sound generator in electrical communication with said RFID which communicates a sound through the patient's skin when said RFID is energized by said RF, a shape of an antenna engaged to said RFID, said antenna shape discernible in an x-ray to identify a pressure rating for said pressure port, and said RFID configured to broadcast identification information to a receiving display device when energized by said RF. 
 
     
     
         13 . The injection port of  claim 10  additionally comprising: one or a plurality of supplemental markers from a group of supplemental markers including, an LED in electrical communication with said RFID which illuminates to communicate light through the patient's skin when said RFID is energized by said RF, an electronic sound generator in electrical communication with said RFID which communicates a sound through the patient's skin when said RFID is energized by said RF, a shape of an antenna engaged to said RFID, said antenna shape discernible in an x-ray to identify a pressure rating for said pressure port, and said RFID configured to broadcast identification information to a receiving display device when energized by said RF. 
     
     
         14 . The injection port of  claim 11  additionally comprising:
 one or a plurality of supplemental markers from a group of supplemental markers including, an led in electrical communication with said RFID which illuminates to communicate light through the patient's skin when said RFID is energized by said RF, a electronic sound generator in electrical communication with said RFID which communicates a sound through the patient's skin when said RFID is energized by said RF, a shape of an antenna engaged to said RFID, said antenna shape discernible in an x-ray to identify a pressure rating for said pressure port, and said RFID configured to broadcast identification information to a receiving display device when energized by said RF.