Enhanced needle

Abstract

A port-a-cath needle adapted for determining the position of the needle prior to dispensing medical treatments is disclosed. Disclosed embodiments of the port-a-cath needle comprises a cannula, a hollow needle, and an inflatable balloon. The balloon is disposed at the distal end of the port-a-cath needle such that when the needle is inserted into a patient, the balloon may be inflated and the resistance pressure used to determine if the needle is inserted into the port chamber or a port-a-cath device or is surrounded by soft tissue. In certain embodiments, the balloon may be maintained in the inflated configuration in order to help retain the port-a-cath needle within the port chamber while treatment is delivered to the patient.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A port-a-cath system comprising:
 a vascular access port comprising an internal chamber, wherein the internal chamber is sealed using a self-sealing septum and wherein the internal chamber is in fluid communication with a catheter; and   a port-a-cath needle comprising:
 a cannula wherein the cannula has a distal portion and a proximate portion; 
 a hollow needle; and 
 an inflatable balloon, 
 wherein the inflatable balloon is in fluid communication with the cannula; wherein the hollow needle is at least partially sealed within an interior of the cannula and wherein an interior of the hollow needle is isolated from the interior of the cannula, and wherein the inflatable balloon is positioned at the distal portion of the cannula and wherein the hollow needle and the cannula are in a fixed positional relationship relative to each other and do not substantially slide or rotate relative to each other. 
   
     
     
         2 . The port-a-cath system of  claim 1  wherein the hollow needle comprises a non-coring tip. 
     
     
         3 . The port-a-cath system of  claim 1 , further comprising a squeeze bulb in fluid communication with the cannula. 
     
     
         4 . The port-a-cath system of  claim 1 , further comprising a processor. 
     
     
         5 . The port-a-cath system of  claim 4 , further comprising a pressure sensor, wherein the processor is operably connected to the pressure sensor and configured to analyze data from the pressure sensor. 
     
     
         6 . The port-a-cath system of  claim 1 , further comprising a source of pressurized fluid in fluid communication with the cannula. 
     
     
         7 . The port-a-cath system of  claim 4 , further comprising a pressure regulator, wherein the processor is operably connected to the pressure regulator. 
     
     
         8 . The port-a-cath system of  claim 4 , further comprising a clamp wherein the clamp is arranged to optionally restrict fluid communication of the cannula, wherein the processor is operably connected to the clamp. 
     
     
         9 . The port-a-cath system of  claim 1 , further comprising a rupture membrane in fluid communication with the cannula, wherein the membrane is arranged to rupture in response to pressure exceeding a pre-determined threshold. 
     
     
         10 . The port-a-cath system of  claim 1  wherein the distal portion of the hollow needle is tapered. 
     
     
         11 . The port-a-cath system of  claim 1  wherein the hollow needle lacks a stylet. 
     
     
         12 . The port-a-cath system of  claim 1  wherein the hollow needle comprises an opening on a side wall of the hollow needle. 
     
     
         13 . The port-a-cath system of  claim 12  wherein the inflatable balloon positioned at the distal portion of the cannula is positioned on the same side wall of the hollow needle as the opening of the hollow needle. 
     
     
         14 . The port-a-cath system of  claim 1 , wherein the cannula has an exterior surface and the inflatable balloon is arranged to be substantially flush with the exterior surface of the cannula when the inflatable balloon is not inflated. 
     
     
         15 . The port-a-cath system of  claim 1 , wherein the inflatable balloon is positioned at the distal portion of the hollow needle. 
     
     
         16 . The port-a-cath system of  claim 1 , further comprising a squeeze bulb in fluid communication with the proximate portion of the cannula. 
     
     
         17 . The port-a-cath system of  claim 1 , further comprising a syringe in fluid communication with the hollow needle. 
     
     
         18 . The port-a-cath system of  claim 1  wherein the port-a-cath needle is configured to inflate the inflatable balloon with a medically appropriate liquid. 
     
     
         19 . The port-a-cath system of  claim 18  wherein the medically appropriate liquid comprises saline. 
     
     
         20 . A port-a-cath needle comprising:
 a cannula wherein the cannula has a distal portion and a proximate portion;   a hollow needle; and   an inflatable balloon,   wherein the inflatable balloon is in fluid communication with the cannula; wherein the hollow needle is at least partially sealed within an interior of the cannula and wherein an interior of the hollow needle is isolated from the interior of the cannula, and wherein the inflatable balloon is positioned at the distal portion of the cannula and wherein the hollow needle and the cannula are in a fixed positional relationship relative to each other and do not substantially slide or rotate relative to each other.