Implantable Access Port Including A Sandwiched Radiopaque Insert

Abstract

An access port for subcutaneous implantation is disclosed. The access port may include a body for capturing a septum for repeatedly inserting a needle therethrough into a cavity defined within the body. The access port may further include at least one feature structured and configured for identification of the access port subsequent to subcutaneous implantation. Methods of identifying a subcutaneously implanted access port are also disclosed. For example, a subcutaneously implanted access port may be provided and at least one feature of the subcutaneously implanted access port may be perceived. The subcutaneously implanted access port may be identified in response to perceiving the at least one feature. The identification feature can be included on a molded insert.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A power injectable access port, comprising:
 a cap comprising a circular opening surrounded internally by a plurality of ultrasonic welding teeth, the cap having a triangular shaped outer perimeter;   a base defining a fluid cavity, the base ultrasonically welded to the cap via the plurality of ultrasonic welding teeth;   a septum positioned between the cap and the base, the septum extending through the opening of the cap and covering the fluid cavity of the base;   a stem in fluid communication with the fluid cavity of the base; and   a radiopaque insert comprising an identification feature observable via imaging technology to indicate that the power injectable access port is suitable for power injection, the identification feature including a “C” shaped void and a “T” shaped void through a thickness of the radiopaque insert, the “C” shaped void and the “T” shaped void positioned in a recess of the cap at a vertex of the triangular shaped outer perimeter.   
     
     
         2 . The power injectable access port according to  claim 1 , wherein the “C” shaped void and the “T” shaped void are positioned adjacent to one other in a mirror image orientation. 
     
     
         3 . The power injectable access port according to  claim 2 , wherein the radiopaque insert further comprises a contoured portion interposed between the base portion and the cap portion, the base portion mated to the cap portion with a portion of the contoured portion visible prior to implantation. 
     
     
         4 . The power injectable access port according to  claim 1 , wherein the stem is integrally formed with the base, wherein the contoured portion is positioned between the stem and a corresponding recess defined by the cap. 
     
     
         5 . The power injectable access port according to  claim 1 , wherein the base includes a plurality of extending feet, and wherein the radiopaque insert comprises a plurality of contoured portions, each of the plurality of contoured portions positioned about respective feet of the plurality of extending feet. 
     
     
         6 . The power injectable access port according to  claim 1 , wherein the radiopaque insert includes a radiopaque material selected from the group consisting of bismuth trioxide, bismuth subcarbonate, bismuth oxychloride, zirconium oxide, aluminum oxide, titanium dioxide, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The power injectable access port according to  claim 1 , wherein the radiopaque insert comprises about 70 percent acetyl resin and about 30 percent bismuth trioxide by weight. 
     
     
         8 . The power injectable access port according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the ultrasonic welding teeth has a triangular shape. 
     
     
         9 . The power injectable access port according to  claim 1 , wherein the cap and the base comprise polyether ether ketone (“PEEK”). 
     
     
         10 . The power injectable access port according to  claim 1 , wherein the port body includes a suture opening at the vertex of the triangular shaped outer perimeter, and wherein the “C” shaped void and the “T” shaped void are positioned on opposite sides of the suture opening. 
     
     
         11 . The power injectable access port according to  claim 1 , wherein the thickness of the radiopaque insert is about 0.033 inch. 
     
     
         12 . The power injectable access port according to  claim 1 , wherein the radiopaque insert includes a base material and a radiopaque material, the base material comprising acetyl resin, and the radiopaque material comprising bismuth oxychloride or bismuth subcarbonate. 
     
     
         13 . The power injectable access port according to  claim 12 , wherein the radiopaque material is in a range from about 25 percent to about 40 percent by weight. 
     
     
         14 . The power injectable access port according to  claim 12 , wherein the base material includes about 45 percent to about 50 percent zirconium oxide by weight.