C. R. Bard, Inc.

Bard Peripheral Vascular, Inc.

Guy T Rome

Kelly B Powers

William Randy Barron

Jim C Beasley

John G Evans

Bret Hamatake

John Arthur Zawacki

Mark A Christensen

Matthew W Bown

Jason R Stats

Ryan C Patterson

Dwight T Hibdon

Jordan P Diamond

Sandra J Rome

M David Butts

David M Cise

Kelly J Christian

Kenneth Arden Eliasen

Kevin W Sheetz

Attilio E Difiore

Charles L Farnworth

Walter H Shang

Jay Gerondale

Ronald O Campbell

John J Gunn

Steven A Weir

Dwight Hibdon

Jay D Gerondale

Reginald F Foster

John A Zawacki

A magnetic stylet includes a core element and a distal region. The core element may include a proximal end coupled to a tab, the proximal end having a first diameter, a transition region, and a distal region extending from the transition region to a distal end. The distal region may have a second diameter less than the first diameter. The distal section may include the transition region and the distal region of the core element, a magnetic element, a polymer member, and a closure element. The magnetic element may be positioned distal of the transition region of the core element. The polymer member may be circumferentially disposed about the distal region of the core element, the continuous permanent magnetic element, and at least a portion of the transition region of the core element. The closure element may be an epoxy that forms a rounded end distal of the polymer member.

Stylet apparatuses and methods of manufacture

A method of treating a patient using a power-injectable access port, including implanting the power-injectable access port in the patient, imaging the power-injectable access port following implanting, and power injecting a fluid into the patient through the power-injectable access port. The power-injectable access port includes a septum covering a reservoir, the septum including a radiopaque material forming at least one letter, the at least one letter indicating that the power-injectable access port is suitable for power injection. The power-injectable access port is designed to accommodate a pressure developed within the reservoir of at least 35 psi, and a fluid flow rate of at least 1 milliliter per second. Imaging the power-injectable access port produces an image, and the method includes identifying the at least one letter on the image to confirm that the power-injectable access port is suitable for power injecting a fluid.

Assemblies for identifying a power injectable access port

A method of performing a power injection procedure, including taking an x-ray of a subcutaneously implanted access port in a patient to determine whether the access port includes a radiographic feature indicating that the access port is suitable for flowing fluid at a rate of at least about 1 milliliter per second through the access port. The access port defines one or more fluid reservoirs, each fluid reservoir accessible through a cannula-penetrable septum. The method further includes identifying the indicating radiographic feature on the x-ray, and in accordance with the presence of the indicating feature on the x-ray, flowing a fluid through the access port at a rate of at least about 1 milliliter per second.

A method of using a power-injectable port includes obtaining the power-injectable access port, attaching a catheter to an outlet stem of the power-injectable access port, and implanting the power-injectable access port and the catheter into a patient. The method further includes identifying the power-injectable access port following the implanting, inserting a distal end of a needle through the septum and into the reservoir, and injecting contrast media through the needle at a rate of at least one milliliter per second. The power-injectable access port includes a housing, a septum, a reservoir, and an outlet stem in fluid communication with the reservoir. The power-injectable access port is rated for injection of contrast media at a flow rate of at least 1 milliliter per second. The power-injectable access port is structured for operation at a pressure in the reservoir of at least 35 psi.

A method of power injecting a contrast medium into a patient, including obtaining a power-injectable access port suitable for power injection. The power injectable access port includes a housing defining a reservoir, and a septum. The septum may include a self-sealing material, and a radiopaque material. The radiopaque material may form a selected pattern when an x-ray is taken through the septum for identifying the power-injectable access port as being suitable for power injection. The power-injectable access port may be structured for accommodating a pressure developed within the reservoir of at least 35 psi, and may be designed to accommodate a fluid flow rate of at least 1 milliliter per second. After implanting the power-injectable access port in the patient, the method may include imaging the power-injectable access port and confirming via the selected pattern in the septum that the power-injectable access port is suitable for injecting the contrast medium.

An assembly for identifying a power injectable vascular access port, including a vascular access port and an identification feature. The port is structured for power injection and includes a housing and a septum together defining a reservoir. A radiographic feature incorporated into the port is perceivable via x-ray following subcutaneous implantation, the radiographic feature identifying the port as suitable for flowing fluid at a fluid flow rate of at least 1 mL/sec therethrough. A structural feature of the port is perceivable via palpation following subcutaneous implantation, the structural feature identifying the port as suitable for accommodating a pressure within the reservoir of at least 35 psi. The identification feature is separated from the port and confirms that the port is both suitable for flowing fluid at a rate of at least 1 mL/sec therethrough and suitable for accommodating a pressure within the reservoir of at least 35 psi.

An elongated medical device includes a core element, a polymer member, a closure element, and a permanent magnetic element. The core element may have a distal region including a first region with a diameter greater than a diameter of a second region, the second region distal of the first region and terminating at a core element distal end. The polymer member may be circumferentially disposed about an entire length of the core element and extending distal of the core element distal end. The closure element may be affixed to a distal end of the polymer member. The permanent magnetic element may be disposed along the second region proximal to the core element distal end, and may include a plurality of permanent magnetic elements spaced apart along the second region.

A multi-lumen catheter including a generally cylindrical body enclosing a first and second lumen separated by a generally planar septum. A first and second tip section extend from a distal end of the body. The first and second tip section may each include a generally planar surface. The second tip section may include a first segment extending from the distal end of the body to a transition segment and a second segment extending from the transition segment to a distal end of the second tip section.

Multi-lumen catheter with separate distal tips

A tissue tunneler including an expandable attachment mechanism for securing a catheter. In one variation, the tissue tunneler comprises an elongate tunneler with a protrusion extending from the proximal end of the tunneler. An expansion mechanism is provided on the protrusion for insertion into the catheter. An oversleeve slidably disposed over the elongated tunneler may be provided to engage the expansion mechanism and trap the catheter between the oversleeve and the expansion mechanism. In another variation, the expansion mechanism may comprise of an expandable O-ring configured to engage an inner surface within a catheter.

Tunneler with an expandable attachment mechanism

Methods of performing a power injection procedure are described. One method includes taking an x-ray of a subcutaneously implanted access port in a patient to determine whether the access port includes a radiographic feature indicating that the access port is suitable for flowing fluid at a rate of at least about 1 milliliter per second through the access port, identifying the indicating radiographic feature on the x-ray, and flowing a fluid through the access port at a rate of at least about 1 milliliter per second.

Methods of performing a power injection procedure including identifying features of a subcutaneously implanted access port for delivery of contrast media

A stylet capable of being at least partially disposed within a lumen of a device is disclosed. This stylet may include an elongated body comprising a proximal end, a distal end, and at least one magnetic material. In certain embodiments, the elongated body may also include at least one core element, a tubular member circumferentially disposed about at least a portion of the core element, and/or at least one support member circumferentially disposed about at least a portion of the core element. In addition, a matrix material may be disposed between the core element and the tubular member to retain the magnetic material within the elongated body. A catheter assembly including a stylet and a corresponding method of manufacture are also disclosed.

A catheter connector for a subcutaneously placed catheter. The catheter connector can be configured for a single lumen catheter or a multiple lumen catheter. The connector facilitates precise positioning of both distal and proximal ends of a catheter, providing enhanced functionability and patient comfort.

Catheter connector

A valved connector for controlling the flow of fluid having a valve assembly positioned within a connector housing having a first position wherein the valve assembly prevents fluid flow through the connector housing, and a second position wherein the valve assembly permits fluid flow through the connector housing. The valve assembly may be movable from the first position to the second position by a male luer fitting. The valve assembly is configured for multiple and repeated access and also for minimizing fluid flow restrictions. The valved connector may be designed for use with a catheter to provide for 'over the guidewire' placement or replacement techniques with little or no bleed-back or air embolism.

Valved connector

A multifunction adaptor for an open-ended catheter that allows placement of the catheter without risk of air embolism or blood loss through the open (proximal) end of the catheter body. The present design allows passage of a standard guidewire for 'over the guidewire' placement techniques and a connection for catheter flushing using a standard syringe.

Growing community of inventors

West Valley City, UT, United States of America

Guy T Rome