Venous access port assembly with X-ray discernable indicia

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 10874842
  • Patent Number
    10,874,842
  • Date Filed
    Tuesday, August 30, 2016
    8 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, December 29, 2020
    3 years ago
Abstract
A venous access port assembly having a housing base with a discharge port, a septum, and a cap, with an interior reservoir. The housing base is provided with X-ray discernable indicia to identify an attribute of the assembly after its implantation and clearly appear on an X-ray of the patient in a manner informing the radiologist or technologist and the medical practitioner of that particular attribute. Such indicia can be depicted as cutouts through a disc of radiopaque material where the cutouts are in the form of alphabetical letters such as “CT”, or can be a set of discrete elements of radiopaque material, that are affixed along the bottom surface of the housing base or embedded within the thickness of the bottom housing wall.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This relates to the field of medical devices and more particularly to venous access ports for the infusion of fluids into a patient and/or withdrawal of fluids from a patient.


BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Venous access ports for the infusion and/or withdrawal of fluids from a patient are well-known, secured to the proximal end of an implanted catheter. These ports are typically used for drug infusion or for withdrawal of small amounts of blood, where large flows at fluid are not required. The ports are assemblies of a needle-impenetrable housing with a discharge port in fluid communication with a catheter and a reservoir within t e port housing, and provide a subcutaneous self-sealing septum that defines an access site for multiple needle sticks through the covering skin tissue of the patient, through the septum, and into the reservoir, without the need to continuously search for new access sites. Examples of such ports are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,704,103; 4,762,517; 4,778,452; 5,185,003; 5,213,574 and 5,637,102.


It is desired to provide a venous access port assembly that provides for a radiologist, radiology technologist, nurse, and ultimately a medical practitioner to be able to discern an important property of the port assembly after the port assembly has been implanted into a patient.


SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the present invention is related to a venous access port having a housing and a septum, providing an interior reservoir and a passageway extending from the reservoir through a stem of a discharge port to establish fluid communication with a proximal end of a catheter lumen to which the port assembly is secured prior to placement of the assembly into a patient. The port may optionally have more than one reservoir and associated septum. An embodiment of the present invention includes the incorporation of X-ray discernable indicia onto a venous access port that is discernible under X-ray examination to provide information concerning the nature or key attribute of the venous access port, so that the practitioner, subsequent to the date of implantation thereof, can determine that nature or key attribute under X-ray examination. One such key attribute in particular would be for example that the venous access port is rated to be used for power injection such as of contrast fluid, wherein for example the letters “CT” (for “computed tomography”, or “contrast enhanced computed tomography”) would be provided that are of radiopaque material, or are cutouts through radiopaque material. The attribute in this example is the property of the port being adapted to withstand high pressures that are used for injection of contrast fluid into a patient, and the letters “CT” would be understood in medical practice to indicate that the port is suitable for the high pressure injection of contrast fluid.


In one embodiment, a disc of radiopaque material includes cutouts of letters “CT” (although other indicia may be utilized) through the body of the disc. In another embodiment, discrete letters “CT” (although other indicia may be utilized) are provided of radiopaque material. With either embodiment, the disc or letters may be insert molded within the housing base bottom wall, or they may be affixed to the bottom surface of the housing base, preferably within complementary recesses thereinto, in such a manner that the letters “CT” are readable from above the port assembly in an X-ray.





BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and constitute part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention, and, together with the general description given above and the detailed description given below, serve to explain the features of the embodiments of the invention. In the drawings:



FIGS. 1 and 2 are an isometric view and a plan view of a venous access port in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;



FIGS. 3 and 4 are cross-sectional views of the port of FIGS. 1 and 2 taken along lines 3-3 and lines 4-4 of FIG. 1, respectively;



FIG. 5 is an isometric view of the needle-impenetrable housing base of the venous access port of FIG. 1;



FIGS. 6 and 7 are transverse cross-sectional and longitudinal cross-sectional views of the housing base of FIG. 5;



FIG. 8 is an isometric view of a first embodiment of X-ray discernable indicia, being a disc of radiopaque material having letters cut out thereof;



FIGS. 9 to 11 are bottom, cross-sectional, and top views of the port assembly of FIGS. 1 to 7 having the disc of FIG. 8 affixed to the housing base of FIGS. 6 and 7 and within a shallow recess into its bottom surface, with silicone covering molded thereover, and the indicia being shown in dashed lines in FIGS. 9 and 11;



FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of an alternate embodiment of the housing base having the disc of FIG. 8 insert molded embedded within the bottom wall of the base;



FIG. 13 is an isometric view of a second embodiment of radiopaque indicia, comprising a set of discrete letters of radiopaque material;



FIGS. 14 and 15 are a bottom view and a cross-sectional view of a port assembly of FIGS. 1 to 7 having the discrete letters of FIG. 13 insert molded into the bottom wall of the housing base, with FIG. 15 taken along lines 15-15 of FIG. 13; and



FIGS. 16 to 18 are a bottom view, cross-sectional view, and an isometric bottom view of a port assembly of FIGS. 1 to 7 having the discrete letters of FIG. 13 affixed to the bottom surface of the housing base, shown within respective recesses thereinto, with a silicone covering molded thereover, with FIG. 17 taken along lines 17-17 of FIG. 16.





DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Certain terminology is used herein for convenience only and is not to be taken as a limitation on the present invention. The terms “distal” and “proximal” refer, respectively, to directions closer to and away from the insertion tip of a catheter in an implantable catheter assembly. The terminology includes the words specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import. The embodiments illustrated below are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. These embodiments are chosen and described to best explain the principle of the invention and its application and practical use and to enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention.


Venous access port assembly 10 of FIGS. 1 to 4 includes a housing 12 and a septum 14, with a discharge port 16 extending from a distal end 18 of the port assembly 10 to be attached securely and sealingly to the proximal end of a catheter (not shown). A passageway 20 extends from the interior reservoir 22 to the distal tip opening 24 of discharge port 16. A recess 26 is seen to be provided along both sides of discharge port 16, facilitating insertion of the discharge port 16 into the catheter lumen and providing a clearance for a locking sleeve or clamp (not shown) utilized to compress the catheter lumen wall against the exterior surface of the discharge port 16 for assured sealed connection of the catheter with the port assembly 10.


With reference now to FIGS. 3 to 7, the interior of the port assembly 10 is shown to provide an interior reservoir 22. Housing 12 is shown to include a housing base 28 of needle-impenetrable material that includes a well 30 having a bottom floor 32 and side walls 34 that define the interior reservoir 22 beneath septum 14. Bottom floor 32 may be convex or elevated (not shown) toward the center of the reservoir, if desired. Housing base 28 includes a base flange 36 extending radially outwardly from the bottom of well 30, and base flange 36 includes openings 38,40 that serve to enable suturing to the patient upon placement of the venous access port and the attached catheter into the patient.


As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a skirt 42 is overmolded about housing base 28 and may be of silicone elastomer. It is seen that skirt 42 encapsulates the outer surfaces of the bottom wall 44 and the bottom portion of the side walls 46 of housing base 28, and is shown to fill in the suture holes 38,40; but since the material is silicone elastomer, suturing is possible since the suturing needle can easily be inserted through the material of skirt 42 and through the suture holes, and thereafter the filled openings provide minimal opportunity for ingrowth of patient tissue into the openings.


Also seen in FIGS. 1 to 4 is cap 48, which secures to housing base 28 to in turn secure septum 14 in position in the port assembly 10. Preferably, skirt 42 is insert molded onto base flange 36 of housing base 28 before cap 48 is secured to the upper portion of housing base 28 to secure the septum in position. It is seen in FIGS. 4 and 7 that discharge port 16 is integral with housing base 28 as is preferable. Discharge port 16 is shown to have a pair of annular ridges 50 that facilitate with the mechanical connection of the catheter proximal end with the port assembly 10. Housing base 28 includes a septum seat 52 extending into the top of well 30, into which a flange of the septum will be seated, preferably under radially inward compression. Housing base 28 has a bottom outer surface 54.



FIG. 8 shows a first embodiment of a component of radiopaque material of the present invention in the form of a disc 100, such as of titanium. Cutouts 102 are formed through the disc body, shown in FIG. 8 as the alphabetical letters “CT”. Disc 100 is affixed to the bottom surface 104 of housing base 106 in FIGS. 9 and 10, preferably within a complementary shallow recess 108 thereinto. A skirt 110 of silicone material is molded over the housing base, and is transparent so that the letters “CT” are visible from below but in a mirror-image orientation on the bottom outer surface of the housing base (FIG. 9) so that the indicia would appear as “CT” when the X-ray is viewed (FIG. 11), easily discerned by the radiologist or technologist. Centering of the indicia within the region directly beneath the reservoir and septum minimizes any obscuring by the structure of the venous access port assembly, and the indicia may also be easily discernable should the port assembly be at an angle from the horizontal plane of the X-ray.


In FIG. 12, an alternate embodiment of the present invention is shown, in which the disc 100 of FIG. 8 is embedded within the thickness of the bottom wall 130 of the housing base 132, and the X-ray would appear very similar to that shown in FIG. 11 but the indicia would not be visible from below the housing base or the port assembly.


A second embodiment of X-ray discernable indicia 200 is shown in FIG. 13, and is utilized in the port assemblies of FIGS. 14 to 18. In FIG. 13, the indicia comprise a set of discrete indicia elements 202 of radiopaque material, such as being stamped from a sheet of titanium. Again, as is preferred, the indicia comprise the alphabetical letters “C” and “T” and are utilized together as a set. In FIGS. 14 and 15, the discrete elements are embedded into the thickness of the bottom wall 204 of housing base 206, so that they would not be visible from below (see FIG. 14) even though the silicone overmolded skirt 208 is transparent. However, the discrete letters 202 would clearly be visible on an X-ray very similarly to the port assembly shown in FIG. 11. Another manner of using discrete letters 202 is depicted in FIGS. 16 to 18, in which the letters 202 are insert molded along the bottom surface 230 of housing base 232 and recessed thereinto, preferably. With this variant, the radiopaque material may be titanium or may be for example, silicone material having barium sulfate filler. In this case the mirror-image of “CT” would be visible from below as depicted in FIG. 18 after the silicone overmolding of skirt 234 about the exterior of housing base 232.


It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims
  • 1. An implantable venous access port assembly, comprising: a needle-penetrable septum; anda housing securing the needle-penetrable septum, at least a portion of the housing comprising radiopaque material, the housing further comprising X-ray discernable indicia to identify an attribute of the access port assembly,wherein the X-ray discernable indicia are cut outs formed through at least a portion of the radiopaque material.
  • 2. The port assembly of claim 1, wherein: a bottom wall of the housing comprises a bottom surface, andthe X-ray discernable indicia are recessed into the bottom surface of the bottom wall, whereby the X-ray discernable indicia are visible by an unaided eye prior to implantation of the port assembly.
  • 3. The port assembly of claim 2, wherein the housing further comprises a generally planar portion of radiopaque material recessed into the bottom surface of the bottom wall, the generally planar portion of radiopaque material comprising one or more cutouts forming the X-ray discernable indicia that visually indicate, under X-ray examination, the attribute of the port assembly.
  • 4. The port assembly of claim 2, wherein the X-ray discernable indicia comprise one or more discrete elements of radiopaque material separately recessed into the bottom surface of the bottom wall, the one or more discrete elements visually indicating, under X-ray examination, the attribute of the port assembly.
  • 5. The port assembly of claim 1, wherein: the attribute of the port assembly is a pressure property of the port assembly, andthe X-ray discernable indicia visually indicate, under X-ray examination, the pressure property of the port assembly.
  • 6. The port assembly of claim 5, wherein the X-ray discernable indicia visually indicate, under X-ray examination, that the port assembly is rated to be used for power injection.
  • 7. The port assembly of claim 5, wherein the X-ray discernable indicia visually indicate, under X-ray examination, that the port assembly is adapted to withstand high pressures used for injection of contrast fluid.
  • 8. The port assembly of claim 1, wherein the radiopaque material comprises titanium.
  • 9. The port assembly of claim 1, wherein the radiopaque material comprises silicone and a barium sulfate filler.
  • 10. The port assembly of claim 1, wherein the housing further comprises a skirt formed from radiotransparent material molded around at least a portion of the housing.
  • 11. The port assembly of claim 1, wherein the X-ray discernable indicia comprise one or more alphabetical letters.
  • 12. The port assembly of claim 11, wherein the one or more alphabetical letters comprise the letters “C” and “T”.
  • 13. An implantable venous access port assembly, comprising: a needle-penetrable septum; anda housing comprising a well for securing the needle-penetrable septum, the housing further comprising X-ray discernable indicia formed through a portion of the port assembly; andwherein at least one X-ray discernable indicia is visible in a mirror-image orientation from at least one of a top and a bottom of the port assembly.
  • 14. The port assembly of claim 13, wherein: a bottom wall of the housing comprises a bottom surface, andthe X-ray discernable indicia are recessed into the bottom surface of the bottom wall, whereby the X-ray discernable indicia are visible by an unaided eye prior to implantation of the port assembly.
  • 15. The port assembly of claim 14, wherein the housing further comprises a generally planar portion of radiopaque material recessed into the bottom surface of the bottom wall, the generally planar portion of radiopaque material comprising one or more cutouts forming the X-ray discernable indicia that indicate the attribute of the port assembly.
  • 16. The port assembly of claim 14, wherein the X-ray discernable indicia comprise one or more discrete elements of radiopaque material separately recessed into the bottom surface of the bottom wall, the one or more discrete elements indicating the attribute of the port assembly.
  • 17. The port assembly of claim 13, wherein: the attribute of the port assembly is a pressure property of the port assembly, andthe X-ray discernable indicia indicate the pressure property of the port assembly.
  • 18. The port assembly of claim 13, wherein the X-ray discernable indicia indicate that the port assembly is rated to be used for power injection.
  • 19. The port assembly of claim 18, wherein the X-ray discernable indicia indicate that the port assembly is adapted to withstand high pressures used for injection of contrast fluid.
  • 20. The port assembly of claim 13, wherein the X-ray discernable indicia are formed by titanium.
  • 21. The port assembly of claim 13, wherein the X-ray discernable indicia are formed by silicone and a barium sulfate filler.
  • 22. The port assembly of claim 13, wherein the housing further comprises a skirt formed from radiotransparent material molded around at least a portion of the housing.
  • 23. The port assembly of claim 13, wherein the X-ray discernable indicia comprise one or more alphabetical letters.
  • 24. The port assembly of claim 23, wherein the one or more alphabetical letters comprise the letters “C” and “T”.
  • 25. An implantable venous access port assembly, comprising: a needle-penetrable septum;a housing having a bottom wall securing the needle-penetrable septum; andan X-ray discernable indicia comprising radiopaque material, wherein the X-ray discernable indicia identify an attribute of the access port assembly,wherein the X-ray discernable indicia are cut outs formed through at least a portion of the radiopaque material,wherein the X-ray discernable indicia are affixed to an outer surface the bottom wall.
  • 26. The port assembly of claim 25, wherein the X-ray discernable indicia are centered within the region directly beneath the septum.
  • 27. The port assembly of claim 25, wherein: the bottom wall comprises a bottom surface, andthe X-ray discernable indicia are recessed into the bottom surface of the bottom wall, whereby the X-ray discernable indicia are visible by an unaided eye prior to implantation of the port assembly.
  • 28. The port assembly of claim 27, wherein the housing further comprises a generally planar portion of radiopaque material recessed into the bottom surface of the bottom wall, the generally planar portion of radiopaque material comprising one or more cutouts forming the X-ray discernable indicia that visually indicate, under X-ray examination, the attribute of the port assembly.
  • 29. The port assembly of claim 27, wherein the X-ray discernable indicia comprise one or more discrete elements of radiopaque material separately recessed into the bottom surface of the bottom wall, the one or more discrete elements visually indicating, under X-ray examination, the attribute of the port assembly.
  • 30. The port assembly of claim 25, wherein: the attribute of the port assembly is a pressure property of the port assembly, andthe X-ray discernable indicia visually indicate, under X-ray examination, the pressure property of the port assembly.
  • 31. The port assembly of claim 30, wherein the X-ray discernable indicia visually indicate, under X-ray examination, that the port assembly is rated to be used for power injection.
  • 32. The port assembly of claim 30, wherein the X-ray discernable indicia visually indicate, under X-ray examination, that the port assembly is adapted to withstand high pressures used for injection of contrast fluid.
  • 33. The port assembly of claim 25, wherein the radiopaque material comprises titanium.
  • 34. The port assembly of claim 25, wherein the radiopaque material comprises silicone and a barium sulfate filler.
  • 35. The port assembly of claim 25, wherein the housing further comprises a skirt formed from radiotransparent material molded around at least a portion of a housing base of the housing.
  • 36. The port assembly of claim 25, wherein the X-ray discernable indicia comprise one or more alphabetical letters.
  • 37. The port assembly of claim 36, wherein the one or more alphabetical letters comprise the letters “C” and “T”.
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/088,762, filed Apr. 18, 2011, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/175,182, filed Jul. 17, 2008, which claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 60/961,133, filed Jul. 19, 2007, the contents of all said applications are incorporated herein by reference.

US Referenced Citations (542)
Number Name Date Kind
574387 Buckler Jan 1897 A
611357 Dembinski Sep 1898 A
966696 Merrill Aug 1910 A
1713267 Crowley May 1929 A
2029553 Bartschi et al. Feb 1936 A
2433480 Rendich Dec 1947 A
2891689 Gould Jun 1959 A
D198453 Weichselbaum Jun 1964 S
3293663 Cronin Dec 1966 A
3341417 Sinaiko Sep 1967 A
3518428 Ring Jun 1970 A
3529633 Vaillancourt Sep 1970 A
3643358 Morderosian Feb 1972 A
3829904 Ling et al. Aug 1974 A
3831583 Edmunds, Jr. et al. Aug 1974 A
3840009 Michaels et al. Oct 1974 A
3891997 Herbert Jul 1975 A
3915162 Miller Oct 1975 A
3919724 Sanders et al. Nov 1975 A
3922726 Trentani et al. Dec 1975 A
3951147 Tucker et al. Apr 1976 A
4027391 Samis et al. Jun 1977 A
4035653 Karasko Jul 1977 A
4121108 Manor Oct 1978 A
4123806 Amstutz et al. Nov 1978 A
4168586 Samis Sep 1979 A
4181132 Parks Jan 1980 A
4190040 Schulte Feb 1980 A
4190057 Hill et al. Feb 1980 A
4194122 Mitchell et al. Mar 1980 A
4202349 Jones May 1980 A
4222374 Sampson et al. Sep 1980 A
4233964 Jefferts et al. Nov 1980 A
4274006 Caine Jun 1981 A
4349498 Ellis et al. Sep 1982 A
4361153 Slocum et al. Nov 1982 A
4405305 Stephen et al. Sep 1983 A
4406567 Samis et al. Sep 1983 A
4425119 Berglund Jan 1984 A
4445896 Gianturco May 1984 A
4450592 Niederer et al. May 1984 A
4450985 Beard May 1984 A
4456011 Warnecke et al. Jun 1984 A
4469483 Becker et al. Sep 1984 A
4494545 Slocum et al. Jan 1985 A
4506676 Duska Mar 1985 A
4529635 Sheldon Jul 1985 A
4543088 Bootman et al. Sep 1985 A
4549879 Groshong et al. Oct 1985 A
4559046 Groshong et al. Dec 1985 A
4560375 Schulte et al. Dec 1985 A
4571749 Fischell Feb 1986 A
4576595 Aas et al. Mar 1986 A
4587954 Haber May 1986 A
4612877 Hayes et al. Sep 1986 A
4627844 Schmitt Dec 1986 A
4634427 Hannula et al. Jan 1987 A
4636194 Schulte et al. Jan 1987 A
4636213 Pakiam Jan 1987 A
4645495 Vaillancourt Feb 1987 A
4653508 Cosman Mar 1987 A
4655765 Swift Apr 1987 A
4657024 Coneys Apr 1987 A
4662652 Hargis May 1987 A
4668221 Luther May 1987 A
4671796 Groshong et al. Jun 1987 A
4673394 Fenton, Jr. et al. Jun 1987 A
4684365 Reinicke Aug 1987 A
4685447 Iversen et al. Aug 1987 A
4685905 Jeanneret nee Aab Aug 1987 A
4692146 Hilger Sep 1987 A
4695273 Brown Sep 1987 A
4697595 Breyer et al. Oct 1987 A
4701166 Groshong et al. Oct 1987 A
4704103 Stoeber et al. Nov 1987 A
4710174 Moden et al. Dec 1987 A
4718894 Lazorthes Jan 1988 A
4728894 Yoda et al. Mar 1988 A
4743231 Kay et al. May 1988 A
4753640 Nichols et al. Jun 1988 A
4755173 Konopka et al. Jul 1988 A
4760837 Petit Aug 1988 A
4762517 McIntyre et al. Aug 1988 A
4767410 Moden et al. Aug 1988 A
4772270 Wiita et al. Sep 1988 A
4772276 Wiita et al. Sep 1988 A
4773552 Boege et al. Sep 1988 A
4778452 Moden et al. Oct 1988 A
4781680 Redmond et al. Nov 1988 A
4781685 Lehmann et al. Nov 1988 A
4781695 Dalton Nov 1988 A
4802885 Weeks et al. Feb 1989 A
4804054 Howson et al. Feb 1989 A
4820273 Reinicke Apr 1989 A
4822341 Colone Apr 1989 A
4840615 Hancock et al. Jun 1989 A
4848346 Crawford Jul 1989 A
4857053 Dalton Aug 1989 A
4861341 Woodburn Aug 1989 A
4863470 Carter Sep 1989 A
4886501 Johnston et al. Dec 1989 A
4892518 Cupp et al. Jan 1990 A
4904241 Bark Feb 1990 A
4905709 Bieganski et al. Mar 1990 A
4909250 Smith Mar 1990 A
4915690 Cone et al. Apr 1990 A
4928298 Tanaka et al. May 1990 A
4929236 Sampson May 1990 A
4955861 Enegren et al. Sep 1990 A
4963133 Whipple Oct 1990 A
4966583 Debbas Oct 1990 A
4973319 Melsky Nov 1990 A
4983162 Metals et al. Jan 1991 A
5009644 McDonald Apr 1991 A
5013298 Moden et al. May 1991 A
5041098 Loiterman et al. Aug 1991 A
5044955 Jagmin Sep 1991 A
5045060 Melsky et al. Sep 1991 A
5045064 Idriss Sep 1991 A
5084015 Moriuchi Jan 1992 A
5085216 Henley, Jr. et al. Feb 1992 A
5090066 Schoepe et al. Feb 1992 A
5092849 Sampson Mar 1992 A
5108317 Beinhaur et al. Apr 1992 A
5108377 Cone et al. Apr 1992 A
5112301 Fenton, Jr. et al. May 1992 A
5112303 Pudenz et al. May 1992 A
5129891 Young Jul 1992 A
5137529 Watson et al. Aug 1992 A
5147483 Melsky et al. Sep 1992 A
5152753 Laguette et al. Oct 1992 A
5156600 Young Oct 1992 A
5158547 Doan et al. Oct 1992 A
5167629 Vertenstein et al. Dec 1992 A
5167633 Mann et al. Dec 1992 A
5167638 Felix et al. Dec 1992 A
5171228 McDonald Dec 1992 A
5176653 Metals et al. Jan 1993 A
5176662 Bartholomew et al. Jan 1993 A
5178612 Fenton, Jr. Jan 1993 A
5185003 Brethauer Feb 1993 A
5189690 Samuel Feb 1993 A
5193106 DeSena Mar 1993 A
5195122 Fabian Mar 1993 A
5195123 Clement Mar 1993 A
5201715 Masters Apr 1993 A
5203771 Melker et al. Apr 1993 A
5203777 Lee Apr 1993 A
5213574 Tucker May 1993 A
5215537 Lynn et al. Jun 1993 A
5222499 Allen et al. Jun 1993 A
D337637 Tucker Jul 1993 S
5224938 Fenton, Jr. Jul 1993 A
5263930 Ensminger Nov 1993 A
5281205 McPherson Jan 1994 A
5290263 Wigness et al. Mar 1994 A
5295658 Atkinson et al. Mar 1994 A
5299253 Wessels Mar 1994 A
5309863 Leeb, Jr. May 1994 A
5312337 Flaherty et al. May 1994 A
5318545 Tucker Jun 1994 A
5320100 Herweck et al. Jun 1994 A
5322511 Armbruster et al. Jun 1994 A
5328480 Melker et al. Jul 1994 A
5332398 Miller et al. Jul 1994 A
5334153 McIntyre et al. Aug 1994 A
5336194 Polaschegg et al. Aug 1994 A
5338398 Szwejkowski et al. Aug 1994 A
5350360 Ensminger et al. Sep 1994 A
5352204 Ensminger Oct 1994 A
5360407 Leonard Nov 1994 A
5383233 Russell Jan 1995 A
5383858 Reilly et al. Jan 1995 A
D355240 Gladfelter et al. Feb 1995 S
5387192 Glantz et al. Feb 1995 A
5394457 Leibinger et al. Feb 1995 A
5395324 Hinrichs et al. Mar 1995 A
5397329 Allen Mar 1995 A
5399168 Wadsworth, Jr. et al. Mar 1995 A
5405402 Dye et al. Apr 1995 A
5417565 Long May 1995 A
5417656 Ensminger et al. May 1995 A
5421814 Geary Jun 1995 A
5423334 Jordan Jun 1995 A
5425762 Muller Jun 1995 A
5433480 Gresham et al. Jul 1995 A
5456698 Byland et al. Oct 1995 A
5476460 Montalvo Dec 1995 A
5476880 Cooke et al. Dec 1995 A
5484402 Saravia et al. Jan 1996 A
5503630 Ensminger et al. Apr 1996 A
5507813 Dowd et al. Apr 1996 A
5509805 Jagmin Apr 1996 A
5513637 Twiss et al. May 1996 A
5514103 Srisathapat et al. May 1996 A
5520632 Leveen et al. May 1996 A
5527277 Ensminger et al. Jun 1996 A
5527307 Srisathapat et al. Jun 1996 A
5531684 Ensminger et al. Jul 1996 A
5556381 Ensminger et al. Sep 1996 A
5558641 Glantz et al. Sep 1996 A
5562617 Finch, Jr. et al. Oct 1996 A
5562618 Cai et al. Oct 1996 A
5575770 Melsky et al. Nov 1996 A
5607393 Ensminger et al. Mar 1997 A
5607407 Tolkoff et al. Mar 1997 A
5613945 Cai et al. Mar 1997 A
5620419 Lui et al. Apr 1997 A
5632729 Cai et al. May 1997 A
5637102 Tolkoff et al. Jun 1997 A
5638832 Singer et al. Jun 1997 A
5647855 Trooskin Jul 1997 A
5662600 Watson et al. Sep 1997 A
5662612 Niehoff Sep 1997 A
5676146 Scarborough Oct 1997 A
5695490 Flaherty et al. Dec 1997 A
5702128 Maxim et al. Dec 1997 A
5702363 Flaherty Dec 1997 A
5704915 Melsky et al. Jan 1998 A
5709668 Wacks Jan 1998 A
5713844 Peyman Feb 1998 A
5713858 Heruth et al. Feb 1998 A
5713859 Finch, Jr. et al. Feb 1998 A
5718382 Jaeger Feb 1998 A
5718682 Tucker Feb 1998 A
5725507 Petrick Mar 1998 A
5733336 Neuenfeldt et al. Mar 1998 A
5733400 Gore et al. Mar 1998 A
5741228 Lambrecht et al. Apr 1998 A
5743873 Cai et al. Apr 1998 A
5743891 Tolkoff et al. Apr 1998 A
5746460 Marohl et al. May 1998 A
5758667 Slettenmark Jun 1998 A
5769823 Otto Jun 1998 A
5773552 Hutchings et al. Jun 1998 A
5776188 Shepherd et al. Jul 1998 A
5792104 Speckman et al. Aug 1998 A
5792116 Berg et al. Aug 1998 A
5810789 Powers et al. Sep 1998 A
5824071 Nelson et al. Oct 1998 A
5830172 Leveen et al. Nov 1998 A
5833654 Powers et al. Nov 1998 A
5835563 Navab et al. Nov 1998 A
5836935 Ashton et al. Nov 1998 A
5840063 Flaherty Nov 1998 A
5843069 Butler et al. Dec 1998 A
5853394 Tolkoff et al. Dec 1998 A
5868702 Stevens et al. Feb 1999 A
5882353 VanBeek et al. Mar 1999 A
5895424 Steele, Sr. et al. Apr 1999 A
5906596 Tallarida May 1999 A
5908414 Otto et al. Jun 1999 A
5913998 Butler et al. Jun 1999 A
5916263 Goicoechea et al. Jun 1999 A
5925017 Kriesel et al. Jul 1999 A
5925030 Gross et al. Jul 1999 A
5928197 Niehoff Jul 1999 A
5931829 Burbank et al. Aug 1999 A
5935084 Southworth Aug 1999 A
5944023 Johnson et al. Aug 1999 A
5944688 Lois Aug 1999 A
5944712 Frassica et al. Aug 1999 A
5947953 Ash et al. Sep 1999 A
5951512 Dalton Sep 1999 A
5951522 Rosato et al. Sep 1999 A
5954687 Baudino Sep 1999 A
5957890 Mann et al. Sep 1999 A
5968011 Larsen et al. Oct 1999 A
5970162 Kawashima et al. Oct 1999 A
5989216 Johnson et al. Nov 1999 A
5989239 Finch et al. Nov 1999 A
5997524 Burbank et al. Dec 1999 A
6007516 Burbank et al. Dec 1999 A
6013051 Nelson Jan 2000 A
6013058 Prosl et al. Jan 2000 A
6017331 Watts et al. Jan 2000 A
6022335 Ramadan Feb 2000 A
6033389 Cornish Mar 2000 A
6039712 Fogarty et al. Mar 2000 A
6077756 Lin et al. Jun 2000 A
6086555 Eliasen Jul 2000 A
6090066 Schnell Jul 2000 A
6102884 Squitieri Aug 2000 A
6113572 Gailey et al. Sep 2000 A
6120492 Finch et al. Sep 2000 A
6161033 Kuhn Dec 2000 A
6171198 Lizama Troncoso et al. Jan 2001 B1
6171298 Matsuura et al. Jan 2001 B1
6174330 Stinson Jan 2001 B1
6190352 Haarala et al. Feb 2001 B1
6193684 Burbank et al. Feb 2001 B1
6198807 DeSena Mar 2001 B1
6203570 Baeke Mar 2001 B1
6213973 Eliasen et al. Apr 2001 B1
6228088 Miller et al. May 2001 B1
6251059 Apple et al. Jun 2001 B1
D445175 Bertheas Jul 2001 S
6269148 Jessop et al. Jul 2001 B1
6287293 Jones et al. Sep 2001 B1
6290677 Arai et al. Sep 2001 B1
6302875 Makower et al. Oct 2001 B1
6305413 Fischer et al. Oct 2001 B1
D450115 Bertheas Nov 2001 S
6332874 Eliasen et al. Dec 2001 B1
6347241 Burbank et al. Feb 2002 B2
6355021 Nielsen et al. Mar 2002 B1
6356782 Sirimanne et al. Mar 2002 B1
6361557 Gittings et al. Mar 2002 B1
6398764 Finch, Jr. et al. Jun 2002 B1
6419680 Cosman et al. Jul 2002 B1
6450937 Mercereau et al. Sep 2002 B1
6459772 Wiedenhoefer et al. Oct 2002 B1
6478783 Moorehead Nov 2002 B1
6482217 Pintor et al. Nov 2002 B1
6494867 Elver et al. Dec 2002 B1
6497062 Koopman et al. Dec 2002 B1
6500155 Sasso Dec 2002 B2
6503228 Li et al. Jan 2003 B1
6527754 Tallarida et al. Mar 2003 B1
6537255 Raines Mar 2003 B1
RE38074 Recinella et al. Apr 2003 E
6582418 Verbeek et al. Jun 2003 B1
6613002 Clark et al. Sep 2003 B1
6613662 Wark et al. Sep 2003 B2
6626936 Stinson Sep 2003 B2
6629950 Levin Oct 2003 B1
6632217 Harper et al. Oct 2003 B2
6652486 Bialecki et al. Nov 2003 B2
6652503 Bradley Nov 2003 B1
6676633 Smith et al. Jan 2004 B2
6697664 Kienzle, III et al. Feb 2004 B2
6705316 Blythe et al. Mar 2004 B2
6719721 Okazaki et al. Apr 2004 B1
6719739 Verbeek et al. Apr 2004 B2
6738531 Funahashi May 2004 B1
6755842 Kanner et al. Jun 2004 B2
6758841 Haarala et al. Jul 2004 B2
6767356 Kanner et al. Jul 2004 B2
6784783 Scoggin et al. Aug 2004 B2
6826257 Sayre et al. Nov 2004 B2
6852106 Watson et al. Feb 2005 B2
6878136 Fleury et al. Apr 2005 B2
6878137 Benchetrit Apr 2005 B2
6949084 Marggi et al. Sep 2005 B2
6962580 Adams et al. Nov 2005 B2
6994315 Ryan et al. Feb 2006 B2
6997914 Smith et al. Feb 2006 B2
7008377 Beane et al. Mar 2006 B2
7008412 Maginot Mar 2006 B2
7016456 Basu et al. Mar 2006 B2
7018361 Gillespie, Jr. et al. Mar 2006 B2
7044942 Jolly et al. May 2006 B2
7056316 Burbank et al. Jun 2006 B1
7070591 Adams et al. Jul 2006 B2
7072704 Bucholz Jul 2006 B2
7074232 Kanner et al. Jul 2006 B2
7083593 Stultz Aug 2006 B2
7108686 Burke et al. Sep 2006 B2
7123690 Brown et al. Oct 2006 B1
7127040 Sayre et al. Oct 2006 B2
7131962 Estabrook et al. Nov 2006 B1
7140769 Kay Nov 2006 B2
7191011 Cantlon Mar 2007 B2
7198631 Kanner et al. Apr 2007 B2
7214207 Lynch et al. May 2007 B2
7214215 Heinzerling et al. May 2007 B2
7223257 Shubayev et al. May 2007 B2
7229417 Foerster et al. Jun 2007 B2
7235067 Morris et al. Jun 2007 B2
D546440 Burnside Jul 2007 S
7242982 Singhal et al. Jul 2007 B2
7252469 Zaluzec et al. Aug 2007 B2
7252649 Sherry Aug 2007 B2
7261705 Edoga et al. Aug 2007 B2
D554253 Kornerup Oct 2007 S
7275682 Excoffier et al. Oct 2007 B2
7276075 Callas et al. Oct 2007 B1
D556153 Burnside Nov 2007 S
7306579 Fujii Dec 2007 B2
7311702 Tallarida et al. Dec 2007 B2
7318816 Bobroff et al. Jan 2008 B2
7318818 Yashiro et al. Jan 2008 B2
7322953 Redinger Jan 2008 B2
D562443 Zinn et al. Feb 2008 S
7331130 Shweikert Feb 2008 B2
7331948 Skarda Feb 2008 B2
7333013 Berger Feb 2008 B2
D564449 Dewberry Mar 2008 S
7347838 Kulli Mar 2008 B2
7347843 Adams et al. Mar 2008 B2
7351233 Parks Apr 2008 B2
7377915 Rasmussen et al. May 2008 B2
D574950 Zawacki et al. Aug 2008 S
7413564 Morris et al. Aug 2008 B2
D578203 Bizup Oct 2008 S
7445614 Bunodiere et al. Nov 2008 B2
D582032 Bizup et al. Dec 2008 S
7465847 Fabian Dec 2008 B2
D595892 Smith et al. Jul 2009 S
7563025 Kay Jul 2009 B2
D612479 Zawacki et al. Mar 2010 S
7713251 Tallarida et al. May 2010 B2
7785302 Powers Aug 2010 B2
7833281 Lehman et al. Nov 2010 B2
8021324 Bizup et al. Sep 2011 B2
8257325 Schweikert et al. Sep 2012 B2
9517329 Bizup et al. Dec 2016 B2
10052470 Powers et al. Aug 2018 B2
10179230 Powers et al. Jan 2019 B2
10183157 Powers et al. Jan 2019 B2
10625065 Powers et al. Apr 2020 B2
20010016717 Haarala et al. Aug 2001 A1
20010051766 Gazdzinski Dec 2001 A1
20010053889 Marggi et al. Dec 2001 A1
20010056266 Tallarida et al. Dec 2001 A1
20020095205 Edwin et al. Jul 2002 A1
20020138068 Watson et al. Sep 2002 A1
20020173769 Gray et al. Nov 2002 A1
20030010929 Priewe et al. Jan 2003 A1
20030028173 Forsberg Feb 2003 A1
20030130627 Smith Jul 2003 A1
20030139812 Garcia et al. Jul 2003 A1
20030181878 Tallarida et al. Sep 2003 A1
20030191452 Meglin et al. Oct 2003 A1
20040002693 Bright et al. Jan 2004 A1
20040006316 Patton Jan 2004 A1
20040019356 Fraser et al. Jan 2004 A1
20040020462 Sauler et al. Feb 2004 A1
20040044306 Lynch et al. Mar 2004 A1
20040054352 Adams et al. Mar 2004 A1
20040056266 Suh et al. Mar 2004 A1
20040064110 Forsell Apr 2004 A1
20040073196 Adams et al. Apr 2004 A1
20040093069 Priewe et al. May 2004 A1
20040106878 Skujins et al. Jun 2004 A1
20040106891 Langan et al. Jun 2004 A1
20040157952 Soffiati et al. Aug 2004 A1
20040158207 Hunn et al. Aug 2004 A1
20040167543 Mazzocchi et al. Aug 2004 A1
20040176743 Morris et al. Sep 2004 A1
20040199129 DiMatteo Oct 2004 A1
20040199220 Cantlon Oct 2004 A1
20040204692 Eliasen Oct 2004 A1
20040225254 Tanaka et al. Nov 2004 A1
20040254536 Conlon et al. Dec 2004 A1
20040254537 Conlon et al. Dec 2004 A1
20050049553 Triplett et al. Mar 2005 A1
20050070875 Kulessa Mar 2005 A1
20050075614 Bunodiere et al. Apr 2005 A1
20050113806 De Carvalho et al. May 2005 A1
20050131352 Conlon et al. Jun 2005 A1
20050148866 Gunderson Jul 2005 A1
20050148956 Conlon et al. Jul 2005 A1
20050148957 Girard et al. Jul 2005 A1
20050152841 Sayre et al. Jul 2005 A1
20050171502 Daly et al. Aug 2005 A1
20050182857 Kong Aug 2005 A1
20050209573 Brugger et al. Sep 2005 A1
20050215874 Wang et al. Sep 2005 A1
20050215876 Chen et al. Sep 2005 A1
20050241203 Lizotte et al. Nov 2005 A1
20050256451 Adams et al. Nov 2005 A1
20050256500 Fujii Nov 2005 A1
20050277899 Conlon et al. Dec 2005 A1
20050283119 Uth et al. Dec 2005 A1
20060009788 Freeman et al. Jan 2006 A1
20060017341 Hahn et al. Jan 2006 A1
20060084929 Eliasen Apr 2006 A1
20060089619 Ginggen Apr 2006 A1
20060100592 Eliasen May 2006 A1
20060116648 Hamatake Jun 2006 A1
20060173410 Moberg et al. Aug 2006 A1
20060173424 Conlon Aug 2006 A1
20060178647 Stats Aug 2006 A1
20060184141 Smith et al. Aug 2006 A1
20060184142 Schon et al. Aug 2006 A1
20060217359 Wentworth et al. Sep 2006 A1
20060217659 Patton Sep 2006 A1
20060224128 Lurvey et al. Oct 2006 A1
20060224129 Beasley et al. Oct 2006 A1
20060247584 Sheetz et al. Nov 2006 A1
20060253076 Butts et al. Nov 2006 A1
20060264898 Beasley et al. Nov 2006 A1
20070007839 Lin Jan 2007 A1
20070049876 Patton Mar 2007 A1
20070055290 Lober Mar 2007 A1
20070073250 Schneiter Mar 2007 A1
20070078391 Wortley et al. Apr 2007 A1
20070078416 Eliasen Apr 2007 A1
20070078432 Halseth et al. Apr 2007 A1
20070083156 Muto et al. Apr 2007 A1
20070149920 Michels et al. Jun 2007 A1
20070149921 Michels et al. Jun 2007 A1
20070161958 Glenn Jul 2007 A1
20070161985 Demakas et al. Jul 2007 A1
20070179456 Glenn Aug 2007 A1
20070185462 Byrum Aug 2007 A1
20070191773 Wojcik Aug 2007 A1
20070208313 Conlon et al. Sep 2007 A1
20070219510 Zinn et al. Sep 2007 A1
20070233017 Zinn et al. Oct 2007 A1
20070233018 Bizup et al. Oct 2007 A1
20070255234 Haase et al. Nov 2007 A1
20070270691 Bailey et al. Nov 2007 A1
20070270770 Bizup Nov 2007 A1
20070276344 Bizup et al. Nov 2007 A1
20070299408 Alferness et al. Dec 2007 A1
20080004642 Birk et al. Jan 2008 A1
20080008654 Clarke et al. Jan 2008 A1
20080015701 Garcia et al. Jan 2008 A1
20080039820 Sommers et al. Feb 2008 A1
20080048855 Berger Feb 2008 A1
20080108949 Beasley et al. May 2008 A1
20080114308 di Palma et al. May 2008 A1
20080138387 Machiraju Jun 2008 A1
20080140025 Sheetz et al. Jun 2008 A1
20080208236 Hobbs et al. Aug 2008 A1
20080281279 Hoendervoogt et al. Nov 2008 A1
20080319398 Bizup Dec 2008 A1
20080319399 Schweikert et al. Dec 2008 A1
20080319405 Bizup Dec 2008 A1
20090024024 Zinn Jan 2009 A1
20090024098 Bizup et al. Jan 2009 A1
20090035582 Nakatani et al. Feb 2009 A1
20090118683 Hanson et al. May 2009 A1
20090156928 Evans et al. Jun 2009 A1
20090171436 Casanova et al. Jul 2009 A1
20090199857 Peake et al. Aug 2009 A1
20090204072 Amin et al. Aug 2009 A1
20090204074 Powers et al. Aug 2009 A1
20090221976 Linden Sep 2009 A1
20090227862 Smith et al. Sep 2009 A1
20090227951 Powers et al. Sep 2009 A1
20100004735 Yang et al. Jan 2010 A1
20100042073 Oster et al. Feb 2010 A1
20100069743 Sheetz et al. Mar 2010 A1
20190134373 Barron et al. May 2019 A1
20190151641 Powers et al. May 2019 A1
20190217073 Maniar et al. Jul 2019 A1
20190252603 Wiley et al. Aug 2019 A1
20190275311 Hibdon et al. Sep 2019 A1
20200086105 Powers et al. Mar 2020 A1
Foreign Referenced Citations (69)
Number Date Country
2693972 Jan 2009 CA
84 37 873 Feb 1986 DE
34 47 202 Jul 1986 DE
197 45 654 Apr 1999 DE
0619101 Oct 1994 EP
0 750 520 Aug 2000 EP
1238682 Sep 2002 EP
2180915 May 2010 EP
1896117 Jan 2011 EP
3311877 Apr 2018 EP
1509165 Jan 1968 FR
2 569 987 Mar 1986 FR
2 586 569 Mar 1987 FR
2 203 342 Oct 1988 GB
2500388 Jun 1996 JP
08-168322 Jul 1996 JP
2602109 Apr 1997 JP
2003-102831 Apr 2003 JP
2004-350937 Dec 2004 JP
2006-500087 Jan 2006 JP
2006-025948 Feb 2006 JP
2010000703 Jul 2010 MX
WO-198600213 Jan 1986 WO
WO-199305730 Apr 1993 WO
WO-1995014504 Jun 1995 WO
WO-199701370 Jan 1997 WO
WO-1997006845 Feb 1997 WO
WO-1997011726 Apr 1997 WO
WO-1998017337 Apr 1998 WO
WO-199942166 Aug 1999 WO
WO-200033901 Jun 2000 WO
WO-2000047264 Aug 2000 WO
WO-200247549 Jun 2002 WO
WO-2002100480 Dec 2002 WO
WO-2003037215 May 2003 WO
WO-2003086508 Oct 2003 WO
WO-2004004800 Jan 2004 WO
WO-2004071555 Aug 2004 WO
WO-2004091434 Oct 2004 WO
WO-2005037055 Apr 2005 WO
WO-2006078915 Jul 2006 WO
2006096686 Sep 2006 WO
WO-2006096686 Sep 2006 WO
2006116438 Nov 2006 WO
WO-2006116438 Nov 2006 WO
WO-2006130133 Dec 2006 WO
WO-2006134100 Dec 2006 WO
WO-2007079024 Jul 2007 WO
WO-2007092210 Aug 2007 WO
WO-2007094898 Aug 2007 WO
WO-2007098771 Sep 2007 WO
WO-2007109164 Sep 2007 WO
WO-2007126645 Nov 2007 WO
WO-2007136538 Nov 2007 WO
WO-2008008126 Jan 2008 WO
WO-2008019236 Feb 2008 WO
2008048361 Apr 2008 WO
WO-2008048361 Apr 2008 WO
WO-2008063226 May 2008 WO
2008157763 Dec 2008 WO
WO-2008147760 Dec 2008 WO
WO-2008157763 Dec 2008 WO
WO-2009002839 Dec 2008 WO
2009012385 Jan 2009 WO
WO-2009012395 Jan 2009 WO
WO-2009035582 Mar 2009 WO
WO-2009046439 Apr 2009 WO
WO-2009046725 Apr 2009 WO
WO-2009108669 Sep 2009 WO
Non-Patent Literature Citations (190)
Entry
BARD Access System product drawings representative of the BARD Access System products on the market on or around Mar. 1995 as indicated by the BARD Access Systems Mar. 21, 1995 Product Release to Market form for “M.R.I. Port with 8 Fr. ChronoFlex Catheter,” “M.R.I. Port with 8 Fr. ChronoFlex Catheter with Intro-Eze,” “M.R.I. Port with 8 Fr. Chromo-Flex Catheter and Peel Apart,” “M.R.I. Port with 8 Fr. ChronoFlex Catheter Demo Kit,” 6 pages.
Bard Access Systems, Inc. “Hickman Subcutaneous Ports & Hickman/Broviac Catheters,” Bard Exhibit 1017, p. 1-5, 1992, Bard Access Systems.
Bard Access Systems, Inc. “Power Port—Implantable Port—Feel the New Standard of Care—Guidelines for CT Technologists,” Bard Exhibit 1004, p. 1, Feb. 2007, C.R. Bard, Inc.
Bard Access Systems, Inc., Extreme Access, “PORTS—Setting the Standard with a Comprehensive Family of Ports,” Bard Exhibit 1002, p. 1-17, 2003 Bard Access Systems.
Biffi, R. et al. “Best Choice of Central Venous Insertion Site for the Prevention of Catheter-Related Complications in Adult Patients Who Need Cancer Therapy: A Randomized Trial.” Annals of Oncology, Jan. 29, 2009, 6 pages.
Biffi, R. et al. “Use of totally implantable central venous access ports for high-dose chemotherapy and peripheral blood stem cell transplantation: results of a monocentre series of 376 patients.” Annals of Oncology 15:296-300, 2004, 5 pages.
Biffi, Roberto, et al. “A Randomized, Prospective Trial of Central Venous Ports Connected to Standard Open-Ended or Groshong Catheters in Adult Oncology Patients.” American Cancer Society, vol. 92, No. 5, pp. 1204-1212, Sep. 1, 2001, 9 pages.
BioEnterics® LAP-BAND® “Adjustable Gastric Banding System” by Inamed Health, Product Brochure, Dec. 2003, 22 pages.
Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiology, Review Article, “Central Venous Access Catheters: Radiological Management of Complications,” by U.K. Teichgraber et al., published online Jul. 31, 2003, 13 pages.
Costa, Nancy, “Understanding Contrast Media.” Journal of Infusion Nursing, vol. 27, No. 5, Sep./Oct. 2004, 11 pages.
Costa, Nancy, “More Than Skin Deep: An Overview of Iodinated Contrast Media.” Journal for the Association for Vascular Access, vol. 8, No. 4, 2003, 6 pages.
European Patent Office Communication, dated Dec. 15, 2005, for Application No. 99 964 086.5-1257, Applicant STD Manufacturing, Inc., 9 pages.
European Patent Office Communication, dated Mar. 1, 2005, for EP Application No. 99 964 086.5-1257, Applicant STD Manufacturing, Inc., 4 pages.
European Patent Office Communication, dated Mar. 30, 2005, for Application No. 99 964 086.5-1257, Applicant STD Manufacturing, Inc., 3 pages.
European Patent Office Communication, dated Sep. 2, 2008, for Application No. 06 751 411.7-1526, Applicant C.R. Bard, Inc., 4 pages.
“Extravasation of Radiologic Contrast.” PA-PSRS Patient Safety Advisory—vol. 1, No. 3, Sep. 2004, 6 pages.
Extreme Access, Bard Access Systems, Inc., Product Brochure, 2003, 5 pages.
Fallscheer, et al., “Injury to the Upper Extremity Caused by Extravasation of Contrast Medium: A True Emergency.” Scandinavian Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Hand Surgery, vol. 41, pp. 26-32, 2007, 7 pages.
Hou, Shaw-Min et al. “Comparisons of Outcomes and Survivals for Two Central Venous Access Port Systems.” Journal of Surgical Oncology, 91:61-66, 2005, 6 pages.
http: /web. archive.org/web/20001119035900/www.deltec.com/cPacspl.htm, last accessed Oct. 17, 2009, 2 pages.
http://www. cochlearamericas. com/PDFs/UserManualSprint.pdf, Issue 2, Dec. 2001, 2 pages.
International Application No. PCT/US1999/028695, International Search Report, dated Apr. 11, 2000, 2 pages.
International Application No. PCT/US1999/028695, International Preliminary Examination Report, dated Apr. 21, 2001, 4 pages.
International Application No. PCT/US2006/008022, International Preliminary Report on Patentability and Written Opinion, dated Sep. 12, 2007, 6 pages.
International Application No. PCT/US2006/008022, International Search Report, dated Jul. 5, 2006, 2 pages.
International Application No. PCT/US2006/015695, International Search Report, dated Jan. 11, 2007, 6 pages.
International Application No. PCT/US2006/015695, Written Opinion, dated Oct. 30, 2007, 8 pages.
International Application No. PCT/US2006/016056, International Search Report, dated Sep. 20, 2006, 4 pages.
International Application No. PCT/US2006/016056, International Preliminary Report on Patentability and Written Opinion, dated Oct. 30, 2007, 9 pages.
International Application No. PCT/US2006/049007, International Preliminary Report on Patentability and Written Opinion, dated Jul. 1, 2008, 5 pages.
International Application No. PCT/US2006/49007, International Search Report, dated Oct. 1, 2007, 2 pages.
International Application No. PCT/US2006/49007, Written Opinion, dated Oct. 1, 2007, 4 pages.
International Application No. PCT/US2007/006776, International Preliminary Report on Patentability, dated Nov. 16, 2008, 3 pages.
International Application No. PCT/US2007/006776, International Search Report, dated Dec. 18, 2007, 1 page.
International Application No. PCT/US2007/006776, Written Opinion, dated Dec. 18, 2007, 3 pages.
International Application No. PCT/US2007/011015, International Search Report, dated Jun. 10, 2008, 2 pages.
International Application No. PCT/US2007/011015, International Preliminary Report on Patentability, dated Nov. 23, 2009, 9 pages.
International Application No. PCT/US2007/011015, Written Opinion, dated Jun. 10, 2008, 3 pages.
International Application No. PCT/US2007/011456, International Search Report, dated Aug. 28, 2008, 2 pages.
International Application No. PCT/US2007/011456, Written Opinion, dated Aug. 28, 2008, 4 pages.
International Application No. PCT/US2008/010520, International Search Report, dated Feb. 24, 2009, 2 pages.
International Application No. PCT/US2008/010520, Written Opinion, dated Feb. 24, 2009, 4 pages.
International Application No. PCT/US2008/067679, International Search Report, dated Sep. 30, 2008, 3 pages.
International Application No. PCT/US2008/067679, Written Opinion, dated Sep. 30, 2008, 4 pages.
International Application No. PCT/US2008/070330, International Search Report, dated Dec. 1, 2008, 5 pages.
International Application No. PCT/US2008/070330, Written Opinion, dated Dec. 1, 2008, 5 pages.
International Application No. PCT/US2008/070345, International Search Report, dated Dec. 1, 2008, 5 pages.
International Application No. PCT/US2008/070345, Written Opinion, dated Dec. 1, 2008, 6 pages.
International Application No. PCT/US2008/078976, International Search Report and Written Opinion, dated Apr. 3, 2009, 6 pages.
International Application No. PCT/US2009/062854, International Search Report, dated Dec. 23, 2009, 2 pages.
Johnson, Kathleen A., “Power Injectable Portal Systems,” Journal of Radiology Nursing, vol. 28, Issue 1, Mar., 2009, 6 pages.
LaMaitre Vascular “Port Implantations: using the OptiLock Implantable Port,” product information, available at http://www.lemaitre. com/specs_pop.asp, last accessed Apr. 2003, 14 pages.
LAP-BAND AP™ “System with Adjustable Gastric Banding system with OMNIFORM™ Design,” Product Brochure, Jul. 2007, 16 pages.
LAP-BAND System Access Port Fill Guide I, “9.75/10.0 cm LAP-BAND System vs. 11 cm LAP-BAND System: For Product Manufactured Prior to Jul. 2001” BioEnterics Corporation, 1 page.
LAP-BAND® “Adjustable Gastric Banding System” by BioEnterics Corporation, Product Brochure, 12 pages.
LAP-BAND® System Fact Sheet, © 2007 Allergan, Inc., 2 pages.
MedComp “PortCT Technology”, display at SIR Conference, Toronto, Canada, (Mar. 2006), 1 page.
Nucleus Cochlear Implant Systems; User Manual for the ESPrit 3G speech processor and accessories, available at http://www.choclearamericas.com/PDFs/UserManualSprint.pdf, Issue 2, Dec. 2001, 2 pages.
Oct. 22, 2009 Declaration of Kelly Christian, Director of Product Development at BARD Access Systems, Inc, in support of and depicting a product on the market by Quinton Company approximately ten years prior to Oct. 22, 2009, 1 page.
Plinski, et al., “Implantable Cardioverter-Defribillators: Implications for the Nonelectrophysiologist,” Annals of Internal Medicine, Abstract of vol. 122 No. 10, pp. 770-777, May 15, 1995, 3 pages.
Port-A-Cath P.A.S. PORT Systems by Deltec, Product Specifications, 1999, 2 pages.
PORT-A-CATH® “Implantable Epidural, Aterial and Peritonial Access Systems,” Internet Product Listing of Nov. 19, 2000 archived at.
PORT-A-CATH® “Many PORT-A-CATH® System Choices,” Product Brochure, © 1996 SIMS Deltec, Inc., 5 pages.
PORT-A-CATH® “Single-lumen Implantable Vascular Access Systems,” Product Specifications, 2004 Smith Medical, 4 pages.
Rappolt, Richard T., et al., “Radiopaque Codification and X-ray identification of Ingested Drugs,” Ingestive Radiology, May-Jun. 1966, 4 pages.
Sandstede, Joern, “Pediatric CT,” available online at www.multislice- ct.com, MultiSLICE-CT.com, version 02, May 2, 2003, 36 pages.
Sanelli, et al., “Safety and Feasibility of Using a Central Venous Catheter for Rapid Contrast Injection Rates.” American Journal of Radiology, vol. 183, pp. 1829-1834, Dec. 2004, 6 pages.
Shah, Tilak M. “Radiopaque Polymer Formulations for Medical Devices.” Medical Device and Diagnostic Industry, Mar. 2000, 6 pages.
Smith, Lisa Hartkoph, “Implanted Ports, Computer Tomography, Power Injectors, and Catheter Rupture.” Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing, vol. 12, No. 5 Oct. 2008, 4 pages.
Solomon, et al., “CIN Strategies: Anticipate, Manage, Prevent.” Supplement to Imaging Economics, May 2007, 20 pages.
Steinbach, Barbara, G., Hardt, N. Sisson, Abbitt, Patricia L., Lanier, Linda, Caffee, H. Hollis, “Breast Implants, Common Complications, and Concurrent Breast Disease.” RadioGraphics, vol. 13, No. 1, pp. 95-118, 1993, 24 pages.
Sullivan et al. “Radiopaque Markers on Mammary Implants.” American Journal of Roentgenology 153(2):428, Aug. 1989, 2 pages.
Thistlethwaite et al., “Generalized Feature-Based RSA of Orthopaedic Implants,” 2003 Summer Bioengineering Conference, Jun. 25-29, Sonesta Beach Resort in Key Biscayne, Florida, 2 pages.
U.S. Appl. No. 10/374,000, Advisory Action, dated Jan. 23, 2007, 3 pages.
U.S. Appl. No. 10/374,000, Office Action, dated Sep. 30, 2008, 7 pages.
U.S. Appl. No. 10/374,000, Response to Office Action, filed Dec. 28, 2006, 9 pages.
U.S. Appl. No. 10/374,000, Response to Office Action, filed Oct. 31, 2007, 8 pages.
U.S. Appl. No. 11/320,223, Office Action, dated Sep. 18, 2008, 7 pages.
U.S. Appl. No. 11/725,287, Notice of Withdrawal from Issue, dated Oct. 23, 2009, 1 page.
U.S. Appl. No. 11/725,287, Supplemental Response and Suggestion of Interference, filed Feb. 18, 2011, 64 pages.
U.S. Appl. No. 11/725,287, Supplemental Response and Suggestion of Interference, filed May 26, 2011, 62 pages.
U.S. Appl. No. 12/175,182, Notice of Allowability, dated Mar. 9, 2011, S pages.
U.S. Appl. No. 10/374,000, Office Action, dated Aug. 28, 2007, 8 pages.
U.S. Appl. No. 10/374,000, Office Action, dated Feb. 13, 2006, 7 pages.
U.S. Appl. No. 10/374,000, Office Action, dated Feb. 28, 2007, 8 pages.
U.S. Appl. No. 10/374,000, Office Action, dated Jul. 28, 2006, 8 pages.
U.S. Appl. No. 10/374,000, Office Action, dated Mar. 20, 2008, 6 pages.
U.S. Appl. No. 10/374,000, Office Action, dated May 20, 2009, 9 pages.
U.S. Appl. No. 10/374,000, Response to Office Action, filed Jun. 20, 2008, 8 pages.
U.S. Appl. No. 10/374,000, Response to Office Action, filed Mar. 30, 2009, 11 pages.
U.S. Appl. No. 10/374,000, Response to Office Action, filed May 12, 2006, 7 pages.
U.S. Appl. No. 10/374,000, Response to Office Action, filed May 29, 2007, 2006, 11 pages.
U.S. Appl. No. 10/374,000, Response to Office Action, filed Sep. 21, 2009, 13 pages.
U.S. Appl. No. 11/320,223, Office Action, dated Feb. 13, 2008, 11 pages.
U.S. Appl. No. 11/320,223, Office Action, dated Jan. 21, 2010, 8 pages.
U.S. Appl. No. 11/368,954, Interview Summary Communication from the USPTO, dated May 12, 2010, 3 pages.
U.S. Appl. No. 11/368,954, Office Action, dated Jan. 27, 2010, 7 pages.
U.S. Appl. No. 11/368,954, Preliminary Amendment, filed Dec. 19, 2007, 9 pages.
U.S. Appl. No. 11/380,124, Office Action, dated Apr. 26, 2010, 7 pages.
U.S. Appl. No. 11/380,124, Office Action, dated Sep. 21, 2009, 8 pages.
U.S. Appl. No. 11/380,124, Office Action, dated Jan. 16, 2009, 10 pages.
U.S. Appl. No. 11/380,621, Office Action, dated Jan. 14, 2010, 17 pages.
U.S. Appl. No. 11/380,621, Office Action, dated Jul. 1, 2009, 16 pages.
U.S. Appl. No. 11/380,621, Office Action, dated Jun. 6, 2008, 16 pages.
U.S. Appl. No. 11/725,287, Declaration of Interference, dated Nov. 10, 2011, 5 pages.
U.S. Appl. No. 11/725,287, Notice of Allowance, dated Aug. 29, 2009, 4 pages.
U.S. Appl. No. 11/725,287, Office Action, dated Dec. 7, 2010, 4 pages.
U.S. Appl. No. 11/725,287, Office Action, dated Mar. 29, 2010, 7 pages.
U.S. Appl. No. 11/725,287, Office Action, dated Dec. 3, 2008, 7 pages.
U.S. Appl. No. 11/725,287, Office Action, dated Jun. 12, 2009, 5 pages.
U.S. Appl. No. 11/725,287, Office Action, dated Oct. 5, 2011, 6 pages.
U.S. Appl. No. 11/725,287, Response, filed Feb. 24, 2009, 9 pages.
U.S. Appl. No. 11/725,287, Response, filed Jan. 6, 2011, 10 pages.
U.S. Appl. No. 11/725,287, Response, filed Jul. 28, 2009, 4 pages.
U.S. Appl. No. 11/725,287, Response, filed Sep. 29, 2010, 10 pages.
U.S. Appl. No. 11/725,287, Response, dated Oct. 11, 2011, 5 pages.
U.S. Appl. No. 12/023,280, Office Action, dated Jul. 23, 2009, 11 pages.
U.S. Appl. No. 12/023,280, Office Action, dated Oct. 5, 2009, 9 pages.
U.S. Appl. No. 12/143,377, Office Action, dated Apr. 27, 2009, 6 pages.
U.S. Appl. No. 12/143,377, Office Action, dated Feb. 4, 2010, 15 pages.
U.S. Appl. No. 12/143,377, Office Action, dated Oct. 19, 2009, 9 pages.
U.S. Appl. No. 12/143,377, Office Action, dated Sep. 13, 2010, 17 pages.
U.S. Appl. No. 12/143,377, Response, dated Aug. 27, 2009, 7 pages.
U.S. Appl. No. 12/143,377, Response, filed Jan. 13, 2011, 17 pages.
U.S. Appl. No. 12/143,377, Response, filed Jan. 19, 2010, 15 pages.
U.S. Appl. No. 12/143,377, Response, filed Jul. 6, 2010, 14 pages.
U.S. Appl. No. 12/175,270, Office Action, dated Jan. 5, 2011, 6 pages.
U.S. Appl. No. 12/175,270, Office Action, dated Mar. 14, 2012, 7 pages.
U.S. Appl. No. 12/175,270, Office Action, dated May 26, 2011, 6 pages.
U.S. Appl. No. 12/175,270, Office Action, dated Sep. 14, 2011, 6 pages.
U.S. Appl. No. 12/175,270, Response, filed Apr. 5, 2011, 7 pages.
U.S. Appl. No. 12/175,270, Response, filed Aug. 22, 2011, 18 pages.
U.S. Appl. No. 12/175,270, Response, filed Jan. 17, 2012, 10 pages.
U.S. Appl. No. 12/175,182, Office Action, dated Feb. 22, 2010, 6 pages.
U.S. Appl. No. 12/175,182, Office Action, dated Jul. 22, 2010, 7 pages.
U.S. Appl. No. 12/175,182, Office Action, dated Sep. 3, 2009, 7 pages.
U.S. Appl. No. 12/175,182, Response, filed Dec. 3, 2009, 13 pages.
U.S. Appl. No. 12/175,182, Response, filed Jan. 24, 2011, 13 pages.
U.S. Appl. No. 12/175,182, Response, filed Jun. 22, 2010, 14 pages.
U.S. Appl. No. 12/419,957, Office Action, dated Jun. 30, 2009, 6 pages.
U.S. Appl. No. 12/419,957, Office Action, dated Feb. 18, 2010, 6 pages.
U.S. Appl. No. 12/420,007, Office Action, dated Feb. 18, 2010, 9 pages.
U.S. Appl. No. 12/420,007, Office Action, dated Jul. 14, 2009, 7 pages.
U.S. Appl. No. 13/088,762, Office Action, dated Nov. 8, 2013, 10 pages.
U.S. Appl. No. 13/088,762, Response, filed May 7, 2014, 13 pages.
U.S. Appl. No. 13/088,762, Office Action, dated Jul. 31, 2014, 9 pages.
U.S. Appl. No. 13/088,762, Response, filed Sep. 30, 2014, 4 pages.
U.S. Appl. No. 13/088,762, Office Action, dated Oct. 9, 2014, 9 pages.
U.S. Appl. No. 13/088,762, Response, filed Jan. 9, 2015, 4 pages.
U.S. Appl. No. 13/088,762, Office Action, dated Feb. 11, 2015, 6 pages.
U.S. Appl. No. 13/088,762, Response, filed Jun. 11, 2015, 2 pages.
U.S. Appl. No. 13/088,762, Office Action, dated Sep. 1, 2015, 8 pages.
U.S. Appl. No. 13/088,762, Response, filed Jan. 12, 2016, 17 pages.
U.S. Appl. No. 13/088,762, Notice of Allowance, dated Feb. 12, 2016, 6 pages.
U.S. Appl. No. 13/088,762, Notice of Allowance, dated May 6, 2016, 6 pages.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration, “Guidance for Institutional Review Boards and Clinical Investigators 1998 Update: Medical Devices.” Version Sep. 10, 2008, 13 pages.
U.S. Appl. No. 29/247,954, Notice of Allowability, dated Jul. 30, 2007, 3 pages.
U.S. Appl. No. 29/247,954, Office Action, dated Apr. 6, 2007, 6 pages.
U.S. Appl. No. 60/658,518, filed Mar. 4, 2005, publicly accessible Oct. 5, 2006, 62 pages.
Urquiola, Javier, et al., “Using Lead Foil as a Radiopaque Marker for Computerized Tomography Imaging When Implant Treatment Planning,” The Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry, vol. 77, No. 2, Feb. 1997, pp. 227-228.
Vergara, et al., “Adverse Reactions to Contrast Media in CT: Effects of Temperature and Ionic Property.” Radiology, vol. 199, No. 2, May 1996, 4 pages.
Vogelzang, Robert L., “Power Injection Through Central Venous Catheters: Physiological and Hemodynamic Considerations.” The McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, 3 pages.
Wells, S. “Venous Access in Oncology and Haematology Patients: Part One.” Nursing Standard, vol. 22, No. 52, pp. 39-46, Sep. 3, 2008, 9 pages.
Williamson, et al., “Assessing the Adequacy of Peripherally Inserted Central Catheters for Power Injection of Intravenous Contrast Agents for CT.” Journal of Computer Assisted Tomography, vol. 6, No. 6, pp. 932-937, 2001, 6 pages.
European Search Report issued with Published Patent Application in co-pending European Patent Application No. EP17193828. 12 pages (dated Apr. 25, 2018).
U.S. Appl. No. 60/658,518, filed Mar. 4, 2005, 62 pages. (D1 Opposition / EP 2180915).
U.S. Appl. No. 60/936,491, filed Jun. 20, 2007, 28 pages. (E2 Opposition / EP 2164559).
PCT Request received for PCT Application No. PCT/US2008/67679, filed on Dec. 24, 2008, 4 pages. (E3 Opposition / EP 2164559).
Patent Assignment recorded for U.S. Appl. No. 12/143,377, on Aug. 4, 2008, 6 pages. (E4 Opposition / EP 2164559).
Transmittal letter and cover sheet for U.S. Appl. No. 60/658,518, filed Mar. 4, 2005, 2 pages. (E3 Opposition / EP 2180915).
Notice of Opposition filed for European Patent Application No. 08771600.7 on Jul. 25, 2018, 26 pages.
U.S. Appl. No. 60/961,133, filed Jul. 19, 2007, 24 pages. (E2 Opposition / EP 2180915).
Notice of Opposition filed for European Patent Application No. 08781983.5 on Jul. 4, 2018, 25 pages.
Interference Decision for Patent Interference No. 105,860, declared on Nov. 10, 2011, 9 pages. (E5 Opposition / EP 2180915).
Boswell Declaration for U.S. Pat. No. 8,257,325, issued on Sep. 4, 2012, 8 pages. (E6 Opposition / EP 2180915).
Notice of Opposition filed for European Patent Application No. 07753408.9 on Jul. 4, 2018, 24 pages.
U.S. Appl. No. 60/852,591, filed Oct. 18, 2006, 23 pages. (E2 Opposition / EP 2081634).
Guidance for Industry and FDA Staff, Use of Symbols on Labels and in Labeling of In Vitro Diagnostic Devices Intended for Professional Use, Nov. 30, 2004, 12 pages.
Guidance on Medical Device Patient Labeling; Final Guidance for Industry and FDA Reviewers, Apr. 19, 2001, 54 pages.
Reminders from FDA Regarding Ruptured Vascular Access Devices from Power Injection, Jul. 2004, 2 pages.
Stevens et al., “A Randomized, Prospective Trial of Conventional Vascular Ports vs. The Vortex “Clear-Flow” Reservoir Port in Adult Oncology Patients”, The Journal of Vascular Access Devices, 2000, pp. 37-40.
Sawyer, “Do It by Design: An Introduction to Human Factors in Medical Devices”, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Food and Drug Administration, Center for Devices and Radiological Health, Dec. 1996, 55 pages.
Salis et al., “Maximal Flow Rates Possible during Power Injection through Currently Available PICCs: An In-Vitro Study”, Journal of the Association for Vascular Access, vol. 15, No. 3, Mar. 2004, pp. 275-281.
U.S. Appl. No. 60/675,309, filed on Apr. 27, 2005, 100 pages.
Carlson et al., “Safety Considerations in the Power Injection of Contrast Media via Central Venous Catheters During Computed Tomographic Examinations”, Investigative Radiology, vol. 27, No. 5, May 1992, pp. 337-340.
Coyle et al., “Power Injection of Contrast Media via Peripherally Inserted Central Catheters for CT”, The Journal of the Association for Vascular Access (JAVA), vol. 15, No. 8, Aug. 2004, pp. 809-814.
Herts et al., “Power Injection of Contrast Media Using Central Venous Catherters: Feasibility, Safety and Efficacy”, AJR:176(2), Feb. 2001, pp. 447-453.
Herts et al., “Power Injection of Intravenous Contrast Material Through Central Venous Catherters for CT: In Vitro Evaluations”, Radiology, vol. 200, No. 3, Sep. 1996, pp. 731-735.
IsoMed Constant-Flow Injustion System (Year:2000), 111 pages.
Signs, Symbols, and Icons: Pre-history to the Computer Age, author: Rosemary Sassoon and Albertine Gaur, first published in 1997, 1997, 3 pages.
Related Publications (2)
Number Date Country
20160367792 A1 Dec 2016 US
20190247640 A9 Aug 2019 US
Provisional Applications (1)
Number Date Country
60961133 Jul 2007 US
Continuations (2)
Number Date Country
Parent 13088762 Apr 2011 US
Child 15251122 US
Parent 12175182 Jul 2008 US
Child 13088762 US