Dual-Access Vascular Port for High-Flow Apheresis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vascular access ports face issues such as catheter thrombosis, fibrin sheath formation, delayed catheter tip migration, and difficulties in initial placement and removal, which can lead to malfunction and require surgical revision, and they are not suitable for high-flow applications like apheresis or dialysis without specialized training and equipment.
Innovation Solution
A vascular access port design featuring two distinct needle access points: a standard superficial penetrable flexible septum for routine clinical access and a lateral access aperture for high-flow applications and interventions, allowing for ergonomic advancement of wires and tools to maintain patency, facilitate exchange, and enable high-flow procedures like apheresis and dialysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a standard single-lumen port with one access aperture is used, then the device structure is simple and routine access is straightforward, but the port cannot support high-flow applications like apheresis or dialysis and requires specialized training and equipment for interventions
Solution Approach 1:
The port device is designed with multiple access apertures (first aperture for routine access, second aperture for high-flow access) and multiple lumens (first lumen, second lumen, and optional third lumen) that can be selectively used based on the clinical application. This multi-functional design allows the same port to support both routine low-flow applications and high-flow applications like apheresis or dialysis, eliminating the need for separate specialized ports.
Solution Approach 2:
The port chamber is divided into multiple lumens (first lumen, second lumen, and optional third lumen) that are separated within the chamber. Each lumen can be independently accessed through specific apertures, allowing simultaneous or selective use for different applications. The first lumen is accessed through the first aperture for routine use, while the second lumen is accessed through the second aperture for high-flow applications.
2Ease of operation
If a single access aperture is used, then the device is easy to operate for routine procedures, but it requires surgical revision for interventions like wire placement and fibrin sheath removal
Solution Approach 1:
The access apertures are segmented into at least two distinct types: a first aperture for routine access and a second aperture for high-flow access and interventions. This segmentation allows routine procedures to be performed through the first aperture maintaining simplicity, while interventions like wire placement, fibrin sheath removal, and high-flow applications can be performed through the second aperture without requiring surgical revision.
Solution Approach 2:
The second aperture is designed to accommodate multiple intervention types including wire placement, fibrin sheath removal, and high-flow access. This multi-functional aperture serves both as an access point for high-flow applications and as a working channel for various interventional procedures, eliminating the need for separate surgical access points.
3Reliability
If a standard port chamber design is used, then manufacturing is simple, but the port cannot maintain patency for high-flow applications and suffers from thrombosis and fibrin sheath formation
Solution Approach 1:
The port chamber is segmented into multiple lumens (first lumen, second lumen, and optional third lumen) with distinct access pathways. The first lumen is accessed through the first aperture and the second lumen through the second aperture. This segmentation allows optimized flow dynamics in each lumen, reducing turbulence and stagnation that lead to thrombosis and fibrin sheath formation, particularly in high-flow applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-lumen chamber design supports both routine low-flow applications and high-flow applications within the same chamber structure. The chamber is configured to handle varying flow rates and types, maintaining patency reliability across different applications without requiring separate chambers for different functions.
Data Source
AI summary
An implantable vascular access port has a main port body with one or more hollow internal chambers formed therein each with a floor at the base of the internal chamber. The port body has an outlet aperture formed in a sidewall there of the internal chamber. One or more parallel, lateral, or angled-access apertures, relative to the port floor and associated septa are located opposite the outlet aperture in the main port body in a sidewall there of (parallel or lateral or angled-access aperture or septum), with at least a one perpendicular-access aperture and septum located opposite the floor of the internal chamber(s). The port chamber in the area of the outlet aperture has an at least partially conical shape directionally aligned with the parallel or lateral or angled-access aperture and septum, with said outlet aperture in contiguity a reversible outlet tube or port body needle locking mechanism.