Implantable Port Septum Detection with NIR Contrast Agents

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Solution Overview

Problem

Implantable access ports, particularly their septa, are difficult to locate once implanted under the skin, necessitating a method to facilitate their detection.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a contrast agent, such as nanoparticles or fluorescent dyes, into the implantable port or its septum, which can be opto-electronically excited and detected using an NIR-sensitive device to locate the port.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a port is implanted under the skin for convenient fluid delivery, then the convenience of repeated access is improved, but the ability to locate the port and its septum is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconvenience of repeated fluid deliveryVSAvoiddifficulty of locating port and septum

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies color change principles by incorporating contrast agents that emit light at different wavelengths or colors under specific excitation. The septum or port housing contains materials that change apparent color or emit visible light when exposed to specific wavelengths, allowing easy visual location of the implanted port and precise identification of the septum for needle access.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses an intermediary detection device that emits excitation light and detects the emitted light from the contrast agent. This intermediary device acts as a mediator between the implanted port and the user, translating the invisible optical signals from the contrast agent into visible indicators that guide needle insertion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If a contrast agent is incorporated into the port or septum for detection, then the ease of locating the port is improved, but the device complexity is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of locating portVSAvoidcomplexity of port structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by incorporating the contrast agent only in specific locations such as the septum or the housing around the major opening, rather than throughout the entire device. This localized approach provides sufficient detection capability while minimizing the amount of contrast material needed and reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite materials by combining the contrast agent with biocompatible materials already used in port construction. The contrast agent is integrated into the septum or housing material, creating a composite structure that maintains the mechanical properties required for implantation while adding the optical detection functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If the contrast agent is stable to autoclave sterilization at high temperatures, then the reliability of sterilization is improved, but the stability of the contrast agent properties is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliability of sterilizationVSAvoidstability of contrast agent

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by selecting contrast agents with specific thermal stability parameters that allow them to withstand autoclave temperatures. The contrast agent materials are chosen or engineered to maintain their optical properties and structural integrity after exposure to high-temperature sterilization conditions, ensuring both sterilization reliability and agent stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables accurate and efficient detection of implanted ports by emitting and detecting luminescent light from the contrast agent, facilitating precise needle access to the port's septum.

Implementation Method 1

the contrast agent includes gold nanoparticles configured to absorb incident light in an NIR range of wavelengths and emit luminescent light in the NIR range of wavelengths

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLuminescence: Luminescence

Implementation Method 2

One or more portions of the implantable port incorporate a contrast agent for locating the septum of the implantable port in vivo by opto-electronic excitation and detection of the contrast agent

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOpto-electronic detection: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS12427294B2Implantable ports, implantable port-detecting devices, and methods thereof

Publication Date: 2025.09.30 CR BARD INC

AI summary

Disclosed herein is an implantable port and an implantable port-detecting device (“IPDD”). The implantable port includes a housing and a septum over a portion of the housing. At least one of the housing or the septum incorporates a contrast agent for locating the septum of the implantable port when the implantable port is implanted in a patient. The IPDD includes a light source, a light detector, and a display configured to display a presence of the implantable port. The light source is configured to emit light in a near-infrared (“NIR”) range of wavelengths as incident light for absorption by the contrast agent. The light detector is configured to detect light in the NIR range of wavelengths including luminescent light emitted by the contrast agent. The display is configured to display a presence of the implantable port when the luminescent light from the contrast agent is detected by the light detector.