Implantable Access Port With Pivoting Needle Entrance for High Flow

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing subcutaneously implanted vascular access ports suffer from issues such as hemolysis, limited fluid flow rates, difficulty in cleaning, and risk of needle retraction due to the 90° bend in the fluid path and perpendicular needle insertion, which are exacerbated in high-flow applications like hemodialysis.

Innovation Solution

An implantable access device with a movable needle entrance and clamping means that allows a straight fluid path, enabling a bi-stable mechanism to control fluid flow by actuating between closed and open conditions through a combination of translational and pivoting movements, guided by separate components to ensure stable operation and prevent tissue growth.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a 90° bend in the fluid path is used in traditional subcutaneous ports, then the needle can be inserted perpendicularly to the skin, but this causes hemolysis and limits fluid flow rates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveneedle insertionVSAvoidfluid flow rate

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The needle entrance is made movable relative to the port body through a hinge connection, allowing the needle entrance to pivot between a first position (perpendicular to skin) and a second position (parallel to skin). This dynamic configuration enables the fluid path to change from bent to straight, resolving the contradiction between ease of needle insertion and high fluid flow rate capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention adds a rotational dimension to the needle entrance, which can pivot around a hinge axis. This dimensional change allows the needle entrance to transition from a fixed perpendicular orientation to a parallel orientation relative to the skin, enabling straight fluid path configuration while maintaining perpendicular insertion capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Volume of moving object

If a 90° bend in the fluid path is used, then the port structure is compact, but cleaning becomes difficult and thrombosis risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveport sizeVSAvoidcleaning accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

By making the needle entrance movable via hinge connection, the system dynamically reconfigures the fluid path from bent to straight. This enables cleaning devices to access the catheter opening directly along a straight path when the needle entrance is in the second position, making cleaning easy while maintaining compact port size when in the first position

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If the needle entrance is fixed perpendicular to the skin, then the port structure is simple, but needle retraction occurs due to friction reduction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveport structureVSAvoidneedle retention

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The hinge-connected movable needle entrance creates a mechanical linkage where needle insertion in the first position automatically actuates the needle entrance to pivot to the second position. This dynamic coupling ensures reliable needle retention through the actuation mechanism while maintaining relatively simple port structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The spring mechanism is pre-configured to bias the needle entrance toward the second position (parallel to skin). This preliminary action ensures that when the needle is inserted perpendicular to the skin, the spring automatically drives the needle entrance to pivot and lock in the parallel position, preventing needle retraction through friction engagement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Reliability

If a thick port septum is used to prevent needle retraction, then needle retention improves, but the port height increases causing skin stress

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveneedle retentionVSAvoidskin stress

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of relying on a thick septum for needle retention, the invention uses a dynamic hinge mechanism with spring biasing. The needle entrance pivots from a perpendicular to a parallel position relative to the skin, and the spring maintains engagement force. This dynamic retention mechanism achieves reliable needle retention with a thin port structure, minimizing skin stress

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS12472339B2Implantable access device for accessing the vascular system of a human or animal body, particularly subcutaneously implantable access port

Publication Date: 2025.11.18 PFM MEDICAL AG

AI summary

A subcutaneously implantable access device for accessing a vascular system of a human or animal body. The implantable access device includes a port body, a needle entrance with at least one inlet opening for receiving a needle and an outlet opening, and an at least partially flexible catheter for accessing the vascular system of the human or animal body. The at least partially flexible catheter is connected to the outlet opening of the needle entrance, and the needle entrance is connected to the port body and movable relative to the port body between a first, unactuated operating condition that prevents fluid flow through the at least partially flexible catheter and a second, actuated operating condition that allows the fluid flow through the at least partially flexible catheter.