Low-Profile Vascular Access Port With Funnel Cup and Backflow Seal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vascular access devices are difficult to implant subcutaneously due to their profile and require complex mechanisms for fluid injection and prevention of backflow, complicating the ease of needle access and fluid transfer.

Innovation Solution

A low-profile access port with a concave or funnel-shaped receiving cup and a valve/seal assembly that facilitates easy needle insertion and fluid communication, while preventing backflow, using materials like titanium or thermoplastics for durability and comfort.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a traditional vascular access device is used, then the device provides a stable implantation structure, but the profile is large making needle insertion difficult and patient comfort reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of needle insertionVSAvoiddevice profile

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The receiving cup is designed with a concave curved surface that directs the needle toward the inlet port. This curvature facilitates needle guidance and insertion while maintaining a low overall device profile, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and compact shape.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The receiving cup extends upward from the body in a low-profile configuration, creating a three-dimensional target area that is easily accessible from the skin surface while keeping the device's overall height minimal, thus achieving both ease of needle access and low profile.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If a large receiving cup is used to facilitate needle access, then needle insertion is easier, but the device profile increases making it less comfortable for patients

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of catheter placementVSAvoiddevice height

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The receiving cup is designed with differentiated local qualities: the inner surface is smooth and concave to facilitate needle guidance, while the outer surface is covered with a soft overmolded material for patient comfort. This localized functional differentiation allows the cup to serve multiple purposes without increasing overall device height.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The receiving cup is constructed with a dual-material composition: a rigid structural base material providing strength and shape, combined with a soft overmolded material (such as silicone or elastomer) that provides comfort and facilitates needle insertion. This composite construction achieves both ease of catheter placement and patient comfort within a compact profile.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If a valve/seal assembly is added to prevent backflow, then fluid injection reliability improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebackflow preventionVSAvoidconduit structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The valve and seal functions are merged into a single integrated valve/seal assembly that is disposed within the conduit. This combined structure prevents fluid backflow while maintaining a relatively simple conduit design, resolving the contradiction between reliability and device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The valve/seal assembly is designed to automatically respond to fluid pressure changes: it opens to allow forward flow during injection and automatically closes to prevent backflow when injection stops. This self-regulating mechanism provides reliable backflow prevention without requiring complex external control systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If radiopaque indicia are added for x-ray identification, then device detectability improves, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvex-ray visibilityVSAvoidmanufacturing process

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Radiopaque indicia (such as letters, numbers, or symbols) are incorporated into the device structure using radiopaque materials or radiopaque coatings. These visual indicators are visible on x-ray images, improving detectability while being integrated into the manufacturing process through techniques such as insert molding or screen printing, thus minimizing manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

Data Source

PatentUS12629506B2Low-profile single and dual vascular access device

Publication Date: 2026.05.19 CR BARD INC

AI summary

A low-profile access port for subcutaneous implantation within a patient is disclosed. The access port includes a receiving cup that provides a relatively large subcutaneous target to enable catheter-bearing needle access to the port without difficulty. In one embodiment, a low-profile access port comprises a body including a conduit with an inlet port at a proximal end, and a receiving cup. The receiving cup is funnel shaped to direct a catheter-bearing needle into the conduit via the inlet port. The conduit is defined by the body and extends from the inlet port to an outlet defined by a stem. A bend in the conduit enables catheter advancement past the bend while preventing needle advancement. A valve/seal assembly is also disposed in the conduit and enables passage of the catheter therethrough while preventing fluid backflow. The body includes radiopaque indicia configured to enable identification of the access port via x-ray imaging.