Systems And Methods For Identifying And Locating An Implanted Device

Abstract

A system for identifying an attribute of an implanted medical device, such as an access port. In one embodiment, the identification system comprises a marker included with the implanted medical device, the marker relating to an attribute of the implanted medical device. An external detection device is also included, comprising a signal source that emits an incident electromagnetic signal for impingement on the marker of the implanted medical device, a detector that detects a return signal from the marker resulting from impingement of the incident electromagnetic signal, and a user interface for conveying information relating to the attribute based on detection of the return signal. In the case of an implantable access port, for instance, the described system enables information, such as the ability of the port to withstand power injection of fluids therethrough, to be ascertained even after the port has been subcutaneously implanted within the patient.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An identification system, comprising:
 an access port;   a catheter coupled to the access port, the catheter including a plurality of markers positioned along a longitudinal length of the catheter, wherein the plurality of markers are:
 (i) arranged in a barcode format designed to provide information relating to an attribute of the access port; and 
 (ii) detectable via ultrasound when the catheter and the access port are subcutaneously implanted in a patient; and 
   a self-contained handheld external detection device, including:
 an ultrasound transducer designed to produce an ultrasound signal for impingement on the plurality of markers and to detect an ultrasound signal reflection by the plurality of markers; and 
 a display designed to depict information derived from the ultrasound signal reflection regarding the attribute of the access port. 
   
     
     
         2 . The identification system according to  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of markers arranged in the barcode format are non-uniformly spaced. 
     
     
         3 . The identification system according to  claim 1 , wherein the access port comprises a set of port markers arranged in a predetermined spaced apart relationship, and wherein the ultrasound transducer is designed to produce an ultrasound signal for impingement on the set of port markers and to detect an ultrasound signal reflection by the set of port markers. 
     
     
         4 . The identification system according to  claim 3 , wherein the set of port markers includes a body port marker positioned on a body of the access port. 
     
     
         5 . The identification system according to  claim 4 , wherein the body port marker is designed to indicate an implanted location of the access port. 
     
     
         6 . The identification system according to  claim 3 , wherein the set of port markers are designed to assist in determining an orientation of the access port. 
     
     
         7 . The identification system according to  claim 3 , wherein the set of port markers includes a septum marker associated with a septum of the access port. 
     
     
         8 . The identification system according to  claim 3 , wherein the display projects a representative image of the relative spacing of the set of port markers to indicate to an observer that the access port is properly positioned. 
     
     
         9 . The identification system according to  claim 8 , wherein the detection device compares the relative spacing of the set of port markers to determine whether an orientation of the access port is substantially parallel to a skin surface of the patient or whether the orientation of the access port is oblique to the skin surface of the patient. 
     
     
         10 . The identification system according to  claim 1 , wherein the attribute of the access port includes structure to withstand power injection of a fluid.