Systems and Methods for Radiographically Identifying an Access Port

Abstract

A power injectable port assembly for use with a power injector system, including a power injectable port. The power injectable port can include a body formed from a bio-compatible plastic material, and can include a cap and a base. A septum is captured between the cap and the base and is accessible through an opening in the cap. The base can define a cavity and the septum can be positioned over the cavity. The base can include a lower surface with a radiopaque identification feature observable via imaging technology subsequent to subcutaneous implantation of the power injectable port.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A power injectable port assembly for use with a power injector system, comprising:
 a power injectable port comprising:
 a body formed from a bio-compatible plastic material, the body comprising a cap and a base; 
 a septum captured between the cap and the base, wherein:
 the septum is accessible through an opening in the cap, 
 the base defines a cavity, the septum positioned over the cavity, 
 the base includes a lower surface with a radiopaque identification feature, 
 the radiopaque identification feature is observable via imaging technology subsequent to subcutaneous implantation of the power injectable port, 
 the lower surface of the base is flush with a lower surface of the cap, and 
 the lower surface of the cap surrounds the lower surface of the base; and 
 
 an outlet stem in fluid communication with the cavity, 
   wherein the power injectable port:
 is rated for use with the power injector system, and 
 is designed to accommodate pressurized injection of contrast media by the power injector system at a desired flow rate. 
   
     
     
         2 . The power injectable port assembly according to  claim 1 , further comprising a catheter designed to be coupled to the outlet stem in order to transfer fluid from the cavity to a desired remote location. 
     
     
         3 . The power injectable port assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the cap includes an upper surface with a topography to identify the septum subsequent to subcutaneous implantation of the power injectable port. 
     
     
         4 . The power injectable port assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the cap comprises opposing concave sides. 
     
     
         5 . The power injectable port assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the cap comprises a plurality of suture apertures. 
     
     
         6 . The power injectable port assembly according to  claim 5 , further comprising a plurality of suture plugs, wherein each of the plurality of suture apertures includes one of the plurality of suture plugs. 
     
     
         7 . The power injectable port assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the radiopaque identification feature identifies the power injectable port as suitable for use with the power injector system subsequent to subcutaneous implantation of the power injectable port. 
     
     
         8 . The power injectable port assembly according to  claim 7 , wherein the radiopaque identification feature includes an abbreviation for a computed tomography scanning process. 
     
     
         9 . The power injectable port assembly according to  claim 8 , wherein the radiopaque identification feature abbreviation includes the letters “C” and “T”. 
     
     
         10 . The power injectable port assembly according to  claim 9 , wherein the letters “C” and “T” are positioned on the lower surface of the base. 
     
     
         11 . The power injectable port assembly according to  claim 10 , wherein the septum defines a needle penetrable area bounded by an outer perimeter, and wherein the letters “C” and “T” are observable via imaging technology through the septum. 
     
     
         12 . The power injectable port assembly according to  claim 11 , wherein the letters “C” and “T” appear within the outer perimeter when viewed though the septum.