Graft-port hemodialysis systems, devices, and methods

Abstract

The disclosure relates to a subcutaneously implanted port device for establishing access to the vascular system of a patient requiring multiple blood treatments over an extended period of time. The systems, devices and methods disclosed herein may reduce miscannulation, promote intra-session hemostasis, and decrease the incidence of bacteremia and sepsis among other improvements and advantages. The devices include a port with a tapered seat for receiving an access tube, the first tapered seat having a proximal portion, a distal portion, and a conical section extending between the proximal portion and the distal portion; and an interface surface configured to engage a blood vessel or a vascular access catheter. The proximal portion of the tapered seat is configured to receive the access tube therethrough, and the tapered seat creates a mismatch fit with a diameter of the access tube when in use for an increase in flow during treatment.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A fully implantable port device for establishing access to a blood vessel of a patient that is configured to be implanted entirely underneath the skin of the patient, the device comprising:
 a tapered seat configured to receive a tip of an access tube, the tapered seat having a proximal portion, a distal portion, and a conical section extending between the proximal portion and the distal portion, wherein the proximal portion of the tapered seat is configured to receive the tip of the access tube therethrough;   a port guide including one more light sources, wherein the one more light sources are configured to illuminate a location of the tapered seat so the that the tapered seat is visible to a user to guide introduction of the access tube tip through the skin of the patient; and   an interface surface configured to engage (i) the blood vessel of the patient or (ii) a vascular access catheter, the interface surface having an aperture in fluid communication with the distal portion of the tapered seat;   wherein the tapered seat is configured to create a mismatch fit with a diameter of the tip of the access tube when in use, wherein the mismatch fit is adapted to cause an increase in flow during treatment.   
     
     
         2 . The port device of  claim 1 , wherein the one more light sources comprise light emitting diodes. 
     
     
         3 . The port device of  claim 2 , wherein the light emitting diodes include a radiant material. 
     
     
         4 . The port device of  claim 2 , wherein the light emitting diodes include ruby or sapphire. 
     
     
         5 . The port device of  claim 1 , wherein the port device further includes a valve mechanism having a spherical element made of synthetic sapphire, wherein the one more lights sources illuminate the valve for percutaneous access. 
     
     
         6 . The port device of  claim 1 , wherein the port guide is configured to engage a proximal portion of the tip of the access tube and assist in directing the tip of the access tube toward the tapered seat. 
     
     
         7 . The port device of  claim 1 , wherein the port guide further comprises a receiver coil for receiving an electrical current, wherein the one or more light sources are configured to be illuminated when an electromagnetic inducer is positioned in proximity to the receiver coil. 
     
     
         8 . The port device of  claim 1 , wherein the mismatch fit is further configured to decrease a cross-sectional sealing area. 
     
     
         9 . The port device of  claim 1 , wherein a distance between the proximal portion and the distal portion of the tapered seat is between about 1.0 mm and 5.0 mm. 
     
     
         10 . The port device of  claim 1 , wherein the tip of the access tube is cylindrical and creates the mismatch fit along the conical section of the tapered seat. 
     
     
         11 . The port device of  claim 1 , wherein the diameter of the distal end of the access tube is greater than a diameter of the distal portion of the tapered seat. 
     
     
         12 . A method for establishing access to a blood vessel of a patient, the method comprising:
 implanting a port device entirely under a skin of the patient, wherein the port device comprises: 
 a tapered seat configured to receive a tip of an access tube, the tapered seat having a proximal portion, a distal portion, and a conical section extending between the proximal portion and the distal portion; 
 a port guide including one or more light sources; and 
 an interface surface configured to engage (i) the blood vessel of the patient or (ii) a vascular access catheter, the interface surface having an aperture in fluid communication with the distal portion of the tapered seat; 
   introducing the tip of the access tube into the port device via the proximal portion of the tapered seat, wherein a location of the tapered seat is illuminated by the one or more light sources so that the tapered seat is visible to a user to guide introduction of the access tube tip through the skin of the patient; and   advancing the tip of the access tube toward the distal portion of the tapered seat to create a mismatch fit with a diameter of the tip of the access tube when the tapered seat receives the access tube in use, wherein the mismatch fit is adapted to cause an increase in flow during treatment.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the one more light sources comprise light emitting diodes. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the light emitting diodes include a radiant material. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the light emitting diodes include ruby or sapphire. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the port device further includes a valve mechanism having a spherical element made of synthetic sapphire, wherein the one more lights sources illuminate the valve for percutaneous access. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the port guide is configured to engage a proximal portion of the tip of the access tube and assist in directing the tip of the access tube toward the tapered seat. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the port guide further comprises a receiver coil for receiving an electrical current, further comprising positioning an electromagnetic inducer in proximity to the receiver coil to cause the one or more light sources to be illuminated. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the mismatch fit is further configured to decrease a cross-sectional sealing area, wherein a distance between the proximal portion and the distal portion of the tapered seat is between about 1.0 mm and 5.0 mm. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the tip of the access tube is cylindrical and creates the mismatch fit along the conical section of the tapered seat.