Importance

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Abstract

A noninvasive, perforate, self-centering locator (10) facilitates engagement of a needle or cannula with a vascular access device (44) of the type having a subcutaneously implanted infusion port (46) and an infusion chamber (48) contained in the infusion port (46), the infusion chamber (48) being covered by a septum (52). The locator (10) is exemplified by a port stabilizer ring (12) having a central opening (18) with an interior diameter greater than the diameter of the septum (52) but less than the greatest diameter of the infusion port (46). The stabilizer ring (12) or other embodiment of the locator (10) is pressed on the skin (45) over the site of the infusion port (46), and simultaneously visually locates the septum (52) for the user while stabilizing the infusion port (46) with respect to the skin (45) and underlying tissues, permitting ready penetration of the skin (45) and septum (52) by a needle or cannula (58). The locator (10) most conveniently includes a radial split, such as the split (20) of the stabilizer ring (12), permitting withdrawal without interfering with any needle or cannula (58) engaged with the chamber (48) of the infusion port (46). The stabilizer ring (12) or other embodiment of the locator (10) preferably includes a circular, oval or arc-like planar annulus (14), and a ramp (16) extending inwardly from the planar annulus (14). Methods of using the noninvasive, perforate, self-centering locator (10) to facilitate engagement of a needle or cannula (58) with an implanted vascular access device (44) are also disclosed.

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First Claim