# US 12,214,152 B1 · Systems, methods, and apparatus for detection of implanted access port and use thereof > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,214,152 B1 - Document ID: US12214152B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 18/587,273 - Filed: 2024-02-26 - Granted: 2025-02-04 - Earliest claimed: 2023-02-24 - Assignees: Matchstick LLC - Applicants: Matchstick LLC - Inventors: Christopher James Franzese; Martin Michael Coyne, III; Alejandra Linares Martinez; Matthew Conner D'Auria - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12214152B1 ## CPC - A61B 5/06: Devices, other than using radiation, for detecting or locating foreign bodies {; Determining position of diagnostic devices within or on the body of the patient} - A61M 5/427: {Locating point where body is to be pierced, e.g. vein location means using ultrasonic waves, injection site templates} - A61M 5/20: Automatic syringes, e.g. with automatically actuated piston rod, with automatic needle injection, filling automatically (A61M5/142 takes precedence) - A61M 39/0208: {Subcutaneous access sites (implantable infusion devices A61M5/14276; transcutaneous access sites A61M39/0247)} - A61M 39/0247: {Transcutaneous or percutaneous access sites to the inside of the body} - A61M 39/04: having pierceable self-sealing members - A61M 2039/0036: {characterised by a septum having particular features, e.g. having venting channels or being made from antimicrobial or self-lubricating elastomer} - A61M 2039/0205: {for injecting media} - A61M 2039/0238: {having means for locating the implanted device to insure proper injection, e.g. radio-emitter, protuberances, radio-opaque markers} - A61M 2039/0261: {Means for anchoring port to the body, or ports having a special shape or being made of a specific material to allow easy implantation/integration in the body} - A61M 2039/0267: {comprising sensors or electrical contacts} - A61M 2039/027: {having a particular valve, seal or septum} - A61M 2205/0216: Materials providing elastic properties, e.g. for facilitating deformation and avoid breaking - A61M 2205/04: implanted - A61M 2205/3303: Using a biosensor - A61M 2205/3306: Optical measuring means - A61M 2205/3317: Electromagnetic, inductive or dielectric measuring means - A61M 2205/3327: Measuring - A61M 2205/3375: Acoustical, e.g. ultrasonic, measuring means - A61M 2205/3553: remote, e.g. between patient's home and doctor's office - A61M 2205/3561: local, e.g. within room or hospital - A61M 2205/3584: using modem, internet or Bluetooth® - A61M 2205/505: Touch-screens; Virtual keyboard or keypads; Virtual buttons; Soft keys; Mouse touches - A61M 2205/581: by audible feedback - A61M 2205/582: by tactile feedback - A61M 2205/583: by visual feedback - A61M 2207/00: Methods of manufacture, assembly or production - A61M 2230/005: Parameter used as control input for the apparatus - A61M 2230/50: Temperature - A61M 2230/65: Impedance, e.g. conductivity, capacity - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)} ## Abstract An apparatus for use with an access port implanted subcutaneously in a living body includes a locator assembly and a base plate. The locator assembly includes a port sensor configured to sense an aspect of the access port, a controller configured to determine a location of the access port based on the aspect, and an output device configured to provide user feedback based on the determined location of the access port. The locator assembly also includes an outer housing having a device side coupler. The apparatus furthermore includes a base plate having an adhesive flange configured to adhere the base plate to a skin of the living body, and a base coupler on the adhesive flange and configured to cooperate with the device side coupler such that the base plate is attachable and detachable from the locator assembly. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus for use with an access port implanted subcutaneously in a living body, the apparatus comprising: a locator assembly including: a port sensor configured to sense an aspect of the access port; a controller configured to determine a location of the access port based on the aspect sensed by the port sensor; and an output device configured to provide feedback to a user, wherein the controller is further configured to instruct the output device to provide the feedback to the user based on the determined location of the access port, the locator assembly further including an outer housing, wherein the controller is in the outer housing, the outer housing including a device side coupler; and a base plate including: an adhesive flange configured to adhere the base plate to a skin of the living body, the adhesive flange including at least one opening; and a base coupler on the adhesive flange and including at least one opening, the base coupler configured to cooperate with the device side coupler such that the base plate is attachable and detachable from the locator assembly by cooperation of the device side coupler with the base coupler, wherein when the base plate is attached to the locator assembly, the at least one opening of the adhesive flange aligns with the at least one opening of the base coupler and the port sensor such that the port sensor senses the aspect of the access port through the at least one opening of the adhesive flange and the at least one opening of the base coupler. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, the locator assembly further comprising: a skin sensor configured to sense a proximity of the apparatus to the skin through the at least one opening of the adhesive flange and the at least one opening of the base coupler. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the skin sensor includes at least one pogo pin. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a skin sensor configured to sense a proximity of the apparatus to the skin, wherein the skin sensor includes at least one pogo pin, and wherein the base plate includes at least one through-hole for the pogo pin to extend therethrough and sense contact with the skin of the living body. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base coupler is configured to cooperate with a coupler of at least one medication delivery device. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the medication delivery device includes at least one of a needle assembly, an autoinjector, or a wearable injector. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the device side coupler and the base coupler each have a cylindrical shape and are structured to threadedly cooperate with each other. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a marking device structured to be placed through the opening of the base plate to mark the skin. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a sterilizing swab structured to be placed through the opening of the base plate to sterilize skin. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the base coupler is made of a flexible material and includes a plurality of flexible fingers; and the device side coupler includes a protruding groove, wherein the plurality of flexible fingers and the protruding groove cooperate with each other to attach and detach the base coupler from the device side coupler. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the plurality of flexible fingers of the base coupler is configured to cooperate with a buttress of a medication delivery device to restrict detachment of the medication delivery device from the base plate. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to determine, based on the sensed aspect of the port sensor, that the base plate has an incompatibility with the access port, and wherein the feedback further includes an indication of the incompatibility. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the controller determines that the base plate has the incompatibility based on a determined manufacturer of the access port. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base coupler is configured to cooperate only with access ports manufactured by a predetermined manufacturer. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a bottom side of the locator assembly includes a port relief area to accommodate a prominence of the access port under the skin. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the locator assembly includes a plurality of skin sensors; and the at least one opening of the adhesive flange includes a plurality of openings respectively corresponding to the plurality of skin sensors for the plurality of skin sensors to sense the skin therethrough.