Device and method for precise subcutaneous placement of a medical instrument

A system for locating matter at a predetermined position within a body, which position is accessible through a medical instrumentality insertable into said body, said system comprising:

• reservoir means positioned at said predetermined position within said body for receiving and maintaining said matter thereat;
• first electronic means contiguous to said reservoir, said first electronic means including sensing means separate from connection with said medical instrumentality for sensing the position of said instrumentality relative to said reservoir means and signaling means connected with said sensing means for providing an electrical signal indicative at least of positioning of said instrumentality within said reservoir means;
• second electronic means positioned outside said body, said second electronic means including signal processing means for sensing said electrical signal provided by said signaling means and indicating means for indicating to a user of said instrumentality said positioning of said instrumentality within said reservoir means responsive to said electrical signal sensed by said signal processing means;
• and
• electrical signal generating means positioned outside said body for activating said first and second electronic means of said system.

A circulatory system accessing device for enabling repeated, precise placement of fluid in a body at a predetermined location through a metallic object capable of fluid delivery therethrough, said device comprising:

• an implantable portion positionable in said body at said predetermined location;
• an external portion positionable on the surface of said body including transmitting means for transmitting an electrically induced input signal;
• chamber means in said implantable portion having a first section for receiving said metallic object therethrough while remaining substantially impervious to passage of matter from said body therethrough, a second section for storing said fluid delivered through said metallic object, and a passageway for delivery of said fluid from said second section to said circulatory system;
• sensing means in said implantable portion adjacent said first section of said chamber means for sensing the position of said metallic object relative to said first section of said chamber means and establishment of said metallic object through said first section of said chamber means;
• signaling means connected with said sensing means in said implantable portion for providing a signal indicative of said sensed relative position and said establishment of said metallic object through said first section of said chamber means;
• input signal receiving means connected with said sensing means and said signaling means in said implantable portion for receiving said electrically induced input signal from said transmitting means of said external portion thereby activating and making operational said sensing means and said signal generating means of said implantable portion;
• sensing means in said external portion for locating said implantable portion relative to a position on the surface of said body suitable for insertion of said metallic object and producing a signal indicative thereof;
• signal receiving means in said external portion for receiving said signal indicative of said sensed relative position and achievement of placement of said metallic object from said signaling means of said implantable portion;
• processing means connected with said sensing means and signal receiving means of said external portion and including indicator means for indicating to a user of said metallic object said position suitable for insertion, said sensed relative position of said metallic object to said first section of said chamber means and establishment of said metallic object through said first section of said chamber means;
• and
• battery means connected with said transmitting means, said sensing means, said signal receiving means and said processing means of said external portion.

A method of monitoring placement of a medical instrument within a body to insure accurate positioning of an opening in the inserted end portion of said instrument relative to a predetermined desired location in said body comprising:

• utilizing an electrical power output to generate a first signal from a first position outside said body;
• inserting said end portion of said instrument into said body at a position on the surface of said body adjacent said predetermined desired location in said body;
• moving said inserted end portion of said instrument toward said predetermined desired location;
• receiving said first signal at a second position separate from connection with said instrument and utilizing said first signal to sense when said inserted end portion arrives at said predetermined desired location;
• providing an electrical output indicative at least of positioning of said opening in said inserted end portion of said instrument at said predetermined desired location;
• utilizing said electrical output indicative at least of positioning to provide an electrically induced output signal;
• and
• utilizing said electrically induced output signal to indicate to a user establishment of said desired placement of said opening in said inserted end portion of said instrument at said predetermined desired location.

A method for directing insertion of a metallic object having an open end portion into a body for achievment of desired placement of a fluid therethrough at a predetermined location in said body comprising:

• positioning a reservoir at said predetermined location in said body;
• providing an electrical power output outside of said body;
• utilizing said electrical power output to generate a first signal from a position outside said body;
• utilizing said first signal to sense the location of said reservoir relative to a position on the surface of said body suitable for insertion of said metallic object and indicating said position suitable for insertion to a user of said metallic object;
• inserting said open end portion of said metallic object into said body at said suitable position;
• moving said open end portion of said metallic object toward said reservoir;
• receiving said first signal at a position inside said body and utilizing said first signal to sense movement of said open end portion of said metallic object into said reservoir;
• providing an electrical output indicative at least of movement of said open end portion of said metallic object into said reservoir;
• utilizing said electrical output indicative at least of movement to provide an electrically induced output signal;
• utilizing said electrically induced output signal to indicate to a user establishment of the desired placement of said open end portion of said metallic object within said reservoir;
• and
• effecting fluid delivery through said metallic object to said reservoir while said desired placement of said open end of said metallic object within said reservoir is maintained.