Methods of performing a power injection procedure including identifying features of a subcutaneously implanted access port for delivery of contrast media

1. A method of performing a power injection procedure, comprising:

taking an x-ray of a subcutaneously implanted access port in a patient to determine whether the access port includes a radiographic feature indicating that the access port is suitable for flowing fluid at a rate of at least 1 milliliter per second through the access port, the access port defining one or more fluid reservoirs, each fluid reservoir accessible through a cannula-penetrable septum;

identifying the indicating radiographic feature on the x-ray; and

flowing a fluid through the access port at a rate of at least 1 milliliter per second.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the identifying step comprises identifying a radiographic pattern included in the cannula-penetrable septum of the access port.

3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the identifying step comprises identifying a radiographic letter.

4. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising the step of confirming that the access port is suitable for flowing fluid at a rate of at least 1 milliliter per second by palpating to feel a structural feature of the access port indicating that the access port is suitable for flowing fluid at a rate of at least 1 milliliter per second through the access port.

5. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising the step of confirming that the access port is suitable for flowing fluid at a rate of at least 1 milliliter per second by visually perceiving information outside of the body of the patient included on an element selected from the group consisting of a key chain, a bracelet, a wrist band, a sticker provided on a patient's chart, a patient ID card, a label provided on packaging of the access port, and combinations thereof, the element indicating that the access port is suitable for flowing fluid at a rate of at least 1 milliliter per second through the access port.

6. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising the step of confirming that the access port is suitable for flowing fluid at a rate of at least 1 milliliter per second by detecting a radiofrequency identification (RFID) tag associated with the implanted access port, the RFID tag signaling that the access port is suitable for flowing fluid at a rate of at least about 1 milliliter per second through the access port.

7. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising the step of confirming that the access port is suitable for flowing fluid at a rate of at least 1 milliliter per second by detecting an ultrasound-detectable feature associated with the implanted access port, the ultrasound-detectable feature indicating that the access port is suitable for flowing fluid at a rate of at least 1 milliliter per second through the access port.

8. A method of performing a power injection procedure, comprising:

providing an access port including a cannula-impenetrable housing and a radiographic feature indicating that the access port is suitable for flowing fluid at a rate of at least 1 milliliter per second through the access port;

implanting the access port in a subcutaneous pocket formed under a patient's skin;

taking an image of the implanted access port via imaging technology;

identifying the access port as being suitable for flowing fluid at a rate of at least 1 milliliter per second through the access port via the image of the radiographic feature of the access port; and

injecting contrast media fluid through the access port at a rate of at least 1 milliliter per second.

9. The method according to claim 8 , wherein the identifying step comprises identifying a radiographic letter.

10. The method according to claim 8 , further comprising the step of confirming that the access port is suitable for flowing fluid at a rate of at least 1 milliliter per second by palpating to feel a structural feature of the access port indicating that the access port is suitable for flowing fluid at a rate of at least 1 milliliter per second through the access port.

11. The method according to claim 8 , further comprising the step of confirming that the access port is suitable for flowing fluid at a rate of at least 1 milliliter per second by visually perceiving information outside of the body of the patient included on an element selected from the group consisting of a key chain, a bracelet, a wrist band, a sticker provided on a patient's chart, a patient ID card, a label provided on packaging of the access port, and combinations thereof, the element indicating that the access port is suitable for flowing fluid at a rate of at least 1 milliliter per second through the access port.

12. The method according to claim 8 , further comprising the step of confirming that the access port is suitable for flowing fluid at a rate of at least 1 milliliter per second by detecting an RFID tag associated with the implanted access port, the RFID tag signaling that the access port is suitable for flowing fluid at a rate of at least 1 milliliter per second through the access port.

13. The method according to claim 8 , further comprising the step of confirming that the access port is suitable for flowing fluid at a rate of at least 1 milliliter per second by detecting an ultrasound-detectable feature associated with the implanted access port, the ultrasound-detectable feature indicating that the access port is suitable for flowing fluid at a rate of at least 1 milliliter per second through the access port.

14. A method of performing a power injection procedure, comprising:

implanting an access port including a fluid reservoir accessible through a septum and a radiographic feature, the radiographic feature indicating that the access port is capable of handling pressures associated with power injection;

taking an image of the implanted access port via imaging technology;

identifying the access port as capable of handling pressures associated with power injection via the image of the radiographic feature of the access port;

palpating the access port to identify the location of the septum;

inserting a needle through a septum, the needle connected to tubing and in fluid communication therewith, the needle and tubing structured to accommodate a fluid pressure of at least 400 psi; and

injecting contrast media fluid through the tubing and needle to induce a pressure within the access port in the range of 37 psi and 65 psi.