SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR LOCATING AND IDENTIFYING AN IMPLANTED MEDICAL DEVICE

Systems and methods for detecting an implanted medical device, such as a vascular access port. The implanted medical device may include at least one passive RFID tag that has disposed thereon information about the implanted medical device. The at least one passive RFID tag is designed to be interrogated by a detector associated with an external device, such as an infusion set with an access needle. The interrogating signal induces a return signal from the at least one passive RFID tags. The strength of the return signal may be dependent on the distance and orientation of the tag relative to the detector. The system may be designed to interpret different signal strengths from different RFID tags to guide the needle to a correct insertion position, thereby accessing a port that cannot be readily detected visually or by palpation.