METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PERCUTANEOUSLY ACCESSING A PRESSURE ACTIVATED IMPLANTED PORT

摘要

This invention is methods, and apparatus for percutaneously accessing an implanted port (10), and use an access tube (N) which is periodically introduced to the implanted port. The apparatus is preferably an implanted port having a pressure-responsive valve element (40). It has been found that repeated passage of the access tube through the same tissue tract to the implanted port reduces patient trauma, with minimized bleeding, and reduction in sensitivity. The tract may be initially formed by percutaneously placing a penetrating element through intact skin to the port, and leaving the element in place for a time sufficient to create the tract.