Implantable infusion device

摘要

In infusion port for implantation within a patient for providing repeated access to specific tissue within a patient and communicating with the tissue by an internal implanted catheter. The infusion port in accordance with this invention includes a housing having a funnel shaped inlet orifice which terminates in a reduced diameter guide passageway. Installed within the housing is an articulating catheter valve such as a leaflet valve assembly. The housing communicates with an exit passageway which is attached to an internal outflow catheter coupling the infusion port to a specific tissue within the patient. In use, a needle is used to penetrate the patient's skin and contacts the entrance orifice of the infusion port. The entrance orifice guides the needle point into alignment with and into the guide passageway. The guide passageway targets a small portion of the articulating catheter valve which can be in the form of a leaflet valve assembly. Once through the catheter valve, fluids may be infused into the patient through the needle or withdrawn from the patient. Alternatively, an external catheter or other filament can be placed in communication with the outflow catheter by feeding it in into the infusion port and into the implanted catheter after being introduced over a needle which is restricted from entering the implanted catheter.