Implantable access port

Abstract

An implantable access port for use in transferring a fluid transdermally between an external fluid storage or dispensing device and a site within a patient's body is disclosed. The access port includes a base, a bowl-shaped reservoir defined within the base by a smooth surfaced wall, and a septum secured to the base and enclosing the reservoir within the base. The access port also includes a reservoir outlet defined centrally within the reservoir. The bowl-shaped reservoir is defined by a continuous smooth-surfaced curvilinear wall. The reservoir may thus be sized and shaped as a parabola, or may be hemispherical or semi-hemispherical in cross-section. The reservoir outlet is defined at a center point on the bottom of the reservoir wall, may be partially or fully recessed within the bottom of the reservoir wall, and is also defined in the base tangentially with respect to the bottom of the reservoir wall. The access port also has an outlet passageway defined within the base and extending in communication with the reservoir outlet and an external opening defined in the exterior of the base.

1 . An implantable access port for use in transferring a fluid transdermally between an external fluid storage or dispensing device and a site within a patient's body, said access port comprising: 
 a base;    a bowl-shaped reservoir defined within the base by a smooth surfaced wall;    a septum secured to the base and enclosing the reservoir within the base; and    a reservoir outlet defined centrally within the reservoir.    
   
   
       2 . The access port of  claim 1 , the reservoir being defined by a single continuous wall.  
   
   
       3 . The access port of  claim 2 , the reservoir being defined by a curvilinear wall.  
   
   
       4 . The access port of  claim 1 , wherein the reservoir is formed as a parabola.  
   
   
       5 . The access port of  claim 4 , the reservoir outlet being defined at the focus of the parabola formed by the reservoir.  
   
   
       6 . The access port of  claim 1 , the reservoir being hemispherical in shape.  
   
   
       7 . The access port of  claim 1 , the reservoir being semi-hemispherical in shape.  
   
   
       8 . The access port of  claim 1 , the reservoir outlet being at least partially recessed within the reservoir wall.  
   
   
       9 . The access port of  claim 1 , the reservoir outlet being fully recessed within the reservoir wall.  
   
   
       10 . The access port of  claim 1 , the reservoir outlet being defined at the center of the reservoir wall.  
   
   
       11 . The access port of  claim 1 , the reservoir outlet being defined at a bottom portion of the reservoir wall spaced furthest from an open-face formed by the reservoir wall within the base.  
   
   
       12 . The access port of  claim 11 , the reservoir outlet being defined at the center of the reservoir wall.  
   
   
       13 . The access port of  claim 11 , the reservoir outlet being defined in the base tangentially with respect to the bottom portion of the reservoir wall.  
   
   
       14 . The access port of  claim 1 , the reservoir outlet being defined in the base tangentially with respect to a bottom portion of the reservoir wall.  
   
   
       15 . The access port of  claim 1 , further comprising an outlet passageway defined within the base, the outlet passageway being in communication with an external opening defined in the exterior of the base and the reservoir outlet.  
   
   
       16 . The access port of  claim 15 , the external base opening being constructed and arranged to be placed in sealed fluid communication with a catheter.  
   
   
       17 . The access port of  claim 1 , wherein the base of the access port is comprised of a biocompatible material.  
   
   
       18 . The access port of  claim 1 , wherein the septum of the access port is comprised of an elastomeric material.  
   
   
       19 . An implantable access port for use in transferring a fluid transdermally between an external fluid storage or dispensing device and a site within a patient's body, said access port comprising: 
 a base;    a bowl-shaped reservoir defined within the base by a single continuous smooth-surfaced wall; and    a reservoir outlet defined within the reservoir wall.    
   
   
       20 . The access port of  claim 19 , further comprising a septum secured to the base and enclosing the reservoir within the base.  
   
   
       21 . The access port of  claim 19 , the reservoir outlet being defined at a bottom portion of the reservoir wall spaced furthest from an open-face formed by the reservoir wall within the base.  
   
   
       22 . The access port of  claim 21 , the reservoir outlet being defined at the bottom center of the reservoir wall.  
   
   
       23 . The access port of  claim 21 , the reservoir outlet being defined in the base of the access port tangentially with respect to the bottom of the reservoir wall.  
   
   
       24 . The access port of  claim 19 , wherein the reservoir wall defines a parabola.  
   
   
       25 . The access port of  claim 24 , the reservoir outlet being defined at the focus of the parabola.  
   
   
       26 . The access port of  claim 19 , wherein the reservoir wall comprises a curvilinear wall.  
   
   
       27 . The access port of  claim 19 , the reservoir being hemispherical in shape.  
   
   
       28 . The access port of  claim 19 , the reservoir being semi-hemispherical in shape.  
   
   
       29 . An implantable access port for use in transferring a fluid transdermally between an external fluid storage or dispensing device and a site within a patient's body, said access port comprising: 
 a base;    a reservoir defined within the base, the reservoir having an open face, an opposed bottom, and a center point on the bottom; and    a reservoir outlet opening defined in the bottom of the reservoir.    
   
   
       30 . The access port of  claim 29 , further comprising a septum secured to the base and enclosing the open face of the reservoir on the base.  
   
   
       31 . The access port of  claim 29 , the reservoir outlet being defined in the center of the reservoir bottom.  
   
   
       32 . The access port of  claim 29 , wherein the reservoir outlet is defined in the base tangentially with respect to the bottom of the reservoir.  
   
   
       33 . The access port of  claim 29 , wherein the reservoir is bowl-shaped.  
   
   
       34 . The access port of  claim 33 , wherein the reservoir is defined by a continuous wall.  
   
   
       35 . The access port of  claim 34 , wherein the reservoir wall further comprises a smooth surfaced wall.  
   
   
       36 . The access port of  claim 35 , wherein the reservoir wall further comprises a curvilinear wall.