Abstract: A method of treating a patient using a power-injectable access port, including implanting the power-injectable access port in the patient, imaging the power-injectable access port following implanting, and power injecting a fluid into the patient through the power-injectable access port. The power-injectable access port includes a septum covering a reservoir, the septum including a radiopaque material forming at least one letter, the at least one letter indicating that the power-injectable access port is suitable for power injection. The power-injectable access port is designed to accommodate a pressure developed within the reservoir of at least 35 psi, and a fluid flow rate of at least 1 milliliter per second. Imaging the power-injectable access port produces an image, and the method includes identifying the at least one letter on the image to confirm that the power-injectable access port is suitable for power injecting a fluid.

Abstract: A method of using a power-injectable port includes obtaining the power-injectable access port, attaching a catheter to an outlet stem of the power-injectable access port, and implanting the power-injectable access port and the catheter into a patient. The method further includes identifying the power-injectable access port following the implanting, and in accordance with the identification, inserting a distal end of a needle through the septum and into the reservoir, and injecting contrast media through the needle at a rate of at least one milliliter per second. The power-injectable access port includes a housing, a septum, a reservoir, and an outlet stem in fluid communication with the reservoir. The power-injectable access port is rated for injection of contrast media at a flow rate of at least 1 milliliter per second. The power-injectable access port is structured for operation at a pressure in the reservoir of at least 35 psi.

Abstract: A method of performing a power injection procedure, including 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 about 1 milliliter per second through the access port. The access port defines one or more fluid reservoirs, each fluid reservoir accessible through a cannula-penetrable septum. The method further includes identifying the indicating radiographic feature on the x-ray, and in accordance with the presence of the indicating feature on the x-ray, flowing a fluid through the access port at a rate of at least about 1 milliliter per second.

Abstract: A method of using a power-injectable port includes obtaining the power-injectable access port, attaching a catheter to an outlet stem of the power-injectable access port, and implanting the power-injectable access port and the catheter into a patient. The method further includes identifying the power-injectable access port following the implanting, inserting a distal end of a needle through the septum and into the reservoir, and injecting contrast media through the needle at a rate of at least one milliliter per second. The power-injectable access port includes a housing, a septum, a reservoir, and an outlet stem in fluid communication with the reservoir. The power-injectable access port is rated for injection of contrast media at a flow rate of at least 1 milliliter per second. The power-injectable access port is structured for operation at a pressure in the reservoir of at least 35 psi.

Abstract: A method of performing a power injection procedure, including 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 about 1 milliliter per second through the access port. The access port defines one or more fluid reservoirs, each fluid reservoir accessible through a cannula-penetrable septum. The method further includes identifying the indicating radiographic feature on the x-ray, and in accordance with the presence of the indicating feature on the x-ray, flowing a fluid through the access port at a rate of at least about 1 milliliter per second.

Abstract: A method of treating a patient using a power-injectable access port, including implanting the power-injectable access port in the patient, imaging the power-injectable access port following implanting, and power injecting a fluid into the patient through the power-injectable access port. The power-injectable access port includes a septum covering a reservoir, the septum including a radiopaque material forming at least one letter, the at least one letter indicating that the power-injectable access port is suitable for power injection. The power-injectable access port is designed to accommodate a pressure developed within the reservoir of at least 35 psi, and a fluid flow rate of at least 1 milliliter per second. Imaging the power-injectable access port produces an image, and the method includes identifying the at least one letter on the image to confirm that the power-injectable access port is suitable for power injecting a fluid.

Abstract: A method of using a power-injectable port includes obtaining the power-injectable access port, attaching a catheter to an outlet stem of the power-injectable access port, and implanting the power-injectable access port and the catheter into a patient. The method further includes identifying the power-injectable access port following the implanting, inserting a distal end of a needle through the septum and into the reservoir, and injecting contrast media through the needle at a rate of at least one milliliter per second. The power-injectable access port includes a housing, a septum, a reservoir, and an outlet stem in fluid communication with the reservoir. The power-injectable access port is rated for injection of contrast media at a flow rate of at least 1 milliliter per second. The power-injectable access port is structured for operation at a pressure in the reservoir of at least 35 psi.

Abstract: A method of power injecting a contrast medium into a patient, including obtaining a power-injectable access port suitable for power injection. The power injectable access port includes a housing defining a reservoir, and a septum. The septum may include a self-sealing material, and a radiopaque material. The radiopaque material may form a selected pattern when an x-ray is taken through the septum for identifying the power-injectable access port as being suitable for power injection. The power-injectable access port may be structured for accommodating a pressure developed within the reservoir of at least 35 psi, and may be designed to accommodate a fluid flow rate of at least 1 milliliter per second. After implanting the power-injectable access port in the patient, the method may include imaging the power-injectable access port and confirming via the selected pattern in the septum that the power-injectable access port is suitable for injecting the contrast medium.

Abstract: A method of power injecting a contrast medium into a patient, including obtaining a power-injectable access port suitable for power injection. The power injectable access port includes a housing defining a reservoir, and a septum. The septum may include a self-sealing material, and a radiopaque material. The radiopaque material may form a selected pattern when an x-ray is taken through the septum for identifying the power-injectable access port as being suitable for power injection. The power-injectable access port may be structured for accommodating a pressure developed within the reservoir of at least 35 psi, and may be designed to accommodate a fluid flow rate of at least 1 milliliter per second. After implanting the power-injectable access port in the patient, the method may include imaging the power-injectable access port and confirming via the selected pattern in the septum that the power-injectable access port is suitable for injecting the contrast medium.

Abstract: Methods of power injecting a fluid through an access port are described. One method includes implanting in a patient an access port suitable for passing fluid therethrough at a rate of at least about 1 milliliter per second, the access port including a body defining a cavity, a septum, and an outlet in fluid communication with the cavity, and flowing a fluid through an infusion set into the access port at a rate of at least about 1 milliliter per second, the infusion set including a needle in fluid communication with a tubing, the tubing in fluid communication with a connector, each of the needle, tubing, and connector constructed to have a burst pressure of at least about 100 psi.

Abstract: A valved catheter that allows placement and withdrawal of an accessing device or attachable unit without the risk of air embolism or blood loss. In one variation, the valved catheter includes a catheter tube having a necked portion in its proximal end that forms an integral valve, the necked portion being surrounded by a compression sleeve that biases the valve in a closed position. In another variation, the valved catheter is a dual lumen catheter with a corresponding bifurcating extension for engaging the valves in the catheter in order to establish fluid communication through the catheter.

Abstract: Methods of performing a power injection procedure are described. One method includes 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 about 1 milliliter per second through the access port, identifying the indicating radiographic feature on the x-ray, and flowing a fluid through the access port at a rate of at least about 1 milliliter per second.

Abstract: A multifunction adaptor for an open-ended catheter that allows placement of the catheter while minimizing the risk of air embolism or blood loss through the open (proximal) end of the catheter body. In one variation, the design allows passage of a standard guidewire for “over-the-guidewire” placement techniques and a connection for catheter flushing using a standard syringe. In another variation, the multifunction adaptor is configured for coupling a tunneler to the proximal end of a catheter.

Abstract: Methods of power injecting a fluid through an access port are described. One method includes implanting in a patient an access port suitable for passing fluid therethrough at a rate of at least about 1 milliliter per second, the access port including a body defining a cavity, a septum, and an outlet in fluid communication with the cavity, and flowing a fluid through an infusion set into the access port at a rate of at least about 1 milliliter per second, the infusion set including a needle in fluid communication with a tubing, the tubing in fluid communication with a connector, each of the needle, tubing, and connector constructed to have a burst pressure of at least about 100 psi.

Abstract: A fluid line connector to establish fluid communication with a conventional male luer fitting. The fluid line connector includes a housing with a hub member having a proximal opening adapted to receive a distal portion of the male luer fitting, a threaded profile circumscribing the proximal opening, and a cam member. The cam member engages the threaded surface of the male luer fitting collar to prevent inadvertent disengagement of the male luer fitting from the housing.

Abstract: A fluid line connector to establish fluid communication with a conventional male luer fitting. The fluid line connector includes a housing with a hub member having a proximal opening adapted to receive a distal portion of the male luer fitting, a threaded profile circumscribing the proximal opening, and a cam member. The cam member engages the threaded surface of the male luer fitting collar to prevent inadvertent disengagement of the male luer fitting from the housing.

Abstract: A catheter connector including a valve assembly and an access cannula. The valve assembly includes a housing with a septum, a displaceable plunger, and a distal end adapted for insertion into a catheter. The access cannula includes a distal end configured to engage the plunger. Displacement of the plunger by the cannula establishes fluid communication between the cannula and housing.

Abstract: A locking luer fitting for connecting fluid lines. In one variation the connection interface includes a male luer connector and a corresponding female luer connector. The female luer connector includes a rotatable collar which engages the male luer connector. In another variation the female luer connector includes a cam configured to prevent inadvertent disconnection of the male luer connector. The locking luer fittings described herein may be implemented in various medical and industrial applications where secured fluid line connection interfaces are desirable.

Abstract: A vascular access port enclosing a pair of distinct fluid reservoirs includes a two-piece housing that captures an integrally-formed compound septum to seal both of the fluid reservoirs for selective access with a hypodermic needle. The housing includes a base that defines the fluid reservoirs and a cap in which the base is received with the compound septum therebetween. The compound septum includes two distinct target domes that are exposed to the exterior of the housing through respective access apertures in the cap, when the compound septum is captured in the housing. A planar septum web interconnects and encircles the target domes. The side of the septum web opposite from the target domes is formed into a recessed isolation groove that traverses the septum web between the target domes. Sealing ridges depend from this side of the septum web on either side of the isolation groove. The outlet stem of the access port is integrally formed with the base of the housing.