Implantable access device - Patent Review 5226879

Claims

We claim:

1. An implantable access port to permit the introduction of an external filament such as an external catheter, needle, guide wire or optical fiber within a patient comprising:

a housing defining a generally funnel shaped entrance orifice, an entrance passageway and an exit passageway, said entrance orifice for guiding said external filament into said housing entrance passageway and an exit passageway,

an elastomeric valve element disposed within said housing between said entrance and exit passageways defining an aperture for permitting the passage of said external filament therethrough,

sealing means for defining a plug which is urged into sealing engagement with said valve element aperture, said plug being forced from sealing engagement with said aperture upon contact with said external filament as said external filament is introduced into said port through said entrance passageway, and

mounting means formed by said housing for enabling fastening of said housing subcutanously.

2. An implantable access port according to claim 1 wherein said plug is shaped to extend partially through and expand said valve element aperture when said external filament is not within said housing and wherein said valve element aperture constricts into sealing engagement with said external filament upon said plug being forced from sealing engagement with said aperture.

3. An implantable access port according to claim 2 wherein said plug defines a convex outer surface which aids in expanding said valve element aperture.

4. An implantable access port according to claim 1 wherein said aperture is circular.

5. An implantable access port according to claim 1 wherein said housing entrance passageway is oriented with respect to said plug whereby upon introduction of said external filament, said filament contacts said plug and is prevented from contacting said sealing element while said plug is in said sealing engagement with said valve element aperture.

6. An implantable access port according to claim 5 wherein said plug defines a concave central area which is engaged by said external filament.

7. An implantable access port according to claim 1 wherein said plug is formed of a metal.

8. An implantable access port according to claim 1 wherein said sealing means comprises a disk having plural leaves with each having plug segments at near the center of said disk which together define said plug.

9. An implantable access port according to claim 8 wherein said sealing means disk is made of metal and wherein said plug segments are formed integrally by said disk.

10. An implantable access port according to claim 8 wherein said plug segments are formed by separate metal elements bonded to a substrate.

11. An implantable access port according to claim 1 wherein said sealing member plug is supported by an arm urging said plug into engagement with said valve element aperture.

12. An implantable access port according to claim 1 further comprising a second elastomeric valve element dispo