Implantable dialysis access port

Abstract

An implantable access port in accordance with one embodiment of the invention comprises a hollow port casing having a first channel, a second channel and a third channel. A self-sealing insert may be disposed within the third channel. The implantable access port may further comprise a graft having a first branch, a second branch, and a third branch, the first branch extending from the first channel and adapted to be anastomosed to a vessel at a first location, the second branch extending from the second channel and adapted to be anastomosed to a vessel in a second location, the third branch extending at least partially into the third channel, wherein the third branch is disposed between the self-sealing insert and the hollow port casing. Methods for performing medical procedures associated with the implantable access port are also disclosed.

1 . An implantable access port comprising: 
 a hollow port casing having a first channel, a second channel and a third channel;    a self-sealing insert disposed within said third channel; and,    a graft having a first branch, a second branch, and a third branch, said first branch extending from said first channel and adapted to be anastomosed to a first vessel at a first location, said second branch extending from said second channel and adapted to be anastomosed to a second vessel in a second location, said third branch extending at least partially into said third channel, wherein said third branch is disposed between said self-sealing insert and said hollow port casing.    
     
     
         2 . The implantable access port of  claim 1 , wherein said first vessel and said second vessel are portions of the same vessel.  
     
     
         3 . The implantable access port of  claim 2 , wherein said first location and said second location are discrete locations on said vessel.  
     
     
         4 . The implantable access port of  claim 3 , wherein said vessel is an artery and blood is permitted to flow continuously through said graft once anastomosed to said artery in said first location and said second location.  
     
     
         5 . The implantable access port of  claim 1 , wherein said hollow port casing is implanted in a mammal and said first vessel and said second vessel are arteries.  
     
     
         6 . The implantable access port of  claim 1 , wherein said third branch is adhered to said hollow port casing with a biocompatible adhesive.  
     
     
         7 . The implantable access port of  claim 1 , wherein said hollow port casing includes a tab member extending therefrom, said tab member having an aperture adapted to help secure the implantable access port to tissue of a mammalian body.  
     
     
         8 . The implantable access port of  claim 1 , wherein said self-sealing insert is formed from rubberized silicone.  
     
     
         9 . The implantable access port of  claim 1 , wherein said port casing is constructed of one of stainless steel, titanium, and plastic.  
     
     
         10 . The implantable access port of  claim 1 , wherein said graft is constructed of one of expanded polytetrafluroethylene, teflon and polyester.  
     
     
         11 . The implantable access port of  claim 1 , wherein said hollow port casing further comprises an insert within said third channel between said self-sealing insert and said third branch of said graft, said insert being impenetrable by a needle so as to protect said third branch of said graft from damage.  
     
     
         12 . The implantable access port of  claim 1 , wherein said hollow port casing completely surrounds portions of said first branch and said second branch.  
     
     
         13 . The implantable access port of  claim 12 , wherein said hollow port casing completely surrounds the entirety of said third branch.  
     
     
         14 . The implantable access port of  claim 1 , wherein said third channel is not in fluid communication with said first channel and said second channel.  
     
     
         15 . The implantable access port of  claim 1 , further comprising a venous access port coupled thereto, said venous access port adapted to be in fluid communication with a vessel.  
     
     
         16 . The implantable access port of  claim 1 , wherein said hollow port casing is comprised of a first hollow port casing half and a second hollow port casing half capable of being connected to one another.  
     
     
         17 . An implantable access port comprising: 
 a hollow arterial port casing having a first arterial channel, a second arterial channel and a third arterial channel;    a self-sealing arterial insert disposed within said third arterial channel;    an arterial graft having a first arterial branch, a second arterial branch, and a third arterial branch, said first arterial branch extending from said first arterial channel and adapted to be anastomosed to an artery at a first arterial location, said second arterial branch extending from said second arterial channel and adapted to be anastomosed to an artery in a second arterial location, said third arterial branch extending at least partially into said third arterial channel, wherein said third arterial branch is disposed between said self-sealing arterial insert and said arterial hollow port casing;    a hollow venous port casing having a first venous channel and a second venous channel;    a self-sealing venous insert disposed within said second venous channel;    a venous graft having a first venous graft end in fluid communication with said first venous channel and a second venous graft end adapted to be anastomosed to a vein.    
     
     
         18 . The implantable access port of  claim 17 , wherein said arterial hollow port casing and said venous hollow port casing are connected to each other.  
     
     
         19 . The implantable access port of  claim 17 , wherein said arterial hollow port casing and said venous hollow port casing are formed monolithically.  
     
     
         20 . The implantable access port of  claim 17 , wherein said arterial hollow port casing includes a series of spaced-apart arterial ribs forming protruding arterial ribs and receiving arterial ribs on its exterior surface and said venous hollow port casing includes a series of spaced-apart venous ribs forming protruding venous ribs and receiving venous ribs.  
     
     
         21 . The implantable access port of  claim 20 , wherein said protruding arterial ribs are formed in registration with said receiving venous ribs and said receiving arterial ribs are formed in registration with said protruding venous ribs.  
     
     
         22 . The implantable access port of  claim 21 , wherein said arterial hollow port casing is engaged with said venous hollow port casing such that at least one of said protruding arterial ribs is inserted into at least one of said receiving venous ribs.  
     
     
         23 . The implantable access port of  claim 21 , wherein said arterial hollow port casing is engaged with said venous hollow port casing such that at least one of said protruding venous ribs is inserted into at least one of said receiving arterial ribs.  
     
     
         24 . The implantable access port of  claim 17 , wherein said hollow arterial port casing and said hollow venous port casing include a plurality of tabbed members extending therefrom, said tabbed members each having an aperture adapted to help secure the implantable access port to tissue of a mammalian body.  
     
     
         25 . The implantable access port of  claim 17 , wherein said self-sealing arterial insert and said self-sealing venous insert are formed from rubberized silicone.  
     
     
         26 . The implantable access port of  claim 17 , wherein said arterial port casing and said venous port casing are constructed of one of stainless steel, titanium, and plastic.  
     
     
         27 . The implantable access port of  claim 17 , wherein said arterial graft and said venous graft are constructed of one of expanded polytetrafluroethylene, teflon and polyester.  
     
     
         28 . A method of performing a medical procedure comprising: 
 inserting a first catheter into a hollow arterial port casing implanted subcutaneously in a mammal such that blood flows continuously through portions of said hollow port casing and said first catheter is in fluid communication with the blood;    
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , further comprising: 
 filtering the blood withdrawn from said first catheter and recycling the blood to a second catheter.    
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein said medical procedure is blood dialysis.  
     
     
         31 . An implantable access port comprising: 
 a port casing having a graft with first and second ends extending therethrough and a channel extending from within said graft to an exterior surface of said port casing, the port casing being implantable completely subcutaneously in a mammal;    a self-sealing insert disposed within said channel to seal against the flow of fluid;    wherein said first end of said graft is adapted to be anastomosed to a vessel in a first location and said second end of said graft is adapted to be anastomosed to the vessel in a second location.    
     
     
         32 . The implantable access port of  claim 31 , wherein the vessel is an artery and the anastomosis in said first location is an end-to-end anastomosis.  
     
     
         33 . The implantable access port of  claim 32 , wherein the anastomosis in said second location is an end-to-end anastomosis.  
     
     
         34 . The implantable access port of  claim 31 , wherein said vessel is an artery and blood continuously flows through said graft when said graft is anastomosed to said artery in said first location and said second location.  
     
     
         35 . The implantable access port of  claim 31 , wherein said self-sealing insert is formed from rubberized silicone.  
     
     
         36 . The implantable access port of  claim 31 , wherein said graft is a single piece graft.  
     
     
         37 . The implantable access port of  claim 31 , wherein said self-sealing insert is adapted to be penetrated by a needle near a top surface of said port casing.  
     
     
         38 . The implantable access port of  claim 31 , wherein said self-sealing insert is free of pre-cut openings for penetration by a needle.  
     
     
         39 . The implantable access port of  claim 31 , wherein said self-sealing insert is configured to a shape which is identifiable when implanted.  
     
     
         40 . The implantable access port of  claim 31 , wherein said graft includes a third end disposed within said channel.  
     
     
         41 . The implantable access port of  claim 40 , wherein said third end of said graft is between said port casing and said self-sealing insert.  
     
     
         42 . A method of implanting an implantable access port comprising: 
 severing an artery such that the artery comprises a first end and a second end;    anastomosing a graft to said first end and said second end of the artery such that blood may flow continuously through said graft, wherein said graft is a component of a port core comprising an upper portion having an aperture extending into said graft, said aperture being partially filled with a self-sealing insert; and,    connecting a first port half and a second port half around said port core to form the complete implantable port.    
     
     
         43 . The method of implanting an implantable access port of  claim 42 , wherein said first port half and said second port half couple around the graft when installed.  
     
     
         44 . The method of implanting an implantable access port of  claim 42 , wherein said first port half and said second port half couple around the graft and the artery when installed.