Guidewire Compatible Port and Method for Inserting the Same

An access port for implantation in a living body, comprising:

• a housing defining a reservoir, the housing being formed of a first part coupled to a second part;
• a self-sealing septum between the first and second parts, an outer surface of the septum forming a portion of an exterior surface of the housing defining an access site through which a needle may be inserted into the reservoir in a first direction;
• an outlet being in fluid communication with the reservoir and configured for connection to a catheter;
• and
• an entry site opposite the outlet, the entry site being substantially aligned with of the outlet to permit insertion of one of a guidewire and a stylet through the entry site into the housing and from there into the outlet.

An apparatus for accessing an internal body structure for fluid transfer with the internal body structure, comprising:

• a port for implantation within a living body, the port comprising:
• a housing defining a reservoir, the housing being formed of first part coupled to a second part;
• a self-sealing septum between the first and second parts, an outer surface of the septum forming a portion of an exterior surface of the housing defining an access site through which a needle may be inserted into the reservoir in a first direction;
• an outlet being in fluid communication with the reservoir and configured for connection to a catheter;
• and
• an entry site located opposite the outlet the entry site being substantially aligned with the outlet to permit insertion of one of a guidewire and a stylet through the entry site into the housing from there into the outlet;
• and
• a catheter connected to the outlet, wherein the reservoir is in continuous, unimpeded fluid communication with the catheter connected to the outlet.

A method for transferring fluid between an external device and a structure within a living body, comprising:

• implanting within a living body a port defining a reservoir therewithin, the port being formed of a first part coupled to a second part and including a self-sealing septum between the first and second parts, an outer surface of the septum forming a portion of an exterior surface of the port defining an access site, an outlet in fluid communication with the reservoir and an entry site located opposite the outlet;
• connecting a proximal end of a catheter to the outlet while a distal end of the catheter is in fluid communication with a structure within the living body with which fluid is to be transferred;
• inserting one of a guidewire and a stylet through the entry site into the housing from there into the outlet;
• and
• inserting a needle through the septum into the reservoir to transfer fluids between the internal body structure and an exterior of the body via the reservoir, the catheter and the needle.