Implantable vascular access device

A method for accessing a vascular structure comprising the steps of:

• surgically implanting a device having an inlet opening, an outlet opening, an interior conduit defined therein between said inlet opening and said outlet opening and a valve positioned between said inlet opening and said outlet opening
• said valve comprising an elongate member supported within said device, said elongate member being movable between an open position, in which fluid communication is permitted between said inlet opening and said outlet opening, and a closed position, in which said elongate member occludes fluid communication between said inlet opening and said outlet opening,
• at least one end of said elongate member protruding through an external surface of said device, said valve being manipulatable by depressing said at least one end of said elongate member to move said elongate member to said open position;
• connecting one end of a cannula to said outlet opening and another end of said cannula to a said vascular structure;
• manipulating said valve for permitting fluid communication between said inlet opening and said vascular structure;
• introducing a needle or needle-introduced catheter through said inlet opening for accessing said vascular structure.

A surgically implantable device for providing intermittent vascular access comprising:

• a housing having a plurality of inlet openings, at least one outlet opening and at least one interior conduit defined therein between said inlet openings and said outlet opening;
• and
• a manipulatable valve positioned between said inlet openings and said outlet opening for selectively permitting fluid communication between said inlet openings and said outlet opening
• said valve comprising at least one elongate member supported within said housing, said elongate member being movable between an open position, in which fluid communication is permitted between said inlet openings and said at least one outlet opening, and a closed position, in which said elongate member occludes fluid communication between said inlet openings and said outlet opening,
• said housing including a button protruding through an external surface of said housing, said button being subcutaneously manipulatable for moving one or more of said elongate members between said open and closed positions.