Port, a container and a method for accessing a port
View Patent ↗A port, a container and a method for accessing a port for injecting or withdrawing a liquid from the container are provided. The port may allow for the administration of, for example, a drug, to a patient and may be located on the container. The port has a septum having a target area. The port also has a support ring in contact with the septum. A cap is provided to protect the septum. The cap has a ring handle and allows for removal and exposure of the target area of the septum. A needle, for example, may be used to penetrate the septum allowing the addition or withdrawal of a liquid or other drug to or from the container.
1. A port comprising:
a housing having an interior defined by peripheral walls extending between a first end and a second end;
a septum within the interior at the first end of the housing;
a cap on the first end of the peripheral walls of the housing wherein the cap encloses the first end of the housing and covers the septum;
a line of separation between the cap and the peripheral walls of the housing;
a lip extending between the peripheral walls and the cap at the first end of the housing; and
a support ring in the interior of the housing wherein the support ring is between the septum and the second end of the housing.
2. The port of claim 1 further comprising:
a recess formed in the septum wherein the recess includes a slit.
3. The port of claim 1 further comprising:
a ring attached to the cap wherein the ring forms an opening between the ring and the cap.
4. The port of claim 1 wherein the septum has a tapered exterior wall that is secured in the interior of the housing.
5. The port of claim 1 wherein the cap has a diameter smaller than a diameter of the septum.
6. The port of claim 1 wherein the support ring has a diameter greater than a diameter of the septum.
7. A container comprising:
peripheral walls defining an interior wherein the interior holds a solution;
a port having walls defining a housing, the housing having first and second ends and an interior therebetween wherein the port is attached to one of the peripheral walls;
a septum in the interior of the housing;
a support ring in the interior of the housing wherein the septum is between the support ring and the first end of the port;
a cap enclosing the first end of the housing wherein the cap covers the septum; and
a lip extending between the walls of the port and the cap at the first end.
8. The container of claim 7 further comprising:
a line of separation between the cap and the first end of the housing.
9. The container of claim 7 further comprising:
a target area in the septum defined by a recess formed in the septum.
10. The container of claim 7 further comprising:
a slit in the septum.
11. The container of claim 7 wherein the port is integrally formed with the cap.
12. The container of claim 7 further comprising:
a ring extending from the first end of the container wherein the ring defines an opening.
13. A method for accessing a container wherein the container has walls defining an interior, the method comprising the steps of:
attaching a port having walls defined between a first end and a second end and defining a housing, wherein the second end of the port is attached to one of the walls of the container and further wherein the port has a cap at the first end of the port, and wherein the port has a lip that extends between the walls of the port and the cap at the first end;
securing a septum within the housing;
securing a support ring within the housing wherein the septum is between the support ring and the first end of the port;
removing the cap to expose only a portion of the septum.
14. The method of claim 13 further comprising the step of:
inserting a needle through the septum.
15. The method of claim 13 further comprising the step of:
separating the cap from the port at a line of separation.
16. The method of claim 13 further comprising the step of:
pulling a ring having an opening attached to the cap to remove the cap from the port.
17. The method of claim 13 further comprising the step of:
forming a recessed area in the septum wherein the septum has a slit.
18. The method of claim 13 wherein the walls of the port have a length between the first end and the second end greater than a combined width of the septum and the support ring.