Method for delivery of therapeutic and/or diagnostic agents
A system for delivery of therapeutic and/or diagnostic agents into a living body includes a port assembly having a cannula extending from the mounting side, a port opening away from the mounting side and a resilient barrier between the port and the cannula. An access hub includes a connector positionable at the port for opening the resilient barrier. The access hub is movable in the port assembly, is engaged therewith through a resilient ring coupling and forms a seal with the resilient barrier, reducing the amount of volume to be primed. Inserters, both disposable and reusable, include the cannula insertion member as part of the assembly. A spring loaded port driver is operatively mounted within the housing with movement controlled by a latch. The driver includes a seat for receipt of a port assembly. The cannula insertion member is nonremovably fixed in a socket in the port driver in the disposable assembly. In the reusable inserter, the cannula insertion member is slidably mounted within a socket associated with the latch. Slidable movement is limited by locking shoulders. The socket is split and may be splayed to release the cannula insertion member following use.
1. A method for placing and connecting a port including a port assembly with a base having a mounting side, a cannula, a port opening away from the mounting side and a resilient barrier in communication with the cannula, using an inserter having a cannula insertion member, a socket securely receiving the cannula insertion member and a spring loaded port driver with a seat receiving the port assembly, and using a hub, the hub having a connector in communication with the port assembly and the hub engaged, comprising
placing the inserter with a port assembly at the site;
releasing the spring loaded port driver to advance the base to the site;
withdrawing the inserter from the site including retaining the cannula insertion member with the socket and leaving the port assembly at the site;
engaging the hub with the port assembly including movably mounting the hub with the base and opening the resilient barrier after withdrawing the inserter.