DEVICES, SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR REMOVAL AND REPLACEMENT OF A CATHETER FOR AN IMPLANTED ACCESS PORT

1 . A medical device comprising:

an implantable access port including a fluid passage operable to introduce fluid to a host and/or remove fluid from the host, the fluid passage accessible through a fluid passage access opening; and

a needle configured to penetrate the host, wherein at least a portion of the fluid passage is defined by the needle;

a needle elevator mechanism including a movable needle platform which includes a piston to extend the needle out of the access port and to retract the needle into the access port;

an implantable catheter connectable with the access port, the catheter having a proximal end and a distal end;

wherein the catheter is connectable with the access port by a connection within the access port;

wherein the portion of the fluid passage defined by the needle is defined by a lumen of the needle;

wherein the catheter is insertable into the fluid passage of the access port, including the lumen of the needle, through the fluid passage access opening; and

wherein the catheter is advanceable through the fluid passage such that the distal end of the catheter extends from the access port and the proximal end of the catheter is located within the access port.

2 . The device of claim 1 wherein:

the catheter is removable from the fluid passage of the access port through the fluid passage access opening.

3 . The device of claim 1 wherein:

the catheter is removable from the lumen of the needle through the fluid passage access opening.

4 . The device of claim 1 wherein:

the catheter is connectable with the access port by a mechanical connection; wherein the mechanical connection comprises at least one of a friction fit connection and a positive mechanical engagement connection; wherein the positive mechanical engagement connection comprises an overlapping connection formed by a proximal end portion of the catheter and a portion of the access port; and

wherein the overlapping connection is formed by a flange of the catheter overlapping with a shoulder of the access port.

5 - 7 . (canceled)

8 . The device of claim 1 wherein:

the catheter is connectable with the access port by a mechanical connection; wherein the mechanical connection comprises at least one of a friction fit connection and a positive mechanical engagement connection; the friction fit connection comprises a press-fit connection formed by a proximal end portion of the catheter and a portion of the access port; and wherein:

the access port includes a catheter egress opening; and

the press-fit connection is formed by at least one resilient deformable retention element of the catheter deforming against a sidewall of the catheter egress opening when located in the catheter egress opening of the access port.

9 . (canceled)

10 . The device of claim 1 wherein:

the catheter comprises a tubular body and a proximal end portion which are insertable into the fluid passage of the access port through the fluid passage access opening; and

wherein, when the tubular body and the proximal end portion of the catheter are inserted into the fluid passage of the access port, the tubular body of the catheter extends from a catheter egress opening of the access port while a mechanical interference inhibits the proximal end portion of the catheter from passing through the access port and being removed from the access port through the

11 . The device of claim 10 wherein:

the fluid passage of the access port has a fluid passage diameter and the catheter egress opening of the access port has a catheter egress opening diameter;

wherein the proximal end portion of the catheter has a diameter smaller than the fluid passage diameter and larger than the catheter egress opening diameter; and

wherein the mechanical interference which inhibits the proximal end portion of the catheter from passing through the access port and being removed from the access port through the catheter egress opening is formed by the proximal end portion of the catheter have a diameter larger than the catheter egress opening diameter.

12 . The device of claim 1 wherein:

the access port includes a housing; and

the connection is formed with the housing.

13 . The device of claim 1 wherein:

the access port includes a housing;

the housing includes a catheter egress opening; and

the connection is formed with a portion of the housing defining at least a portion of the catheter egress opening.

14 . The device of claim 1 wherein:

the access port includes a housing;

the housing includes a catheter egress opening;

the housing includes a stem extending outward from a wall of the housing; and

the catheter access opening is provided in the stem.

15 . The device of claim 1 wherein:

the access port includes a housing;

the housing includes a catheter egress opening;

the housing includes a catheter retention member connected to a wall of the housing; and

the catheter access opening is provided in the catheter retention member.

16 . The device of claim 15 wherein:

the catheter retention member is disconnectable from the wall of the housing.

17 . The device of claim 15 wherein:

the catheter retention member comprises at least one screw thread which threadably engages with at least one screw thread of the housing.

18 . The device of claim 1 wherein:

the catheter is connectable with the access port within the fluid passage of the access port.

19 . The device of claim 1 further comprising:

a catheter insertion tool configured to insert the catheter into the access port through the fluid passage access opening and the fluid passage of the access port.

20 . The device of claim 19 wherein:

the catheter insertion tool is further configured to engage a mechanical connection between the catheter and the access port.

21 . The device of claim 19 wherein:

the catheter insertion tool is configured to operate with a guidewire.

22 . The device of claim 1 further comprising:

a catheter removal tool configured to remove the catheter from the access port through the fluid passage and the fluid passage access opening of the access port.

23 . The device of claim 22 wherein:

the catheter removal tool is further configured to disengage a mechanical connection between the catheter and the access port.

24 . The device of claim 22 wherein:

the catheter removal tool is configured to operate with a guidewire.

25 . The device of claim 22 wherein:

the catheter removal tool comprises a distal end tip configured to mechanically connect with a proximal end portion of the catheter.

26 - 28 . (canceled)