An access port includes an access port body and a needle-penetrable septum. The access port body can be of integral single-piece construction, and can define a reservoir aligned with an access opening. The access port body can further define an annular groove between the reservoir and the opening. The annular groove can have a diameter greater than a diameter of the access opening and a diameter of the reservoir. The needle-penetrable septum can include an upper portion disposed in the access opening and an annular flange disposed in the annular groove. The annular flange can extend radially outward from a lower portion of the septum, and can have a diameter greater than a diameter of the upper portion of the septum. The needle-penetrable septum can further include an annular reinforcement structure disposed within the annular flange.

A venous access port assembly having a housing base with a discharge port, a septum, and a cap, with an interior reservoir. The housing base is provided with X-ray discernable indicia to identify an attribute of the assembly after its implantation and clearly appear on an X-ray of the patient in a manner informing the radiologist or technologist and the medical practitioner of that particular attribute. Such indicia can be depicted as cutouts through a disc of radiopaque material where the cutouts are in the form of alphabetical letters such as CT, or can be a set of discrete elements of radiopaque material, that are affixed along the bottom surface of the housing base or embedded within the thickness of the bottom housing wall.

A septum for sealably covering a fluid cavity defined in an implantable device, which may be an access port, and methods for assembling the implantable device. The septum may include a resilient septum body, an annular flange extending radially outward from the septum body, and a reinforcement component disposed in the annular flange for reinforcing engagement with a corresponding annular groove defined in a body of the implantable device. The reinforcement component may inhibit unintended detachment of the septum from the implantable device.

A method of treating a patient using a power-injectable access port, including implanting the power-injectable access port in the patient, imaging the power-injectable access port following implanting, and power injecting a fluid into the patient through the power-injectable access port. The power-injectable access port includes a septum covering a reservoir, the septum including a radiopaque material forming at least one letter, the at least one letter indicating that the power-injectable access port is suitable for power injection. The power-injectable access port is designed to accommodate a pressure developed within the reservoir of at least 35 psi, and a fluid flow rate of at least 1 milliliter per second. Imaging the power-injectable access port produces an image, and the method includes identifying the at least one letter on the image to confirm that the power-injectable access port is suitable for power injecting a fluid.

A method of using a power-injectable port includes obtaining the power-injectable access port, attaching a catheter to an outlet stem of the power-injectable access port, and implanting the power-injectable access port and the catheter into a patient. The method further includes identifying the power-injectable access port following the implanting, inserting a distal end of a needle through the septum and into the reservoir, and injecting contrast media through the needle at a rate of at least one milliliter per second. The power-injectable access port includes a housing, a septum, a reservoir, and an outlet stem in fluid communication with the reservoir. The power-injectable access port is rated for injection of contrast media at a flow rate of at least 1 milliliter per second. The power-injectable access port is structured for operation at a pressure in the reservoir of at least 35 psi.

An implantable access port for use in transferring a fluid transdermally between an external fluid storage or dispensing device and a site within a patient's body is disclosed. The access port includes a base, a bowl-shaped reservoir defined within the base by a smooth surfaced wall, and a septum secured to the base and enclosing the reservoir within the base. The access port also has an outlet passageway defined within the base and extending in communication with a reservoir outlet defined within the reservoir and an external opening defined in the exterior of the base.

A method of power injecting a contrast medium into a patient, including obtaining a power-injectable access port suitable for power injection. The power injectable access port includes a housing defining a reservoir, and a septum. The septum may include a self-sealing material, and a radiopaque material. The radiopaque material may form a selected pattern when an x-ray is taken through the septum for identifying the power-injectable access port as being suitable for power injection. The power-injectable access port may be structured for accommodating a pressure developed within the reservoir of at least 35 psi, and may be designed to accommodate a fluid flow rate of at least 1 milliliter per second. After implanting the power-injectable access port in the patient, the method may include imaging the power-injectable access port and confirming via the selected pattern in the septum that the power-injectable access port is suitable for injecting the contrast medium.

A method of power injecting a contrast medium into a patient, including obtaining a power-injectable access port suitable for power injection. The power injectable access port includes a housing defining a reservoir, and a septum. The septum may include a self-sealing material, and a radiopaque material. The radiopaque material may form a selected pattern when an x-ray is taken through the septum for identifying the power-injectable access port as being suitable for power injection. The power-injectable access port may be structured for accommodating a pressure developed within the reservoir of at least 35 psi, and may be designed to accommodate a fluid flow rate of at least 1 milliliter per second. After implanting the power-injectable access port in the patient, the method may include imaging the power-injectable access port and confirming via the selected pattern in the septum that the power-injectable access port is suitable for injecting the contrast medium.

An assembly for identifying a power injectable vascular access port, including a vascular access port and an identification feature. The port is structured for power injection and includes a housing and a septum together defining a reservoir. A radiographic feature incorporated into the port is perceivable via x-ray following subcutaneous implantation, the radiographic feature identifying the port as suitable for flowing fluid at a fluid flow rate of at least 1 mL/sec therethrough. A structural feature of the port is perceivable via palpation following subcutaneous implantation, the structural feature identifying the port as suitable for accommodating a pressure within the reservoir of at least 35 psi. The identification feature is separated from the port and confirms that the port is both suitable for flowing fluid at a rate of at least 1 mL/sec therethrough and suitable for accommodating a pressure within the reservoir of at least 35 psi.

An implantable portal includes a septum that has embedded therein an indicia adapted to identify at least one characteristic of the portal. The indicia may be formed as an impression at a base layer of the septum, and is filled with a radiopaque material. The septum base layer is covered by liquid silicone, which bonds with the septum base layer when solidified, so that an integral one-piece septum, with the identifier indicia embedded therein, is effected. The indicia embedded septum is fitted to the reservoir housing of the portal for providing identification information for that portal. The septum embedded indicia is viewable visually and also by x-ray or computer tomography imaging.