An apparatus for guiding cannulation with a dialysis needle of an arteriovenous dialysis access graft subcutaneously implanted in a body of a subject. The guiding apparatus comprises an elongated body member comprising a base portion terminating in longitudinal edges, a distance between the longitudinal edges of the base portion being substantially equal to a lateral dimension of the aces graft, and an elongated tubular sleeve defining an pocket having a longitudinal dimension and a lateral dimension configured to receive the body member. The body member is adapted to be received in the pocket of the sleeve for securing adjacent the subcutaneous access graft such that the inner surface of the base portion is aligned with a cannulation point of the graft for guiding location of a needle insertion.

Embodiments provide apparatus and methods for delivering liquid form medication within the body wherein the medication is stored in solid form and then mixed with a liquid in an apparatus implanted within the body. One embodiment provides an implantable apparatus for in vivo delivery of medication comprising a housing including a reservoir, a store of solid form medication (SSM) and a pump. An SSM element is added to the reservoir along with fluid to form a medication solution comprising at least one drug. The medication solution is then delivered to a delivery site using a pumping means to pump solution from the reservoir through a delivery member such as catheter to a delivery site. Embodiments of the invention are particularly useful for delivering medication to a patient to treat a medical condition over an extended period of time without requiring the patient to take external medication.

A vascular access device is implanted under the skin directly over a vascular structure, such as a blood vessel that makes up the arteriovenous (AV) fistula. The vascular access device is designed such that insertion of and the travel of a needle, such as a standard dialysis needle, within a needle access channel urges a displaceable valve to an open position and removal of the dialysis needle from the channel results in the valve automatically closing and sealing the wound, thereby preventing back-bleeding.

Embodiments provide apparatus and methods for delivering liquid form medication within the body wherein the medication is stored in solid form and then mixed with a liquid in an apparatus implanted within the body. One embodiment provides an implantable apparatus for in vivo delivery of medication comprising a housing including a reservoir, a store of solid form medication (SSM) and a pump. An SSM element is added to the reservoir along with fluid to form a medication solution comprising at least one drug. The medication solution is then delivered to a delivery site using a pumping means to pump solution from the reservoir through a delivery member such as catheter to a delivery site. Embodiments of the invention are particularly useful for delivering medication to a patient to treat a medical condition over an extended period of time without requiring the patient to take external medication.

A method of using a vascular access device that prevents needle infiltration, provides a repeatable same-site access, and simplifies cannulation all while being minimally invasive and allows patients to self-cannulate.

An apparatus for guiding cannulation with a dialysis needle of an arteriovenous dialysis access graft subcutaneously implanted in a body of a subject. The guiding apparatus comprises an elongated body member comprising a base portion terminating in longitudinal edges, a distance between the longitudinal edges of the base portion being substantially equal to a lateral dimension of the aces graft, and an elongated tubular sleeve defining an pocket having a longitudinal dimension and a lateral dimension configured to receive the body member. The body member is adapted to be received in the pocket of the sleeve for securing adjacent the subcutaneous access graft such that the inner surface of the base portion is aligned with a cannulation point of the graft for guiding location of a needle insertion.

An injector apparatus comprises an elongate structure having one or more openings positionable near a penetrable barrier of an implantable device so as to receive fluid of the implantable device. The apparatus comprises a needle and a sheath extending over at least a portion of the needle. The elongate structure may comprise a distal tip to penetrate tissue and the penetrable barrier, and a distal opening near the tip to release therapeutic fluid into the implantable chamber. In many embodiments the distal tip, the distal opening, and the plurality of openings are separated from a stop that engages a tissue of the patient and limit penetration depth such that the distal opening and the plurality of openings are located along an axis of the implantable device to increase an efficiency of the exchange.

A surgical port includes a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a longitudinal axis extending through the first end and the second end. An outer sidewall extends between the first end and the second end. First and second channels extend through the port from the first end to the second end. A first electrically conductive portion extends from the first channel to the outer sidewall, and a second electrically conductive portion extends from the second channel to the outer sidewall. The first electrically conductive portion provides a first electrically conductive path between the first channel and the outer sidewall and the second electrically conductive portion provides a second electrically conductive path the second channel and the outer sidewall. The second electrically conductive path is separate from the first electrically conductive path. Devices and methods relate to surgical ports.

A surgical port includes an end face with a channel extending through the end face. The channel has a cross section shaped to receive a surgical instrument cannula. A lateral wall extends around a perimeter of the end face. The lateral wall and end face enclose an open volume. A rim extends radially inward from the lateral wall and projects into the open volume. An apron portion extends radially outward from the lateral wall and in a direction axially away from the end face. Surgical systems may include surgical ports. Methods relate to using surgical ports.

Systems, methods, and devices for securing a driveline to a portion of skin are disclosed herein. The driveline can connect an external controller to an implantable blood pump. The skin anchor can include a driveline capture portion. The driveline capture portion can receive the driveline and fix a position of the driveline with respect to the driveline capture portion. The driveline capture portion includes: a driveline receiver that can receive the driveline; and a driveline anchor that can engage the driveline to fix the position of the driveline with respect to the driveline receiver. The skin anchor can include a force distribution portion. The force distribution portion can engage a portion of skin and fix a position of the portion of skin with respect to the force distribution portion.