Importance

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Abstract

A vascular access system and clearing method. A vascular access system is provided comprising an implantable access port for receiving medication transdermally, a catheter connected to an outlet in said port for infusing that medication into the blood stream, a wire for clearing the catheter of an obstruction, and a non-coring needle for inserting the wire transdermally into the access port and catheter. The access port includes a chamber for receiving medication, the chamber having an outlet whose bottom portion is substantially flush with the bottom portion of the chamber outlet to promote emptying of the chamber and feeding the guide wire into the outlet. The catheter is attached to the port by placing it over a cannula connected to the outlet and forcing a sleeve over the end of the catheter. An obstruction is cleared from the catheter by inserting the needle transdermally into the chamber, feeding the wire into the needle, tilting the needle so as to move the opening of the needle near the outlet of the chamber and feeding the wire from the opening of the needle through the outlet into the catheter to force all or a portion of the obstruction out of the way. The wire is then removed and an anti-fibrolitic material is injected transdermally to dissolve some or all of the remaining obstruction. Such an anti-fibrolitic material may also be used to soften the obstruction prior to forcing it out of the way with the wire.

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First Claim