Importance

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Abstract

A cannula is provided for connection with an implanted artificial port through a preformed needle track through the skin of a patient. The port has a flow conduit to connection with the body lumen and the closure member for blocking flow between the port and the body lumen. The closure member is normally closed, but openable by an insertion of a properly sized cannula into the port. The first cannula has a proximal end which is connected to a hub, a proximal portion adjacent to the proximal end, and a distal portion. The distal portion is of insufficient size to open the closure member when inserted into the port, so that the first cannula may be used for flushing the implanted port interior and the needle track with disinfectant solution. The proximal portion is of larger diameter than the distal portion and is proportioned to dilate the needle track to facilitate subsequent advancement of a larger diameter fluid flow cannula through the needle track after withdrawing of the first cannula. The larger, fluid flow cannula is of a size sufficient to open the closure member to obtain communication with the body lumen.

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First Claim