Longitudinally aligned dual reservoir access port

• US 5,833,654 A
• Filed: 01/17/1997
• Issued: 11/10/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 01/17/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: C.R. Bard, Inc. (Becton, Dickinson & Co)
• Original Assignee: C.R. Bard, Inc. (Becton, Dickinson & Co)
• Inventors: Christian, Kelly J., Rosenblatt, Mel, Powers, Kelly B., Eliasen, Kenneth A.
• Primary Examiner(s): YASKO JR, JOHN D
• Application Number:
  US08/784,580
• Time in Patent Office: 662 Days
• Field of Search: 604/93, 604/174, 604/175, 604/116, 604/280, 604/905
• US Class Current: 604/93.01
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/0072 Means for increasing tightness of the septum, e.g. compression rings, special materials, special constructions
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/0211 with multiple chambers in a single site
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/32 with radio-opaque indicia
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/0208 Subcutaneous access sites for injecting or removing fluids transcutaneous access sites A61M39/0247; implantable infusion devices A61M5/14276
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/12 for joining a flexible tube to a rigid attachment
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1408 in parallel, e.g. manifolds, sequencing valves access sites A61M39/02; tube connectors A61M39/10

Abstract

A dual reservoir access port includes a metal casing having a top surface with recessed, open proximal and distal fluid reservoirs. Projecting from the casing on the side of the distal fluid reservoir opposite from the proximal fluid reservoir is a dual prong metal outlet stem. The distal fluid reservoir is carried within an open-topped basket that is disposed in a cup formed in the top surface of the casing. A first fluid flow pathway extends from the proximal fluid reservoir, between the basket and the wall of the distal cup, to the outlet stem. A second fluid flow pathway extends directly from the distal fluid reservoir to the outlet stem. A needle-penetrable compound septum is disposed against the casing simultaneously closing the top of the proximal fluid reservoir and the top of the distal fluid reservoir. A plastic jacket clamps the septum against the casing and compresses the periphery of the septum to effect a fluid seal by the septum of each of the fluid reservoirs. An annular sleeve mechanically locks and fluid couples a dual lumen catheter to the outlet stem. The catheter may be chosen from among three dual lumen catheters, each having a combination of material composition and lumen configuration that is distinct from those of the others of the catheters.

Claims

1. An access port comprising:

(a) a needle-impenetrable housing enclosing a plurality of discrete fluid reservoirs, each of said fluid reservoirs communicating with the exterior of said housing through a corresponding access aperture;

(b) a needle-penetrable compound septum overlying said access apertures, said compound septum comprising;

(i) a planar septum web having a top surface and a bottom surface; and

(ii) a plurality of discrete plugs projecting from said bottom surface of said web, each of said plugs being received within a corresponding one of said access apertures of said fluid reservoirs; and

(c) clamping means for securing said septum against said housing in sealing engagement with each of said access apertures.

2. An access port as recited in claim 1, further comprising a septum web recess in said housing that is configured to receive said septum web when each of said plugs are received within said corresponding one of said access apertures.

3. An access port as recited in claim 2, wherein said housing further comprising a top surface through which said discrete fluid reservoirs communicate with the exterior of said housing, and said septum web recess comprises:

(a) a seat recessed within said top surface, said seat also defining each access aperture to said plurality of fluid reservoirs; and

(b) an interior sidewall encircling said seat with a height extending between said seat and said top surface.

4. An access port as recited in claim 3, wherein said septum web has a side surface with a height extending between said top surface and said bottom surface of said septum web, said height of said side surface of said septum web being greater than said height of said interior sidewall of said septum web recess.

5. An access port as recited in claim 4, wherein said septum web has an outside perimeter defined by said side surface, and said septum web recess has an inside perimeter defined by said interior sidewall, said outside perimeter of said septum web being larger than said inside perimeter of said septum web recess, whereby said interior side wall of said septum web recess radially inwardly displaces said side surface of said septum web, when said septum web is received within said septum web recess.

6. An access port as recited in claim 1, wherein each of said plugs has an outside perimeter defined by a corresponding side surface, and each of said fluid reservoirs has an inside perimeter defined by said corresponding interior surfaces, said outside perimeter of each of said plugs being larger than said inside perimeter of each corresponding fluid reservoir, whereby said interior surface of each of said fluid reservoirs radially inwardly displaces said side surface of a corresponding one of said plugs, when said plugs are received within respective of said fluid reservoirs.

7. An access port as recited in claim 1, wherein said compound septum further comprises a plurality of discrete needle target domes on said top surface, each of said target domes being located opposite a corresponding one of said plugs.

8. An access port as recited in claim 1, wherein said compound septum is comprised of silicone.

9. An access port as recited in claim 1, wherein said access apertures are formed through a top surface of said housing, said housing includes a floor on the opposite side thereof from said top surface, and said clamping means comprises a shoe configured to receive said floor of said housing.

10. An access port as recited in claim 9, wherein said clamping means comprises a cap configured to receive said compound septum and said top surface of said housing and to engage said shoe, thereby compressing said septum against said top surface of said housing.

11. An access port as recited in claim 1, wherein said housing is made from a material selected from the group of materials consisting of metals, plastics, ceramics, and composites.

12. An access port as recited in claim 10, wherein said cap is made from a material selected from the group of materials consisting of metals, plastics, ceramics, and composites.

13. An access port comprising:

(a) a housing having a floor and a top surface, said housing enclosing a plurality of discrete fluid reservoirs, each of said fluid reservoirs communicating with the exterior of said housing through a corresponding access aperture formed through said top surface of said housing;

(b) delivery means for effecting fluid communication between each of said plurality of fluid reservoirs and the exterior of said housing;

(c) a needle-penetrable compound septum overlying each of said access apertures;

(d) a shoe configured to receive said floor of said housing; and

(e) a cap configured to receive said compound septum and said top surface of said housing and to engage said shoe, thereby compressing said septum against said top surface of said housing.

14. An access port as recited in claim 13, wherein said shoe comprises:

(a) annular ridge having an interior surface; and

(b) an annular lip orthogonally projecting from said interior surface of said annular ridge.

15. An access port as recited in claim 13, wherein said cap comprises a sloping nose projecting from a proximal end thereof.

16. An access port as recited in claim 13, wherein said cap comprises a suture loop projecting therefrom.

17. An access port as recited in claim 13, wherein said compound septum comprises:

(a) a septum web having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a side surface extending therebetween; and

(b) a plurality of discrete plugs projecting from said bottom surface of said septum web and being individually received within a corresponding one of said access apertures of said fluid reservoirs.

18. An access port as recited in claim 17, wherein said compound septum further comprises a plurality of needle target domes on said top surface of said septum web.

19. An access port as recited in claim 18, wherein said cap comprises a plurality of apertures extending therethrough, individual of the needle target domes being received within a corresponding one of the apertures.

20. An access port as recited in claim 19, wherein said cap has an exterior surface with a tactile locating ridge projecting from said exterior surface between each of said plurality of apertures formed through said cap.

21. An access port as recited in claim 13, wherein said delivery means comprises a plurality of discrete fluid flow pathways, each individual fluid flow pathway extending between a corresponding one of said fluid reservoirs and a predetermined outlet location communicating with the exterior surface of the housing.

22. An access port as recited in claim 21, further comprising a stem projecting from the outlet location of the housing to a remote distal end, said stem comprising a plurality of fluid ducts extending from said distal end of said stem to a corresponding one of said fluid flow pathways.

23. An access port as recited in claim 13, wherein said cup is comprised of plastic.

24. An access port as recited in claim 13, wherein said housing is comprised of metal.

25. A dual reservoir access port comprising:

(a) an elongated housing having proximal and distal ends and a top surface and a floor extending therebetween on opposite sides of said housing, said housing comprising;

(i) a proximal fluid reservoir formed in said proximal end of said housing and communicating with the exterior of said housing through a proximal access aperture formed through said top surface of said housing;

(ii) a distal fluid reservoir formed in said distal end of said housing and communicating with the exterior of said housing through a distal access aperture formed through said top surface of said housing;

(iii) a first fluid flow pathway formed in said housing between a predetermined outlet location at said distal end of said housing and said proximal fluid reservoir; and

(iv) a second fluid flow pathway formed in said housing between said predetermined outlet location and said distal fluid reservoir;

(b) an outlet stem projecting from said housing at said outlet location with a distal end remote from said housing, said outlet stem comprising;

(i) a first fluid duct longitudinally extending through said outlet stem between said distal end of said outlet stem and said first fluid flow pathway; and

(ii) a second fluid duct longitudinally extending through said outlet stem between said distal end of said outlet stem and said second fluid flow pathway;

(c) a needle-penetrable compound septum disposed against said top surface of said housing overlying said proximal access aperture and said distal access aperture; and

(d) a clamp compressing said septum against said housing, said clamp comprising;

(i) a cap configured to receive said top surface of said housing with said compound septum disposed thereagainst; and

(ii) a shoe configured to receive said floor of said housing and to engage said cap.

26. A dual reservoir access port as recited in claim 25, wherein said clamp comprises a sloped nose projecting from a proximal end therefrom.

27. A dual reservoir access port as recited in claim 25, wherein said clamp comprises a suture loop projecting therefrom.

28. A dual reservoir access port as recited in claim 25, wherein said cap comprises a pair of apertures extending therethrough and a tactile locating ridge projecting from said cap between said pair of apertures.

29. A dual reservoir access port as recited in claim 25, wherein said clamp is comprised of plastic.

30. A dual reservoir access port as recited in claim 25, wherein said housing comprises a floor with a sidewall upstanding therefrom.

31. A dual reservoir access port as recited in claim 30, wherein said first fluid flow pathway is formed in said sidewall of said housing.

32. A dual reservoir access port as recited in claim 25, wherein said compound septum comprises:

(a) a septum web having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a side surface extending therebetween; and

(b) a pair of discrete plugs projecting from said bottom surface of said septum web and being individually received within said proximal access aperture and said distal access aperture.

33. An access port as recited in claim 32, further comprising a septum web recess in said housing that is configured to receive said septum web when each of said plugs are received within said corresponding one of said access apertures.

34. An access port as recited in claim 33, wherein said housing further comprising a top surface through which said access apertures communicate with the exterior of said housing, and said septum web recess comprises:

(a) a seat recessed within said top surface, said seat also defining each access aperture to said plurality of fluid reservoirs; and

(b) an interior sidewall encircling said seat with a height extending between said seat and said top surface.

35. An access port as recited in claim 34, wherein said septum web has a side surface with a height extending between said top surface and said bottom surface, said height of said side surface being greater than said height of said interior sidewall of said septum web recess.

36. A dual reservoir access port as recited in claim 32, wherein said septum further comprises a pair of needle target domes projecting from said top surface of said septum web.

37. An implantable fluid delivery system comprising:

(a) an implantable dual reservoir access port comprising;

(i) a housing having a proximal end and a distal end, said housing comprising;

(A) a proximal fluid reservoir formed in said proximal end of said housing and communicating with the exterior of said housing through a proximal access aperture;

(B) a distal fluid reservoir formed in said distal end of said housing and communicating with the exterior of said housing through a distal access aperture;

(C) a first fluid flow pathway formed in said housing between a predetermined outlet location at said distal end of said housing and said proximal fluid reservoir; and

(D) a second fluid flow pathway formed in said housing between said predetermined outlet location and said distal fluid reservoir;

(ii) an outlet stem projecting from said housing at said outlet location with a distal end remote from said housing, said outlet stem comprising;

(A) a first and a second outlet prong at said distal end of said outlet stem, each of said first and second outlet prongs having an exterior surface and an opposing inner face, said opposing inner faces defining a slot in said distal end of said outlet stem;

(B) a first fluid duct longitudinally extending through said first outlet prong of said outlet stem to said first fluid flow pathway; and

(C) a second fluid duct longitudinally extending through said second outlet prong of said outlet stem to said second fluid flow pathway;

(iii) a needle-penetrable compound septum overlying said proximal access aperture and said distal access aperture;

(iv) a clamp configured to compress said septum to said housing, said clamp comprising;

(A) a shoe configured to receive said floor of said housing; and

(B) a cap configured to receive said compound septum and said top surface of said housing and to engage said shoe, thereby compressing said septum against said housing;

(b) a dual lumen catheter comprising a body wall enclosing a pair of longitudinally extending fluid flow lumens separated by a septum; and

(c) a locking sleeve having a proximal end, a distal end, and an interior surface defining a passageway longitudinally extending through said locking sleeve, said interior surface of said locking sleeve radially, inwardly compressing a portion of said body wall of said dual lumen catheter against a portion of said exterior surface of said stem, when said distal end of each of said first and second outlet prongs is individually received in a corresponding one of said lumens of said dual lumen catheter and said dual lumen catheter with said stem received therein is positioned within said passageway of said locking sleeve.

38. An implantable fluid delivery system as recited in claim 37, wherein said housing further comprises a floor with a sidewall upstanding therefrom.

39. An implantable fluid delivery system as recited in claim 38, wherein said first fluid flow pathway is formed in said sidewall of said housing.

40. An implantable fluid delivery system as recited in claim 37, wherein said compound septum comprises:

(a) a planar septum web having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a side surface extending therebetween; and

(b) a pair of discrete plugs projecting from said bottom surface of said septum web and being individually received within said proximal access aperture and said distal access aperture.

41. An implantable fluid delivery system as recited in claim 37, further comprising a tactile locating ridge projecting from said cap.

42. An implantable fluid delivery system as recited in claim 37, further comprising a sloping nose projecting from a proximal end of said clamp.

43. An implantable fluid delivery system as recited in claim 37, wherein said dual lumen catheter is comprised of silicone and said interior surface of each of said lumens are substantially D-shaped.

44. An implantable fluid delivery system as recited in claim 37, wherein said dual lumen catheter is comprised of polyurethane and said interior surface of each of said lumens are substantially D-shaped.

45. An implantable fluid delivery system as recited in claim 37, wherein said a dual lumen catheter is comprised of silicone and said interior surface of each of said lumens are substantially trapezoidal shaped.

46. An implantable fluid delivery system as recited in claim 37, wherein said interior surface of said locking sleeve comprises a substantially cylindrical locking ring.

47. An implantable fluid delivery system as recited in claim 46, wherein each of said first and second outlet prongs has a locking barb radially projecting out from said exterior surface thereof, and wherein said locking ring is positioned so as to be located proximal of said locking barbs when said distal end of each of said outlet prongs is individually received in individual lumens of said dual lumen catheter and said dual lumen catheter with said stem received therein is positioned within said passageway of said locking sleeve.

48. An implantable fluid delivery system as recited in claim 46, wherein said interior surface of said locking sleeve further comprises a frustoconical first portion radially sloping outward from said locking ring to said proximal end of said locking sleeve.

49. An implantable fluid delivery system as recited in claim 46, further comprising a frustoconical second portion radially sloping outward from said locking ring to said distal end of said locking sleeve.

50. An implantable fluid delivery system as recited in claim 37, wherein said locking sleeve comprises a die notch formed at said distal end of said exterior surface of said locking sleeve.

51. An implantable fluid delivery system as recited in claim 37, wherein said locking sleeve further comprises gripping means for increasing frictional engagement with said exterior surface of said locking sleeve.

52. An implantable fluid delivery system as recited in claim 51, wherein said gripping means comprises an annular bias ring encircling and radially extending out from said exterior surface of said locking sleeve.

53. A subassembly for a dual reservoir access port, the subassembly comprising:

(a) a housing comprising a floor and an encircling sidewall upstanding therefrom, said housing further comprising;

(i) a proximal fluid reservoir interior of said sidewall at a proximal end of said housing;

(ii) a distal fluid reservoir interior of said sidewall at a distal end of said housing; and

(iii) a fluid flow pathway formed in said sidewall of said housing between said proximal fluid reservoir and the exterior of said housing at a predetermined outlet location at said distal end of said housing; and

(b) an outlet stem projecting from said housing at said outlet location with a distal end remote from said housing, said outlet stem comprising;

(i) a first fluid duct longitudinally extending through said outlet stem between said distal end of said outlet stem and said fluid flow pathway; and

(ii) a second fluid duct longitudinally extending through said outlet stem between said distal end of said outlet stem and said distal fluid reservoir.

54. A subassembly as recited in claim 53, further comprising a dividing wall separating said distal fluid reservoir from said proximal fluid reservoir.

55. A subassembly as recited in claim 53, further comprising an outlet port formed at said outlet location with said outlet stem received therein, said outlet port extending between the exterior of said housing and said fluid flow pathway.

56. A subassembly as recited in claim 55, further comprising:

(a) an entry port formed in said housing from said fluid flow pathway to said distal fluid reservoir, said entry port being substantially aligned with said outlet port; and

(b) a boss projecting from a proximal end of said outlet stem with said second fluid duct extending therethrough, said boss being received within said entry port when said proximal end of said stem is received within said outlet port.

57. A subassembly as recited in claim 53, wherein said housing comprises:

(a) a passageway extending through said housing at said distal end of said housing; and

(b) an open basket having an exterior surface received within said aperture, said open basket having interior surface defining said distal fluid reservoir.

58. A subassembly as recited in claim 53, wherein said housing further comprises:

(a) a distal cup formed at said distal end of said housing with an interior surface; and

(b) a sleeve received within said distal cup, said sleeve comprising;

(i) an exterior surface mounted on a portion of said interior surface of said distal cup; and

(ii) an interior surface, said interior surface of said sleeve and said interior surface of said distal cup not having said sleeve mounted thereon defining said distal fluid reservoir.

59. A subassembly as recited in claim 58, wherein said sleeve is substantially C-shaped.

60. A subassembly as recited in claim 58, wherein said sleeve has the configuration of a continuous ring.

61. A subassembly as recited in claim 53, wherein said housing comprises:

(a) a distal cup formed at said distal end of said housing with an interior surface; and

(b) an open-topped basket having an exterior surface configured to be received within said distal cup, said basket also having an interior surface defining said distal fluid reservoir.

62. A subassembly as recited in claim 61, further comprises:

(a) an outlet port formed at said outlet location, said outlet port extending between the exterior of the housing and said distal cup;

(b) an entry port extending between said interior surface and said exterior surface of said open-topped basket, said entry port being substantially aligned with said outlet port; and

(c) a boss projecting from a proximal end of said outlet stem with said second fluid duct extending therethrough, said boss being received within said entry port when said proximal end of said stem is received within said outlet port.

63. A subassembly as recited in claim 53, wherein said housing is comprised of metal.

64. A subassembly as recited in claim 53, wherein said housing is comprised of plastic.

65. A subassembly as recited in claim 53, wherein said housing is comprised of ceramic.

66. A subassembly as recited in claim 53, wherein said outlet stem comprises a pair of parallel, spaced-apart outlet prongs at said distal end of said outlet stem.

67. A subassembly as recited in claim 53, wherein in a transverse cross section of said stem, said first fluid duct at said distal end of said outlet stem is substantially D-shaped.

68. A subassembly as recited in claim 53, wherein in a transverse cross section of said stem, said first fluid duct at said proximal end of said outlet stem is substantially circular shaped.

69. A subassembly for a dual reservoir access port, the subassembly comprising:

(a) a casing having a proximal fluid reservoir formed in a proximal end of said casing and a distal cup formed in a distal end of said casing;

(b) a sleeve received in said distal cup with an exterior surface of said sleeve engaging a portion of the interior surface of said distal cup;

(c) an outlet stem projecting from said casing at a predetermined outlet location at said distal end of said casing with a free distal end remote from said casing, said outlet stem comprising;

(i) a first fluid duct longitudinally extending from said distal end of said stem to said casing; and

(ii) a second fluid duct longitudinally extending from said distal end of said stem to said distal cup; and

(d) fluid conduit means between said casing and said sleeve for placing said proximal fluid reservoir in fluid communication with said first fluid duct of said outlet stem.

70. A subassembly as recited in claim 69, wherein said sleeve is substantially C-shaped.

71. A subassembly as recited in claim 69, wherein said sleeve comprises a continuous cylindrical ring.

72. A subassembly as recited in claim 71, wherein said subassembly further comprises a base attached to said sleeve to form an open-topped basket, said open-topped basket having an interior surface defining said distal fluid reservoir.

73. A subassembly as recited in claim 69, wherein said fluid conduit means comprises:

(a) a channel recessed in said interior surface of said distal cup and extending from said distal end of said casing to said dividing wall;

(b) an outlet port extending through said casing from said distal end of said casing to said channel; and

(c) a transfer port extending through said dividing wall from said proximal fluid reservoir to said channel.

74. A subassembly as recited in claim 69, wherein said fluid conduit means comprises:

(a) a channel recessed in said exterior surface of said sleeve and extending from said distal end of said casing to said dividing wall;

(b) an outlet port extending through said casing from said distal end of said casing to said channel; and

(c) a transfer port extending through said dividing wall from said proximal fluid reservoir to said channel.

75. A subassembly as recited in claim 73, further comprising:

(a) an entry port formed in said sleeve, said entry port being substantially aligned with said outlet port; and

(b) a boss projecting from said proximal end of said outlet stem and having said second fluid duct extending therethrough, said boss being received within said entry port when said proximal end of said stem is received within said outlet port.

76. A subassembly as recited in claim 69, wherein said outlet stem further comprises a pair of outlet prongs formed at said distal end of said outlet stem.

77. A subassembly as recited in claim 69, wherein said casing is comprised of metal.

78. A subassembly as recited in claim 69, wherein said sleeve is comprised of metal.

79. A subassembly for a dual reservoir access port, the subassembly comprising:

(a) a casing having a proximal fluid reservoir formed in a proximal end of said casing and a distal cup formed in said distal end of said casing;

(b) an open-topped basket defining a distal fluid reservoir received in said distal cup, said basket having an exterior surface engaging a predetermined portion of an interior surface of said distal cup;

(c) a fluid flow pathway located between said basket and said distal cup, said fluid flow pathway extending from said proximal fluid reservoir to the exterior of said casing at a predetermined outlet location at said distal end of said casing; and

(d) an outlet stem projecting from said casing at said outlet location with a distal end remote from said casing, said outlet stem comprising;

(i) a first fluid duct longitudinally extending through said outlet stem between said distal end of said outlet stem and said fluid flow pathway; and

(ii) a second fluid duct longitudinally extending through said outlet stem between said distal end of said outlet stem and said distal fluid reservoir.

80. A subassembly as recited in claim 79, wherein said casing comprises a floor with an encircling sidewall upstanding therefrom.

81. A subassembly as recited in claim 79, wherein said fluid flow pathway is formed in said sidewall of said casing.

82. A subassembly as recited in claim 79, wherein said fluid flow pathway comprises a channel recessed in said exterior surface of said open-topped basket.

83. A subassembly as recited in claim 79, wherein said basket comprises:

(a) a base having an outside perimeter; and

(b) a cylindrical sleeve orthogonally projecting from said outside perimeter of said base.

84. A subassembly as recited in claim 79, further comprising:

(a) an outlet port at said outlet location, said outlet port extending between the exterior of said casing and said distal cup;

(b) an entry port formed in said basket, said entry port being substantially aligned with said outlet port; and

(c) a boss projecting from said proximal end of said outlet stem and having said second fluid duct extending therethrough, said boss being received within said entry port when a proximal end of said stem is received within said outlet port.

85. A subassembly as recited in claim 79, further comprising a pair of outlet prongs formed at said distal end of said stem, said first fluid duct and said second fluid duct being individually disposed within a corresponding one of said outlet prongs.

86. A subassembly as recited in claim 85, wherein each of said outlet prongs has an exterior surface and an inner face, opposing inner faces defining a slot in said outlet stem.

87. A subassembly as recited in claim 86, wherein said outlet stem further comprises a locking barb, radially outwardly extending on each exterior surface of each outlet prong.

88. A subassembly as recited in claim 79, wherein said outlet stem is comprised of metal.

89. An outlet stem for an access port, the outlet stem comprising:

(a) an exterior surface extending between a proximal end and a distal end; and

(b) an interior surface defining a first fluid duct longitudinally extending between said distal end and said proximal end, said first fluid duct at said distal end of said outlet stem having a substantially D-shaped transverse cross-section, and said first fluid duct at said proximal end of said outlet stem having a substantially circular shaped transverse cross-section.

90. An outlet stem as recited in claim 89, wherein said cross-sectional shape of said first fluid duct smoothly and continuously changes between said proximal end of said outlet stem and said distal end of said outlet stem.

91. An outlet stem as recited in claim 89, wherein said outlet stem further comprises a second fluid duct adjacent to said first fluid duct and extending between said proximal end and said distal end of said outlet stem.

92. An outlet stem as recited in claim 91, further comprising a boss projecting from said proximal end of said stem with said second fluid duct extending therethrough.

93. An outlet stem as recited in claim 92, wherein said boss has a substantially cylindrical configuration.

94. An outlet stem as recited in claim 91, further comprising a slot longitudinally extending between the first fluid duct and the second fluid duct at said distal end of said stem.

95. An outlet stem as recited in claim 89, further comprising a locking barb radially outwardly extending on said exterior surface of said stem at said distal end of said stem.

96. An outlet stem as recited in claim 89, wherein said outlet stem is comprised of metal.

97. An outlet stem for a dual reservoir access port, the outlet stem comprising:

(a) a stem barrel having a proximal end and a distal end;

(b) first and second parallel outlet prongs projecting from said distal end of said stem barrel and each terminating in a respective free end;

(c) a boss projecting from a portion of said proximal end of said stem barrel;

(d) a first fluid duct longitudinally extending through said first outlet prong, said stem barrel, and said boss, said first fluid duct having a transverse cross section at one end thereof distinct from the transverse cross section at the other end thereof; and

(e) a second fluid duct extending longitudinally through said second outlet prong and said stem barrel, said second fluid duct having a transverse cross section at one end thereof distinct from the transverse cross section at the other end thereof.

98. An outlet stem as recited in claim 97, wherein the end of said first fluid duct at said free end of said first prong has a substantially D-shaped transverse cross section.

99. An outlet stem as recited in claim 97, wherein the end of said first fluid duct at said boss has a substantially circular transverse cross section.

100. An outlet stem as recited in claim 97, wherein the end of said second fluid duct at said proximal end of said stem barrel has a substantially circular transverse cross section.

101. An outlet stem as recited in claim 97, wherein the transverse cross section of said first fluid duct transitions smoothly and continuously between said ends thereof.

102. An outlet stem as recited in claim 97, wherein each of said outlet prongs has an exterior surface and an inner face, and said inner faces of said outlet prongs are disposed in parallel opposed relation to define a slot in said outlet stem.

103. An outlet stem as recited in claim 102, wherein said outlet stem further comprises a locking barb radially, outwardly extending on said exterior surface of each of said outlet prongs.

104. An outlet stem as recited in claim 97, wherein said boss has a substantially cylindrical configuration.

105. A method of manufacturing an outlet stem for an implantable access port, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a stem body having a distal end face, a proximal end face, and an encircling exterior surface extending therebetween;

(b) forming a pilot passageway through said stem body from said distal end face to said proximal end face;

(c) disposing an EDM wire though said pilot passageway; and

(d) enlarging said pilot passageway by removing portions of the stem body adjacent to said pilot passageway with said EDM wire, thereby forming a fluid duct having distinct transverse cross sections at the opposite ends thereof.

106. A method as recited in claim 105, wherein said EDM wire comprises a distal end positioned exterior of said distal end face of said stem body after said step of disposing, and said step of enlarging comprises the step of moving said distal end of said EDM wire to produce a substantially D-shaped transverse cross section in said fluid duct at said distal end of said stem.

107. A method as recited in claim 105, wherein said EDM wire comprises a proximal end positioned exterior of said proximal face of said stem body after said step of disposing, and wherein said step of enlarging comprises the step of moving said proximal end of said EDM wire to produce a substantially circular transverse cross section in said fluid duct at said proximal end of said stem.

108. A method as recited in claim 105, wherein said step of forming comprises the steps of:

(a) drilling a first pilot hole in said proximal end face of said stem; and

(b) drilling a second pilot hole in said distal end face of said stem a sufficient distance to intersect said first pilot hole.

109. A method as recited in claim 108, wherein the diameter of said first pilot hole is larger than the diameter of said second pilot hole.

110. A method as recited in claim 105, further comprising the steps of:

(a) cutting an encircling groove in said exterior surface of said stem body at a location between said proximal end and said distal end of said stem body; and

(b) tapering said stem body at said distal end thereof, thereby forming a barb encircling of said outlet stem and flaring radially outwardly from said distal end of said stem body toward said groove.

111. A method as recited in claim 105, further comprising the step of forming a longitudinally extending slot from said distal end face of said stem body into said body stem, thereby forming a pair of prongs at said distal end of said stem body on opposite sides of said slot.

112. A method of manufacturing a dual reservoir access port, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) forming in a needle-impenetrable casing a distal cup, an open-topped proximal fluid reservoir, and a fluid flow pathway extending between said proximal fluid reservoir and a predetermined outlet location on the opposite side of said distal cup from said proximal fluid reservoir;

(b) positioning an open-topped basket in said distal cup, thereby defining an open-topped distal fluid reservoir within said basket;

(c) fabricating an outlet stem enclosing first and second fluid ducts longitudinally extending therethrough;

(d) securing the proximal end of said outlet stem to said casing at said predetermined outlet location with said first fluid duct communicating with said fluid flow pathway and said second fluid duct communicating with said distal fluid reservoir;

(e) covering the top of said distal fluid reservoir and the top of said proximal fluid reservoir with a needle-penetrable compound septum; and

(f) clamping said compound septum against said casing to preclude fluid communication between said proximal fluid reservoir and said distal fluid reservoir.

113. A method as recited in claim 112, wherein said step of positioning comprises the steps of:

(a) inserting said basket in said distal cup; and

(b) welding a top edge of said basket to said casing.

114. A method as recited in claim 112, wherein said compound septum comprises a septum web and a pair of septum plugs projecting from the same side thereof, and said step of covering comprising the step of inserting individual of said septum plugs into corresponding of said proximal fluid reservoirs and said distal fluid reservoir, respectively.

115. A method as recited in claim 112, wherein said step of clamping comprises the steps of:

(a) compressing said septum against said housing between a cap and a shoe; and

(b) securing said cap to said shoe.

116. A septum for use in an implantable dual reservoir vascular access port of the type having a needle-impenetrable housing enclosing distinct first and second fluid reservoirs accessible from the exterior of the access port through corresponding first and second access apertures formed through a wall of the housing, said septum comprising:

(a) a septum web having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a surrounding side surface therebetween;

(b) a first septum plug projecting from said bottom surface of said web; and

(c) a second septum pug distinct from said first septum plug projecting from said bottom surface of said web.

117. A septum as recited in claim 116, wherein said septum web is generally planar.

118. A septum as recited in claim 116, further comprising:

(a) a first needle target dome projecting from said top surface of said septum web opposite said first septum plug; and

(b) a second needle target dome projecting from said top surface of said septum web opposite said second septum plug.

119. A septum as recited in claim 116, wherein said septum is comprised of silicone.

120. A septum as recited in claim 117, wherein in a cross section of said septum web taken in the plane thereof said side surface of said septum web assumes the shape of a figure eight.