Thin and movable access port

Abstract

The embodiments disclosed herein relate to a port system including a body defining a reservoir and a stem. One of the bodies may include a lower housing and an upper housing slidably engaged to the lower housing and is transitionable between an expanded configuration and a contracted configuration. The port body in the contracted configuration may define a smaller volume or profile than the port body in the expanded configuration. The reservoir in the contracted configuration may define a smaller volume than the reservoir in the expanded configuration. A biasing member may bias the port to the expanded configuration. A latching mechanism may hold the port in one of the expanded and contracted configurations. An actuator may transition the latching mechanism between a locked position and an unlocked position. Placing the port subcutaneously in the contracted configuration requires smaller incisions, fewer sutures, and improved recovery time for the patient.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a thin and translatable access port.

Summary of the Invention

[0002] Briefly summarized, embodiments disclosed herein relate to a subcutaneous access port that is translatable between an expanded configuration and a collapsed configuration, and related methods. The port may include a body having a lower housing and an upper housing that is slidably engaged with the lower housing. The lower housing and the upper housing may cooperate to define a reservoir. In the expanded configuration, the port may define a first port volume and a first reservoir volume. In the collapsed configuration, the port may define a second port volume that is smaller than the first port volume and a second reservoir volume that is smaller than the first reservoir volume. Advantageously, the port may transition to the collapsed configuration to provide a reduced overall size or profile for insertion. Optionally, the port may provide a reduced overall size between access events. Thus, the port can result in a smaller incision site being required, fewer sutures being required, or no sutures being required at all, improving patient recovery time and patient comfort, reducing scarring, and improving aesthetics.

[0003] Disclosed herein is a subcutaneous access port comprising a body including a lower housing and an upper housing that is slidably engaged with the lower housing and cooperates to define a reservoir, the body being translatable between an expanded configuration and a collapsed configuration, the collapsed configuration defining a smaller overall profile, a septum through which a needle can penetrate, the septum being disposed within a reservoir opening disposed on an upper surface of the upper housing and configured to provide percutaneous access to the reservoir opening, and a port stem defining a stem lumen in fluid communication with the reservoir.

[0004] In some embodiments, the port body in the extended configuration defines a first port height, the port body in the retracted configuration defines a second port height, and the second port height is less than the first port height. In some embodiments, the port body in the extended configuration defines a first port volume, the port body in the retracted configuration defines a second port volume, and the second port volume is less than the first port volume. In some embodiments, the reservoir in the extended configuration defines a first reservoir height, the reservoir in the retracted configuration defines a second reservoir height, and the second reservoir height is less than the first reservoir height.

[0005] In some embodiments, the reservoir in the extended configuration defines a first reservoir volume, the reservoir in the retracted configuration defines a second reservoir volume, and the second reservoir volume is less than the first reservoir volume. In some embodiments, the second reservoir volume defines a zero volume or a minimal volume. In some embodiments, the lower housing is slidably engaged with the upper housing so as to be telescopically engaged therewith and to transition between the extended configuration and the retracted configuration. In some embodiments, the outer surface of the upper housing is slidably engaged with the inner surface of the lower housing. In some embodiments, the inner surface of the upper housing is slidably engaged with the outer surface of the lower housing. In some embodiments, when the port is in the retracted configuration, one of the upper housing and the septum closes the stem lumen.

[0006] In some embodiments, the subcutaneous access port further includes a biasing member configured to bias the port toward the extended configuration. In some embodiments, the subcutaneous access port further includes a latch mechanism that is movable between a locked position and an unlocked position and is configured to hold the upper housing in one of the extended configuration and the retracted configuration. In some embodiments, the latch mechanism is configured to lock the upper housing in the extended configuration when the needle accesses the reservoir. In some embodiments, the latch mechanism is configured to engage the upper housing to hold it in the retracted configuration and to disengage the engagement of the upper housing when the upper surface of the port is pushed down.

[0007] In some embodiments, the subcutaneous access port further includes an actuator coupled to a latch mechanism and configured to move the latch mechanism between a locked position and an unlocked position. In some embodiments, the actuator is one of a push button, a slider, and a rocker switch disposed on one of the top and side surfaces of the body. In some embodiments, the actuator includes a magnetic switch configured to move the latch mechanism between a locked position and an unlocked position when a magnet having a magnetic field is disposed in proximity to the actuator. In some embodiments, the actuator is configured to receive a signal for moving the latch mechanism between a locked position and an unlocked position, the signal including one of magnetic, electromagnetic, radio frequency, acoustic, and optical modality signals.

[0008] A method of manufacturing a subcutaneous access port is also disclosed, comprising forming a port body including a lower housing and an upper housing slidably engaged with the lower housing and cooperating to define a reservoir, the port body being movable between an expanded configuration and a contracted configuration, the contracted configuration defining a smaller overall outer profile; coupling a septum through which a needle can penetrate, the septum being disposed within a reservoir opening disposed on the top surface of the upper housing and configured to provide percutaneous access to the reservoir opening; and forming a port stem coupled to the body and defining a stem lumen in fluid communication with the reservoir.

[0009] In some embodiments, the port body in the extended configuration defines a first port height, the port body in the contracted configuration defines a second port height, and the second port height is less than the first port height. In some embodiments, the port body in the extended configuration defines a first port volume, the port body in the contracted configuration defines a second port volume, and the second port volume is less than the first port volume. In some embodiments, the reservoir in the extended configuration defines a first reservoir height, the reservoir in the contracted configuration defines a second reservoir height, and the second reservoir height is less than the first reservoir height.

[0010] In some embodiments, the reservoir in the extended configuration defines a first reservoir volume, the reservoir in the contracted configuration defines a second reservoir volume, and the second reservoir volume is less than the first reservoir volume. In some embodiments, the second reservoir volume defines a zero volume or a minimal volume. In some embodiments, the method further comprises engaging the lower housing with the upper housing in a telescoping manner such that the lower housing is slidable between the extended configuration and the contracted configuration. In some embodiments, the outer surface of the upper housing is slidably engaged with the inner surface of the lower housing.

[0011] In some embodiments, the inner surface of the upper housing is slidably engaged with the outer surface of the lower housing. In some embodiments, when the port is in the contracted configuration, one of the upper housing and the septum closes the stem lumen. In some embodiments, the method further includes forming a biasing member within the port body configured to bias the port toward the extended configuration. In some embodiments, the method further includes a latch mechanism that is movable between a locked position and an unlocked position and is configured to hold the upper housing in one of the extended configuration and the contracted configuration.

[0012] In some embodiments, the latch mechanism is configured to lock the upper housing in an expanded configuration when the needle accesses the reservoir. In some embodiments, the latch mechanism is configured to engage the upper housing to hold it in a contracted configuration and to release the engagement of the upper housing when the upper surface of the port is pushed down. In some embodiments, the method further includes an actuator coupled to the latch mechanism and configured to move the latch mechanism between a locked position and an unlocked position.

[0013] In some embodiments, the actuator is one of a push button, a slider, and a rocker switch disposed on one of the upper surface and the side surface of the body. In some embodiments, the actuator includes a magnetic switch configured to move the latch mechanism between a locked position and an unlocked position when a magnet having a magnetic field is disposed in proximity to the actuator. In some embodiments, the actuator is configured to receive a signal for moving the latch mechanism between a locked position and an unlocked position, and the signal includes one of magnetic, electromagnetic, radio frequency, acoustic, and optical modality signals.

[0014] The present disclosure will be described in more detail by reference to the specific embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that these drawings show only typical embodiments of the invention and thus are not to be considered limiting of its scope. The exemplary embodiments of the invention will be described and explained in more specific and detailed manner using the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0015]

Figure 1

Figure 2A

Figure 2B

Figure 3A

Figure 3B

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0016] Before disclosing some specific embodiments in more detail, it should be understood that the specific embodiments disclosed in this specification do not limit the scope of the concepts presented in this specification. It should also be understood that the specific embodiments disclosed in this specification can be easily separated from those specific embodiments and may have features that can be optionally combined or substituted with the features of any of the plurality of other embodiments disclosed in this specification.

[0017] Regarding the terms used in this specification, it should also be understood that each term is for explaining some specific embodiments and does not limit the scope of the concepts presented in this specification. Ordinal numbers (for example, first, second, third, etc.) are generally used to distinguish or identify different features or steps among a group of multiple features or steps, and do not add a limitation on order or numerical limitation. For example, the "first", "second", and "third" features or steps do not necessarily appear in this order, and a specific embodiment including such features or steps does not necessarily have to be limited to three features or steps. Expressions such as "left", "right", "up", "down", "front", "rear", etc. are used for convenience and do not mean any specific fixed position, orientation, or direction. Rather, such expressions are used, for example, to indicate relative positions, orientations, or directions. Unless clearly indicated otherwise from the context, the singular forms represented by "a", "an", and "the" include the plural forms.

[0018] Regarding "proximal", for example, the "proximal portion" or "proximal end portion" of a catheter disclosed in this specification includes the portion of the catheter that is near or close to the physician when the catheter is used on a patient. Similarly, for example, the "proximal length" of a catheter includes the length of the catheter that is near or close to the physician when the catheter is used on a patient. For example, the "proximal end" of a catheter includes the end of the catheter that is near or close to the physician when the catheter is used on a patient. The proximal portion, proximal end portion, or proximal length of a catheter may include the proximal end of the catheter, but the proximal portion, proximal end portion, or proximal length of a catheter does not necessarily include the proximal end of the catheter. That is, unless the context suggests otherwise, the proximal portion, proximal end portion, or proximal length of a catheter is not the terminal portion or terminal length of the catheter.

[0019] Regarding "distal", for example, the "distal portion" or "distal end portion" of a catheter disclosed in this specification includes the portion of the catheter that is near or within the patient when the catheter is used on a patient. Similarly, for example, the "distal length" of a catheter includes the length of the catheter that is near or within the patient when the catheter is used on a patient. For example, the "distal end" of a catheter includes the end of the catheter that is near or within the patient when the catheter is used on a patient. The distal portion, distal end portion, or distal length of a catheter may include the distal end of the catheter, but the distal portion, distal end portion, or distal length of a catheter does not necessarily include the distal end of the catheter. That is, unless the context suggests otherwise, the distal portion, distal end portion, or distal length of a catheter is not the terminal portion or terminal length of the catheter.

[0020] To assist in the description of the embodiments described herein, as shown in FIG. 1, the vertical axis extends substantially parallel to the axial length of the port stem. The horizontal axis extends perpendicular to the vertical axis, and the transverse axis extends perpendicular to both the vertical axis and the horizontal axis. As used herein, the horizontal plane extends along the horizontal axis and the vertical axis. The vertical plane extends perpendicular to the horizontal plane.

[0021] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. FIG. 1 shows a vascular access device, namely a “port” 100, configured for subcutaneous placement. The port 100 may generally include a body 150 that defines a reservoir 110 and includes a septum 120 through which a needle can penetrate at its upper part. The port 100 may further include a port stem 130 that defines a stem lumen 132 and is in fluid communication with the reservoir 110. The port stem 130 may provide fluid communication by engaging the lumen of the catheter 90 in an interference fit. The distal tip of the catheter 90 may be placed within a blood vessel of a patient. In use, an access needle may penetrate the skin surface and access the reservoir by piercing the septum 120. Then, fluid may be placed within the reservoir 100 or discharged from the reservoir 110.

[0022] In one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the port 100 may include a port body 150 including a first housing, i.e., a lower housing 152, and a second housing, i.e., an upper housing 154, slidably engaged with the lower housing 152. The lower housing 152 and the upper housing 154 may cooperate to define a reservoir 110. In one embodiment, the upper housing 154 may define a reservoir opening 112 disposed on the upper surface of the upper housing 154 and configured to hold a septum 120 through which a needle can penetrate into the upper housing 154. In one embodiment, the septum 120 may be formed of silicone rubber or a similar suitable material. In use, the reservoir 110 may be accessed percutaneously by an access needle that penetrates the septum 120 and provides fluid access to the reservoir 110.

[0023] In one embodiment, the port 100 may further include a port stem 130 extending along an axis 80. The stem 130 may define a stem lumen 132 in fluid communication with the reservoir 110. The stem 130 may be configured to be coupled to a catheter 90 or a similar device configured to access a patient's blood vessel. The catheter 90 may include an elongate body defining a lumen 92 extending therethrough. In one embodiment, the port body 150 may be formed of a substantially rigid material including plastic, polymer, metal, alloy, composite material, etc.

[0024] In one embodiment, the port 100 may be movable between an expanded configuration (FIG. 2A) and a contracted configuration (FIG. 2B) to enable subcutaneous placement. In one embodiment, the lower housing 152 and the upper housing 154 may be slidably engaged with each other and may transition between a first configuration, i.e., an expanded configuration (FIG. 2A), and a second configuration, i.e., a contracted configuration (FIG. 2B). In one embodiment, the outer surface of the upper housing 154 may be elastically engaged with the inner surface of the lower housing 152. In one embodiment, the inner surface of the upper housing 154 may be elastically engaged with the outer surface of the lower housing 152.

[0025] In one embodiment, in the extended configuration, port 100 may define a first port height (H1). In one embodiment, in the extended configuration, reservoir 110 may define a first reservoir height (RH1). In one embodiment, in the collapsed configuration, port 100 may define a second port height (H2). The second port height (H2) may be less than the first port height (H1). In one embodiment, in the collapsed configuration, reservoir 110 may define a second reservoir height (RH1). The second reservoir height (RH2) is less than the first reservoir height (RH1).

[0026] In one embodiment, in the extended configuration, port 100 may define a first port volume (V1). In one embodiment, in the collapsed configuration, port 100 may define a second port volume (V2). The second port volume (V2) is less than the first port volume (V1). In one embodiment, in the extended configuration, reservoir 110 may define a first reservoir volume (RV1). In one embodiment, in the collapsed configuration, reservoir 110 may define a second reservoir volume (RV2). The second reservoir volume (RV2) is less than the first reservoir volume (RV1). In one embodiment, the second reservoir volume (RV2) may define a zero volume or a very small volume.

[0027] In one embodiment, a portion of septum 120 or a portion of body 150, for example, a portion of lower housing 152 or a portion of upper housing 154, may occlude port stem lumen 132 when port 100 is in the collapsed configuration. Thus, fluid communication between reservoir 110 and catheter lumen 92 coupled to port stem 130 may be restricted.

[0028] In one embodiment, port 100 may include a biasing member (e.g., a spring, etc.) configured to bias the port towards an expanded configuration. In one embodiment, port 100 may include a latch mechanism configured to selectively hold port 100 in one of an expanded configuration and a contracted configuration. In use, a physician may selectively shift port 100 between the expanded configuration and the contracted configuration.

[0029] In one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, a physician may push down on the upper surface of port 100, e.g., the upper surface of septum 120 or the upper surface of upper housing 154, to resist the force of the biasing member and slidably shift upper housing 154 from the expanded configuration (FIG. 2A) to the contracted configuration (FIG. 2B). In the contracted configuration, the latch mechanism may engage upper housing 154 to hold upper housing 154 in the contracted configuration.

[0030] In one embodiment, a physician may selectively shift port 100 from the contracted configuration to the expanded configuration. A physician may push down on the upper surface of port 100, e.g., the upper surface of septum 120 or the upper surface of upper housing 154, to resist the force of the biasing member and disengage the latch mechanism. The physician may then release the upper surface of port 100 and allow the biasing member to shift upper housing 154 to the expanded configuration.

[0031] In one embodiment, the force of the biasing member may maintain port 100 in the expanded configuration. In some embodiments, the force of the biasing member may maintain port 100 in the expanded configuration even when an access needle is pushed through septum 120, which is penetrable by the needle, to access underlying reservoir 110. In one embodiment, the latch mechanism may be configured to maintain port 100 in the expanded configuration. Thus, a physician may push the access needle through septum 120 without inadvertently shifting the port from the expanded configuration to the contracted configuration by pushing down on the upper surface of port 100.

[0032] In one embodiment, the latch mechanism may transition between a locked position and an unlocked position. In the locked position, the latch mechanism is prevented from releasing the upper housing 154. In the unlocked position, the latch mechanism releases the engagement of the upper housing 154, enabling the port 100 to transition between an extended configuration and a retracted configuration. In one embodiment, the latch mechanism may be maintained in the locked position by the presence of a needle accessing the reservoir 101. For example, a needle accessing the reservoir 110 may engage the latch mechanism and maintain the latch mechanism in the locked position, thereby preventing the port 100 from transitioning between the extended configuration and the retracted configuration. Advantageously, the latch mechanism may prevent the port 100 from accidentally transitioning between the extended configuration and the retracted configuration when the port 100 is in use and / or when the needle is connected to the reservoir 110.

[0033] In one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the port 100 may be coupled to the latch mechanism and include an actuator 160 configured to disengage the latch mechanism and / or transition the latch mechanism between the locked position and the unlocked position. In use, a physician may transition the port 100 to the retracted configuration by depressing the upper surface of the port 100 as described herein (FIG. 3A). The latch mechanism may engage the upper housing 154 and hold the upper housing 154 in the retracted configuration. The physician may then actuate the actuator 160 to disengage the upper housing 154. The biasing member may then transition the upper housing to the extended configuration (FIG. 3B).

[0034] In one embodiment, the latching mechanism may maintain the upper housing 154 in an extended configuration by engaging the upper housing 154. During use, the physician may operate the actuator 160 to disengage the latching mechanism and transition the upper housing 154 from the extended configuration to the collapsed configuration. Advantageously, the actuator 160 and the latching mechanism may be configured to prevent the port 100 from accidentally transitioning from the extended configuration to the collapsed configuration, such as when the port 100 is in use and / or when the needle is connected to the reservoir 110.

[0035] In one embodiment, the actuator 160 may be a push button, slider, rocker switch, or similar mechanical actuator disposed on an outer surface of the port 100, such as the upper surface, side surface, etc. In one embodiment, the port 100 may include a first actuator 160A disposed on a first side surface of the port and a second actuator 160B disposed on a second side surface of the port 100 opposite the first side surface. The physician may operate one of the first actuator 160A and the second actuator 160B by applying a lateral "pinching" force to the port 100. Advantageously, the lateral pinching force may reduce the direct pressure applied to the patient.

[0036] In one embodiment, the actuator 160 may include a magnetic switch configured to transition between a first position and a second position depending on the presence or absence of a magnetic field. During use, with the port 100 disposed subcutaneously, the physician may place a magnet (permanent magnet or electromagnet) near the port 100, for example, on the skin surface adjacent to the port. The presence of the magnetic field may operate the actuator 160 to disengage the latching mechanism and enable the port to transition between the extended configuration and the collapsed configuration.

[0037] In one embodiment, the actuator 160 may be actuated by signals from one or more modalities such as, for example, magnetic, electromagnetic, radio frequency, acoustic, optical, etc. For example, the actuator 160 may be actuated transcutaneously by transmitting or receiving signals to / from a device disposed outside the patient to port 100. The actuator 160 may disengage the latch mechanism and shift the port 100, as described herein.

[0038] Advantageously, the contracted configuration may provide a smaller overall outer profile, size, or volume with respect to the port 100. Thus, the port 100 in the contracted configuration may be placed subcutaneously through a relatively small insertion site. Advantageously, the smaller insertion site may lead to a reduction in scarring, an improvement in recovery time, an improvement in patient comfort, and an improvement in aesthetics by requiring fewer sutures or no sutures to close the insertion site. In certain embodiments, the port 100 may transition between an expanded configuration and a contracted configuration by a physician actuating the latch mechanism or the actuator 160 transcutaneously. When the port 100 is placed subcutaneously, the port 100 may selectively transition from the contracted (second) configuration to the expanded (first) configuration that is usable.

[0039] In one embodiment, the port 100 may transition from the expanded configuration to the contracted configuration outside the patient's body, as described herein. When placed subcutaneously, the port 100 may remain in the contracted configuration. During use, a physician may selectively transition the port 100 from the contracted configuration to the expanded configuration that is usable. When the treatment is complete, the physician may selectively transition the port 100 from the expanded configuration to the contracted configuration. Advantageously, the port 100 may provide a thinner outer profile and reduce skin stretching, further reducing scarring, and improving patient comfort and aesthetics by maintaining the contracted configuration after subcutaneous placement for the period until use. When the port 100 needs to be accessed, the port 100 may selectively transition to the expanded configuration by a physician actuating the latch mechanism transcutaneously.

[0040] Although some specific embodiments are disclosed herein and certain embodiments are disclosed in some detail, the specific embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the concepts provided herein. Additional adaptations and / or modifications may be understood by those skilled in the art. In a broader aspect, these adaptations and / or modifications are also included. Thus, it is possible to depart from the specific embodiments disclosed herein without departing from the scope of the concepts provided herein.

Claims

1. A subcutaneous access port, comprising: a body including a lower housing and an upper housing slidably engaged with the lower housing and cooperating to define a reservoir, the body being movable between an expanded configuration and a contracted configuration, the contracted configuration defining a smaller overall outer shape; a septum through which a needle can penetrate, the septum being disposed within a reservoir opening disposed on an upper surface of the upper housing and configured to provide percutaneous access to the reservoir opening; a port stem defining a stem lumen in fluid communication with the reservoir; when the port is in the contracted configuration, one of the upper housing and the septum closes the stem lumen; a subcutaneous access port.

2. The subcutaneous access port according to claim 1, wherein the port body in the expanded configuration defines a first port height, the port body in the contracted configuration defines a second port height, and the second port height is less than the first port height.

3. The subcutaneous access port according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the port body in the expanded configuration defines a first port volume, the port body in the contracted configuration defines a second port volume, and the second port volume is less than the first port volume.

4. The subcutaneous access port according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the reservoir in the expanded configuration defines a first reservoir height, the reservoir in the contracted configuration defines a second reservoir height, and the second reservoir height is less than the first reservoir height.

5. The subcutaneous access port according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the reservoir in the expanded configuration defines a first reservoir volume, the reservoir in the contracted configuration defines a second reservoir volume, and the second reservoir volume is less than the first reservoir volume.

6. The subcutaneous access port according to claim 5, wherein the second reservoir volume defines a zero volume or a minimal volume.

7. The subcutaneous access port according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the lower housing is telescopically engaged with the upper housing and slidably engaged to transition between the expanded configuration and the contracted configuration.

8. The subcutaneous access port according to claim 7, wherein an outer surface of the upper housing is slidably engaged with an inner surface of the lower housing.

9. The subcutaneous access port according to claim 7, wherein an inner surface of the upper housing is slidably engaged with an outer surface of the lower housing.

10. The subcutaneous access port according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising a biasing member configured to bias the port toward the expanded configuration.

11. The subcutaneous access port according to any one of claims 1 to 10, further comprising a latch mechanism movable between a locked position and an unlocked position and configured to hold the upper housing in one of the expanded configuration and the contracted configuration.

12. The subcutaneous access port according to claim 11, wherein the latch mechanism is configured to lock the upper housing in the expanded configuration when a needle accesses the reservoir.

13. The subcutaneous access port according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the latch mechanism engages the upper housing to hold it in the contracted configuration and is configured to release the engagement of the upper housing when an upper surface of the port is pushed down.

14. The subcutaneous access port according to any one of claims 11 to 13, further comprising an actuator coupled to the latch mechanism and configured to move the latch mechanism between the locked position and the unlocked position.

15. The subcutaneous access port according to claim 14, wherein the actuator is one of a push button, a slider, and a rocker switch disposed on one of an upper surface and a side surface of the body.

16. The subcutaneous access port according to claim 14, wherein the actuator includes a magnetic switch configured to move the latch mechanism between the locked position and the unlocked position when a magnet having a magnetic field is disposed in proximity to the actuator.

17. The subcutaneous access port according to claim 14, wherein the actuator is configured to receive a signal for moving the latch mechanism between the locked position and the unlocked position, and the signal includes one of magnetic, electromagnetic, radio frequency, acoustic, and optical modality signals.

18. A method of manufacturing a subcutaneous access port, comprising: A port body including a lower housing and an upper housing slidably engaged with the lower housing and cooperating to define a reservoir, the port body being movable between an expanded configuration and a contracted configuration, the contracted configuration defining a smaller overall outer profile, the step of forming the port body; The step of coupling a septum through which a needle can penetrate, the septum being disposed within a reservoir opening disposed on the upper surface of the upper housing and configured to provide percutaneous access to the reservoir opening; Forming a port stem coupled to the body and defining a stem lumen in fluid communication with the reservoir; A method wherein when the port is in the contracted configuration, one of the upper housing and the septum closes the stem lumen.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein the port body in the expanded configuration defines a first port height, the port body in the contracted configuration defines a second port height, and the second port height is less than the first port height.

20. The method according to claim 18 or 19, wherein the port body in the expanded configuration defines a first port volume, the port body in the contracted configuration defines a second port volume, and the second port volume is less than the first port volume.

21. The method according to any one of claims 18 to 20, wherein the reservoir in the expanded configuration defines a first reservoir height, the reservoir in the contracted configuration defines a second reservoir height, and the second reservoir height is less than the first reservoir height.

22. The method according to any one of claims 18 to 21, wherein the reservoir in the expanded configuration defines a first reservoir volume, the reservoir in the contracted configuration defines a second reservoir volume, and the second reservoir volume is less than the first reservoir volume.

23. The method according to claim 22, wherein the second reservoir volume defines a zero volume or a very small volume.

24. The method according to any one of claims 18 to 23, further comprising the step of telescopically engaging the lower housing with the upper housing such that the lower housing is slidable to transition between the expanded configuration and the contracted configuration.

25. The method according to claim 24, wherein an outer surface of the upper housing is slidably engaged with an inner surface of the lower housing.

26. The method according to claim 25, wherein an inner surface of the upper housing is slidably engaged with an outer surface of the lower housing.

27. The method according to any one of claims 18 to 26, further comprising the step of forming a biasing member in the port body configured to bias the port toward the extended configuration.

28. The method according to any one of claims 18 to 27, further comprising a latch mechanism movable between a locked position and an unlocked position and configured to hold the upper housing in one of the extended configuration and the contracted configuration.

29. The method according to claim 28, wherein the latch mechanism is configured to lock the upper housing in the extended configuration when the needle accesses the reservoir.

30. The method according to claim 28 or 29, wherein the latch mechanism engages the upper housing to hold it in the contracted configuration and is configured to release the engagement of the upper housing when the upper surface of the port is pushed down.

31. The method according to any one of claims 28 to 30, further comprising an actuator coupled to the latch mechanism and configured to move the latch mechanism between the locked position and the unlocked position.

32. The method according to claim 31, wherein the actuator is one of a push button, a slider, and a rocker switch disposed on one of an upper surface and a side surface of the body.

33. The method according to claim 31, wherein the actuator includes a magnetic switch configured to move the latch mechanism between the locked position and the unlocked position when a magnet having a magnetic field is disposed in proximity to the actuator.

34. The method according to claim 31, wherein the actuator is configured to receive a signal for moving the latch mechanism between the locked position and the unlocked position, and the signal includes one of magnetic, electromagnetic, radio frequency, acoustic, and optical modality signals.

35. A subcutaneous access port, a body including a lower housing and an upper housing slidably engaged with the lower housing and cooperating to define a reservoir, the body being movable between an extended configuration and a contracted configuration, the contracted configuration defining a smaller overall outer profile, A septum through which a needle can penetrate, the septum being disposed within a reservoir opening disposed on the upper surface of the upper housing and configured to provide percutaneous access to the reservoir opening. A port stem defining a stem lumen in fluid communication with the reservoir. A latching mechanism movable between a locked position and an unlocked position and configured to hold the upper housing in one of the expanded configuration and the contracted configuration. An actuator coupled to the latching mechanism and configured to move the latching mechanism between the locked position and the unlocked position. A subcutaneous access port. **Claim 36**: The subcutaneous access port according to claim 35, wherein the actuator is one of a push button, a slider, and a rocker switch disposed on one of the upper surface and the side surface of the body. **Claim 37**: The subcutaneous access port according to claim 35, wherein the actuator includes a magnetic switch configured to move the latching mechanism between the locked position and the unlocked position when a magnet having a magnetic field is disposed proximate to the actuator. **Claim 38**: The subcutaneous access port according to claim 35, wherein the actuator is configured to receive a signal for moving the latching mechanism between the locked position and the unlocked position, the signal including one of magnetic, electromagnetic, radio frequency, acoustic, and optical modality signals.

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