Access Ports and Port Needles
A vascular access port device consists of a catheter connected to a reservoir. It is implanted subcutaneously and namely used to deliver drugs into the blood stream. Port access has become essential for venous, arterial, peritoneal, pleural, and spinal (epidural/intrathecal) access indications and is recommended for long-term therapies of more than 3 months. One of the main reasons for using a port access is to spare the patient repeated injections or infusions into one of the peripheral veins. The port implantation time depends upon the duration of the individual treatment. 
Indications for Use
The main treatments indicated for port access are the following:
Intra-venous chemotherapy
Intra-venous antibiotic therapy
Long term Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN)
Loco regional chemotherapy
Drainage of malignant ascites (peritoneal and pleural effusions)
Long term pain treatment
High pressure injection of contrast media when CT scan is performed
Blood transfusion and blood sampling