# Implanted ports for chemotherapy (port-a-cath, power-injectable, apheresis and intraperitoneal ports)

Source: https://onco.cc/technologies/implanted-ports/  
OnCo record `implanted-ports` (Technology). Data CC BY-NC 4.0, attribute "Data from OnCo (onco.cc)"; commercial use needs a licence.

## TL;DR

A port is a small disc placed under the skin of the chest or arm with a thin tube running into a large vein. Nurses reach it through the skin with a special needle, so chemotherapy and blood tests do not need a new needle in an arm vein every time.

## Summary

The FDA classes implanted venous ports under product code LJT (port and catheter, implanted, subcutaneous, intravascular; 21 CFR 880.5965, class II). Current examples in the 510(k) database include AngioDynamics SmartPort+ and SmartPort plastic ports (K190559, 22 May 2020), the Medcomp Dignity Dual Port (K153238, 15 March 2016) and the Cook Vital-Port power-injectable port (K150733, 21 May 2015). Power-injectable ports tolerate the high pressures of contrast injection for CT. Two special kinds share the same regulation: apheresis ports (code PTD), such as C.R. Bard's PowerFlow implantable apheresis port (K191143, 2 August 2019), which carry the higher flows needed to collect or exchange blood cells, and intraperitoneal ports (code LLD), which lead into the abdominal cavity rather than a vein for intraperitoneal chemotherapy; the earliest LLD clearance in the database is Pharmacia's Port-A-Cath implantable catheter system (K864552, 31 March 1987).

A port is reached with a non-coring (Huber) needle, which has its own record, and needs flushing when not in use. The risks named on the vascular access record apply: infection, blood clots in the vein and blockage of the catheter.

## Fields

- Kind: Technology
- Status: standard-of-care
- Last checked: 2026-11-04
- Also known as: Implanted port; Portacath; Port-a-cath; Chemo port; Totally implantable venous access device; Power-injectable port; Apheresis port; Intraperitoneal port; SmartPort; Vital-Port; Dignity port; PowerFlow port
- Tags: devices-gaps-2026-11
- Principle: A titanium or plastic reservoir with a self-sealing silicone septum sits in a pocket under the skin; its catheter tip lies in the superior vena cava (or in the peritoneal cavity for an intraperitoneal port), and a non-coring needle passed through the skin and septum gives repeated access.
- Since: 1987
- Strengths: Repeated access for months or years without peripheral cannulas; Fully under the skin when not in use, so bathing and swimming are possible; Power-injectable models accept contrast for CT
- Limitations: Needs a minor operation to place and remove; Catheter infection, thrombosis and occlusion; Must be flushed regularly when not in use

## Sources

- FDA product code LJT: implanted subcutaneous intravascular port: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfPCD/classification.cfm?ID=LJT
- FDA 510(k) K190559: AngioDynamics SmartPort+ implantable ports (22 May 2020): https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfpmn/pmn.cfm?ID=K190559
- FDA 510(k) K153238: Medcomp Dignity Dual Port (15 March 2016): https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfpmn/pmn.cfm?ID=K153238
- FDA 510(k) K150733: Cook Vital-Port power-injectable port (21 May 2015): https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfpmn/pmn.cfm?ID=K150733
- FDA 510(k) K191143: Bard PowerFlow implantable apheresis port (2 August 2019): https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfpmn/pmn.cfm?ID=K191143
- FDA 510(k) K864552: Pharmacia Port-A-Cath implantable catheter system, intraperitoneal (31 March 1987): https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfpmn/pmn.cfm?ID=K864552

## Connected records

- cancers: [Breast cancer (all types)](https://onco.cc/cancers/breast-cancer/), [Colorectal cancer](https://onco.cc/cancers/colorectal/), [Ovarian cancer](https://onco.cc/cancers/ovarian/)
- fronts: [Chemotherapy](https://onco.cc/fronts/chemotherapy/), [Devices & Physical Therapies](https://onco.cc/fronts/devices/), [Supportive Care & Survivorship](https://onco.cc/fronts/supportive-care/)
- technologies: [Ambulatory and elastomeric pumps for home chemotherapy (CADD-Solis, Curlin, Sapphire, Avoset, SMARTeZ)](https://onco.cc/technologies/ambulatory-chemotherapy-pumps/), [Catheter lock solutions (heparin, taurolidine and DefenCath)](https://onco.cc/technologies/catheter-lock-solutions/), [Disinfecting caps for needleless connectors (Curos)](https://onco.cc/technologies/needleless-connector-disinfecting-caps/), [Infusion pumps, ports, and ambulatory chemotherapy devices](https://onco.cc/technologies/infusion-devices-vascular-access/), [Non-coring (Huber) needles for port access](https://onco.cc/technologies/huber-needles-port-access/), [Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC lines)](https://onco.cc/technologies/picc-lines/)
- companies: [AngioDynamics](https://onco.cc/companies/angiodynamics/), [BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company)](https://onco.cc/companies/becton-dickinson/), [Cook Medical](https://onco.cc/companies/cook-medical/)
- terms: [Central venous access (port, PICC line)](https://onco.cc/terms/central-venous-access/)

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