Patent Publication Number: US-2023143477-A1

Title: Subcutaneous Port With Locking Member

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application 63/004,142 filed on Apr. 2, 2020. The disclosures of this prior application is considered part of the disclosure of this application and is hereby incorporated by reference in its entireties. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates generally to subcutaneous ports. 
     BACKGROUND 
     This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art. 
     When connecting a catheter to a subcutaneous port, it may be difficult to securely connect the catheter to the subcutaneous port due to a variety of potential issues, such as anatomical interference(s), surgical equipment interference(s), etc. Additionally, ensuring that the catheter remains connected to the subcutaneous port is important to ensure proper delivery of medication to the patient. Accordingly, there may be room for improvement in the manner in which catheters are connected to subcutaneous ports. 
     SUMMARY 
     This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features. 
     One aspect of the disclosure provides a subcutaneous port assembly comprising a base, a connector, a stem, a sealing element, and a locking member. The connector extends from a first end attached to the base to a distal end, and includes an inner surface defining a socket having an inside diameter. The stem extends from the base and into the socket. The stem includes an outer surface having an outside diameter that is less than the inside diameter of the socket. The sealing element is disposed within the socket between the stem and the inner surface of the socket. The locking member has a plunger received within the socket from the distal end and having a terminal end facing the sealing element. The plunger is axially movable between a first position and a second position to selectively compress the sealing element within the socket. 
     Implementations of the disclosure may include one or more of the following optional features. In some implementations, the stem is surrounded by the sealing element. Optionally, the sealing element may be spaced apart from the outside diameter of the outer surface of the stem by a first distance in an uncompressed state. In some examples, the plunger in the second position may be configured to axially and radially compress the sealing element towards the outside diameter of the outer surface of the stem. 
     The locking member may include a cap attached to the plunger. In some examples, the cap includes a position indicator. The position indicator may be configured to communicate a rotational position of the cap. In some example, the cap includes a gripping member and the position indicator is provided on the gripping member. The cap may include a plurality of first threads and the connector may include a plurality of second threads engaged with the first threads. The plunger may move between the first position and the second position via the first threads engaging with the second threads. 
     The socket may include a first radial protrusion on the inner surface and the plunger may include a second radial protrusion on an outer surface of the plunger, the first radial protrusion and the second radial protrusion configured to selectively engage one another to retain at least a portion of the plunger within the socket. 
     The sealing element may include a tapered end facing the terminal end of the plunger. The terminal end of the plunger may be configured to axially and radially compress the tapered end of the sealing element when the plunger moves from the first position to the second position. 
     Another aspect of the disclosure provides a subcutaneous port assembly comprising a base, a connector, a stem, a collar, and a sealing element. The connector extends from a first end adjacent to the base to a second end. The connector includes a neck portion having a first width at the first end and a shoulder portion having a second width closer to the second end, and a socket defined by an inner surface extending through the connector from the second end. The stem extends from the base into the socket, the stem including an outer surface spaced inwardly from the inner surface of the socket. The collar includes an inner biasing surface having a third width that is greater than the first width of the neck portion and less than the second width of the shoulder portion. The collar is operable between a first position where the inner biasing surface is adjacent to the neck portion and a second position where the inner biasing surface is adjacent to the shoulder portion. The sealing element is disposed within the socket between the stem and the inner surface of the socket. The sealing element surrounds the stem when the collar is in the first position and compressed against the stem when the collar is in the second position. This aspect may include one or more of the following optional features. 
     In some implementations, the stem is surrounded by the connector. Optionally, the collar in the second position may be configured to radially compress the sealing element to secure a catheter between the sealing element and the stem. 
     The connector may include at least one slot extending from the socket through the shoulder portion. When the collar moves from the first position to the second position, the connector may radially deflect toward the sealing element via the at least one slot. The inner biasing surface may be tapered and the connector may include a tapered outer biasing surface. When the collar moves from the first position to the second position, engagement of the inner biasing surface and the tapered outer surface may cause the connector to radially deflect toward the sealing element and the sealing element to radially compress and secure a catheter to the stem. The tapered outer surface of the connector may be disposed between the neck portion and the shoulder portion. The at least one slot may include a plurality of slots defining a plurality of flexible tabs of the connector. Each flexible tab of the connector may be spaced from an adjacent flexible tab of the connector by one of the slots. 
     Another aspect of the disclosure provides a locking mechanism for a subcutaneous port assembly, the locking mechanism comprising a connector, a stem, a sealing element, a braided catheter, and a locking member. The connector has a socket and a plurality of threads at a first end of the socket. The stem is disposed within the socket. The sealing element is disposed between the stem and the connector within the socket. The braided catheter has an end coupled to the stem and surrounded by the sealing element. The locking member is slidably coupled to the connector and moveable between a first position and a second position along the connector to selectively change the sealing element between a compressed state and an uncompressed state around the catheter. This aspect may include one or more of the following optional features. 
     In some implementations, the locking member includes a plunger received within the socket and a cap coupled to the connector by threads. In some examples, the cap includes a position indicator. The position indicator may be configured to communicate a rotational position of the cap. In some example, the cap includes a gripping member and the position indicator is provided on the gripping member. The cap may be movable between a locked position and an unlocked position relative to the connector via engagement of the threads. The connector may include a first radial protrusion on an inner surface and the locking member may include a second radial protrusion on an outer surface. The first radial protrusion and the second radial protrusion may be configured to engage one another to secure at least a portion of the plunger to the connector. The sealing element may include a sleeve having a tapered first end and the plunger may include a tapered second end configured to engage the tapered first end of the sleeve. The tapered first end and the tapered second end may engage when the locking member moves from the first position to the second position, causing the sleeve to axially and radially compress and secure the braided catheter to the stem. 
     The details of one or more implementations of the disclosure are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other aspects, features, and advantages will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected configurations and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  1    is a partially-exploded perspective view of a subcutaneous port in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  2    is an exploded perspective view of the subcutaneous port of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  3    is a cross-sectional view of the subcutaneous port of  FIG.  1    in an unlocked position taken along the line  3 - 3 ; 
         FIG.  4    is a cross-sectional view of the subcutaneous port of  FIG.  1    in a locked position taken along the line  3 - 3 ; 
         FIG.  5 A  is a cross-sectional detailed view of a portion of the subcutaneous port of  FIG.  1    in an unlocked position taken along the line  3 - 3 ; 
         FIG.  5 B  is a cross-sectional detailed view of a portion of the subcutaneous port of  FIG.  1    in an unlocked position and having a flat engagement between a sealing element and a locking member along the line  3 - 3 ; 
         FIG.  6    is a perspective view of another subcutaneous port in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  7    is a perspective view of the subcutaneous port of  FIG.  6    in a locked position; 
         FIG.  8    is a cross-sectional perspective view of the subcutaneous port of  FIG.  6    in an unlocked position taken along line  8 - 8 ; 
         FIG.  9    is a cross-sectional detailed view of the subcutaneous port of  FIG.  6    in an unlocked position taken along line  8 - 8 ; and 
         FIG.  10    is a cross-sectional detailed view of the subcutaneous port of  FIG.  6    in a locked position taken along line  8 - 8 . 
     
    
    
     Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Example configurations will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. Example configurations are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those of ordinary skill in the art. Specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of configurations of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example configurations may be embodied in many different forms, and that the specific details and the example configurations should not be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  1 - 5 B , a first example of a subcutaneous port assembly  100  is generally shown. The subcutaneous port assembly  100  includes a port  102  including a base  104 , a cap  106 , a septum  108 , and a connector  110 . The subcutaneous port assembly  100  may be surgically installed beneath the skin of a patient. As can be seen in  FIGS.  2  and  3   , the base  104  may define a reservoir  112 , and the cap  106  may define an access aperture  114  that receives the septum  108 , which may be a membrane formed of silicone or any other suitable material. As set forth in more detail below, the connector  110  may receive a distal end  10   a  of a catheter  10 , and an opposite end of the catheter  10  may be connected to a vein, muscle, bone, tissue, or any other suitable anatomical structure or system of the patient. The catheter  10  may be a braided catheter having any suitable elasticity, strength, and rigidity. In some implementations, the catheter  10  has minimal elasticity or stretch along its longitudinal axis. 
     A healthcare provider, such as a physician, nurse, etc., may inject, via a syringe and needle, medication through the skin of the patient and through the septum to deliver the medication to the reservoir  112 . The medication may then be delivered through the catheter  10  to the desired location for medication application. The base  104 , the cap  106 , and the connector  110  may be formed of any suitable material, such as titanium, stainless steel, cobalt-chrome alloy, nickel-titanium allow, gold, platinum, silver, iridium, tantalum, tungsten, polycarbonate, or any combination of the foregoing. 
     The connector  110  extends from a first end  110   a  attached to the base  104  to a distal end  110   b  spaced from the base  104 . The connector  110  includes an inner surface  116  defining a socket  118 . As indicated in  FIG.  5 A , the socket  118  includes a first inside diameter ID 118a  and a second inside diameter ID 118b  greater than the first inside diameter ID 118a . The first inside diameter ID 118a  may be located closer to the first end  110   a  than the second inside diameter ID 118b . The socket  118  may include a plurality of first threads  120  on the inner surface  116  at the portion having the second inside diameter ID 118b , e.g., the portion extending from the distal end  110   b.    
     Referring to  FIGS.  3 - 5 B , the socket  118  may include a first radial protrusion  122  extending from the inner surface  116  at the portion having the first inside diameter ID 118a . The first radial protrusion  122  may be a barb and have an angled portion that ramps up in a direction extending from the distal end  110   b  toward the first end  110   a , and the first radial protrusion  122  may have a generally flat portion adjacent the angled portion and facing the first end  110   a . The flat portion of the first radial protrusion  122  may be perpendicular to the inner surface  116  or may be undercut to provide an obstruction along the inner surface  116 . In some implementations, the first radial protrusion  122  may be disposed at the end of the portion of the socket  118  having the first inside diameter ID 118a . In other implementations, the first radial protrusion  122  may be disposed at any location of the socket  118  having the first inside diameter ID 118a . The socket  118  may be in fluid communication with the reservoir  112  via a conduit  124  defined by one of the base  104  or the connector  110 . 
     The port  102  includes a stem  126  extending from the base  104  and into the socket  118 . The stem  126  includes an outer surface  128  having an outside diameter OD 126  that is less than the first inside diameter ID 118a  and the second inside diameter ID 118b  of the socket  118 . In some implementations, the outside diameter OD 126  of the stem  126  may be between approximately 0.2 mm and 1.0 mm. In some implementations, the outside diameter OD 126  of the stem  126  may be between approximately 0.3 mm and 0.7 mm. The stem  126  may extend along substantially an entire length of the socket  118 , i.e., from the base  104  to the distal end  110   b  of the connector  110 . In some implementations, the stem  126  may extend past or terminate before the distal end  110   b  of the connector  110 . The stem  126  may be formed of any suitable type of material, such as titanium, stainless steel, cobalt-chrome alloy, nickel-titanium allow, gold, platinum, silver, iridium, tantalum, tungsten, polycarbonate, or any combination of the foregoing. 
     With continued reference to  FIGS.  3 - 5 B , the subcutaneous port assembly  100  includes a sleeve or sealing element  130  disposed within the socket  118  between the outer surface  128  of the stem  126  and the inner surface  116  of the socket  118 . The sealing element  130  extends from a proximal end  130   a  to a distal end  130   b . The proximal end  130   a  may be disposed at or near the end of the portion of the socket  118  having the first inside diameter ID 118a . In some implementations, the distal end  130   b  may taper toward the longitudinal center of the sealing element  130 , as shown in  FIG.  5 A . In other implementations, the distal end  130   b  may be generally flat or not tapered, as shown in  FIG.  5 B . The sealing element  130  may include a central bore  132  extending entirely through the sealing element  130 , such that the sealing element  130  completely surrounds the stem  126 . The sealing element  130  may be spaced apart from the outer surface  128  of the stem  126  when in an uncompressed state. Particularly, the surface defining the central bore  132  of the sealing element  130  is spaced apart from the outer surface  128  of the stem  126  by a distance greater than a wall thickness of the catheter  10 . Accordingly, when the sealing element  130  is in the uncompressed state, the catheter can be inserted through the space between outer surface  128  of the stem  126  and the sealing element  130 . The sealing element  130  may be formed of any suitable material, such as a foam, rubber, neoprene, silicone, etc. 
     The subcutaneous port assembly  100  includes a locking member  134  having a plunger  136 , a cap  138  adjacent the plunger  136 , and a central bore  140  extending through the plunger  136  and the cap  138 . The plunger  136  is received within the socket  118  from the distal end  110   b . The plunger  136  includes a terminal end  136   a  facing the distal end  130   b  of the sealing element  130 . In some implementations, the terminal end  136   a  may taper away from a longitudinal center of the plunger  136  to mate with the taper of the distal end  130   b  of the sealing element  130 , as shown in  FIG.  5 A . In other implementations, the terminal end  136   a  of the plunger  136  may be substantially flat to abut the flat end of the distal end  130   b  of the sealing element  130 , as shown in  FIG.  5 B . The plunger  136  is axially movable between a first position ( FIG.  3   ) and a second position ( FIG.  4   ) to selectively compress the sealing element  130  within the socket  118 . The locking member  134  may be formed of any suitable material, such as titanium, stainless steel, cobalt-chrome alloy, nickel-titanium allow, gold, platinum, silver, iridium, tantalum, tungsten, polycarbonate, a polymeric material, a plastic material, or any combination of the foregoing. 
     The plunger  136  includes an outer surface  142  that extends into the first inside diameter ID 118a  of the socket  118 . The outer surface  142  includes a second radial protrusion  144  extending from the outer surface  142 . The second radial protrusion  144  may have an angled portion that ramps up in a direction extending from the terminal end  136   a  toward the cap  138 , and the second radial protrusion  144  may have a generally flat portion adjacent the angled portion and facing the cap  138 . The first radial protrusion  122  of the socket  118  and the second radial protrusion  144  of the plunger  136  are configured to selectively engage one another to retain at least a portion of the plunger  136  within the socket  118 , as can be seen in  FIGS.  5 A and  5 B . The angled portions of the first and second radial protrusions  122 ,  144  permit the plunger  136  to enter the first inside diameter ID 118a  of the socket  118 , but, after the second radial protrusion  144  passes the first radial protrusion  122 , the flat portions of the first and second radial protrusions  122 ,  144  restrict the plunger  136  from exiting the first inside diameter ID 118a  of the socket  118 . Such a configuration ensures that, after proper installation, the locking member  134  does not disconnect from the port  102 . While the first radial protrusion  122  and the second radial protrusion  144  are shown and described as having a shape resembling a right-angled triangle, it should be understood that any suitable shape is contemplated. 
     The cap  138  includes an outer surface  146  having a plurality of second threads  148  and a plurality of gripping members  150 . The plurality of second threads  148  extend into the second inside diameter ID 118b  of the socket  118  and are configured to engage with the plurality of first threads  120 . The plunger  136  moves between the first position ( FIG.  3   ) and the second position ( FIG.  4   ) via the first threads  120  engaging with the second threads  148 . The second threads  148  are configured such that a single rotation of the locking member  134  moves the plunger  136  between the first position ( FIG.  3   ) and the second position ( FIG.  4   ) to selectively compress the sealing element  130  within the socket  118  and secure the catheter. More specifically, when the plunger is in the second position (i.e., fully retracted) shown in  FIG.  3   , a single rotation of the locking member  134  in a clockwise direction moves the plunger  136  to the first position shown in  FIG.  4    to compress the sealing element  130  to provide a locking force upon the catheter  10  in compliance with ISO 10555. Conversely, a full rotation in the counter-clockwise direction returns the plunger  136  from the fully-locked first position to the fully-unlocked second position shown in  FIG.  3    to allow the catheter  10  to be easily disconnected from the stem  126 . 
     The gripping members  150  may be a series of recesses, protrusions, or areas having a higher coefficient of friction to facilitate grasping and twisting of the cap  138  by, for example, a healthcare provider. The cap  138  may include a position indicator  151   a  configured to communicate a position of the locking member  134  to the user. Specifically, as discussed above, the first and second threads  120 ,  148  are configured such that a single rotation of the locking member  134  moves the locking member  134  between the fully-unlocked first position ( FIG.  3   ) and the fully-locked second position ( FIG.  4   ). Thus, the position indicator  151   a  communicates the rotational position of the cap  138  to the user such that the user can determine whether the locking member  134  is in the first position, the second position, or in an intermediate position between the first position and the second position. The position indicator  151   a  further cooperates with the first and second radial protrusions  122 ,  144  to prevent the locking member  134  from being inadvertently removed from the connector  110 . For example, the position indicator  151   a  provides visual feedback to the user that that the locking member  134  is adjacent to or at the first position (i.e., fully retracted) while the first and second radial protrusions  122 ,  144  provide physical or tactile feedback to the user when the second radial protrusion  144  of the plunger  136  abuts the first radial protrusion  122  of the socket  118  at the first position. The redundant feedback (i.e. visual and tactile) advantageously minimizes the likelihood of the locking member  134  being removed from the socket  118 , which is particularly advantageous when implemented with a catheter that is inserted within a patient. 
     In the illustrated example, the position indicator  151   a  is provided as a colored portion of the outer surface  146  corresponding to one of the protrusions of the gripping members  150 . Optionally, a reference indicator  151   b  may be formed on the connector  110  to indicate a relative position of the locking member  134  relative to the connector  110 . Each of the indicators  151   a ,  151   b  may be applied using a tampography process (i.e., pad printing). However, other coating processes (e.g., anodizing) may be used to form each of the indicators  151   a ,  151   b . Additionally or alternatively, each of the indicators  151   a ,  151   b  may include tactile features formed in the outer surface  146 , such as knurling or alignment slots. 
     The cap  138  includes a parabolic recess  152  extending toward the central bore  140 . Upon installation of the catheter  10 , the parabolic recess  152  is configured to direct the catheter  10  toward the central bore  140 . For example, the distal end  10   a  of the catheter  10  may slide along the surface of the parabolic recess  152  toward the central bore  140 . 
     In operation, the locking member  134  starts in the first position ( FIG.  3   ) and the distal end  10   a  of the catheter  10  is inserted into the central bore  140  of the locking member  134 . The distal end  10   a  of the catheter  10  continues along the central bore  140  in the socket  118 , sliding over the outer surface  128  of the stem  126 , and through the central bore  132  of the sealing element  130 , until the distal end  10   a  of the catheter  10  terminates at the end of the socket  118 . At this point, the catheter  10  surrounds the stem  126 , but the catheter  10  may not be adequately secured to the stem  126 . The locking member  134  is rotated via interaction with the cap  138 , which causes the plunger  136  to move closer to the sealing element  130  as the first threads  120  engage with the second threads  148 . The plunger  136  moves further into the socket  118  until the terminal end  136   a  of the plunger  136  engages the distal end  130   b  of the sealing element  130 . The locking member  134  continues to rotate and move toward the second position ( FIG.  4   ), causing the terminal end  136   a  of the plunger  136  to axially and radially compress the distal end  130   b  of the sealing element  130  toward the outside diameter OD 126  of the outer surface  128  of the stem  126 , thus, securing the catheter  10  to the stem  126 . In other words, as the locking member  134  moves from the first position to the second position, the sealing element  130  moves from an uncompressed state (i.e., spaced apart from the catheter) to a compressed state (i.e., contacting the catheter) to secure the catheter  10  to the stem  126 . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  6 - 10   , a second example of a subcutaneous port assembly  200  is generally shown. The subcutaneous port assembly  200  includes a port  202  having a base  204 , a cap  206 , a septum  208 , and a connector  210 . The base  204  defining a reservoir  212 , the cap  206  defining an access aperture  214 , and the septum  208  are substantially similar in structure and functionality to the base  104 , the cap  106 , and the septum  108  of the subcutaneous port assembly  100  as described above, and, as such, these components will not be described in detail. 
     The connector  210  extends from a first end  210   a  adjacent to the base  204  to a distal second end  210   b  spaced from the base  204 . The connector  210  includes an inner surface  216  defining a socket  218 . The socket  218  includes an inside diameter ID 218 . The socket  218  includes at least one radial protrusion  220  extending from the inner surface  216  toward a center of the socket  218 . In some implementations, the at least one radial protrusion  220  may include two radial protrusions  220 , or any other suitable number of radial protrusions. The radial protrusions  220  may have a generally triangular shape, such as an equilateral triangle, or any other suitable shape. The socket  218  may be in fluid communication with the reservoir  212  via a conduit  224  defined by one of the base  204  or the connector  210 . 
     The connector  210  includes a head portion  222 , a neck portion  234 , and a shoulder portion  236  between the head portion  222  and the neck portion  234 . The neck portion  234  includes a first width W 234  at the first end  210   a  of the connector, e.g., at the portion connecting to the base  204 , and the shoulder portion  236  includes a second width W 236  greater than the first width W 234  closer to the second end  210   b  of the connector  210 . The socket  118  extends through the head portion  222 , through the shoulder portion  236 , and at least partially into the neck portion  234 . The shoulder portion  236  includes a lip or first catch  244  on an outer surface of the shoulder portion  236 . The first catch  244  may face toward the second end  210   b  of the connector  210 , e.g., the first catch  244  may face toward the head portion  222 . 
     The head portion  222  may include a tapered outer surface  238  that extends to the second end  210   b  of the connector  210 . The head portion  222  includes a tapered recess  240  extending toward the socket  218 . Upon installation of the catheter  10 , the tapered recess  240  is configured to direct the catheter  10  toward the socket  218 . For example, the distal end  10   a  of the catheter  10  may slide along the surface of the tapered recess  240  toward the socket  218 . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  8 - 10   , the connector  210  includes an outer biasing surface  242  extending from the outer surface of the neck portion  234  to the outer surface of the shoulder portion  236 . The outer biasing surface  242  may be tapered relative to the neck portion  234  and the shoulder portion  236 . For example, because the first width W 234  of the neck portion  234  is less than the second width W 236  of the shoulder portion  236 , the outer biasing surface  242  increases in width from the neck portion  234  to the shoulder portion  236 . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  6  and  7   , the connector  210  includes at least one slot  246  extending from the socket  218  through the head portion  222 , the shoulder portion  236 , and at least a portion of the neck portion  234 . The at least one slot  246  may include four slots, or any other suitable number of slots. The slots  246  may cooperate to define at least one flexible tab  248  of the connector  210 . For example, in implementations where there are four slots  246 , there may be four flexible tabs  248  defined by the four slots  246 . Each tab  248  may be spaced apart from an adjacent tab  248  by one of the slots  246 . 
     The port  202  includes a stem  226  extending from the base  204  and into the socket  218 . The stem  226  includes an outer surface  228  having an outside diameter OD 226  that is spaced inwardly from the inner surface  216  of the socket  218  and that is less than the inside diameter ID 218  of the socket  218 . In some implementations, the outside diameter OD 226  of the stem  226  may be between approximately 0.2 mm and 1.0 mm. In some implementations, the outside diameter OD 226  of the stem  226  may be between approximately 0.3 mm and 0.7 mm. The stem  226  may be surrounded by the connector  210  and may extend along substantially an entire length of the socket  218 , i.e., from the base  204  to the second end  210   b  of the connector  210 . In some implementations, the stem  226  may extend past or terminate before the second end  210   b  of the connector  210 , e.g., the stem  226  may terminate at or near the start of the head portion  222 . The stem  226  may be formed of any suitable type of material, such as titanium, stainless steel, cobalt-chrome alloy, nickel-titanium allow, gold, platinum, silver, iridium, tantalum, tungsten, polycarbonate, or any combination of the foregoing. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  8 - 10   , the subcutaneous port assembly  200  includes a sleeve or sealing element  230  disposed within the socket  218  between the stem  226  and the inner surface  216  of the socket  218 . The sealing element  230  extends from a proximal end  230   a  to a distal end  230   b . The proximal end  230   a  may be disposed at or near the end of the portion of the socket  218  closer to the base  204 . The sealing element  230  may include a central bore  232  extending entirely through the sealing element  230 , such that the sealing element  230  completely surrounds the stem  226 . The sealing element  230  may be spaced apart from the outer surface  228  of the stem  226  when in an uncompressed state. Particularly, the surface defining the central bore  232  of the sealing element  230  is spaced apart from the outer surface  228  of the stem  226  by a distance greater than a wall thickness of the catheter  10 . Accordingly, when the sealing element  230  is in the uncompressed state, the catheter  10  can be inserted through the space between outer surface  228  of the stem  226  and the sealing element  230 . The sealing element  230  may be formed of any suitable material, such as a foam, rubber, neoprene, silicone, etc. 
     The subcutaneous port assembly  200  includes a collar  250  that is slidable relative to the connector  210  between a first, unlocked position ( FIGS.  6  and  9   ) and a second, locked position ( FIGS.  7  and  10   ). The collar  250  includes a first inner surface  252  having a third width W 252  that is greater than the first width W 234  of the neck portion  234  of the connector  210 . The first inner surface  252  includes a lip or second catch  254  extending from the first inner surface  252 . The second catch  254  is configured to engage with the first catch  244  extending from the shoulder portion  236 . The catches  244 ,  254  are oriented to permit movement of the collar  250  away from the base  204 , but, after the second catch  254  passes the first catch  244 , the first catch  244  engages with the second catch  254  to restrict movement of the collar  250  toward the base  204 . The collar  250  includes a second inner surface  256  having a fourth width W 256  that increases in a direction moving away from the base  204 . That is, a portion of the second inner surface  256  is beveled to cooperate with the flared outer biasing surface  242  of the connector  210 . The fourth width W 256  of the second inner surface  256  is greater than the first width W 234  of the neck portion  234  and less than the second width W 236  of the shoulder portion  236 . In the unlocked position, the second inner surface  256  of the collar  250  is adjacent the neck portion  234 . In the locked position, the second inner surface  256  of the collar  250  is adjacent the shoulder portion  236 . The second catch  254  is disposed between the first inner surface  252  and the second inner surface  256 . 
     The collar  250  includes an outer surface  258  including a plurality of gripping members  260 . The gripping members  260  may be a series of recesses, protrusions, or areas having a higher coefficient of friction to facilitate grasping and sliding of the collar  250  by, for example, a healthcare provider. Additionally or alternatively, the inner surfaces  252 ,  256  of the collar  250  may include a plurality of first threads, and the outer surface of the connector  210  may include a plurality of corresponding second threads configured to engage the first threads, such that the collar  250  may rotate about the connector  210  to move from the unlocked position to the locked position. The collar  250  may be formed of any suitable material, such as titanium, stainless steel, cobalt-chrome alloy, nickel-titanium allow, gold, platinum, silver, iridium, tantalum, tungsten, polycarbonate, a polymeric material, a plastic material, or any combination of the foregoing. 
     In operation, the collar  250  starts in the unlocked position ( FIG.  6   ). As discussed above, in the unlocked position the collar  250  is arranged so that the second inner surface  256  is aligned with the neck portion  234  of the connector  210 . As such, the shoulder portion  236 , and more particularly, the tabs  248  of the shoulder portion  236 , are not compressed by the collar  250 . As shown in  FIG.  9   , in the uncompressed state, the radial protrusions  220  formed on the inner surface  216  of the socket  218  are spaced radially outwardly from the sealing element  230  so that the inner bore of the sealing element  230  is spaced apart from the stem  226 . 
     With the collar  250  in the unlocked state, the distal end  10   a  of the catheter  10  is inserted into the socket  218 . The distal end  10   a  of the catheter  10  continues along the socket  218 , sliding over the outer surface  228  of the stem  226 , and through the central bore  232  of the sealing element  230 , until the distal end  10   a  of the catheter  10  terminates at the end of the socket  218 . At this point, the catheter  10  surrounds and is coupled to the stem  226 , but the catheter  10  may not be adequately secured to the stem  226 . The collar  250  is slid from the unlocked position toward the locked position, e.g., until the second catch  254  passes the first catch  244 . At this point, the engagement of the catches  244 ,  254  restricts the collar  250  from sliding back toward the base  204 . As the collar  250  slides toward the locked position, the connector  210  radially deflects toward the sealing element  230  via the slots  246  by the second inner surface  256  of the collar  250  sliding along the outer biasing surface  242  of the connector  210 . The connector  210  radially deflecting toward the sealing element  230  causes the radial protrusions  220  to radially compress the sealing element  230 , which compresses the catheter  10  and secures the catheter  10  to the stem  226 . 
     It should be understood that in addition to the foregoing description, other implementations and/or embodiments are also contemplated. Additionally, any of the implementations or embodiments, including any features of each implementation, may be combined or interchanged as suitable. 
     In some implementations, the catheter may be at least partially secured to a stem via a sleeve or insert that wraps around the catheter and is tightened in any suitable manner, including via threads, ridges, ribs, protrusions, radial compression, etc. 
     In some implementations, a port assembly includes a connector extending from a base to a distal end. The connector includes an inner cavity extending from the distal end of the connector, where an inside diameter of the cavity tapers along a direction away from the distal end. Similar to the examples above, a stem extends from the base and through the cavity, towards the distal end of the connector. The port assembly further includes a locking member having a tube configured to be axially inserted into the cavity of the connector. The shaft may be configured as a hollow shaft or tube having a passage formed axially therethrough. A plurality of slots or notches are formed through a distal end of the shaft to provide the distal end shaft with a plurality of flexible tabs. When the distal end of the shaft is inserted into the cavity of the connector, the fingers engage the tapered inside diameter of the cavity and are biased radially inwardly towards the stem. In use, the catheter is threaded over the stem prior to the locking member being engaged with the tapered portion of the cavity. The locking member is then moved towards the locking position so that the distal end of the shaft engages the tapered portion of the cavity. Here, the fingers are biased radially inwards to compress the catheter against the stem. In some instances, the cavity may include slots or detents formed therein, and the locking member may include corresponding ribs or protrusions. When the locking member is fully engaged with the cavity, the ribs on the screw cap may create a snap-fit connection to the connector to secure the catheter to the connector and to indicate that the locking member is properly seated. 
     In some implementations, a port assembly includes a catheter lock having a plurality of rigid, angled tabs extending radially around a flexible segment that may have a cylindrical shape. The catheter lock may wrap around an outer surface of the catheter, securing the catheter lock to the catheter, e.g., by being threaded through a screw and a over a pin of the catheter lock. Similar to the examples above, the port base may define a cavity and a stem may extend from the base through the cavity. The port base may include a plurality of slots extending from the cavity and configured to receive the plurality of tabs. The catheter lock may be inserted into the cavity with the angle of the tabs causing the tabs to compress the flexible segment such that the tabs flex toward a center of the flexible segment. The catheter lock continues further into the cavity until the slots receive the tabs and resist movement of the catheter lock away from the port base via engagement of the tabs and the slots. In such implementations, the catheter lock may be similar to a Bayonet Neill-Concelman (BNC) connector with the port base acting as the BNC male and the catheter lock acting as the BNC female. 
     In some implementations, a port assembly includes a port base that may extend from a proximal end to a distal end. The distal end may radially flex, e.g., via at least one slot extending through the port base, the port base being formed of a flexible material, etc. The port base may define a cavity with a stem extending through the cavity. A catheter lock may be wrapped around the catheter and temporarily secured to the catheter, e.g., via friction. The catheter lock may have a cylindrical shape and a longitudinal divide extending along the catheter lock, such that the catheter lock may be opened along the longitudinal divide to remove the catheter lock from attachment to the catheter. The catheter lock, including the catheter, may extend into the cavity of the port base, causing the distal end to flex radially outwardly to allow the catheter to wrap around an outer surface of the stem. The catheter lock may be removed from the cavity, causing the distal end to flex radially inwardly to compress the catheter to the stem. The catheter lock may then be opened via the longitudinal divide and disconnected from the catheter. 
     In some implementations, a port assembly may define a cavity and a stem extending through the cavity. The port assembly may include a collet wrapped around the catheter, and the catheter may include a cover with a snap feature. The catheter may be threaded over the stem, through the collet, and the cover with the snap feature may secure the catheter to the collet. That is, the cover may wrap around the collet, which may wrap around the catheter, which may wrap around the stem, creating an interference fit between these components to secure the catheter to the stem. The collet may have barbs or flares to engage with portions of the cover, such as a slots, recesses, etc. 
     In some implementations, the catheter may be connected to a locking cap having a generally cylindrical shape and extending from a proximal end to a distal end including a silicone gasket attached to the distal end. The locking cap may include a keyed slot having a first portion that extends along a longitudinal direction of the cylindrical locking cap, a second portion extending perpendicular to the first direction around an outer periphery of the locking cap, and a third portion extending parallel to the first portion, e.g., the keyed slot may resemble a “J” shape. The catheter may be threaded over a stem extending through a cavity of the port base. The port base may include a pin extending from an outer surface of the stem. The locking cap may slide over the stem and the locking cap may be rotated to receive the pin within the keyed slot, i.e., the third portion of the keyed slot, thus securing the locking cap to the port base. In the locked position, the silicone gasket may abut the port base and be compressed to maintain the catheter in the locked position. 
     The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular exemplary configurations only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular articles “a,” “an,” and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,” and “having,” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance. Additional or alternative steps may be employed. 
     When an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “engaged to,” “connected to,” “attached to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected, attached, or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engaged to,” “directly connected to,” “directly attached to,” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. 
     The terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections. These elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numerical terms do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed herein could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example configurations 
     The foregoing description has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular configuration are generally not limited to that particular configuration, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected configuration, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.