Patent ID: RE44639

Claim:
A Squitieri hemodialysis and vascular access system to shunt blood between a vein and an artery the system comprising: (a) a first tube having a first end adapted to be connected to the artery and a second end; (b) a second tube having a first end adapted to be connected to the vein and including a plurality of apertures extending therethrough and having a second end; and (c) a needle access port having a frame including a conduit extending therethrough, said frame having an inlet connected to the second end of the first tube and an outlet connected to the second end of the second tube to provide a flow path for blood and a silicone member protruding from the frame to provide access for needles into the flow path, wherein the needle access port includes: an outer frame member having an upper surface including an aperture extending therethrough and downwardly extending walls about its periphery having inlet and outlet apertures, wherein the upper surface includes a lower portion having a plurality of teeth; a silicone member mounted within the frame having a surface engaged by the frame teeth and an upwardly protruding portion extending through the frame aperture; and a second frame member having a transverse conduit extending between the inlet and outlet apertures, an upper surface having a plurality of teeth engaging the silicone member to effect a seal and wherein the second frame member is positioned within the walls of the first frame member.