An injection port is a medical device used for the administration of

insulin Insulin (, from Latin ''insula'', 'island') is a peptide hormone produced by beta cells of the pancreatic islets encoded in humans by the insulin (''INS)'' gene. It is the main Anabolism, anabolic hormone of the body. It regulates the metabol ...

or other physician-approved medicine into the

subcutaneous tissue The subcutaneous tissue (), also called the hypodermis, hypoderm (), subcutis, or superficial fascia, is the lowermost layer of the integumentary system in vertebrates. The types of cells found in the layer are fibroblasts, adipose cells, and ma ...

(the tissue layer just below the skin). The device is similar to

infusion set An infusion set is used with devices such as an insulin pump. The purpose of an infusion set is to deliver insulin under the skin, fulfilling a similar function like an intravenous line. It is a complete tubing system to connect an insulin ...

s used by insulin pumps, except it is configured to receive a

syringe A syringe is a simple reciprocating pump consisting of a plunger (though in modern syringes, it is actually a piston) that fits tightly within a cylindrical tube called a barrel. The plunger can be linearly pulled and pushed along the inside ...

instead of a tubing system. An injection port is usually a disposable device applied by the patient and worn for period of 3–5 days. When giving shots via an injection port, the needle stays above the surface of the skin. Medication is delivered via a short soft

cannula A cannula (; Latin meaning 'little reed'; : cannulae or cannulas) is a tube that can be inserted into the body, often for the delivery or removal of fluid or for the gathering of samples. In simple terms, a cannula can surround the inner or out ...

. An injection port can be used in conjunction with multiple daily injections of insulin by people with diabetes. It can also be used for the subcutaneous administration of any other physician prescribed medication.

Applying, wearing and using

Injection ports are usually applied by the patient. The device comes with a needle surrounded by a soft

. The needle and cannula are manually inserted into the patient's tissue. Immediately after insertion the needle is removed and the cannula remains below the surface of the skin. Ports are usually worn on the abdomen, but can also be worn on other areas such as the buttocks, thigh or arm. Typical injection ports are worn for 3 days and then replaced with another port. Insulin is injected via a syringe into the injection port. Medication immediately flows through the device's cannula into the subcutaneous tissue layer. No medication is stored in the device (other than the small amount of dead-space in the medication channel within the device).

Advantages

* Reduces skin punctures * Reduces fear and anxiety associated with multiple daily injections * Reduces bruising around injection site * Viable alternative to standard injections

Disadvantages

* Injection ports must be obtained in addition to syringes and medication * Ports are sometimes not covered by insurance * Patient still has to administer shots

Models

Insuflon

The Insuflon, manufactured and distributed by Unomedical, is inserted at a 20-45° angle and rests flush against the skin similar to an IV.

I-Port

The I-Port, manufactured and distributed by Patton Medical Devices, is a domed shaped device with a cannula inserted at a 90° angle. The i-port Advance combines an i-port with an insertion device.{{citation needed, date=May 2022

References

Insulin delivery Diabetes-related supplies and medical equipment