Patent ID: 9381037
Filing Date: 2016-07-05
CPC Classification: A61B,A61M

Claim Text:
1. An instrument for facilitating insertion of a catheter through a subcutaneous tunnel, which comprises: a tunneling stylet having first and second segments, the first segment defining a longitudinal axis along at least a portion of a length thereof, the second segment being dimensioned for passage through tissue; a bifurcated segment releasably connectable to the first segment, the bifurcated segment including first and second elements adapted for reception within respective lumens of the catheter; and a dilation member releasably connectable to the first segment in the absence of the bifurcated segment, the dilation member dimensioned to generally increase an internal dimension of the subcutaneous tunnel, wherein the first segment of the tunneling stylet and the dilation member include cooperative threaded portions for establishing a releasable connection therebetween, the dilation member includes a trailing segment, an intermediate segment and a leading segment, and the dilation member defines an internal thread on an inner surface thereof configured to engage with an external thread on the first segment of the tunneling stylet, and the trailing segment of the dilation member includes a first tapered segment and a first cylindrical segment, and the intermediate segment includes a second tapered segment, a second cylindrical segment and a third segment, the leading segment having a cylindrical configuration.