Patent ID: 9248257
Filing Date: 2016-02-02
CPC Classification: A61B,A61M

Claim Text:
1. A tunneler device comprising: a handle configured for operable engagement by a user; a shaft extending distally from the handle; a collet supported on a distal end of the shaft, the collet including a plurality of distally extending fingers defining a longitudinal opening, the opening being configured to receive an end of a catheter tube; a cylindrical connector defining a passageway dimensioned to slidably receive the catheter tube, the connector configured for operable engagement with the collet, wherein the connector includes a tapered portion biasing the fingers of collet radially inward when the connector slides over the catheter from a first position on an outer surface of the catheter tube spaced from the collet to a second position threadably engaged with the collet, the tapered portion contacting a length of an outer surface of the fingers to bias the fingers radially inward into engagement with an outer surface of the catheter tube as the connector slides from the first position to the second; and a cap configured for selective engagement with the collet.