Patent ID: 8574192
Filing Date: 2013-11-05
Classification: A61B,A61M

Abstract:
1. An instrument for facilitating insertion of a catheter through a subcutaneous tunnel, which comprises: a tunneling stylet defining a longitudinal axis and having leading and trailing ends, the leading end of the tunneling stylet defining an external thread on an outer surface thereof; a bifurcated segment adjacent the leading end of the tunneling stylet, the bifurcated segment including first and second elements adapted for reception within respective lumens of a catheter, the first element and second elements defining respective first and second longitudinal lengths, the first longitudinal length being greater than the second longitudinal length, wherein the leading end of the tunneling stylet includes a collar disposed proximally of the bifurcated segment; and a dilation member releasably mountable to the leading end of the tunneling stylet, the dilation member including a trailing segment, an intermediate segment and a leading segment, the dilation member defining an internal thread on an inner surface thereof to engage with the external thread of the leading end of the tunneling stylet, wherein the trailing segment 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 tapered segment, the leading segment having a cylindrical configuration.