Patent ID: 6872198

Claim:
A method for surgically implanting a double-Y-shaped multi-lumen catheter tube into a patient, the multi-lumen catheter including an elongated, central, multi-lumen tube portion, a proximal end portion including a single-lumen proximal veinal extension tube and a single-lumen proximal arterial extension tube each having a proximal tip, and a distal end portion including a single-lumen distal veinal extension tube and a single-lumen distal arterial extension tube each having a distal end, the method comprising: (a) making an incision in the skin of the patient; (b) inserting the proximal tips of the proximal veinal and arterial extension tubes through the incision and placing the proximal tips in the patient; (c) forming a subcutaneous tunnel having a first end proximate to the incision and a second end remote from the first end of the tunnel; (d) guiding the distal veinal and arterial extension tubes and at least a portion of the central tube portion through the subcutaneous tunnel such that at least the distal ends of the distal veinal and arterial extension tubes extend outwardly from the tunnel through the second end of the tunnel; and (e) securing at least a portion of the distal end portion of the catheter to the patient.