Patent ID: 8137316

Claim:
A stylet instrument for facilitating the insertion of a catheter tube through a subcutaneous tunnel, the stylet instrument comprising: a stylet hub having a first end portion adapted for releasable connection to an external device and a second end portion adapted for releasable connection to a catheter tube, the second end portion comprising a catheter connector adapted to engage the catheter tube, the catheter connector including a first segment and a second segment dimensioned for reception within respective lumens of the catheter tube and at least one locking detent configured to releasably engage an internal surface of the catheter tube, and the stylet hub defining an internal chamber; first and second stylet members secured to and extending from the stylet hub such that the stylet members can be inserted into the catheter tube while connected to the stylet hub, each of the first and second stylet members being longer than the stylet hub and dimensioned for reception within corresponding lumens of the catheter tube and to extend from a proximal end of the catheter tube to a position adjacent a distal end of the catheter tube, the first stylet member defining a first lumen extending along at least a portion of a first length thereof and the second stylet member defining a second lumen extending along at least a portion of a second length thereof.