Patent ID: 8382830

Claim:
Apparatus for replacing a percutaneous cable in connection with a vascular device, the apparatus comprising: a distal disconnect coupler in the percutaneous cable at a distal location from the vascular device; a distal connector portion at the distal location of the percutaneous cable, the distal connector portion configured for removable connection with the distal disconnect coupler so as to allow replacement of at least a portion of the percutaneous cable; and a connector cap configured for removable connection with the distal connector portion, the connector cap configured for tunneling through skin and tissue; wherein the connector cap is configured for attachment to the distal connector portion when the percutaneous cable is positioned through an exit site of a patient, and the connector cap is configured for removal from the distal connector portion when the percutaneous cable is positioned through the exit site of a patient and prior to attachment of the distal disconnect coupler and the distal connector portion to one another.