Patent ID: 8708897

Claim:
A tunneling system for use with a catheter having at least one longitudinal lumen, the tunneling system comprising: an elongate tunneling member defining a longitudinal axis along at least a portion of a longitudinal length thereof, the elongate tunneling member having a first end and a second end; and a connector including a tunneling connector segment adapted for releasable coupling to the second end of the elongate tunneling member and a catheter connector segment, the catheter connector segment adapted for coupling with the catheter in secured relation therewith, wherein the second end of the elongate tunneling member includes a plurality of ribs extending radially away from the longitudinal axis, the plurality of ribs having a substantially cross-shaped cross-section, the connector including an internal cavity therein and the tunneling connector segment having a slot adapted to receive the plurality of ribs, wherein the plurality of ribs are configured to be inserted through the slot into the internal cavity, such that the connector is rotatable with respect to the elongate tunneling member to misalign the ribs with the slot to prevent the plurality of ribs from exiting the internal cavity.