Patent ID: 8075531

Claim:
A modular subcutaneous assembly for stabilizing a transcutaneous catheter for long-term use, the modular subcutaneous assembly comprising: a) a first and second subcutaneous element sized and shaped for subdermal insertion and designed for reversible engagement around a continuous portion of a transcutaneous catheter, the first subcutaneous element comprising engagement elements which cooperate with counterpart engagement elements on the second subcutaneous element for aligning and firmly but reversibly engaging the second subcutaneous element with the first subcutaneous element, the first and second subcutaneous elements each further comprising semi-circular wall portions of a tubular support passageway divided lengthwise along the longitudinal axis which semi-circular wall portions cooperate to define a tubular support passageway when the first and second subcutaneous elements are assembled in an engaged state, the tubular support passageway formed by assembly of the first and second subcutaneous elements and being sized to accommodate a continuous portion of a transcutaneous catheter wherein the wall of the tubular support passageway is substantially continuous and grips the continuous portion of the catheter thereby stabilizing the catheter position; and b) a tissue ingrowth cuff material fixedly disposed on at least one surface of both of the first and second subcutaneous elements for securing the modular subcutaneous assembly to adjacent tissue such that the tissue ingrowth cuff material fixedly disposed on the first subcutaneous elements and the tissue ingrowth cuff material fixedly disposed on the second subcutaneous elements join to form a continuous surface when the first and second subcutaneous elements are assembled in an engaged state.