| 摘要 |
A catheter tunneling adapter ( 10 ) including a generally elongated body ( 12 ) having a proximal end ( 14 ), a distal end ( 16 ) and a through passageway ( 18 ) extending therethrough between the proximal and distal end. The proximal end ( 14 ) of the adapter ( 10 ) is connectable both to a proximal hub of a stylet ( 70 ) and subsequently to the distal end ( 84,94 ) of a tunneler ( 80,90 ). The distal end ( 16 ) of the adapter ( 10 ) comprises a connector for connecting a plurality of proximal catheter tubes ( 52,54 ) thereto, wherein the proximal end of one tube ( 52 ) is affixed within the passageway at the adapter's distal end ( 16 ) and the proximal end of the second tube ( 54 ) is plugged by a plug ( 40 ) extending distally from a free end of an elongate flexible arm ( 30 ) that also extends distally of the adapter's distal end ( 16 ), such that the plug is offset laterally therefrom. The flexible arm ( 30 ) and the affixed second tube end ( 58 ) are deflectable toward the first tube ( 52 ) to reduce the profile of the assembly during tunneling. Methods of affixing an adapter to a catheter, of inserting a catheter into a patient, and of subcutaneously tunneling a catheter under a patient's skin using the tunneling device, are also disclosed.
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