APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR SECURING A GRAFT TO A TUNNELER

摘要

An apparatus (10) is provided for securing a graft (12) to a tunneler during implantation of the graft subcutaneously for vascular access. The apparatus (10) includes an elongated member (16) adapted to be tunneled subcutaneously from an entry point at a first location on the skin surface of a patient to an exit point at a second location on the skin surface of the patient. The elongated member (16) includes a proximal en and (18) a distal end (20). The apparatus (10) further includes a graft engagement portion (24) at the proximal end (18) of the elongated member (16). The graft engagement portion (24) includes at least one proximally facing surface adapted to slideably receive, in a direction toward the distal end (20), the inner surface of a graft (12). The graft engagement portion (24) further includes at least one radially projecting element (26) adapted to resist movement of the graft (12), after the graft has been received over the proximally facing surface, in a direction toward the proximal end.