Surgical tunneler

Abstract

A surgical tunneler assembly is used to pass a cable or other elongate member through the skin. A surgical tunneler may include a lance including a first segment, a second end segment, and a connector on each one of the first end segment and the second end segment. A cable adapter includes a lance connection portion and a cable connection portion. The lance connection portion engages and disengages the connectors. The cable connection portion engages and disengages a cable. A handle engages and disengages the lance.

1 . A surgical tunneler assembly comprising:
 a lance including a first segment, a second end segment, and a connector on each one of the first end segment and the second end segment;   a cable adapter including a lance connection portion and a cable connection portion, the lance connection portion configured to engage and disengage the connectors, the cable connection portion configured to engage and disengage a cable; and   a handle configured to engage and disengage the lance.   
     
     
         2 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the lance connection portion includes a flexible device configured to deform and to engage and disengage the connectors. 
     
     
         3 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the lance connection portion includes a lance passageway configured to radially expand to allow disengagement of the cable adapter from the connectors and to radially contract to allow engagement of the cable adapter to the connectors. 
     
     
         4 . The assembly of  claim 3 , wherein each of the connectors includes a narrow segment and a wide segment, and the lance passageway includes a constricted segment or an enlarged segment configured to engage the narrow segment or the wide segment respectively. 
     
     
         5 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the lance connection portion includes a plurality of engagement members configured to flex apart from each other and toward each other. 
     
     
         6 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the cable adapter includes a ring configured to clamp around of the lance connection portion. 
     
     
         7 . The assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the ring includes an internal wall and a protrusion on or a depression into the internal wall configured to engage a depression into or protrusion on an outer surface of the lance connection portion. 
     
     
         8 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the cable connection portion includes a protrusion or a depression configured to engage the cable. 
     
     
         9 . The assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the protrusion or the depression of the cable connection portion forms a helical thread. 
     
     
         10 . The assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the helical thread is disposed within the cable connection portion. 
     
     
         11 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the cable connection portion includes a resilient device configured to form a liquid tight seal on the cable when the cable connection portion is engaged to the cable. 
     
     
         12 . The assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the resilient device is disposed within the cable connection portion. 
     
     
         13 . The assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the resilient device includes any one or a combination of an o-ring seal and a flat seal. 
     
     
         14 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the handle is configured to engage and disengage the connectors. 
     
     
         15 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the handle includes:
 a tube having a passageway configured to receive the connectors;   an actuator configured to move relative to the tube with application of an external force on the actuator; and   a lock member trapped within the tube,   wherein the lock member is pushed into the passageway when the actuator is moved to a first position relative to the tube, and the lock member is capable of moving away from the passageway when the actuator is moved to a second position relative to the tube.   
     
     
         16 . The assembly of  claim 15 , wherein each of the connectors includes a depression configured to receive the lock member. 
     
     
         17 . A surgical implantation kit comprising:
 an operative device;   a cable including a first end connected to or configured for connection to the operative device; and   the surgical tunneler assembly of  claim 1 .   
     
     
         18 . The kit of  claim 17 , wherein the operative device is a ventricular assist device or a controller for a ventricular assist device. 
     
     
         19 . The kit of  claim 17 , further comprising a second operative device connected to or configured for connection to a second end of the cable. 
     
     
         20 . The kit of  claim 19 , wherein the second operative device is either:
 a controller when the first operative device is a ventricular assist device, or   a ventricular assist device when the first operative device is a controller.