Dialysis catheter and methods of insertion

A method of inserting a dialysis catheter into a patient comprising:

• inserting a guidewire into the vein of a patient;
• advancing a trocar through an incision in the patient to create a subcutaneous tissue tunnel;
• retracting the guidewire through the subcutaneous tissue tunnel and incision utilizing the trocar;
• removing the trocar;
• inserting a dialysis catheter over the guidewire through the incision and subcutaneous tissue tunnel and through the vein of the patient;
• and
• securing the dialysis catheter to the patient.

A method of inserting a dialysis catheter into a right atrium of a patient comprising:

• providing a dialysis catheter having a lumen;
• inserting a guidewire into the inferior vena cava of the patient;
• inserting a tunneling member through an incision to create a tissue tunnel and to retrieve the guidewire;
• inserting a stiffening member through the lumen in the catheter;
• inserting a guidewire through the stiffening member and advancing the dialysis catheter and stiffening member over the guidewire into the vein and into the right atrium of the patient;
• and
• removing the guidewire leaving the dialysis catheter in place for a period of time.