Apparatus and method for percutaneous catheter implantation and replacement

A percutaneous catheter assembly including:

• an elongate sleeve comprising a peripheral wall having an outer surface extending from a proximal end to a distal end and an inner surface surrounding an axially extending passageway;
• an elongate conduit comprising a peripheral wall having an outer surface extending from a proximal end to a distal end;
• said elongate conduit extending through said sleeve passageway for axial slidable movement with respect thereto;
• a sealing device in said sleeve for contacting said conduit outer surface to prevent migration of deleterious material between said sleeve inner surface and said conduit outer surface;
• a layer of porous material mounted on said sleeve outer surface close to said sleeve distal end and adapted for subcutaneous placement in contact with a patient's dermis layer to promote tissue ingrowth and form an infection resistant barrier;
• and
• a locking member retained proximate to said sleeve proximal end, said locking member comprising a longitindinally split ring mounted around said conduit and configured for manual operation to selectively define (1) an unlocked state for permitting axial movement of said conduit through said sleeve passageway and (2) a locked state for frictionally engaging said conduit for preventing axial movement relative to said sleeve passageway.