Fluid line removal device for removing a fluid line from a body and related methods

1. A method for removing a fluid line from a body comprising:

providing a fluid line removal device comprising

a handle having a grip portion and a single extension member, and

a cutting head coupled to the single extension member of the handle to cut body tissue away from a fluid line to remove the fluid line from the body, the cutting head having a tubular shape and comprising

a proximal end coupled to a distal end of the extension member of the handle,

a distal end spaced apart from the proximal end, the distal end having an annular cutting edge configured to substantially encircle the fluid line and to cut body tissue away from the fluid line, and

a fluid line channel formed by the tubular shape of the cutting head and having a circumference configured to receive and substantially encircle the fluid line during removal from the body, the fluid line channel extending through the cutting head from the proximal end to the distal end and extending along a longitudinal axis of the cutting head oriented parallel to a longitudinal axis of the extension member, wherein the cutting edge at the distal end of the cutting head defines the distal end of the fluid line channel;

inserting the fluid line in the fluid line channel;

manipulating the handle to rotate the cutting edge about the longitudinal axis of the fluid line channel so that the cutting edge cuts body tissue away from the fluid line; and

removing the fluid line from the body.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the fluid line comprises a catheter having a tissue ingrowth cuff carried thereon; wherein the distal end has a circumference greater than a circumference of the tissue ingrowth cuff; and wherein manipulating comprises manipulating the handle so that the cutting edge cuts body tissue away from the tissue ingrowth cuff.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the cutting head defines a slit to access the fluid line channel therein, and wherein inserting comprises inserting the tube in the fluid line channel through the slit.

4. A method for removing a fluid line from a body comprising:

providing a fluid line removal device comprising

a single extension member,

a handle coupled to a proximal end of the extension member,

a cutting head having a tubular shape defining a fluid line channel that extends parallel to a longitudinal axis of the extension member from a proximal end of the cutting head to a distal end of the cutting head, wherein the fluid line channel is configured to receive the fluid line, and

a cutting surface coupled to the distal end of the cutting head, the cutting surface curved and concentric with the fluid line channel of the cutting head and configured to substantially surround the fluid line when the fluid line is received into the fluid line channel and to cut body tissue away from the fluid line for removal of the fluid line from the body;

inserting the fluid line in the fluid line channel;

manipulating the handle so that the cutting head cuts body tissue away from the fluid line; and

removing the fluid line from the body.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the fluid line comprises a catheter having a tissue ingrowth cuff carried thereon; wherein the distal end has a circumference greater than a circumference of the tissue ingrowth cuff; and wherein manipulating comprises manipulating the handle so that the cutting edge cuts body tissue away from the tissue ingrowth cuff.

6. The method of claim 4 , wherein the cutting head defines a slit therein, and wherein inserting comprises inserting the tube into the fluid line channel through the slit.

7. The method of claim 4 , wherein said cutting head comprises a first portion coupled to the extension member and a second portion coupled to the first portion by a hinge that allows the second portion to be joined to the first portion in a closed position around the fluid line and to rotate to an open position, wherein rotation of the second portion around on hinge is about an axis that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the extension member, the method further comprising:

opening the cutting head by rotating the second portion on the hinge to an opened position;

inserting the fluid line into the fluid line channel; and

closing the cutting head by rotating the second portion on the hinge to a closed position.

8. The method of claim 4 , wherein manipulating the handle includes rotating the handle about a longitudinal axis of the extension member and thereby rotate the cutting edge around a longitudinal axis of the fluid line channel.