Long-term venous catheters became available in 1968, and the design was improved by Broviac "et al" in 1973 with subcutaneous tunneling and a Dacron cuff that formed an infection barrier.
Long-term venous catheters became available in 1968, and the design was improved by Broviac "et al" in 1973. Hickman "et al", after whom the system is named, further modified the principles with subcutaneous tunneling and a Dacron cuff that formed an infection barrier.