Described is a catheter (12) for being retained inside the body for extended periods, and a catheter mating device (1000) that can connect to the catheter (12) to move the catheter inside of the body or remove it from the body. The catheter mating device (1000) has a stem (1150) with an apparatus (1172) at its distal end. The apparatus (1172) is moveable between a first position and a second position. When in its first position, the distal end is configured to fit in the proximal end (16B) of the catheter (12). When in its second position, the distal end engages the proximal end (16B) of the catheter (12) and connects the catheter mating device (1172) to the catheter (12).
