Patent ID: 7848821
Filing Date: 2010-12-07
Classification: A61N

Abstract:
1. A method of implanting one or more electrodes of a pacing or defibrillation lead in heart tissue, the method comprising: positioning a distal end of a catheter against a surface of the heart tissue; extending a distal end of a first electrode from a lumen of the catheter, the first electrode configured to conduct electrical energy and including a longitudinally extending portion comprising a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end of the first electrode comprising a piercing tip and at least one hook feature; subsequent to said extending, applying an initial axial force along the length of the longitudinally extending portion of the first electrode in the direction of the distal end of the first electrode to thereby cause the piercing tip of the first electrode to pierce the heart tissue, wherein the initial axial force is applied via a push tube positioned within the lumen of the catheter; applying a subsequent axial force along the length of the longitudinally extending portion of the first electrode in the direction of the proximal end of the first electrode to thereby retract the first electrode in the proximal direction to thereby fix the hook feature of the first electrode in the heart tissue; and extending a distal end of a second electrode from the push tube, the second electrode configured to conduct electrical energy and including a longitudinally extending portion comprising a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end of the second electrode comprising a piercing tip and at least one hook feature, wherein the lumen of the push tube is sized to receive the entire second electrode.