Patent ID: 7655014
Filing Date: 2010-02-02
Classification: A61M,A61N

Abstract:
1. A method of inserting a lead electrode assembly subcutaneously into a patient, the method comprising: making a first incision; making a second incision spaced from the first incision; advancing a tool having proximal and distal ends through the first incision toward the second incision, the distal end of the tool being adapted for dissecting tissue, wherein the tool is advanced by dissecting tissue with the distal end of the tool; securing the lead electrode assembly to the tool near the distal end of the tool near the second incision; withdrawing the tool through the first incision such that the lead electrode assembly is pulled into the patient through the second incision via a first subcutaneous path; advancing the tool along a second subcutaneous path through the first incision toward a chosen subcutaneous location; withdrawing the tool from the second subcutaneous path; and inserting a length of the lead electrode assembly that has been passed into the patient through the second incision and toward the first incision via the first subcutaneous path along the second subcutaneous path: wherein: during the step of advancing the tool from the first incision toward the second incision, a splittable sheath is secured onto the tool; during the step of withdrawing the tool through the first incision such that the lead electrode assembly is pulled into the patient through the second incision, the splittable sheath continues to be secured onto the tool; during the step of advancing the tool along the second subcutaneous path through the first incision toward the chosen subcutaneous location, the splittable sheath is disposed over the tool; during the step of withdrawing the tool from the second subcutaneous path, the splittable sheath is retained in place along the the tool, the splittable sheath is retained in place along the second subcutaneous path and is no longer secured to the tool; and the step of inserting the length of lead electrode assembly along the second subcutaneous path includes the length of lead electrode assembly along the path includes advancing a distal end of the lead electrode assembly into the splittable sheath.