Patent ID: 6132456
Filing Date: 2000-10-17
Classification: A61N

Abstract:
An arrangement to facilitate the introduction and advancement of an endocardial cardiac lead, comprising:an endocardial cardiac lead including a lead body having a lead body diameter and extending between a proximal lead end and a distal lead end, a lead conductor extending within said lead body between said proximal and distal lead ends, and a cardiac electrode at or adjacent said distal lead end electrically connected to said lead conductor;pusher means for engaging and advancing said cardiac lead transvenously, said pusher means further comprising:an elongated pusher body having a pusher body exterior surface and extending between a proximal pusher body end and a distal pusher body end and formed of flexible material having sufficient column strength to be advanced transvenously with the cardiac lead body extending alongside said pusher body exterior surface; andcardiac lead engaging means coupled with said distal pusher body end for engaging the cardiac lead at or adjacent the distal lead end while said lead body extends alongside said pusher body exterior surface; andwherein said lead comprises cooperative engagement means formed at said distal lead end of said cardiac lead for engaging with said cardiac lead engaging means responsive to force applied to the pusher body to advance said pusher body distally and for disengaging from said cardiac lead engaging means at said distal lead end responsive to retraction of the pusher body proximally.