Patent ID: 8157813
Filing Date: 2012-04-17
Classification: A61M,A61N

Abstract:
1. A method of implanting an implantable defibrillator in a patient, the implantable defibrillator including a canister and a lead electrode assembly, the lead electrode assembly having proximal and distal ends, the method comprising: making an axillary incision near the left axilla of the patient and a xiphoid incision near the xiphoid of the patient; bluntly dissecting a pocket at the axillary incision for receiving the canister; advancing a tool having proximal and distal ends through the xiphoid incision toward the axillary incision, the proximal end of the tool having a handle and the distal end of the tool being adapted for dissecting tissue, wherein as the tool is advanced tissue is dissected by the distal end of the tool to create a first subcutaneous tunnel; accessing the distal end of the tool via the axillary incision and securing the distal end of the lead electrode assembly to the distal end of the tool; withdrawing the tool through the xiphoid incision such that a portion of the lead electrode assembly is pulled through the axillary incision and into the first subcutaneous tunnel, until the distal end of the lead electrode assembly extends out of the first subcutaneous tunnel and through the xiphoid incision while the proximal end of the lead electrode assembly remains outside of the first subcutaneous tunnel; reinserting the tool through the xiphoid incision toward a chosen location, while the distal end of the lead electrode assembly remains extended out of the xiphoid incision, to create a second subcutaneous tunnel; removing the tool via the xiphoid incision; and inserting the distal end of the lead electrode assembly into the second subcutaneous tunnel.