An introducer assembly for an elongate implantable medical device, the assembly comprising: an elongate introducer shaft extending between a proximal end thereof and a distal end thereof, the shaft including a hub, formed at the proximal end thereof, and a lumen extending along a length thereof, the lumen having a proximal opening formed in the hub and a distal opening formed at the distal end, and the distal end having a tapered profile; a deployment tool including a relatively rigid sidewall and being mounted around the introducer shaft, in proximity to the hub, the deployment tool extending between a proximal end thereof and a distal end thereof, and the relatively rigid sidewall being configured to support an external force that holds the deployment tool in place while the introducer shaft is moved relative thereto; and an anchor sleeve (10A, 10B. 10C) mounted around the introducer shaft at a location in proximity to the mounted deployment tool, such that the mounted deployment tool is located between the hub of the introducer shaft and the mounted anchor sleeve; wherein the distal end of the mounted deployment tool is configured to contact a proximal end of the mounted anchor sleeve, when the external force holds the deployment tool in place and the introducer shaft is pulled in a proximal direction, relative to the deployment tool; and the contact of the mounted deployment tool against the proximal end of the mounted anchor sleeve, in conjunction with the external force holding the deployment tool in place, allows the introducer shaft to be pulled in the proximal direction relative to the anchor sleeve, so that the sleeve is deployed therefrom. an elongate introducer shaft extending between a proximal end thereof and a distal end thereof, the shaft including a hub, formed at the proximal end thereof, and a lumen extending along a length thereof, the lumen having a proximal opening formed in the hub and a distal opening formed at the distal end, and the distal end having a tapered profile; a deployment tool including a relatively rigid sidewall and being mounted around the introducer shaft, in proximity to the hub, the deployment tool extending between a proximal end thereof and a distal end thereof, and the relatively rigid sidewall being configured to support an external force that holds the deployment tool in place while the introducer shaft is moved relative thereto; and an anchor sleeve (10A, 10B. 10C) mounted around the introducer shaft at a location in proximity to the mounted deployment tool, such that the mounted deployment tool is located between the hub of the introducer shaft and the mounted anchor sleeve; wherein the distal end of the mounted deployment tool is configured to contact a proximal end of the mounted anchor sleeve, when the external force holds the deployment tool in place and the introducer shaft is pulled in a proximal direction, relative to the deployment tool; and the contact of the mounted deployment tool against the proximal end of the mounted anchor sleeve, in conjunction with the external force holding the deployment tool in place, allows the introducer shaft to be pulled in the proximal direction relative to the anchor sleeve, so that the sleeve is deployed therefrom.