Patent ID: 8280499

Claim:
A method for implanting a monitoring device subcutaneously in a body of a patient, the method comprising the steps of: a) providing the monitoring device, comprising: i) a main body extending along a longitudinal axis and comprising a hermetically sealed proximal housing section supporting at least one proximal sensing element on an external surface thereof, and a non-hermetically sealed distal housing section provided with an intermediate ring electrode disposed annularly around the longitudinal axis, the distal housing section being connected at an attachment location to a flexible lead body including at least one distal sensing element; and ii) a measurement circuit housed within the hermetic poximal housing section, the measurement circuit being electrically connected to the proximal sensing element, the intermediate ring electrode, and the at least one distal sensing element of the flexible lead body, iii) wherein the measurement circuit is configured to measure a potential difference between any two of the at least one distal sensing element of the flexible lead body, the at least one proximal sensing element, and the intermediate ring electrode of the main body; b) assembling an introducer, comprising a sheath and a semi-flexible insert, by placing the semi-flexible insert within the sheath, the semi-flexible insert being sized and shaped at least in part to match, a size and shape of the monitoring device; c) introducing a distal end of the introducer through an incision in the patient's skin to a desired subcutaneous implant location site beneath the patient's skin; d) withdrawing the semi-flexible insert from the sheath without substantially disturbing the position of the sheath at the desired subcutaneous implant location site; e) inserting the monitoring device into the sheath; and f) withdrawing, in a direction opposite that which it was introduced, the sheath from the implant location site while applying pressure to the monitoring device, wherein an external surface of the sheath splits along an axis as the sheath surface is forced against the tapered section of the monitoring device while the sheath is being withdrawn.