Patent ID: 7146225

Claim:
A method of implanting an epicardial lead into the myocardium at an epicardial implantation site accessed through the thorax from a skin incision, the epicardial lead of the type having an elongated lead body extending between at least one proximal electrical connector element and a distal fixation mechanism extending from a distal electrode head, the lead body supporting at least one distal pace/sense electrode coupled through an electrical conductor to a proximal electrical connector element, the method comprising: affixing the distal electrode head to a distal end of a lead implantation tool of an epicardial lead installation tool, the epicardial lead installation tool having an elongated tool body having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface of the tool body enclosing a tool body lumen extending between a tool body proximal end and a tool body distal end, the lead implantation tool extending through the installation tool body lumen such that the distal end of the implantation tool extends out from a distal end opening of the lumen to be disposed adjacent to a suction pad strut of the installation tool, the strut extending distally from the installation tool body distal end to a suction pad supported by the strut, the suction pad having at least one suction port; grasping a handle of the installation tool to insert the electrode head, affixed to the lead implantation tool, through the skin incision, and to apply the suction pad against the epicardium; applying suction through the suction port of the suction pad to fix the installation tool body to the epicardium; and rotating a thumbwheel coupled to a proximal end of the implantation tool with a same hand that still grasps the handle, after applying suction, to advance the implantation tool within the lumen of the installation tool body a distance defined by a threaded engagement between an outer surface of the implantation tool and the inner surface of the installation tool body, and, thereby, affixing manipulating the lead the distal fixation mechanism to the myocardium at the implantation site.