Patent ID: 7729782

Claim:
A catheter for implanting an electrical lead to a right atrium of a heart in close proximity to a His bundle, the catheter defining a lumen through which an electrical lead can be advanced such that the electrical lead can extend distally from a distal tip terminating the catheter when being implanted, the catheter further comprising: a proximal portion; and a generally hook-shaped distal portion comprising a plurality of segments, the plurality of segments extending distally from the proximal portion and terminating in the distal tip, wherein the plurality of segments of the distal portion of the catheter comprises two or more coterminous pre-shaped curved segments that together extend through an arc of about 250 degrees to about 340 degrees when in a resting state prior to use of the catheter for implantation, the two or more coterminous pre-shaped curved segments comprising at least the first and second curved segments, the second curved segment extending distally of the first curved segment, wherein the plurality of segments of the distal portion of the catheter orient the distal tip generally perpendicular to a His bundle when the catheter is used to implant the electrical lead, the first curved segment being formed of a resilient material and having a curvature that springs the second curved segment toward the His bundle when the catheter is implanted, wherein at least two of the coterminous pre-shaped curved segments have different curve radii, and further wherein the distal tip is oriented in a direction towards the proximal portion or the first curved segment when projected onto a plane containing the proximal portion and the first curved segment.