Patent ID: 8452421

Claim:
An insertion tool configured to facilitate insertion of a lead having a plurality of electrodes disposed thereon at least partially into a bodily orifice, the insertion tool comprising: a handle assembly comprising a handle portion configured to facilitate handling of the insertion tool by a user and comprising a lumen extending at least partially therethrough, and a rigid handle tube coupled to a distal end of the handle portion and having a lumen extending therethrough, the lumen of the handle tube being in communication with the lumen of the handle portion; a release assembly disposed at least partially within the handle assembly and comprising a release button and a plunger disposed within a lumen of the handle portion and coupled to the release button; and an insertion assembly coupled to the handle assembly and comprising a rigid holding tube configured to removably couple to the lead and a flexible tube coupled to the proximal portion of the holding tube and to a distal portion of the plunger, the flexible tube configured to pass through the lumen of the handle tube; wherein the release assembly is configured to release the lead from the holding tube of the insertion assembly in response to a user actuation of the release button, the user actuation causing the plunger to retract within the lumen of the handle portion towards a proximal end of the handle portion, wherein the retraction of the plunger causes the flexible tube and the holding tube to retract away from the lead.