Patent ID: 8734397

Claim:
A system for positioning implantable medical devices within the coronary sinus or a branch vein thereof, comprising: a substantially straight slittable sheath extending from a proximal end to a distal end defining an inner lumen, wherein the sheath comprises: a shaft section, a distal section distal to the shaft section at the distal end of the sheath, wherein the distal section comprises a soft tip extending from a transition location along the distal section to the distal end of the sheath, the soft tip being distal to, and softer than, the shaft section, wherein the soft tip has a length ranging from about 0.15 cm to about 0.35 cm and is formed of material having a hardness ranging from about 25 D to 35 D (Shore), a slittable braid extending along the shaft section and at least a portion of the distal section, the slittable braid terminating at a distal end thereof approximately at the transition location, and an internal liner adjacent at least a portion of the inner lumen and extending along the shaft section and terminating within the distal section of the sheath beyond the distal end of the slittable braid, wherein the soft tip of the distal section extends beyond the internal liner to the distal end of the sheath; and a steerable catheter having a shaft adapted to be inserted within the inner lumen of the sheath.