Patent ID: 7813797

Claim:
A method of inserting an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator within a patient, the method comprising the steps of: providing a cardioverter-defibrillator consisting of a housing that includes an electrical circuitry located within the housing, and a first electrode located on the housing, the housing being tapered from a first end to a second end and having first and second curved surfaces configured to taper toward the second end to a housing depth of about 1-4 millimeters, the housing shaped to mimic a natural curvature of the patient's ribcage, with the first electrode located at the second end of the housing; and a lead having a second electrode thereon and attached to the housing; creating a single opening into subcutaneous tissue of the patient via an incision at about the 5 th or 6 th intercostal space of the patient; advancing the housing and the first electrode through the single opening and subcutaneously over approximately the anterior portion of a patient's ribcage until the first electrode and the second end of the housing are adjacent the sternum; advancing the lead, with the second electrode, posteriorly through the incision toward a paraspinal position; and orienting the second electrode such that an angle defined from the second electrode, to the patient's heart, and to the first electrode, is in the range of approximately 30 degrees to approximately 180 degrees; wherein the method is completed by advancing the housing and each of the first and second electrodes over the ribcage of the patient and only to the subcutaneous tissue of the patient.