Patent ID: 8014862

Claim:
A method of treating a patient using an implantable defibrillator, the method comprising: implanting an implantable defibrillator canister having a generally square shape with rounded corners in the patient at a position on the left side of the ribcage under the arm, the implantable defibrillator canister having a footprint in the range of 30-50 square centimeters and a depth in the range of about 1.2 cm; implanting a first implantable defibrillator lead having at least a first lead electrode and coupled to the implantable defibrillator canister in the patient such that the first lead electrode is disposed along the sternum, the first lead electrode having a length of about 2-10 centimeters and a diameter of about 1-5 millimeters; and delivering defibrillation therapy between the canister electrode and the lead electrode.