Patent ID: 8838234

Claim:
A method of treating a patient including implanting a subcutaneous-only defibrillator, the subcutaneous-only defibrillator including an active housing containing operational circuitry and coupled to a subcutaneous lead having a proximal end for attachment to the active housing and a distal end including a coil electrode and a small electrode, in which implanting the subcutaneous-only defibrillator comprises: implanting the housing lateral to the tip of the inferior portion of the scapula; and implanting the subcutaneous lead in a path around the thorax with the distal end in the anterior precordial region; wherein the coil electrode of the subcutaneous lead has a length in the range of 6-10 centimeters; and wherein the step of implanting the subcutaneous lead comprises placing the small electrode close to the patient's sternum in the tissues overlying the patient's right ventricle on the anterior thorax of the patient.