Patent ID: 8403866

Claim:
A guide catheter for introducing a cardiac lead having a distal fixation mechanism through a pathway from an incision to an implantation site, comprising: an elongated catheter body extending between a first proximal end and a first distal end, the elongated catheter body including a distal leader having a length of about 10 mm to about 25 mm, the elongated catheter body extending between the first proximal end and the first distal end and defining a first length, the elongated catheter body further including a proximal portion extending from the first proximal end to a second distal end, the proximal portion defining a second length, the second length being less than the first length, the length of the distal leader extending distally from the second distal end to the first distal end, the elongated catheter body having a delivery lumen and a guide lumen, the delivery lumen extending the second length and having a first diameter and an axis and extending through the proximal portion to a delivery lumen exit port positioned along the second distal end of the proximal portion, wherein the delivery lumen exit port extends away from the axis of the lumen, the guide lumen having a second diameter that is less than the first diameter and extending through the proximal portion and extending through the distal leader to a guide lumen exit port positioned at the first distal end of the catheter body, the guide lumen for receiving a guide tool inserted therein to aid in steering the catheter body through the pathway and the delivery lumen for receiving and advancing the cardiac lead toward the implantation site, wherein the delivery lumen exit port and the guide lumen exit port are separate and unconnected exit ports; and a flange extending along the proximal portion of the catheter body in a plane different from an axis plane defined by the delivery lumen and the guide lumen to dispose the delivery lumen exit port toward the implantation site.