Patent ID: 6973352

Claim:
An assist device for an implantable lead system used for stimulating the body, the assist device comprising: a handle having a passage extending between proximal and distal ends; a steerable guidewire system slidably received in the passage of the handle and comprising: an inner conductive guidewire extending between proximal and distal ends having a peripheral outer surface and pre-shaped into a curved configuration when in the free state, the guidewire further comprising a tip electrode at the distal end thereof; inner insulation covering the peripheral outer surface of the conductive guidewire; a generally straight outer sheath coaxial with the conductive guidewire and slidable relative thereto between a first position completely receiving the conductive guidewire and thereby restraining the conductive guidewire to a straight condition and a second position withdrawn from a freed length of the conductive guidewire allowing the freed length to assume its free state curved condition; wherein the handle comprises a collar movable along the handle and attached to the outer sheath for manually moving the outer sheath between the first and second positions with longitudinal movement along the elongated handle; and further comprising: an electrical terminal in electrical continuity with the tip electrode.