Patent ID: 7657311

Claim:
A method of implanting a cardiac stimulus system into a patient, the system including a canister and an associated lead assembly having a proximal end for securing to the canister and a distal end including one or more lead electrodes, the method comprising: establishing a subcutaneous pocket for receiving the canister at an inferior and lateral position relative to the patient's atria on the left side of the patient's torso and over the patient's ribs; inserting the canister into the subcutaneous pocket; establishing a subcutaneous path for receiving the lead assembly extending over one or more of the patient's ribs at least partly towards the patient's sternum; inserting at least a distal portion of the lead assembly into the subcutaneous path; wherein the step of inserting the canister is performed such that the canister is placed in the left posterior axillary line approximately lateral to the tip of the inferior portion of the scapula of the patient; and wherein the subcutaneous path terminates in a subcutaneous and precordial position on the chest of the patient such that the lead assembly, once inserted, comprises no transvenous, intracardiac, or epicardial electrodes.