Patent ID: 8606369

Claim:
A method of implanting an electrical lead into a patient's heart in close proximity to the patient's His bundle, the method comprising: advancing a distal portion of a catheter through the patient's superior vena cava to a point in close proximity to the patient's His bundle, wherein the catheter has a proximal portion and the distal portion thereof is generally hook-shaped and extends distally from the proximal portion, and terminating in a distal tip, the distal portion having a first and second segments, the second segment extending distally of the first segment, the second segment extending through an arc of approximately 100 to 160 degrees to orient the distal tip generally perpendicular to a His bundle when the catheter is implanted, the first segment being formed of a resilient material and having a curvature that springs the second portion toward the His bundle when the catheter is implanted; and advancing an electrical lead through the catheter and out of the distal portion of the catheter and into contact with the patient's tissue in close proximity to the His bundle.