Minimally invasive method to implant a subcutaneous electrode
First Claim
1. A method of implanting a subcutaneous defibrillation lead in a patient comprising:
- making a first incision;
inserting a first insertion tool having a distal end and a proximal end via the first incision and directing the first insertion tool to a target location to establish a first subcutaneous tunnel from the incision toward the target location, the first subcutaneous tunnel extending along a first axis;
extending a second insertion tool from within the first insertion tool, wherein the distal end of the first insertion tool lies on the first axis when the second insertion tool is extended from at or near the distal end of the first insertion tool along a second axis at an angle of at least 30 degrees from the first axis, to form at least a portion of a second subcutaneous tunnel along the second axis;
wherein the second insertion tool comprises a proximal end with a handle and a distal end, and the step of extending the second insertion tool includes using a blunt dissector removably placed within the second insertion tool to dissect tissue, wherein the second insertion tool is used to determine the direction in which the blunt dissector is directed.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and tool kits for implanting a lead subcutaneously. Examples include tool kits and methods for establishing first and second subcutaneous tunnels at an angle relative to one another to facilitate introduction of a lead to the subcutaneous space. In an example, a first insertion tool is used to establish a first subcutaneous tunnel, and a second insertion tool, with or without the use of a blunt dissector, sheath, guidewire, or steering mechanism, is used to initiate or form the second subcutaneous tunnel. Such methods and tool kits may reduce the number of incisions needed to implant a subcutaneous lead along a subcutaneous path having a curve therein.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method of implanting a subcutaneous defibrillation lead in a patient comprising:
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making a first incision; inserting a first insertion tool having a distal end and a proximal end via the first incision and directing the first insertion tool to a target location to establish a first subcutaneous tunnel from the incision toward the target location, the first subcutaneous tunnel extending along a first axis; extending a second insertion tool from within the first insertion tool, wherein the distal end of the first insertion tool lies on the first axis when the second insertion tool is extended from at or near the distal end of the first insertion tool along a second axis at an angle of at least 30 degrees from the first axis, to form at least a portion of a second subcutaneous tunnel along the second axis; wherein the second insertion tool comprises a proximal end with a handle and a distal end, and the step of extending the second insertion tool includes using a blunt dissector removably placed within the second insertion tool to dissect tissue, wherein the second insertion tool is used to determine the direction in which the blunt dissector is directed. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification