Importance

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Abstract

An arrangement for introducing and implanting the electrode(s) of an endocardial implantable cardiac lead at a cardiac implantation site within a heart chamber or vessel. An elongated guide body formed of flexible material and extending between a guide body proximal end and a guide body distal end is advanced transvenously to position the guide body distal end in relation to the cardiac implantation site. A guide body tracking mechanism is coupled with the lead distal end for receiving and slidingly engaging the guide body to allow the cardiac lead to be advanced along the guide body until the electrode is positioned at the cardiac implantation site. Pusher mechanism formed of an elongated pusher body of flexible material extends between a pusher body proximal end and a pusher body distal end and has a cardiac lead engaging mechanism for engaging the cardiac lead at or adjacent the distal lead end. The pusher body has sufficient column strength to be advanced alongside the guide body and lead body with the cardiac lead engaging mechanism engaging and slidingly advancing the guide body tracking mechanism and the cardiac lead distally along the guide body to thereby allow the cardiac lead to be advanced along the guide body until the electrode is positioned at the cardiac implantation site. The lead body is released from the lead engaging mechanism and fixed, if the lead includes a fixation mechanism. The pusher mechanism is retracted by retraction of the pusher body.

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First Claim