Methods and apparatus for lead placement on a surface of the heart

摘要

The methods and apparatus for lead placement on a surface of the heart are employed using an elongated body having proximal and distal end portions. The body defines a lead receiving passageway extending between a proximal inlet and a distal outlet for receiving a lead therethrough for contact with the heart surface. The elongated body is adapted for insertion between a pericardium and an epicardial surface. At least a portion of the body may have a non-circular cross-sectional shape adapted to retain the body orientation between the pericardium and the epicardial surface.

主权项

1. An apparatus for placing a lead on a surface of a heart, the apparatus comprising:
an elongated body including a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, the elongated body defining a longitudinal axis and having a length configured to permit minimally invasive access to the heart, the distal end portion of the elongated body having a contact surface generally parallel to the longitudinal axis, the distal end portion of the body further having a non-circular shape defined by an upper surface and a lower surface, the lower surface including the contact surface; a lead receiving passageway extending through the elongated body to a distal outlet on the contact surface; and a steering member extending through the elongated body from the distal end portion to a more proximal portion of the elongated body, the steering member configured to move the distal end portion of the body in at least one plane when force is applied to the steering member at the more proximal portion of the elongated body.