Delivery catheter

Abstract

A catheter used to deliver a medical electrical lead to a right atrium of a heart in close proximity to a His bundle. The catheter is adapted such that the distal tip confronts the His bundle generally perpendicularly. The catheter includes a proximal portion and a generally hook-shaped distal portion. The distal portion may include curves that direct the distal tip at an angle of over 180 degrees from the direction of the proximal portion.

1 . A catheter for implanting an electrical lead to a right atrium of a heart in close proximity to a His bundle, the catheter comprising: 
 a proximal portion; and    a generally hook-shaped distal portion being generally planar, extending 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.    
   
   
       2 . The catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the delivery catheter comprising a plurality of segments defined by varying durometers.