Cardiac pacing

Abstract

A cardiac pacing system that includes an implantable pulse generator and electrical leads that include a lead body portion having a distal end and a proximal end, a connector configured to electrically connect the proximal end of the lead body to the pulse generator, and at least one electrode disposed at the distal end of the lead body for delivering electrical stimulation to a patient's heart, wherein the distal end of the lead body is configured to terminate within the mediastinum of the thoracic cavity of the patient, proximate to the heart.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A pulse generator delivery system for delivery of a pulse generator into a patient comprising:
 a main body containing a receptacle configured to receive a pulse generator,   a handle configured to facilitate an exertion of pressure onto the pulse generator delivery system to facilitate advancement of the pulse generator delivery system; and   a release device configured to disengage the pulse generator from the pulse generator delivery system.   
     
     
         3 . The pulse generator delivery system of  claim 2 , wherein a distal end of the pulse generator delivery system is configured to separate tissue planes as the pulse generator delivery system is advanced within a patient. 
     
     
         4 . The pulse generator delivery system of  claim 3 , wherein the distal end of the pulse generator delivery system comprises a tapered shape to separate the tissue planes. 
     
     
         5 . The pulse generator delivery system of  claim 2 , wherein the receptacle is shaped to allow the pulse generator to be entirely contained within the receptacle. 
     
     
         6 . The pulse generator delivery system of  claim 2 , wherein the receptacle is shaped to allow the pulse generator to be substantially embedded into the receptacle. 
     
     
         7 . The pulse generator delivery system of  claim 2 , wherein the receptacle is shaped to allow a portion of the pulse generator to be protruding from an end of the receptacle. 
     
     
         8 . The pulse generator delivery system of  claim 2 , the main body further configured to accommodate a connection lead so the connection lead will not be damaged during implantation. 
     
     
         9 . The pulse generator delivery system of  claim 8  the main body comprising a slot extending along a side of the main body, the slot shaped to accommodate the connection lead. 
     
     
         10 . The pulse generator delivery system of  claim 2 , wherein the release device is a plunger configured to force the pulse generator to disengage from the pulse generator delivery system. 
     
     
         11 . The pulse generator delivery system of  claim 10 , the release device further comprising a force applicator configured to facilitate application of a force to the plunger to advance the plunger. 
     
     
         12 . The pulse generator delivery system of  claim 11 , wherein the force applicator is a ring member shaped to receive a finger of a user. 
     
     
         13 . The pulse generator delivery system of  claim 11 , wherein the plunger includes a proximal end having a flat area for receiving pressure applied to the plunger. 
     
     
         14 . The pulse generator delivery system of  claim 10 , further comprising a ratcheting mechanism configured to activate the plunger. 
     
     
         15 . The pulse generator delivery system of  claim 2 , further comprising one or more sensors configured to facilitate detection of a state of patient tissues adjacent a distal end of the pulse generator delivery system. 
     
     
         16 . The pulse generator delivery system of  claim 15 , wherein the one or more sensors comprises at least one impedance sensor. 
     
     
         17 . The pulse generator delivery system of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 at least one programmable processor; and   a non-transitory machine-readable medium storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one programmable processor, cause the at least one programmable processor to perform operations comprising:
 detecting the state of the patient tissues adjacent the distal end of the pulse generator delivery system; and 
 determining a location of the distal end of the pulse generator delivery system based at least on the detected state of the patient tissues. 
   
     
     
         18 . The pulse generator delivery system of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 at least one programmable processor; and   a non-transitory machine-readable medium storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one programmable processor, cause the at least one programmable processor to perform operations comprising:
 detecting the state of the patient tissues adjacent the distal end of the pulse generator delivery system; and 
 determining a tissue plane of the distal end of the pulse generator delivery system based at least on the detected state of the patient tissues.