Delivery system for cardiac pacing

Abstract

A delivery device for installing a medical device in a patient comprising a body portion having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end having a chisel shaped tip, a receptacle disposed in the distal end of the body portion for receiving a medical device for implanting in the patient, a handle disposed at the proximal end of the body portion for facilitating advancement of the proximal end of the body portion into the patient.

1 . A method for delivering a lead, the method comprising:
 delivering the lead into tissues, the lead being part of a cardiac pacing system comprising:
 a pulse generator including a housing, the pulse generator configured to generate therapeutic electric pulses; 
 the lead configured to electrically couple with the pulse generator and transmit the therapeutic electric pulses generated by the pulse generator, the lead comprising:
 a lead body configured to transmit the therapeutic electric pulses between a distal end and a proximal end of the lead body; 
 an electrode to transmit the therapeutic electric pulses to a heart; and 
 at least one sensor disposed at the distal end of the lead body, the at least one sensor configured to monitor physiological characteristics of a patient when the distal end of the lead is advanced through an intercostal space associated with a cardiac notch of the left lung of the patient; and 
 
 an inflatable balloon disposed at a distal tip of the lead body, extending at least partially beyond the distal tip. 
   
     
     
         2 . A method for delivering a lead, the method comprising:
 delivering the lead into tissues, the lead being part of a system comprising:
 a pulse generator including a housing, the pulse generator configured to generate therapeutic electric pulses; 
 the lead configured to electrically couple with the pulse generator and transmit the therapeutic electric pulses generated by the pulse generator, the lead comprising:
 a lead body configured to transmit the therapeutic electric pulses between a distal end and a proximal end of the lead body; 
 an electrode to transmit the therapeutic electric pulses; and 
 at least one sensor disposed at the distal end of the lead body, the at least one sensor configured to monitor physiological characteristics of a patient; and 
 
 an inflatable balloon disposed at a distal tip of the lead body, extending at least partially beyond the distal tip. 
   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising inflating the inflatable balloon to cause displacement of soft tissue elements of the patient during advancement of the distal end of the lead through the patient. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising inflating the inflatable balloon to cause a separation of the distal end of the lead from physiological elements of the patient. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising avoiding perforation of physiological elements of the patient by the distal end of the lead at least partially by inflating of the inflatable balloon. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising transversely inflating the inflatable balloon from the lead body to displace the lead body from physiological elements of the patient. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising inflating the inflatable balloon to cause the lead to avoid encountering an obstruction along a lead path. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising diverting the obstruction by performing the inflating. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising diverting the lead by performing the inflating. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 advancing the lead past the obstruction; and   deflating the inflatable balloon after the distal tip of the lead has passed by the obstruction.   
     
     
         11 . A method for advancing a lead into a patient, the method comprising:
 advancing the lead into tissues of the patient, the lead comprising an inflatable balloon configured to facilitate the lead advancement, the inflatable balloon disposed at a distal tip of a lead body, extending at least partially beyond the distal tip; and   inflating the inflatable balloon to facilitate advancement of the lead.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising displacing, by at least the inflating of the inflatable balloon, soft tissue elements of the patient during advancement of a distal end of the lead through the patient. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising separating, by at least the inflating of the inflatable balloon, a distal end of the lead from physiological elements of the patient. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising avoiding, by at least the inflating of the inflatable balloon, perforation of physiological elements of the patient by a distal end of the lead. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the inflating comprises inflating the inflatable balloon transversely from the lead body to displace the lead body from physiological elements of the patient. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising avoiding, by at least the inflating of the inflatable balloon, encountering an obstruction along a lead path. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising diverting the obstruction by at least performing the inflating. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising diverting the lead by at least performing the inflating. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 advancing the lead past the obstruction; and   deflating the inflatable balloon after the distal tip of the lead has passed by the obstruction.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising advancing a distal end of the lead through an intercostal space associated with a cardiac notch of the left lung of the patient.