Convertible stylet to abet in the implant of a left heart lead

Abstract

To implant a lead system for an implantable cardiac stimulation device, a guide wire is slidably introduced into a longitudinally extending internal passage of an elongated stylet. In turn, the combined stylet and guide wire are slidably introduced into the longitudinally extending lumen of an elongated tubular lead body of flexible resilient insulative material having a thrusting region near its distal end. With the distal end of the stylet in engagement with the thrusting region of the lead, the stylet together with the lead and guide wire are advanced until the lead should encounter a tortuous turn in the vasculature of the body. At this point, the guide wire is advanced through the stylet and into the vasculature until the distal end of the guide wire arrives at a chosen location. The stylet then re-continues its advance together with the lead until the lead reaches the desired implant location.

1 . A method of implanting a lead system for use with an implantable cardiac stimulation device, the method comprising: 
 (a) slidably introducing, into a longitudinally extending internal passage of an elongated stylet, a guide wire;    (b) slidably introducing the combined stylet and guide wire into the longitudinally extending lumen of an elongated tubular lead body and having a thrusting region near a distal end thereof;    (c) advancing the stylet together with the lead and guide wire until the lead encounters a turn in the vasculature of the body;    (d) advancing the guide wire through a distal end of the stylet and into the vasculature until a distal end of the guide wire arrives at a chosen location;    (e) continuing to advance the stylet together with the lead until the lead reaches the chosen location.    
   
   
       2 . A method of implanting a lead system as set forth in  claim 1  and further comprising: 
 (f) after step (e), imparting force to the stylet acting against the thrusting region of the lead to wedge the distal end of the lead into place at the chosen location.    
   
   
       3 . A method of implanting a lead system as set forth in  claim 1  and further comprising: 
 (g) after step (e), imparting force to the stylet acting against the thrusting region of the lead;    (h) withdrawing the guide wire from the vasculature; and    (i) withdrawing the stylet from the vasculature.    
   
   
       4 . A method of implanting a lead system as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the guide wire includes: 
 a proximal shaft; and    an integral distal coil coaxial with the proximal shaft and extending distally from the proximal shaft.    
   
   
       5 . A method of implanting a lead system as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the guide wire includes: 
 a proximal tube; and    an integral distal coil coaxial with the proximal tube and extending distally from the proximal tube.    
   
   
       6 . A method of implanting a lead system as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the stylet includes a ball member at its distal end to reduce the possibility of perforating the vasculature.  
   
   
       7 . A method of implanting a lead system as set forth in  claim 6  wherein the stylet is composed of stainless steel and the ball member is stainless steel welded to the distal end of the stylet.  
   
   
       8 . A method of implanting a lead system for use with an implantable cardiac stimulation device, the method comprising: 
 slidably introducing a stylet and guide wire into the longitudinally extending lumen of an elongated tubular lead body, wherein the guide wire is slidably introduced into a longitudinally extending internal passage of the stylet;    advancing the stylet together with the lead and guide wire through a first region of the body;    advancing the guide wire through a distal end of the stylet and into the vasculature until a distal end of the guide wire arrives at a chosen location; and    advancing the stylet together with the lead until the lead reaches the chosen location.    
   
   
       9 . A method of implanting a lead system as set forth in  claim 8  and further comprising: 
 imparting force to the stylet to wedge the distal end of the lead into place at the chosen location.    
   
   
       10 . A method of implanting a lead system as set forth in  claim 8  and further comprising: 
 withdrawing the guide wire from the vasculature; and    withdrawing the stylet from the vasculature.