Systems and methods for deploying an implantable medical electrical lead

A system comprising:

• a tunneling tool including an elongate and relatively rigid shaft, a handle, and a pressure sensor assembly mounted in the handle, the shaft having a constant stiffness along an entire length thereof, the shaft including a proximal end secured to the handle, a blunt distal tip, and a lumen extending from a proximal opening thereof, at the proximal end of the shaft, to a distal opening thereof, at the distal tip of the shaft, the handle including a port in fluid communication with the lumen, and the pressure sensor assembly including a pressure transducer, in fluid communication with the lumen, configured to measure a change in a pressure of a flow of fluid from a fluid reservoir, and a display coupled to the transducer;
• an introducer including a tubular member and a proximal terminal hub, the tubular member including a proximal end attached to the hub and a tapered distal end, and the tubular member defining a lumen, the lumen of the introducer extending from a proximal opening thereof, formed by the hub, to a distal opening thereof, at the tapered distal end of the tubular member, the lumen of the introducer being snuggly fitted around the shaft of the tunneling tool for sliding engagement therewith, and the lumen of the introducer being sized for sliding engagement of an implantable lead therein, after the shaft of the tunneling tool is withdrawn from engagement therewith;
• and
• a fluid supply assembly including the fluid reservoir, at least one flow-controlled passageway coupled to the reservoir to accommodate the flow of fluid from the reservoir therethrough, and one of the at least one flow-controlled passageway, being configured for coupling to the port of the handle of the tunneling tool;
• and
• wherein, when a first passageway of the at least one flow-controlled passageway of the fluid supply assembly is coupled to the port of the handle of the tunneling tool, fluid from the reservoir flows through the first passageway and through the lumen of the tunneling tool, and the change in a pressure of the flow, as measured by the pressure transducer of the pressure sensor assembly, is presented on the display of the pressure sensor assembly, and
• the first passageway of the at least one flow-controlled passageway of the fluid supply assembly includes a compliant chamber for retaining a reserve of fluid that flows therethrough.