Tools and Methods for Implantation of Implantable Medical Lead Extensions or Catheters

A method of implanting an implantable medical lead extension, comprising:

• providing a tool that has a shaft that is located within a subcutaneous tunnel between a first incision and a second incision in a patient with a handle on one end of the shaft that is present externally of the subcutaneous tunnel in proximity to the first incision and with a pull-through tip on the other end of the shaft that is present externally of the subcutaneous tunnel in proximity to the second incision, wherein the tip comprises a pin having an end and a barb positioned on the pin and spaced axially from the end of the pin;
• inserting the pin into a bore of a connector body located on a distal end of the implantable lead extension while inserting the barb within a compliant distal portion of the connector body to create an interference fit of the barb to the compliant distal portion;
• pulling the tool including the tip through the subcutaneous tunnel and out of the first incision to thereby pull the connector body and the implantable lead extension through the subcutaneous tunnel;
• and
• after pulling the tool out of the first incision, removing the pin from the bore of the connector body while removing the barb from within the compliant distal portion.

A tool for pulling an implantable medical lead extension through a subcutaneous tunnel, comprising:

• a handle;
• a shaft having a first end and a second end, the first end being coupled to the handle;
• a tip coupled to the second end of the shaft, the tip comprising a carrier body that forms a partial cylindrical wall with a cavity being defined by the partial cylindrical wall;
• and
• a body that is removably positioned within the cavity that creates an interference fit with the tip.