Apparatus and method for positioning, implanting and using a stimulation lead

An introducer system comprising:

• a needle assembly comprising an outer sheath having an outer circumference and defining a lumen, an inner sheath carried within the lumen during positioning and testing, and a plurality of test electrodes positioned along an axial length of the outer circumference of the outer sheath at spaced-apart intervals;
• a self-anchoring helical stimulation lead carried within the inner sheath and having a distal anchoring electrode through which stimulation can be delivered,
• wherein at least one spacer is movable along an axis of the needle assembly so as to retract the outer sheath at intervals that correspond to one or more positions of the test electrodes;
• and
• wherein the self-anchoring helical stimulation lead is deployable at one of the positions of one of the test electrodes.

An introducer system comprising:

• a helical lead having a conductive distal anchor;
• and
• a needle assembly comprising an outer sheath having an outer circumference and defining a bore, an inner sheath carried within the bore during positioning and testing, and at least one test electrode positioned along the outer circumference;
• wherein the helical lead is carried with the inner sheath until the helical lead is deployed.