Method and system for delivering a medical electrical lead within a venous system

A method of delivering a medical electrical lead within a coronary venous system, comprising the steps of:

• establishing venous access to the coronary venous system using an introducer tool kit;
• choosing a delivery sheath from a plurality of delivery sheaths corresponding to a desired approach to a coronary sinus of the coronary venous system;
• positioning the delivery sheath within the venous access;
• inserting the lead within a loading device;
• inserting a guide wire within a navigation portion of the loading device, the navigation portion directing the guide wire within a lumen of the lead;
• advancing the guide wire through a slot formed by a first side wall spaced from a second side wall and extending along an outer portion of the navigation portion to remove the lead having the guide wire inserted therein from the loading device;
• inserting the distal tip of the medical electrical lead within the delivery sheath;
• and
• guiding advancement of the distal tip of the medical electrical lead to a target site within the coronary venous system using the guide wire.

A system for delivering a medical electrical lead within a coronary venous system, the medical electrical lead extending from a connector to a distal tip and having a lead lumen located at the distal tip, the system comprising:

• an introducer kit establishing venous access to the coronary venous system;
• a plurality of delivery sheaths, each corresponding to a desired approach to a coronary sinus of the coronary venous system, establishing a navigation pathway within the coronary venous system through the venous access;
• a hemostasis valve coupled to a delivery sheath of the plurality of delivery sheaths;
• and
• a loading device loading a guide wire insertable within the lead lumen, the loading device including a navigation portion, having an outer portion, and extending from a front end to a back end, and having an opening formed at the back end, an engagement cavity receiving and properly orienting the lead distal tip during the loading of the guide wire within the lead, and a first side wall spaced from a second side wall to form a slot extending along the outer portion from the front end to the back end of the navigation portion, wherein the guide wire is advanced through the slot as the lead having the guide wire loaded therein is removed from the loading device, and wherein the guide wire guides delivery of the distal tip of the medical electrical lead to a target site within the coronary venous system through the hemostasis valve and the delivery sheath, wherein, subsequent to the distal tip being delivered to the target sight, the hemostasis valve is advanced over the connector of the medical electrical lead to remove the hemostasis valve from the medical electrical lead.