Apparatus and method for subcutaneous electrode insertion

A method of implanting an implantable defibrillator including a canister and a lead electrode assembly into a patient, the lead electrode assembly having proximal and distal ends, the method comprising:

• making an axillary incision near the left axilla of the patient and a xiphoid incision near the xiphoid of the patient;
• bluntly dissecting a pocket at the axillary incision for receiving the canister;
• advancing a first introducer tool having proximal and distal ends through the xiphoid incision toward the axillary incision to create a first subcutaneous tunnel, wherein the first introducer tool is curved to match patient anatomy between the xiphoid incision and the axillary incision;
• accessing the distal end of the first introducer tool via the axillary incision and securing the distal end of the lead electrode assembly to the distal end of the first introducer tool;
• withdrawing the first introducer tool through the xiphoid incision such that a portion of the lead electrode assembly is pulled through the axillary incision and into the first subcutaneous tunnel, until the first introducer tool fully exits the first subcutaneous tunnel and the distal end of the lead electrode assembly extends through the xiphoid incision while the proximal end of the lead electrode assembly remains outside of the first subcutaneous tunnel;
• inserting a second introducer tool, the second introducer tool being straight relative to the first introducer tool, through the xiphoid incision and toward the head of the patient along the sternum to create a second subcutaneous tunnel;
• removing the second introducer tool via the xiphoid incision;
• and
• inserting the distal end of the lead electrode assembly into the second subcutaneous tunnel.