STYLETS FOR ENHANCING IMPLANTATION OF THIN ENDOCARDIAL LEADS

摘要

A method of implanting small diameter conductive leads for an artificial cardiac pacemaker or other body-implantable medical device includes inserting the lead to be implanted into a predetermined path within the patient's body with the assistance of a stylet for guiding the lead along the path. At least a portion of the stylet which is to traverse the path has an enhanced radiopaque characteristic attributable to the application or addition to the material of which the stylet is composed, of a substance having such radiopaque characteristic. When viewed under fluoroscopy external to the patient's body as the lead is maneuvered along the path, although the thin lead itself may be difficult to see, the stylet is readily discernible by virtue of its enhanced radiopacity, thereby enabling the physician to position the lead at a desired location within the patient's body. For various reasons, the thin lead itself may not be amenable to similar enhancement, which makes the stylet a suitable solution. A portion of the distal end of the stylet, such as its distal tip or a plurality of spaced apart points along its distal end, is provided with the enhanced radiopacity, as by application or addition of gold to the stylet material.