Transvenous cardiovascular integrated lead anchoring sleeve, protector, and permanent lead introducer stop gap

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The present invention overcomes the problems inherent in the prior art apparatus and techniques by employing a suturing sleeve which is permanently attached about the lead body.
This is accomplished by using a generally cylindrical member having a central lumen through which the main lead body passes.
Unlike the earlier suturing pads which were permanently affixed at a given position, the present invention teaches an anchoring sleeve which is slideably mounted on the main lead body.
Because the central lumen of the anchoring sleeve is smaller than the electrical connector at the proximal end of the lead body and the electrode fixation means assembly at the distal end, the anchoring sleeve is permanently attached to the lead body even though it is slideable thereon.
Small serrations within the central lumen of the anchoring sleeve increase the friction between the anchoring sleeve and the main lead body to the extent that the anchoring sleeve does not slide by mere force of gravity alone.
It must be physically moved by direct manual intervention.
The distal end of the anchoring sleeve is shaped in such a fashion that it is easily used to occlude the proximal end of a permanent lead introducer should this implant procedure be used.
After the permanent lead introducer has been removed, the anchoring sleeve is placed in its permanent position.
The distal end of the anchoring sleeve may then be used to occlude the vein at the point of the veinectomy to cause acute and chronic sealing of the entry point.
A central groove is used to assist in holding the suture material in the proper position.