A tubular, suture sleeve to efficiently position and secure an implantable
lead thereto without the use of a suture is disclosed. The sleeve
comprises first and second ends with first and second inner lumens
respectively. The first end is relatively rigid in comparison to the more
flexible second end. The circumference of the inner lumen of the first
end is larger than a circumference of a lead body to allow the suture
sleeve to slide easily along the longitudinal axis of the lead body. The
second end is movable between furled and unfurled positions. When
unfurled, the inner lumen of the second end is smaller than a
circumference of the lead body, thereby allowing the second end to snugly
grip the lead body and secure the sleeve at the desired location along
the longitudinal axis of the lead body without the use of a suture.