The present invention discloses various methods and systems for
positioning a guide wire between a patient's mouth and a skin site via an
implant tract in a stomach. The method includes locating the desired
tissue site in the stomach, such as with an endoscope or other suitable
instrument. In some embodiments the desired tissue site is marked inside
the stomach with a visible dye or light visible from the peritoneal
cavity. An implant tract is created through the stomach wall at the
desired tissue site, either from "inside-out" or "outside-in". The
implant tract may be made using a RF catheter, RF guide wire, an
endoneedle, or other suitable instrument. The size of the implant tract
depends on the device to be placed there, such as a stimulation lead.
Diameter sizes of the tract may vary from 0.014'' to 0.250''. An access
hole or access port is created at a skin site, using a Verres needle, RF
catheter, RF guide wire, an endoneedle, or other suitable instrument. A
guide wire is then positioned through the implant tract, access port and
mouth, such that the guide wire extends between the mouth and the skin
site access port via the implant tract in the stomach.