Positioning methods for intravascular electrode arrays for neuromodulation

A method for positioning an electrode array of a neuromodulation catheter at a target circumferential position along a posterior wall of a superior vena cava includes advancing the catheter to a target longitudinal position within the superior vena cava, and orienting a marker on the extracorporeal portion of the catheter in a circumferential orientation known to position the array at the target circumferential position along the posterior wall. A method of positioning the array at a target longitudinal position includes advancing the catheter into the superior vena cava and using features of the catheter to detect the location of right atrial tissue, such as by sensing for a P-wave using an electrogram captured using an electrode carried at a distal end of the catheter, or by using such electrodes to capture the atrium using atrial pacing pulses. Once the location of the right atria is determined, the electrode array may be deployed in a position known to be proximal to the atrium.