Handle design for a medical catheter

• US 20040181140A1
• Filed: 05/10/2004
• Published: 09/16/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/27/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: C.R. Bard, Inc. (Becton, Dickinson & Co)
• Inventors: Falwell, Gary S., Gibson, Charles A., Burns, Steven J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,331,958 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/374
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1492 having a flexible, catheter-like structure, e.g. for heart ablation A61B18/1477 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1815 using microwaves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00214 Expandable means emitting energy, e.g. by elements carried thereon
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00839 Bioelectrical parameters, e.g. ECG, EEG
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00898 Alarms or notifications created in response to an abnormal condition
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1435 Spiral

Abstract

A handle for use with a catheter, the handle including a housing, a cable, and a guide. The housing has a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis that extends from the proximal end of the housing to the distal end of the housing. The cable is disposed in the housing and extends through the proximal end of the housing. A portion of the cable that is disposed in the housing is movable, under compression, in a first direction that is substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the housing. The guide is disposed in the housing and is adapted to prevent the portion of the cable from moving in a second direction that is transverse to the first direction when the portion of the cable is moved in the first direction. The handle is suitable for use with an electrophysiology catheter having an elongated shaft.

Claims

1. A handle for use with a catheter, the handle comprising:

a housing having a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis that extends from the proximal end of the housing to the distal end of the housing;

a cable, disposed in the housing, that extends through the proximal end of the housing, a portion of the cable that is disposed in the housing being movable, under compression, in a first direction that is substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the housing; and

a guide, disposed in the housing, adapted to prevent the portion of the cable from moving in a second direction that is transverse to the first direction when the portion of the cable is moved in the first direction.

2. The handle of claim 1, wherein the guide includes:

a hollow mandrel formed from a material that is stiffer, in compression, than the cable, the cable being disposed within the mandrel; and

a retainer, attached to the housing and the mandrel, to retain the mandrel in a fixed position within the housing.

3. The handle of claim 2, wherein the mandrel is cylindrically shaped.

4. The handle of any of claims 2-3, wherein the mandrel has a length that is approximately twenty percent of a length of the portion of the cable.

5. The handle of any of claims 1-4, wherein the guide is separate from the housing and removably attached thereto.

6. The handle of any of claims 1-5, wherein the cable is approximately 0.011 inches in diameter.

7. The handle of any of claims 1-6, wherein the catheter is an electrophysiology catheter.

8. The handle of any of claims 1-7, wherein the portion of the cable that is disposed in the housing is movable, under compression, proximally relative to the housing in the first direction.

9. The handle of any of claims 1-7, wherein the portion of the cable that is disposed in the housing is movable, under compression, distally relative to the housing in the first direction.

10. The handle of claim 9, wherein the portion of the cable that is disposed in the housing is movable, under tension, proximally relative to the housing in a third direction that is opposite the first direction.

11. The handle of any of claims 9-10, wherein the catheter includes an elongated shaft, a proximal end of the elongated shaft being attached to the distal end of the housing, and wherein the cable extends through the distal end of the housing and into the elongated shaft.

12. The handle of claim 11, wherein the elongated shaft has a diameter of approximately 6 French.

13. The handle of any of claims 11-12, wherein a distal end of the elongated shaft includes at least one electrode.

14. The handle of claim 13, wherein a distal end of the cable is attached to the at least one electrode, and wherein the at least one electrode is movable distally along the distal end of the elongated shaft in response to movement of the portion of the cable in the first direction.

15. The handle of any of claims 11-12, wherein a distal end of the elongated shaft includes a conductive braided mesh disposed circumferentially around the distal end of the elongated shaft.

16. The handle of claim 15, wherein a distal end of the cable is attached to a distal end of the braided mesh, and wherein the distal end of the braided mesh is movable distally along the distal end of the elongated shaft in response to movement of the portion of the cable in the first direction.

17. The handle of claim 15, wherein a distal end of the cable is attached to a proximal end of the braided mesh, and wherein the proximal end of the braided mesh is movable distally along the distal end of the elongated shaft in response to movement of the portion of the cable in the first direction.

18. The handle of any of claims 11-12, wherein a distal end of the cable is attached to a distal end of the elongated shaft, and wherein the distal end of the elongated shaft is movable relative to a proximal end of the elongated shaft in response to movement of the portion of the cable in the first direction.

19. The handle of any of claims 11-12, wherein a distal end of the elongated shaft includes a tip assembly has an arcuate curve, wherein a distal end of the cable is attached to a distal end of the tip assembly, and wherein a radius of curvature of the arcuate curve is adjustable in response to movement of the portion of the cable in the first direction.

20. A handle for use with a catheter, the handle comprising:

a housing having a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis that extends from the proximal end of the housing to the distal end of the housing;

a cable, disposed in the housing, that extends through the proximal end of the housing, a portion of the cable that is disposed in the housing being movable, under compression, in a first direction that is substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the housing; and

means for preventing the portion of the cable from moving in a second direction that is transverse to the first direction when the portion of the cable is moved in the first direction.

21. The handle of claim 20, wherein the means for preventing includes:

a hollow mandrel formed from a material that is stiffer, in compression, than the cable, the cable being disposed within the mandrel; and

means for retaining the mandrel in a fixed position within the housing.

22. The handle of claim 21, wherein the mandrel is cylindrically shaped.

23. The handle of any of claims 21-22, wherein the mandrel has a length that is approximately twenty percent of a length of the portion of the cable.

24. The handle of any of claims 20-23, wherein the means for preventing is removably attached within the housing.

25. The handle of any of claims 20-24, wherein the catheter is an electrophysiology catheter.

26. The handle of any of claims 20-25, wherein the portion of the cable that is disposed in the housing is movable, under compression, distally relative to the housing in the first direction.

27. The handle of claim 26, wherein the portion of the cable that is disposed in the housing is movable, under tension, proximally relative to the housing in a third direction that is opposite the first direction.

28. The handle of any of claims 26-27, wherein the catheter includes an elongated shaft, a proximal end of the elongated shaft being attached to the distal end of the housing, and wherein the cable extends through the distal end of the housing and into the elongated shaft.

29. The handle of claim 28, wherein the elongated shaft has a diameter of approximately 6 French, and wherein the cable is approximately. 0.011 inches in diameter.

30. The handle of any of claims 28-29, wherein a distal end of the elongated shaft includes at least one electrode, wherein a distal end of the cable is attached to the at least one electrode, and wherein the at least one electrode is movable distally along the distal end of the elongated shaft in response to movement of the portion of the cable in the first direction.

31. The handle of any of claims 28-29, wherein a distal end of the elongated shaft includes a conductive braided mesh disposed circumferentially around the distal end of the elongated shaft, wherein a distal end of the cable is attached to one of a distal end and a proximal end of the braided mesh, and wherein the one of the distal end and the proximal end of the braided mesh is movable distally along the distal end of the elongated shaft in response to movement of the portion of the cable in the first direction.

32. The handle of any of claims 28-29, wherein a distal end of the cable is attached to a distal end of the elongated shaft, and wherein the distal end of the elongated shaft is movable relative to a proximal end of the elongated shaft in response to movement of the portion of the cable in the first direction.

33. The handle of any of claims 28-29, wherein a distal end of the elongated shaft includes a tip assembly has an arcuate curve, wherein a distal end of the cable is attached to a distal end of the tip assembly, and wherein a radius of curvature of the arcuate curve is adjustable in response to movement of the portion of the cable in the first direction.

34. The handle of any of claims 20-33, wherein the handle further comprises:

actuator means, attached to the housing, for applying a compressive force to the portion of the cable to move the portion of the cable in the first direction in response to movement of the actuator means.

35. A method of using a catheter having a handle, the handle having a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis that extends from the proximal end of the handle to the distal end of the handle, the method comprising acts of:

applying a compressive force to a portion of a cable that is disposed in the handle to move the portion of the cable in a first direction that is substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the handle; and

preventing the portion of the cable from moving in a second direction that is transverse to the first direction in response to the act of applying.

36. The method of claim 35, further comprising an act of:

applying a rotational force to an actuator that is disposed on the handle and attached to the portion of the cable to apply the compressive force to the portion of the cable.

37. The method of claim 35, further comprising an act of:

applying a linear force to an actuator that is disposed on the handle and attached to the portion of the cable to apply the compressive force to the portion of the cable.

38. The method of any of claims 35-37, wherein the catheter includes an elongated shaft having a proximal end that is attached to the distal end of the handle, wherein the cable extends through the distal end of the handle and into the elongated shaft, and wherein a distal end of the elongated shaft includes at least one electrode that is movably attached to a distal end of the cable, the method further comprising an act of moving the at least one electrode distally along-the distal end of the elongated shaft in response to movement of the portion of the cable in the first direction.

39. The method of any of claims 35-37, wherein the catheter includes an elongated shaft having a proximal end that is attached to the distal end of the handle, wherein the cable extends through the distal end of the handle and into the elongated shaft, wherein a distal end of the elongated shaft includes a conductive braided mesh disposed circumferentially around the distal end of the elongated shaft, and wherein a distal end of the cable is attached to one of a distal end and a proximal end of the braided mesh, the method further comprising an act of moving the one of the distal end and the proximal end of the braided mesh distally along the distal end of the elongated shaft in response to movement of the portion of the cable in the first direction.

40. The method of any of claims 35-37, wherein the catheter includes an elongated shaft having a proximal end that is attached to the distal end of the handle, wherein the cable extends through the distal end of the handle and into the elongated shaft, and wherein a distal end of the cable is attached to a distal end of the elongated shaft, the method further comprising an act of moving the distal end of the elongated shaft relative to the proximal end of the elongated shaft in response to movement of the portion of the cable in the first direction.

41. The method of any of claims 35-37, wherein the catheter includes an elongated shaft having a proximal end that is attached to the distal end of the handle, wherein the cable extends through the distal end of the handle and into the elongated shaft, wherein a distal end of the elongated shaft includes a tip assembly having an arcuate curve, and wherein a distal end of the cable is attached to a distal end of the tip assembly, the method further comprising an act of adjusting a radius of curvature of the arcuate curve in response to movement of the portion of the cable in the first direction.

42. A handle for use with a catheter having an elongated shaft, the handle comprising:

a housing having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end of the housing being attached to a proximal end of the elongated shaft;

a cable, disposed in the housing, that extends through the distal end of the housing and into the elongated shaft;

an actuator, attached to the housing and the cable, the actuator being movable between a first position in which the cable extends a first distance into the elongated shaft and a second position in which the cable extends a second distance into the elongated shaft, the second distance being less than the first distance; and

a guide, disposed in the housing, adapted to maintain a portion of the cable that is disposed between the distal end of the housing and the actuator when the actuator is in the second position in a substantially fixed lateral position when the actuator is moved toward the first position.

43. The handle of claim 42, wherein the guide includes:

a hollow mandrel formed from a material that is stiffer, in compression, than the cable, the cable being disposed within the mandrel; and

a retainer, attached to the housing and the mandrel, to retain the mandrel in a fixed position within the housing.

44. The handle of claim 43, wherein the mandrel is cylindrically shaped.

45. The handle of any of claims 43-44, wherein the mandrel has a length that is approximately twenty percent of a length of the portion of the cable that is disposed between the distal end of the elongated shaft and the actuator when the actuator is in the second position.

46. The handle of any of claims 43-44, wherein the housing has a longitudinal axis that is aligned with the proximal end of the elongated shaft, and wherein the actuator is a slide actuator that is movable along the longitudinal axis of the housing.

47. The handle of claim 46, wherein the substantially fixed lateral position is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the housing.

48. The handle of any of claims 42-47, wherein the guide is separate from the housing and removably attached thereto.

49. The handle of any of claims 42-48, wherein the guide is further adapted to maintain the portion of the cable that is disposed between the distal end of the housing and the actuator when the actuator is in the second position in the substantially fixed lateral position when the actuator is moved toward the second position.

50. The handle of claim 42, wherein the actuator is a thumb wheel actuator.

51. The handle of claim 50, wherein the thumb wheel includes an arcuate wall, disposed on a proximal portion of the thumb wheel actuator, that prevents the cable from bowing in a lateral direction as the thumb wheel is rotated toward the first position.

52. The handle of claim 51, wherein the arcuate wall spans less than one hundred and eighty degrees.

53. The handle of any of claims 42-52, wherein the cable is movable distally with respect to the housing in compression, and proximally with respect to the housing in tension.

54. The handle of any of claims 42-53, wherein the cable is approximately 0.011 inches in diameter.

55. The handle of any of claims 42-54, wherein the elongated shaft has a diameter of approximately 6 French.

56. The handle of any of claims 42-55, wherein the catheter is an electrophysiology catheter.

57. The handle of any of claims 42-56, wherein a distal end of the elongated shaft includes at least one electrode.

58. The handle of claim 57, wherein a distal end of the cable is attached to the at least one electrode, and wherein the at least one electrode is movable proximally and distally along the distal end of the elongated shaft in response to movement of the actuator.

59. The handle of any of claims 42-56, wherein a distal end of the elongated shaft includes a conductive braided mesh disposed circumferentially around the distal end of the elongated shaft.

60. The handle of claim 59, wherein a distal end of the cable is attached to a distal end of the braided mesh, and wherein the distal end of the conductive braided mesh is movable proximally and distally along the distal end of the elongated shaft in response to movement of the actuator.

61. The handle of claim 59, wherein a distal end of the cable is attached to a proximal end of the braided mesh, and wherein the proximal end of the conductive braided mesh is movable proximally and distally along the distal end of the elongated shaft in response to movement of the actuator.

62. The handle of any of claims 42-56, wherein a distal end of the cable is attached to a distal end of the elongated shaft, and wherein the distal end of the elongated shaft is movable relative to a proximal end of the elongated shaft in response to movement of the actuator.

63. The handle of any of claims 42-56, wherein a distal end of the elongated shaft includes a tip assembly has an arcuate curve, wherein a distal end of the cable is attached to a distal end of the tip assembly, and wherein a radius of curvature of the arcuate curve is adjustable in response to movement of the actuator.

64. The handle of any of claims 42-63, wherein the cable is a first cable, the actuator is a first actuator, the guide is a first guide, and wherein the substantially fixed lateral position is a first substantially fixed lateral position, the handle further comprising:

a second cable, disposed in the housing, that extends through the distal end of the housing and into the elongated shaft;

a second actuator, attached to the housing and the second cable, the second actuator being movable between a third position in which the second cable extends a third distance into the elongated shaft and a fourth position in which the second cable extends a fourth distance into the elongated shaft, the fourth distance being less than the second distance; and

a second guide, disposed in the housing, adapted to maintain a portion of the second cable that is disposed between the distal end of the housing and the second actuator when the second actuator is in the fourth position in a second substantially fixed lateral position when the second actuator is moved toward the third position.

65. The handle of claim 64, wherein the second cable is movable distally with respect to the housing in compression, and proximally with respect to the housing in tension.