STEERABLE SHEATH ACTUATOR

• US 20070260225A1
• Filed: 05/17/2007
• Published: 11/08/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/15/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Applied Medical Resources Corporation (Applied Medical Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Applied Medical Resources Corporation (Applied Medical Corporation)
• Inventors: Sakakine, Ghassan, Yawata, Haruyasu
• Application Number:
  US11/750,235
• Publication Number:
  US 20070260225A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/528
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0045 multi-layered, e.g. coated coating materials A61L29/08
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0136 Handles therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0138 having flexible regions as a result of weakened outer material, e.g. slots, slits, cuts, joints or coils
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0147 with movable mechanical means, e.g. pull wires
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0662 Guide tubes

Abstract

Provided is an actuator for a steerable sheath that provides some or all of the following features: operability with one hand, ergonomic and comfortable to use, accuracy during sheath tip positioning, positive locking mechanism to maintain sheath tip position, and a fastening device to secure the actuator to a surgical drape or other object

Claims

1. A handle for use with a steerable surgical device, comprising:

a housing;

an axle disposed within the housing;

a plurality of teeth radially disposed around the axle;

a movable knob connected to and outside the housing, the axle connected to the knob such that movement of the knob in a first direction causes the axle to rotate clockwise and movement of the knob in a second direction causes the axle to rotate counterclockwise;

at least one hard-stop on the housing, the hard-stop adapted to limit movement of the knob;

a loaded spring disposed within the housing, the loading spring having a cantilever arm adapted to engage the plurality of teeth around the axle and a movable button extending through an opening in the housing, such that movement of the button in a first direction causes the cantilever arm to engage the plurality of teeth and movement of the button in a second direction causes the cantilever arm to disengage from the plurality of teeth

2. The handle of claim 1, further comprising a flexible conduit attached to the housing.

3. The handle of claim 2, further comprising a wire attached to the axle and extending through the flexible conduit.

4. The handle of claim 1, further comprising a clip extending from the housing.

5. The handle of claim 1, further comprising a directional indicator on the housing.

6. A surgical access device comprising:

a tube having a substantially rigid portion and a substantially flexible portion extending from the substantially rigid portion, the tube including a primary lumen and a secondary lumen both extending through the tube, the secondary lumen having a pull wire extending through the secondary lumen and connected to the flexible portion of the elongated body;

a connector having a distal end connected to the tube, a proximal end including a funnel-shaped portion, and a channel disposed between the distal end and the proximal end, the pull wire extending through the connector from the distal end through the channel;

a flexible tubing connected to the channel through which the pull wire extends; and

a handle connected to the flexible tubing and including a housing, an axle disposed within the housing and connected to the pull wire, a plurality of teeth radially disposed around the axle, a movable knob connected to and outside the housing, the axle connected to the knob, and a loaded spring disposed within the housing, the loading spring having a cantilever arm adapted to engage the plurality of teeth around the axle and a movable button extending through an opening in the housing.

7. The surgical access device of claim 6, wherein the knob is adapted to control rotation of the axle

8. The surgical access device of claim 7, wherein movement of the knob in a first direction causes the axle to rotate clockwise and movement of the knob in a second direction causes the axle to rotate counterclockwise.

9. The surgical access device of claim 6, further comprising a hard-stop adapted to limit the movement of the knob in a first direction.

10. The surgical access device of claim 9, further comprising a second hard-stop adapted to limit the movement of the knob in a second direction.

11. The surgical access device of claim 6, wherein movement of the button in a first direction causes the cantilever arm to engage the plurality of teeth and movement of the button in a second direction causes the cantilever arm to disengage from the plurality of teeth.

12. The surgical access device of claim 11, wherein engagement of the cantilever arm with plurality of teeth prevents rotation of the axle in one direction while allowing incremental rotation of the axle in the opposite direction.

13. The surgical access device of claim 6, further comprising a clip extending m the housing.

14. The surgical access device of claim 6, further comprising a directional indicator.

15. The surgical access device of claim 6, further comprising means for incrementally controlling tension of the pull wire.

16. The surgical access device of claim 6, further comprising means for limiting the degree of sheath deflection.