STEERING MECHANISM
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A steering mechanism for use as part of a medical device, comprising:
- a housing including a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, the housing extending along a longitudinal axis, the housing configured to be coupled to a device including a steerable member;
a first actuator movably coupled to the housing, the first actuator configured to move between a first position and a second position different than the first position, the first actuator movable with respect to a first axis different than the longitudinal axis defined by the housing, the first actuator configured to move the steerable member of the device along a first plane when the housing is coupled to the device and when the first actuator is moved between its first position and its second position; and
a second actuator coupled to the housing, the second actuator movable between a first position and a second position and moveable with respect to a second axis different than the first axis, the second actuator configured to move the steerable member of the device along a second plane different than the first plane when the housing is coupled to the device and when the second actuator is moved between its first position and its second position.
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Abstract
A hand-holdable steering mechanism is used as part of a medical device such as a catheter or an endoscope to allow movement of a steerable distal portion of the catheter or endoscope. The mechanism can include a housing, a first actuator, and a second actuator. The first actuator is configured to move the steerable portion along a first plane when the first actuator is moved between first and second positions. The second actuator is configured to move the steerable portion along a second plane different than the first plane when the second actuator is moved between first and second positions.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A steering mechanism for use as part of a medical device, comprising:
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a housing including a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, the housing extending along a longitudinal axis, the housing configured to be coupled to a device including a steerable member; a first actuator movably coupled to the housing, the first actuator configured to move between a first position and a second position different than the first position, the first actuator movable with respect to a first axis different than the longitudinal axis defined by the housing, the first actuator configured to move the steerable member of the device along a first plane when the housing is coupled to the device and when the first actuator is moved between its first position and its second position; and a second actuator coupled to the housing, the second actuator movable between a first position and a second position and moveable with respect to a second axis different than the first axis, the second actuator configured to move the steerable member of the device along a second plane different than the first plane when the housing is coupled to the device and when the second actuator is moved between its first position and its second position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A medical device, comprising:
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an elongated member including a proximal end and a distal end and defining a lumen at least partially therethrough, the elongated member substantially extending along a longitudinal axis, the elongated member including a steerable portion, at least a portion of the steerable portion being movable along a first plane and a second plane different than the first plane such that the steerable portion of the elongated member is movable in substantially any direction 360 degrees around the longitudinal axis; and a steering mechanism couplable to the elongated member, the steering mechanism adapted for one-fingered operation by a user, the steering mechanism configured to move the steerable portion of the elongated member along the first plane and along the second plane different than the first plane, the steering mechanism comprising; a first actuator movable with respect to a first axis different than the longitudinal axis, the first actuator adapted to move the steerable portion of the elongated member along the first plane; and a second actuator adapted to move the steerable portion of the elongated member along the second plane, the second actuator selectively actuatable substantially simultaneously with the first actuator. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification