MULTI-PLANE MOTION CONTROL MECHANISM
First Claim
1. A steering mechanism for use as part of a medical device, comprising:
- a housing including a proximal end and a distal end, the housing couplable to a steerable medical device, the housing substantially extending along a longitudinal axis; and
an actuation system adapted for one-handed operation by a user, the actuation system configured to move at least a portion of the steerable medical device along a first plane and a second plane different than the first plane such that 360 degree articulation of the steerable medical device is achievable, the actuation system including a first actuator and a second actuator, the first actuator movable with respect to the second actuator and to a second axis different than the longitudinal axis, the first actuator at least partially disposed within the second actuator, the second actuator coupled to the proximal end of the housing, the second actuator movable with respect to the housing and to the longitudinal axis.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
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 and an actuation system. The actuation system is adapted for one-handed operation by a user, and it allows the user to achieve 360 degree articulation of the steerable distal portion. The actuation system can include a first actuator and a second actuator where the first and second actuators are movable with respect to each other. The first actuator can be at least partially disposed within the second actuator.
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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 and a distal end, the housing couplable to a steerable medical device, the housing substantially extending along a longitudinal axis; and an actuation system adapted for one-handed operation by a user, the actuation system configured to move at least a portion of the steerable medical device along a first plane and a second plane different than the first plane such that 360 degree articulation of the steerable medical device is achievable, the actuation system including a first actuator and a second actuator, the first actuator movable with respect to the second actuator and to a second axis different than the longitudinal axis, the first actuator at least partially disposed within the second actuator, the second actuator coupled to the proximal end of the housing, the second actuator movable with respect to the housing and to the longitudinal axis. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A steerable medical device, comprising:
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an elongated member including a proximal end and a distal end and a lumen extending at least partially therethrough, the elongated member including a steerable portion, the elongated member extending along a longitudinal axis when the elongated member is in a first position; and a steering mechanism coupled to the elongated member, the steering mechanism adapted to move the steerable portion of the elongated member along at least a first plane and a second plane different than the first plane, the steering mechanism adapted for one-handed operation by a user, the steering mechanism including; a 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 first actuator movably coupled to and at least partially extended from the second actuator. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification