DEFLECTABLE SHEATH INTRODUCER

• US 20100168827A1
• Filed: 12/30/2008
• Published: 07/01/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Biosense Webster Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Biosense Webster Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Schultz, Jeffrey W.
• Granted Patent: US 10,046,141 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/116
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00327 with actuating members moving in opposite directions
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/015 Details of the distal fixation of the movable mechanical means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0133 Tip steering devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0136 Handles therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0147 with movable mechanical means, e.g. pull wires

Abstract

An introducer has a shaft with a central lumen, a control handle with a deflection assembly, and a tensile member with a distal portion extending along opposing sides of within the shaft and a proximal portion extending within the control handle. The deflection assembly has a deflection arm, and a rotatable member rotationally coupled to the deflection arm, wherein the rocker member has at least one pulley engaged with the proximal tensile member portion. Rotation of the deflection arm in one direction draws the proximal tensile member portion for deflecting the shaft.

Claims

1. A deflectable introducer for use with a device for passage into a patient'"'"'s body, the introducer comprising:

a shaft with a deflectable section, the shaft having a lumen through which the device can extend;

an elongated control handle defining a longitudinal axis;

a tensile member extending between the deflectable section and the control handle, wherein the control handle has a deflection assembly comprising a deflection member and a rotatable member, the deflection member being rotatable about an axis generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the control handle, the rotatable member being rotationally coupled to the deflection member, the rotatable member having a pulley engaged with a proximal portion of the tensile member situated within the control handle;

wherein manipulation of the deflection member in one direction draws on the tensile member for deflecting the deflectable section of the shaft in the one direction.

2. A deflectable introducer of claim 1, wherein the distal portion of the tensile member is a puller wire and the proximal portion of the tensile member is a tensile fiber.

3. A deflectable introducer of claim 1, wherein the deflection assembly includes a tension knob for adjusting tension on the deflection member.

4. A deflectable introducer of claim 1, wherein the shaft includes a softer distal section.

5. A deflectable introducer of claim 1, wherein the shaft includes a distal tip with a conical cross-section.

6. A deflectable introducer of claim 1, wherein the shaft includes at least an off-axis channel through which the distal tensile member extends.

7. A deflectable introducer of claim 1, wherein the rotatable member includes a second pulley around which another tensile member proximal portion is wrapped, wherein manipulation of the deflection member in an opposition direction draws on the tensile member for deflecting the deflectable section of the shaft in the opposite direction.

8. A deflectable introducer of claim 1, wherein the shaft includes a ring with a radial passage through which a distal portion of the distal tensile member extends for anchoring the distal portion of the distal tensile member

9. A deflectable introducer of claim 8, wherein the passage includes two radial passages connected by a circumferential passage.

18. A deflectable introducer of claim 1, wherein the shaft includes a distal tip section that is softer than the deflectable section.

19. A deflectable introducer of claim 1, wherein the shaft has off axis channels formed therein through which the tensile members extend.

20. A deflectable introducer of claim 19, wherein the shaft has a lining and an outer layer and the off-axis channels are formed in the outer layer.

10. A deflectable introducer for use with a device for passage into a patient'"'"'s body, the introducer comprising:

a shaft with a deflectable section, the shaft having a lumen through which the device can extend;

an elongated control handle defining a longitudinal axis;

tensile members extending between the deflectable section and the control handle, wherein the control handle has a deflection assembly comprising a deflection member and a rotatable member, the deflection member being rotatable about an axis generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the control handle, the rotatable member being rotationally coupled to the deflection member, the rotatable member having a first and a second pulleys, each engaged with a proximal tensile member portion situated within the control handle;

wherein rotation of the deflection member in one direction rotates the rotatable member such that the first pulley draws on its respective proximal tensile member portion for deflecting the deflectable section of the shaft in the one direction, and rotation of the deflection in the other direction rotates the rotatable member such that the second pulley draws on its respective proximal tensile member portion for deflecting the deflectable section of the shaft in another direction.

11. A deflectable introducer of claim 10, wherein the control handle further comprises a tension knob adapted for operator manipulation in adjusting ease at which the deflection member can be rotated.

12. A deflectable introducer of claim 10, wherein the shaft extends through the rotatable member.

13. A deflectable introducer of claim 10, wherein distal ends of the tensile member are joined to each other.

14. A deflectable introducer of claim 10, wherein each tensile member comprises a connector connecting its distal portion and proximal portion with in the control handle.

15. A deflectable introducer of claim 14, wherein the distal portion comprises puller wire and proximal portion comprises fiber.

16. A deflectable introducer of claim 15, wherein the puller wire extends in off-axis channels in the shaft and the fiber extends outside of the shaft.

17. A deflectable introducer of claim 12, wherein the rotatable member has a cutout to allow rotation of the rotatable member with the shaft extending therethrough.