MODULAR HANDLE ASSEMBLY FOR A STEERABLE CATHETER

• US 20160074624A1
• Filed: 09/12/2014
• Published: 03/17/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Freudenberg Medical, LLC (Freudenberg & Company KG)
• Original Assignee: Helix Medical LLC (Freudenberg & Company KG)
• Inventors: Morris, Ben, Wells, Brian Keith, Kumar, Adwait, Appling, Anthony
• Granted Patent: US 9,700,699 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0136 Handles therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0147 with movable mechanical means, e.g. pull wires

Abstract

A modular handle assembly for supporting and controlling a steerable catheter having at least one deflection wires includes a handle extending along an axis for being secured about a portion of the steerable catheter. The modular handle assembly includes at least one barrel rotatably connected to the handle for rotation about the axis, and at least one spindle disposed in and connected with said barrel for rotation about the axis with the barrel. At least one guide cable extends from an anchored end being anchored to the spindle to a distant end for connection with one of the deflection wires of the steerable catheter. The guide cable is wrapped about the spindle for axially moving the deflection wires in response to rotation of the first spindle about the axis by the barrel to curl the distal tip of the elongated body of the steerable catheter.

Claims

1. A modular handle assembly for supporting and controlling a steerable catheter having at least one deflection wires, said modular handle assembly comprising;

a handle extending along an axis for being secured about a portion of the steerable catheter,

at least one barrel rotatably connected to said handle for rotation about said axis,

at least one spindle disposed in and connected with said barrel for rotation about said axis with said barrel,

at least one guide cable extending from an anchored end being anchored to said spindle to a distant end for connection with one of the deflection wires of the steerable catheter,

said guide cable wrapped about said spindle for axially moving the deflection wires in response to rotation of said first spindle about said axis by said barrel to curl the distal tip of the elongated body of the steerable catheter.

2. The modular handle assembly as set forth in claim 1, further comprising:

wherein said at least one spindle includes a first spindle and a second spindle axially aligned with one another,

said at least one guide cable includes a first pair of guide cables and a second pair of guide cables,

said first pair of guide cables wrapped about said first spindle in opposite axial directions from one another each to move said guide cables in opposite directions from one another during rotation of said first spindle, and

said second pair of guide cables wrapped about said second spindle in opposite directions from one another to move said guide cables in opposite axial directions from one another during rotation of said second spindle.

3. The modular handle assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said at least one guide cable is a pair of guide cables wrapped about said spindle in opposite to move said guide cables in opposite axial directions from one another during rotation of said spindle.

4. The modular handle assembly as set forth in claim 3, further including:

a frame including a base disposed about said axis and presenting a perimeter connected to said handle and a conduit extending through said base along said axis, and

said spindle being rotatably disposed about said conduit of said of said frame.

5. The modular handle assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein said frame further includes a pair of arms extending axially from said base and extending to an edge.

6. The modular handle assembly as set forth in claim 5 wherein each of said arms defines a groove extending axially from said edge toward said base of said frame for receiving one of said guide cables for aligning said guide cable and spacing said guide cable from said spindle.

7. The modular handle assembly as set forth in claim 6 wherein each of said arms extend from said base of said frame from diametrically opposite sides of said perimeter.

8. The modular handle assembly as set forth in claim 7 wherein said spindle includes a platform having a washer shape disposed about said conduit of said frame and presenting an outer periphery.

9. The modular handle assembly as set forth in claim 8 wherein said outer periphery of said spindle defines a channel that extends radially inwardly and annularly about said periphery of said platform.

10. The modular handle assembly as set forth in claim 9 wherein said platform of said spindle further defines a cavity extending radially inwardly from said channel.

11. The modular handle assembly as set forth in claim 10 wherein said guide cables each extend from an anchored end anchored in said cavity of said platform of said spindle to a distant end.

12. The modular handle assembly as set forth in claim 11 wherein said guide cables are each wrapped about said channel of said platform between said anchored and distant ends and extend through one of said grooves of said arms to said distant end for connecting with one of the deflection wires of the steerable catheter.

13. The modular handle assembly as set forth in claim 8 wherein at least one projection extends axially from said platform of said spindle.

14. The modular handle assembly as set forth in claim 13 wherein said at least one projection includes a pair of projections having an arc shape.

15. The modular handle assembly as set forth in claim 14, further including a torsion spring disposed about said conduit of said frame and having a pair of fingers extending radially outwardly therefrom each in engagement with one of said projections for biasing said spindle in a fixed position for returning said spindle to said fixed position after rotation of said spindle about said conduit of said frame.

16. The modular handle assembly as set forth in claim 15 wherein said barrel has a generally tube shape and presents a wall disposed about and connected to said first spindle for rotating said first spindle about said conduit in response to rotation of said barrel.

17. The modular handle assembly as set forth in claim 16 wherein said first barrel further includes a step extending radially inwardly from said wall.

18. The modular handle assembly as set forth in claim 17 where said barrel includes a duct defined by said step and extending along said axis for receiving the body of the catheter.

19. The modular handle assembly as set forth in claim 18 wherein said barrel defines a pair of indentations each extending axially into said step and disposed in axial alignment with one of said projections of said spindle and receiving said projections of said spindle for connecting said barrel and said spindle.

20. The modular handle assembly as set forth in claim 19 and further including a sleeve disposed about said wall of said barrel and connected with said barrel for providing a gripping surface for operators of the steerable catheter.