Catheter steering mechanism
First Claim
1. A steering mechanism comprising:
- a tubular body,a lead spring carried by the body bendable in response to external forces in different first and second directions,first and second steering wires each attached to the lead spring movable in two paths for applying different external bending forces on the lead spring,a controller including a control element operatively connected to the first wire for applying tension thereto for bending the lead spring in the first direction into a first predetermined nonlinear configuration, and a control element operatively connected to the second wire for applying tension thereto for bending the lead spring in the second direction into a second predetermined nonlinear configuration different than the first nonlinear configuration.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A steering mechanism including a steering shaft coupled to a controller which includes a handle and apparatus for manipulating the distal end of the steering shaft. The steering shaft includes a flexible coiled spring having a lead spring fixed in position with respect to a distal end thereof in the distal end of the steering shaft. One or more steering wires is affixed at the distal ends thereof to the lead spring. The steering wires extend through the steering shaft to the controller, and the steering apparatus of the controller is used to place tension on one or both of the steering wires. The attachment of the distal ends of the steering wires to the lead spring may be opposite one another or may be offset for providing greater maneuverability. Tension may be placed on the steering wires by wedges mounted transversely to the controller housing, or by rotation of a shaft mounted transversely to the controller housing, the steering wires being attached to the shaft such that rotation in one direction tenses one steering wire, and rotation in the other direction tenses the other steering wire. Two independently rotatable shafts may be used to separately control the two steering wires.
The steering shaft is adapted for insertion into a lumen of a catheter for use in guiding the distal end of the catheter to a treatment site within a patient. The steering mechanism may also be used in conjunction with tools or apparatus which must reach into difficult locations, such as engines or other machines.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A steering mechanism comprising:
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a tubular body, a lead spring carried by the body bendable in response to external forces in different first and second directions, first and second steering wires each attached to the lead spring movable in two paths for applying different external bending forces on the lead spring, a controller including a control element operatively connected to the first wire for applying tension thereto for bending the lead spring in the first direction into a first predetermined nonlinear configuration, and a control element operatively connected to the second wire for applying tension thereto for bending the lead spring in the second direction into a second predetermined nonlinear configuration different than the first nonlinear configuration. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A catheter comprising
a tubular guide body, a lead spring carried by the body bendable in response to external forces in different first and second directions, first and second steering wires each attached to the lead spring movable in two paths for applying different external bending forces on the lead spring, a controller including a control element operatively connected to the first wire for applying tension thereto for bending the lead spring in the first direction into a first predetermined nonlinear configuration, and a control element operatively connected to the second wire for applying tension thereto for bending the lead spring in the second direction into a second predetermined nonlinear configuration different than the first nonlinear configuration.
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14. A catheter comprising
a tubular guide body, a lead spring comprising a flattened flexible member having left and right faces, the lead spring being carried by the body bendable in response to external forces in different first and second directions, first and second steering wires each attached to the lead spring, the first steering wire being attached to the left face of the lead spring and the second steering wire being attached to the right face of the lead spring, the first and second steering wires being movable in two paths for applying different external bending forces on the lead spring, a controller including a control element operatively connected to the first wire for applying tension thereto for bending the lead spring in the first direction into a first predetermined nonlinear configuration, and a control element operatively connected to the second wire for applying tension thereto for bending the lead spring in the second direction into a second predetermined nonlinear configuration different than the first nonlinear configuration.
Specification