Shapable handle for steerable electrode catheter
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A steerable catheter comprising:
- a catheter shaft having a distal end, a proximal end, and a lumen extending therebetween, wherein a distal portion of the shaft is laterally deflectable;
at least two pull wires disposed in the lumen having distal ends attached to radially offset positions at the distal end of the catheter shaft and proximal ends opposite the distal ends;
a deformable handle body having a distal end secured to the proximal end of the catheter shaft, a proximal end opposite the distal end and at least two radially offset passages disposed axially therebetween, the pull wires extending through the offset passages and attached at their proximal ends to the proximal end of the handle body, wherein laterally deflecting the handle body lengthens a first of the offset passages and shortens a second of the offset passages to deflect the distal portion of the shaft; and
means in the handle body for maintaining the handle body in a laterally deflected shape.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A steerable catheter suitable for radiofrequency ablation of cardiac tissue comprises a catheter shaft with a deflectable tip at the distal end of the shaft. The tip is deflected by means of a shapable handle coupled to pull wires fastened to the distal end of the deflectable tip. A core wire extends from the handle to the distal tip, providing fine positioning of the deflectable tip by applying torque through the core wire to the tip. A spring tube is further provided in the deflectable tip for improved torque transmission and kink-resistance. The catheter has an electrode at the distal end of the deflectable tip for positioning at a target site and applying RF power to accomplish ablation.
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Citations
42 Claims
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1. A steerable catheter comprising:
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a catheter shaft having a distal end, a proximal end, and a lumen extending therebetween, wherein a distal portion of the shaft is laterally deflectable; at least two pull wires disposed in the lumen having distal ends attached to radially offset positions at the distal end of the catheter shaft and proximal ends opposite the distal ends; a deformable handle body having a distal end secured to the proximal end of the catheter shaft, a proximal end opposite the distal end and at least two radially offset passages disposed axially therebetween, the pull wires extending through the offset passages and attached at their proximal ends to the proximal end of the handle body, wherein laterally deflecting the handle body lengthens a first of the offset passages and shortens a second of the offset passages to deflect the distal portion of the shaft; and means in the handle body for maintaining the handle body in a laterally deflected shape. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A combination shapable handle assembly and steerable shaft comprising:
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the shaft having proximal and distal ends; a deflectable tip at the distal end; a linkage coupled to the deflectable tip disposed in an axial passage in the shaft; a deformable handle body having a distal end configured for attachment to the proximal end of the shaft, a proximal end opposite the distal end, and a central passage and at least one radially offset passage disposed axially therebetween, the linkage extending through the offset passage and a coupled to a proximal portion of the handle body, wherein laterally deflecting the handle body lengthens the offset passage to deflect the distal tip; and means in the handle body for maintaining the handle body in a laterally deflected shape. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A steerable catheter comprising:
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a catheter shaft having a distal end, a proximal end, and a central lumen extending therebetween, wherein a distal portion of the shaft is laterally deflectable; a core wire disposed in the central lumen having a distal end secured to the distal end of the catheter shaft and a proximal end opposite the distal end; at least one pull wire disposed in the central lumen having a distal end attached to a radially offset position at the distal end of the catheter shaft and a proximal end opposite the distal end; a handle secured to the proximal end of the catheter shaft; means on the handle for exerting tension on the pull wire to laterally deflect the distal portion of the catheter shaft; and means coupled to the handle for torquing the core wire about a longitudinal axis without rotating the handle. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42)
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Specification