Steering mechanism and steering line for a catheter-mounted ultrasonic transducer
First Claim
1. A steering mechanism for an ultrasonic transducer assembly of the type comprising:
- an elongated conduit comprising a distal end portion and a proximal end portion;
a plurality of ultrasonic transducer elements carried by the conduit adjacent the distal end portion; and
a set of steering lines comprising a first steering line carried by the conduit;
said steering mechanism comprising;
a housing defining a longitudinal axis extending generally parallel to the proximal portion of the conduit;
an actuator mounted to the housing for rotation about the longitudinal axis;
a steering hub mounted for rotation in the housing and coupled to the actuator such that rotation of the actuator with respect to the housing about the axis causes rotation of the steering hub;
said steering hub being adapted to have said first steering line secured adjacent thereto such that rotation of the steering hub alters effective length of the first steering line to steer the distal end.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A steering mechanism for an ultrasonic transducer assembly includes a housing having a longitudinal axis that extends generally parallel to the proximal end of a catheter. An annular steering ring is mounted to the housing for rotation about the longitudinal axis, and a steering hub is mounted for rotation in the housing and coupled to the steering ring such that rotation of the steering ring with respect to the housing causes rotation of the steering hub. A steering line is secured adjacent the steering hub and extends to the distal end of the catheter such that rotation of the steering hub alters the effective length of the steering line to steer the distal end. The steering line is preferably formed of a stranded polymer such as a gel spun polyethylene.
156 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A steering mechanism for an ultrasonic transducer assembly of the type comprising:
- an elongated conduit comprising a distal end portion and a proximal end portion;
a plurality of ultrasonic transducer elements carried by the conduit adjacent the distal end portion; and
a set of steering lines comprising a first steering line carried by the conduit;
said steering mechanism comprising;a housing defining a longitudinal axis extending generally parallel to the proximal portion of the conduit; an actuator mounted to the housing for rotation about the longitudinal axis; a steering hub mounted for rotation in the housing and coupled to the actuator such that rotation of the actuator with respect to the housing about the axis causes rotation of the steering hub; said steering hub being adapted to have said first steering line secured adjacent thereto such that rotation of the steering hub alters effective length of the first steering line to steer the distal end. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 15, 16, 17, 21, 22, 23)
- an elongated conduit comprising a distal end portion and a proximal end portion;
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8. A steering mechanism for an ultrasonic transducer assembly of the type comprising:
- an elongated conduit comprising a distal end portion and a proximal end portion;
a plurality of ultrasonic transducer elements carried by the conduit adjacent the distal end portion; and
a set of steering lines comprising a first steering line carried by the conduit;
said steering mechanism comprising;a housing defining a longitudinal axis extending generally parallel to the proximal position of the conduit; a steering ring mounted for rotation about the longitudinal axis, said steering ring accessible to a user around a complete circumference of the housing; a steering hub carried by the steering ring for rotation about the longitudinal axis; a guide carried by the housing adjacent the steering hub, said guide positioned radially outwardly of the steering hub and extending longitudinally of the housing; said guide being adapted to have said first steering line pass therethrough and said steering hub being adapted to have said first steering line secured adjacent thereto such that rotation of the steering hub alters the effective length of the first steering line to steer the distal end. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11)
- an elongated conduit comprising a distal end portion and a proximal end portion;
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12. A steering mechanism for an ultrasonic transducer assembly of the type comprising:
- an elongated conduit comprising a distal end portion and a proximal end portion;
a plurality of ultrasonic transducer elements carried by the conduit adjacent the distal end portion; and
a set of steering lines comprising a first steering line carried by the conduit;
said steering mechanism comprising;a housing defining a longitudinal axis extending generally parallel to the proximal portion of the conduit; a steering ring mounted to the housing for rotation about the longitudinal axis, said steering ring accessible to a user around a complete circumference of the housing, said steering ring comprising an internal gear; a steering hub mounted for rotation in the housing about a second axis oriented transversely to the longitudinal axis, said steering hub comprising a gear wheel comprising gear teeth engaged with the internal gear such that rotation of the steering ring about the longitudinal axis causes the steering hub to rotate about the transverse axis; said steering hub being adapted to have said first steering line secured adjacent thereto such that rotation of the steering hub alters effective length of the first steering line to steer the distal end. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 18)
- an elongated conduit comprising a distal end portion and a proximal end portion;
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19. In a steerable, catheter-mounted ultrasonic transducer assembly comprising:
- an elongated conduit comprising a distal end portion and a proximal end portion;
a plurality of ultrasonic transducer elements carried by the conduit adjacent the distal end portion; and
a steering mechanism coupled to the proximal end portion of the conduit;
the improvement comprising;at least one first steering line interconnecting the steering mechanism and the distal end portion of the conduit, said steering line comprising a stranded polymer. - View Dependent Claims (20)
- an elongated conduit comprising a distal end portion and a proximal end portion;
Specification