Steering mechanism

• US 9,380,930 B2
• Filed: 08/13/2014
• Issued: 07/05/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Oskin, Christopher, Ostrovsky, Isaac, Robertson, David W., Barenboym, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Anhtuan T
• Assistant Examiner(s): WOO, JAE KYUN
• Application Number:
  US14/458,374
• Publication Number:
  US 20140350342A1
• Time in Patent Office: 692 Days
• Field of Search: 600/146, 600/147, 600/148, 600/149, 600/150, 600/151, 600/152, 604/95.04, 604/95.05, 604/528
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0051 with controlled bending of insertion part
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/008 Articulations
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/10 with powered movement mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0136 Handles therefor

Abstract

A steering mechanism is used as part of a medical device such as a catheter or an endoscope to allow movement of a steerable distal portion of the catheter or endoscope. The mechanism can include a elongate housing and an actuation system. The elongate housing is adapted to be coupled to the steerable portion of the medical device. The actuation system includes an actuator, a first cam, and a second cam. The actuator can move the first cam between a first position and a second position as the actuator is moved along a first axis (or about a second axis different than the first axis). Movement of the first cam between its first and second positions moves the steerable portion of the medical device along a first plane. The actuator can move the second cam between a first position and a second position as the actuator is moved along the second axis (or about the first axis). Movement of the second cam between its first and second positions moves the steerable portion of the medical device along a second plane different than the first plane.

Claims

1. A steering mechanism for use as part of a medical device, the mechanism comprising:

an actuation system configured to control movement of a steerable member of the medical device, the actuation system including an actuator, at least one cantilever axle, a first cam, and a second cam, wherein;

the at least one cantilever axle extends into an opening of the first cam and an opening of the second cam;

the actuator is adapted to move about a first axis from a first position to a second position to move the first cam about the first axis;

the first cam is adapted to move the steerable member along a first plane when the actuator is moved from the first position to the second position;

the actuator is adapted to move about a second axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis from a third position to a fourth position;

the second cam is adapted to move the steerable member along a second plane when the actuator is moved from the third position to the fourth position; and

the first cam and the second cam are adapted to rotate on the at least one cantilever axle about the first axis.

2. The steering mechanism of claim 1, wherein the actuator comprises a stem portion coupled to the first cam.

3. The steering mechanism of claim 1 further comprising a first set of wires coupled to the first cam and a second set of wires coupled to the second cam.

4. The steering mechanism of claim 1, wherein the actuator is coupled to a second axle via a coupling, the coupling configured to rotate on the second axle.

5. The steering mechanism of claim 4, wherein the coupling comprises a lever extending through a recess in the second cam, the lever being adapted to move the second cam in response to the actuator.

6. The steering mechanism of claim 1, wherein the actuator comprises a curved portion configured to engage a finger of a user.

7. The steering mechanism of claim 6 further comprising a coupling coupled to the curved portion and the first cam.

8. The steering mechanism of claim 1, wherein the first cam has a diameter larger than a diameter of the second cam.

9. The steering mechanism of claim 1, wherein the actuation system in configured for one-fingered operation by a user.

10. The steering mechanism of claim 1, wherein the first cam is configured to move independently of the second cam.

11. A steering mechanism for use as part of a medical device, the mechanism comprising:

an actuation system configured to control movement of a steerable member of the medical device, the actuation system including an actuator, a first axle, a first cam, and a second cam, wherein;

the first axle extends into an opening of the first cam and an opening of the second cam;

the actuator is adapted to move about a first axis from a first position to a second position to move the first cam about the first axis;

the first cam is adapted to move the steerable member along a first plane when the actuator is moved from the first position to the second position;

the actuator is adapted to move about a second axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis from a third position to a fourth position;

the second cam is adapted to move the steerable member along a second plane when the actuator is moved from the third position to the fourth position; and

the first cam and the second cam are adapted to rotate on the first axle only about the first axis.

12. The steering mechanism of claim 11 further comprising a first set of wires coupled to the first cam and a second set of wires coupled to the second cam.

13. The steering mechanism of claim 11, wherein the actuator is coupled to a second axle via a coupling, and the coupling is configured to rotate on the second axle.

14. The steering mechanism of claim 11, wherein the actuator comprises a curved portion configured to engage a finger of a user.

15. The steering mechanism of claim 11, wherein the first cam has a diameter larger than a diameter of the second cam.

16. The steering mechanism of claim 11, wherein the actuation system in configured for one-fingered operation by a user.

17. The steering mechanism of claim 11, wherein the first cam is configured to move independently of the second cam.

18. A steering mechanism for use as part of a medical device, the mechanism comprising:

an actuation system configured to control movement of a steerable member of a medical device, the actuation system including an actuator, a first axle, a coupling movable relative to a second axle, a first cam, and a second cam, wherein;

the first axle extends into an opening of the first cam and an opening of the second cam;

the actuator is adapted to move about a first axis from a first position to a second position to move the first cam about the first axis from a first position to a second position;

the first cam is adapted to move the steerable member along a first plane when the actuator is moved from the first position to the second position;

the actuator is adapted to move about a second axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis from a third position to a fourth position;

the second cam is adapted to move the steerable member along a second plane when the first cam actuator is moved from the third position of the fourth position;

the first cam and the second cam are adapted to rotate on the first axle about the first axis; and

the coupling comprises a lever extending through a recess in the second cam, the lever being adapted to move the second cam in response to the actuator.

19. The steering mechanism of claim 18, further comprising a first set of wires coupled to the first cam and a second set of wires coupled to the second cam.

20. The steering mechanism of claim 18, wherein the first cam is configured to move independently of the second cam.