Medical device control system
First Claim
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1. A medical device, comprising:
- a controller body moveably coupled to an actuator, wherein the actuator is configured to rotate about at least two different axes relative to the controller body;
a shaft having a distal region that bends when the actuator handle is moved relative to the controller body, wherein the shaft is configured to detachably couple to the controller body;
a plurality of control members extending within the controller body and coupled to the actuator; and
a plurality of shaft members extending within the shaft and coupled to the distal region of the shaft, wherein each control member is configured to detachably couple to a corresponding shaft member such that the control member and the corresponding shaft member are moveable relative to the controller body and the shaft to transmit movement from the actuator to the distal region of the shaft;
wherein the controller body includes a coupler comprising a wall and a plurality of attachment members extending through the wall for coupling the control members to the shaft members, wherein at least one of the shaft members is connected to and coaxial with at least one of the attachment members.
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Abstract
A control system for allowing a user to control the orientation of a medical device or a medical instrument in a variety of directions. An actuator selectively tensions one or more control cables having ends secured at or adjacent a distal tip of the medical device in order to bend the distal tip in a desired direction. In one embodiment, a physician can adjust the movement of the distal tip in a desired direction without affecting the orientation of the medical device in other directions.
115 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A medical device, comprising:
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a controller body moveably coupled to an actuator, wherein the actuator is configured to rotate about at least two different axes relative to the controller body; a shaft having a distal region that bends when the actuator handle is moved relative to the controller body, wherein the shaft is configured to detachably couple to the controller body; a plurality of control members extending within the controller body and coupled to the actuator; and a plurality of shaft members extending within the shaft and coupled to the distal region of the shaft, wherein each control member is configured to detachably couple to a corresponding shaft member such that the control member and the corresponding shaft member are moveable relative to the controller body and the shaft to transmit movement from the actuator to the distal region of the shaft; wherein the controller body includes a coupler comprising a wall and a plurality of attachment members extending through the wall for coupling the control members to the shaft members, wherein at least one of the shaft members is connected to and coaxial with at least one of the attachment members. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 19, 20, 21)
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12. A controller for an elongate shaft, comprising:
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a controller body moveably coupled to an actuator, wherein the actuator is configured to rotate about at least two different axes relative to the controller body; a coupler configured to detachably couple the controller body to the elongate shaft, the coupler comprising a wall and a plurality of attachment members extending through the wall, wherein one of the attachment members extends along a central axis of the controller body; and a plurality of control members operably associated with the actuator, wherein each control member is configured to detachably couple to a corresponding shaft member via one of the attachment members and is moveable to transmit movement of the actuator to the elongate shaft. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A medical device comprising:
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a shaft body having a proximal end, a distal end, and a bending section that is bendable; a controller body moveably coupled to an actuator, wherein the actuator is configured to rotate about at least two different axes relative to the controller body, the controller body including a coupling mechanism configured to permit the shaft body to detachably couple to the controller body, wherein the coupling mechanism includes a wall and a plurality of attachment members extending through the wall; and a plurality of shaft members operably associated with the bending section, wherein each shaft member is configured to detachably couple to a corresponding control member via one of the attachment members and is moveable to transmit movement from the controller body to the bending section; wherein each attachment member receives a proximal end of a corresponding one of the shaft members, such that the corresponding shaft member extends from a distal-most face of the attachment member. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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Specification