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Devices, system, and methods for guiding an operative tool into an interior body region

  • US 9,320,503 B2
  • Filed: 10/20/2005
  • Issued: 04/26/2016
  • Est. Priority Date: 11/28/2001
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A surgical guide device comprisinga flexible guide tube comprising a main lumen defining a guide passage and at least one control lumen separate from the main lumen;

  • a handle coupled to the guide tube, the handle comprising a proximal opening in communication with the guide passage through which a separate operative tool can be advanced through a vascular system; and

    a steering assembly comprisinga deflecting element at least partially within the control lumen and coupled to a distal end region of the flexible guide tube to apply a deflecting force to bend the distal end region;

    an actuator configured to rotate about the longitudinal axis of the guide device and rotatable by a single-handed operation; and

    a linkage system coupling the actuator to the deflecting element to apply the deflecting force in response to operation of the actuator, the linkage system including a rack, a gear train, and a pickup reel, the gear train coupled between the rack and the pick up reel, a proximal end of the deflecting element coupled to the pickup reel, the linkage system being operative to translate rotation of the actuator into linear movement of the rack into rotation of the gear train and the pickup reel to wind or unwind the deflecting element to apply the deflecting force to the distal end region of the deflecting element, wherein the linkage system is positioned within the handle and amplifies the amount of deflecting force.

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