Self-holding medical device control handle with cam actuated clutch mechanism

A catheter adapted for mapping and/or ablation, comprising an elongated catheter body;

• an intermediate deflectable section distal the catheter body;
• a control handle proximal the catheter body;
• and
• at least a first puller member extending between the control handle and the intermediate deflectable section;
• wherein the control handle comprises:
• a housing defining a longitudinal axis;
• a first actuation assembly comprising a first actuator, a clutch mechanism having a friction disk and a friction-inducing surface, the friction disk having contact with the friction-inducing surface during clutch engagement and having no contact with the friction-inducing surface during clutch disengagement, a pulley arm adapted to actuate the first puller member, and a shaft defining a first rotational axis generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the first actuator mounted on an end of the shaft and adapted to extend in a plane generally perpendicular to the shaft,
• wherein the pulley arm and the friction disk are mounted on and coupled to the shaft for rotational and translational movements imparted to the shaft by the first actuator, the first actuator being adapted for pivotation out of the plane about a pivot axis generally parallel to the longitudinal axis to disengage the clutch mechanism, and for radial rotation about the first rotational axis to manipulate the first feature via the at least first puller member during disengagement of the clutch mechanism.