US 12,727,953 B2Granted

Steerable tip catheter with automatic tension apparatus

AssigneeNextern Innovation, LLC

InventorsJohn Pocrnich, Steve Gigl, John Swoyer

Life of this patent

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Abstract

Apparatus and associated methods relate to a guidewire slack take-up module (STUM) that engages a guidewire, by a retractor module (RM), to displace the guidewire in a proximal direction (D1) in response to a tensioning command signal (TCS) and maintains a predetermined biasing force (PBF) in D1 when the RM is not engaged. In an illustrative example, the STUM may include a connection module (CM) disposed at a proximal end of a control member (CM). The CM may have its distal end fixedly attached to a distal end of a flexible shaft. The RM may, in response to the TCS, engage the CM to displace the proximal end of the CM in D1. A biasing member may apply the PBF to the CM in D1 when the RM is not engaging the CM. Various embodiments may advantageously reduce or eliminate slack in a guidewire of a steerable catheter.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A robotic catheter system comprising:

a body extending along a longitudinal axis and comprising an input interface;
a steerable catheter extending distally from the body;
a control member extending from the body along a curvilinear path and anchored to a distal region of the steerable catheter, the control member is configured to deflect a distal tip of the steerable catheter at least in a first plane parallel to the longitudinal axis;
a control member slack take-up module (CMSTUM) operably coupled to the body and the control member, the CMSTUM comprising:
a connector module disposed at a proximal end of the control member;
an engagement module configured to be selectively moved into and out of engagement with the connector module;
a retractor module configured to move the engagement module to contact and engage the connector module, in response to receiving a tensioning command signal generated in response to operation of the input interface, such that the proximal end of the control member is displaced in a proximal direction;
and,
a biasing member that applies a predetermined biasing force to the connector module in a proximal direction when the engagement module is not engaging and separated from the connector module.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 17/453,988Filed 8 Nov 2021 · us provisional application
Priority: 9 Nov 2020
Published: US 2022/0142725 A112 May 2022
Granted: 8 Sep 2026
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification13 codes

A61B 34/71
Manipulators specially adapted for use in surgery: manipulators operated by drive cable mechanisms
A61M 25/0136
Tip steering devices: handles therefor
A61B 34/30
Computer-aided surgery; Manipulators or robots specially adapted for use in surgery: surgical robots
A61B 34/70
Computer-aided surgery; Manipulators or robots specially adapted for use in surgery: manipulators specially adapted for use in surgery