Self-locking handle for steering a single or multiple-profile catheter

A handle for steering a catheter shaft having a proximal region and a distal-end region and at least one steering tendon having a distal end attached to the shaft distal-end region and a proximal end exiting the shaft proximal end, said handle comprising:

• a shell housing attached to the proximal end of the catheter shaft and having a plurality of alternating protrusions and recesses positioned within the shell housing;
• and
• a steering controller carried by the shell housing and having a plurality of alternating protrusions and recesses positioned within the shell housing, and having the proximal end of the at least one steering tendon connected thereto;
• wherein the steering controller is adapted to translate between a locked position wherein at least one of the steering controller protrusions and recesses is engaged with at least one of the shell housing protrusions or recesses, and a free position wherein the steering controller protrusions and recesses are disengaged from the shell housing protrusions and recesses and the steering controller is manipulable to adjust tension to the at least one steering tendon.

A catheter comprising:

• a catheter shaft having a proximal region and a distal-end region, and at least one steering tendon having a distal end attached to the shaft distal-end region and a proximal end exiting the shaft proximal end;
• a shell housing having the proximal end of the shaft attached thereto and a plurality of alternating protrusions and recesses positioned within the shell housing;
• and
• a steering controller carried by the shell housing and having a plurality of alternating protrusions and recesses positioned within the shell housing and having the proximal end of the at least one steering tendon connected thereto;
• wherein the steering controller is adapted to translate between a locked position wherein at least one of the steering controller protrusions or recesses is engaged with at least one of the housing protrusions or recesses, and a free position wherein none of the steering controller protrusions or recesses is engaged with any of the housing protrusions or recesses and the steering controller is manipulable to apply or release tension to the steering tendon.

A method of steering a catheter shaft having at least one steering tendon using a handle having a shell housing with a plurality of alternating protrusions and recesses, and a rotatable steering controller with a plurality of alternating protrusions and recesses, wherein the housing protrusions and recesses are normally engaged with the controller protrusions and recesses by a biasing force, said method comprising:

• disengaging the controller protrusions and recesses from the housing protrusions and recesses;
• rotating the controller to pull on the at least one steering tendon and thereby deflect the profile of the shaft;
• and
• reengaging the controller protrusions and recesses with the housing protrusions and recesses.