Means for maintaining tension on a steering tendon in a steerable catheter
AssigneeCardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
InventorsJohn A. Simpson, Robert C. Hayzelden
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A catheter handle includes a steering controller to be used in conjunction with a steerable catheter shaft, and a steering tendon tensioning device. The operator deflects the profile of a distal-end region of the catheter by rotating the steering controller. Spring devices located on the steering tendons maintain the steering tendons in tension during manipulation of the steering controller. A locking device locks the steering controller in place relative to the handle.
Claims30
A system for applying tension to a steering tendon, the tendon having a distal end attached to the distal-end region of a catheter shaft and a proximal end exiting the proximal end of the shaft, said system comprising:
- a movable steering controller;
- means for coupling the tendon to the steering controller such that movement of the controller in a first direction relative a neutral position increases tension on the tendon and movement of the controller in a second direction relative the neutral position and opposite the first direction, maintains tension on the tendon.
A system 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, the system comprising:
- a steering controller having the proximal end of the at least one steering tendon coupled thereto such that when the controller is in a neutral position, tension is applied to the tendon;
- means for increasing tension on the tendon when the controller is moved in a first direction away from the neutral position;
- and
- means for maintaining tension on the tendon when the controller is moved from its neutral position in a second direction opposite the first direction.
A system 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, the system comprising:
- a controller having the proximal end of the at least one steering tendon coupled thereto, the steering controller adapted to move the proximal end of the tendon;
- and
- a spring device coupled between the proximal end of the tendon and the controller and configured to maintain tension on the tendon;
- wherein movement of the controller in a first direction relative to a neutral position, increases the tension.
A system for applying tension to a first steering tendon and a second steering tendon, each tendon having a distal end attached to the distal-end region of a catheter shaft and a proximal end exiting the proximal end of the shaft, said system comprising:
- a movable steering controller;
- and
- means for coupling the first and second tendons to the steering controller such that movement of the controller in a first direction relative a neutral position increases tension on the first tendon while maintaining tension on the second tendon and movement of the controller in a second direction relative the neutral position increases tension on the second tendon while maintaining tension on the first tendon.
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, the handle comprising:
- a housing attached to the proximal end of the catheter shaft;
- a movable steering controller connected to the housing;
- means for locking the steering controller in place relative to the shell housing;
- means for moving the steering controller from the locked position to a free position;
- and
- means for coupling the tendon to the steering controller such that movement of the controller in a first direction relative a neutral position increases tension on the tendon and movement of the controller in a second direction relative the neutral position and opposite the first direction, maintains tension on the 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 handle for steering the catheter shaft wherein the proximal end of the shaft is attached to the handle, the handle including a housing having a plurality of alternating protrusions and recesses;
- a steering controller carried by the handle having a plurality of alternating protrusions and recesses and having the proximal end of the steering tendon connected thereto, the steering controller adapted to move the proximal end of the tendon;
- and
- a spring device coupled between the proximal end of the at least one tendon and the controller and configured to maintain tension on the tendon;
- wherein the steering controller is adapted to translate between a locked-position wherein at least one of the steering controller protrusions or recesses is interrelated with at least one of the housing protrusions or recesses, and a free-position wherein none of the steering controller protrusions or recesses is interrelated with any of the housing protrusions or recesses and movement of the controller in a first direction relative to a neutral position, increases the tension on the tendon.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.