Bi-directional steerable catheter control handle

A handle for controlling distal end deflection of a catheter body, wherein the catheter body includes a first deflection wire and a second deflection wire, the handle comprising:

• a first handle portion rotateably coupled to a second handle portion;
• and
• a first member and a second member longitudinally displaceable within the handle,
• wherein the first member is adapted to couple to the first deflection wire, the second member is adapted to couple to the second deflection wire, and rotation of the first handle portion relative to the second handle portion causes the members to displace in opposite directions.

A method of deflecting a distal end of a catheter body, wherein the catheter body includes first and second deflection wires, the method comprising:

• coupling a first member to the first deflection wire, wherein the first member includes a right thread;
• coupling a second member to the second deflection wire, wherein the second member includes a left thread;
• rotateably coupling a first handle portion to a second handle portion, wherein the first handle portion includes a right thread and a left thread and said threads are engaged with the threads of the first and second members;
• and
• rotating the first handle portion relative to a second handle portion such that the first and second members are caused to displace in opposite directions, thereby deflecting the distal end of the catheter body.

A surgical method comprising:

• providing a catheter including a catheter body and a handle attached to a proximal end of the catheter body, the handle including an adjustment knob rotateably coupled to a base;
• inserting a distal end of the catheter body into a body of a patient;
• advancing the distal end of the catheter body until positioned in a selected location within the body of the patient;
• and
• deflecting the distal end of the catheter body by rotating the adjustment knob about a longitudinal axis of a base, thereby oppositely displacing a pair of members in the handle along the longitudinal axis, wherein each member is coupled to a deflection wire running though the catheter body and coupled to the distal end.