Catheter system

A catheter system comprising:

• a handle comprising a housing having a longitudinal axis,
• a catheter connected to the handle and having a component operatively connected to the handle for selectively adjusting at least one characteristic of the catheter component;
• an actuator associated with the handle for selectively adjusting the at least one characteristic of the catheter component, the actuator at least in part comprising a generally cylindrical shuttle disposed at least in part within the housing and moveable longitudinally relative to the housing, the catheter component being operatively coupled to the shuttle such that longitudinal movement of the shuttle relative to the housing adjusts the at least one characteristic of the catheter component, the shuttle having an outer surface and an annular groove formed in said outer surface, and an elastomeric ring seated in the annular groove;
• and
• an annular slide bearing retained in the housing, the shuttle being in part disposed in the slide bearing at the annular groove of the shuttle with the elastomeric ring in frictional contact with the slide bearing, the friction between the elastomeric ring and the slide bearing being sufficient to frictionally retain the shuttle at a selected longitudinal position relative to the housing corresponding to a selected adjustment of the at least one characteristic of the catheter component.