Mechanism of small drive wire retention on spool
AssigneeCook Medical Technologies LLC
InventorMichael Lee Williams
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A steering mechanism for a medical device that is configured for passing through the body cavities of a patient and for passage through an endoscope working channel is described. The mechanism comprises at least one spool having a central hole through which a central axle passes, the spool being rotatable about the axle, and the spool having at least one retaining tube having a lumen therethrough and configured to contain a portion of a drive cable. The drive cables, which may include UHMWPE, are capable of and are effective for deflecting the distal end of a catheter or endoscopic device, while preferably each being at least partially disposed through a retaining tube that is effective to prevent tangling or other binding of the cable(s).
Claims20
A steering mechanism for a medical device, the medical device having a circumference, a proximal end, and a distal end;
- the steering mechanism comprising:
- a first central axle having a first longitudinal axis;
- a first spool having a first diameter and a first circumferential edge, the first central axle of the steering mechanism disposed centrally on or through the first spool, the first spool being rotatable about the first longitudinal axis;
- a first retaining tube having a first lumen extending longitudinally therethrough;
- a first length;
- a first midpoint;
- and a first and second end;
- the first retaining tube being attached along a portion of its length inclusive of the first midpoint to a portion of the first circumferential edge of the first spool, a first drive cable having two ends, said first drive cable passing through and extending through the first lumen of the first retaining tube and beyond the first and second ends of the first retaining tube, a distal end of the first drive cable extending toward the distal end of the medical device;
- and
- a first steering element attached to the first spool and rotatable therewith.
A steering mechanism for a medical device, the medical device having a circumference, a proximal end, and a distal end, the steering mechanism comprising:
- a first central axle having a first longitudinal axis and a second central axle having a second longitudinal axis;
- a first spool having a first diameter and a first circumferential edge, the first central axle of the steering mechanism disposed centrally on or through the first spool, the first spool being rotatable about the first longitudinal axis;
- a second spool having a second diameter and a second circumferential edge, the second central axle of the steering mechanism disposed centrally on or through the second spool, the second spool being rotatable about the second longitudinal axis;
- a first retaining tube having a first lumen extending longitudinally therethrough;
- a first length;
- a first midpoint;
- and a first and second end;
- the first retaining tube being attached along a portion of its length inclusive of the first midpoint to a portion of the first circumferential edge of the first spool, a first drive cable passing through the first end of and into the first lumen of the first retaining tube, a second drive cable passing through the second end of and into the first lumen of the first retaining tube, the first drive cable and second drive cable comprising drive cable ends that extend toward the distal end of the medical device;
- a second retaining tube having a second lumen extending longitudinally therethrough;
- a second length;
- a second midpoint;
- and a third and fourth end;
- the second retaining tube being attached along a portion of its length inclusive of the second midpoint to a portion of the second circumferential edge of the second spool, a third drive cable passing through the third end of and into the second lumen of the second retaining tube, a fourth drive cable passing through the fourth end of and into the second lumen of the second retaining tube, the third drive cable and fourth drive cable having drive cable ends that extend toward the distal end of the medical device;
- a first steering element attached to the first spool and rotatable therewith;
- and
- a second steering element attached to the second spool and rotatable therewith;
- wherein the first spool and the second spool are rotatable independent of one another.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.