Multicurve deflectable catheter

A method of electrophysiological treatment comprising:

• introducing a catheter through a vessel so that a distal end of the catheter is positioned in the heart, the catheter having a shaft with a first bending stiffness;
• applying axial force to a manipulator wire coupled to a deflectable tip secured to a distal end of the shaft to deflect the deflectable tip in a first curvature, the deflectable tip having a second bending stiffness less than the first bending stiffness;
• axially translating a stiffener wire slidably disposed in an axial lumen of the deflectable tip such that the deflectable tip assumes a second curvature;
• and
• electrically operating at least a first electrode on the deflectable tip associated with a target site on a wall of the heart.

A steerable electrophysiology catheter comprising:

• a shaft with a first bending stiffness, the shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, and an axial lumen therebetween;
• a deflectable tip with a second bending stiffness less than the first bending stiffness, the deflectable tip having a proximal end secured to the distal end of the shaft, a distal end, a first radially offset axial tip lumen, a second axial tip lumen and a third axial tip lumen, each of said first, second and third axial tip lumens being in communication with the axial lumen of the shaft;
• at least one electrode secured to the deflectable tip;
• means for delivering current from the proximal end of the shaft to the electrode;
• a manipulator wire extending through the axial lumen of the shaft and the first axial tip lumen, the manipulator wire having a distal end secured to the distal end of the deflectable tip and a proximal end near the proximal end of the shaft;
• means at the proximal end of the shaft for applying axial force to the manipulator wire to deflect the deflectable tip into a first curvature;
• a core wire disposed in the axial lumen of the shaft and the second axial tip lumen, the core wire having a distal end secured to the distal end of the deflectable tip and a proximal end near the proximal end of the shaft;
• means for exerting torque on the proximal end of the core wire so to rotate the deflectable tip about a longitudinal axis without rotating the proximal end of the shaft;
• a stiffener wire slidably disposed in the axial lumen of the shaft and the third axial tip lumen;
• and
• means at the proximal end of the shaft for axially moving the stiffener wire relative to the deflectable tip such that at least a portion of the deflectable tip assumes a second curvature.

A steerable electrophysiology catheter comprising:

• a handle;
• a shaft with a first bending stiffness, the shaft having a proximal end secured to the handle, a distal end, and an axial lumen therebetween;
• a deflectable tip with a second bending stiffness less than the first bending stiffness, the deflectable tip having a proximal end secured to the distal end of the shaft, a distal end and an axial tip lumen in communication with the axial lumen of the shaft;
• at least one electrode secured to the deflectable tip;
• means for conducting current between the proximal end of the shaft and the electrode;
• a manipulator wire extending through the axial lumen of the shaft and the tip lumen, the manipulator wire having a distal end secured to the distal end of the deflectable tip and a proximal end near the proximal end of the shaft;
• an elongate, flexible stiffener element slidably disposed in the axial lumen of the shaft and the tip lumen, the stiffener element having a proximal end and a third bending stiffness;
• means, coupled to the handle, for applying axial force to the manipulator wire to deflect the deflectable tip into a first curvature;
• means, including a first slide axially slidable on the handle and secured to the proximal end of the stiffener wire, for axially moving the stiffener element relative to the deflectable tip such that at least a portion of the deflectable tip assumes a second curvature;
• the handle including an outer surface, opposite which the first slide is positioned, and an inner surface;
• and
• the stiffener element moving means including a ball and slider element secured to the first slide and positioned against the inner surface of the handle, the ball slider element having at least one low friction element in contact with the inner surface of the handle.