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).
Claims9
A medical device with a proximal end and a distal end including a steering mechanism nearer the proximal than the distal end, the steering mechanism comprising:
- a first spool having a first circumferential groove, the first spool being rotatable about a first rotation axis that extends through a radial center of a first spool face;
- a second spool having a second circumferential groove, the second spool being rotatable about a second rotation axis that is coaxial with the first rotation axis and that extends through a radial center of a second spool face;
- a first retaining tube including a lumen extending longitudinally therethrough, a first end and second end with a middle length therebetween;
- a portion of the middle tube length of the first retaining tube being disposed in the first circumferential groove;
- a second retaining tube including a lumen extending longitudinally therethrough, a first end and second end with a middle length therebetween;
- a portion of the middle length of the second retaining tube being disposed in the second circumferential groove;
- a first drive cable disposed through a length of the lumen of the first retaining tube and extending distally from the first end of the first retaining tube, a second drive cable disposed through a length of the lumen of the second retaining tube and extending distally from the first end of the second retaining tube, a third drive cable disposed through a length of the lumen of the first retaining tube and extending distally from the second end of the first retaining tube, and a fourth drive cable disposed through a length of the lumen of the second retaining tube and extending distally from the second end of the second retaining tube;
- wherein the first spool and the second spool are rotatable independent of one another, wherein a proximal end length of each of the first and third drive cables contacts the first spool face and a proximal terminal end of each of the first and third drive cables being directly attached to the first spool by a knob, and wherein a proximal end length of each of the second and fourth drive cables contacts the second spool face and a proximal terminal end of each of the second and fourth drive cables being directly attached to the second spool by a knob.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.