Abstract:
A steerable catheter includes a body portion, a flexible catheter body with a proximal end and a distal tip and a continuous steering wire passing through the flexible body from the proximal end to the distal tip and turning back through the flexible body from the distal tip to the proximal end.
Abstract:
A flexible, steerable intravascular catheter includes an elongate flexible shaft having a heterogeneous or multi-zone stiffness profile or structure. A first or distal portion of the catheter shaft may have a substantially constant or distinct stiffness or flexibility, a second, intermediate or transition section is proximal relative to, and less flexible than, the first section, and a third section is proximal relative to, and also less more flexible than, the first section. The third section also includes a substantially constant or distinct stiffness or flexibility. The flexibility or stiffness of the second section varies along its length, e.g., in a substantially linear, step-like or ramp-like manner to provide a smooth or gradual transition between the stiffness of the first or distal section and the flexibility or stiffness of the third or proximal section.
Abstract:
Steerable medical devices and methods of use. In some embodiments the steerable medical devices include a steerable portion with a stiffness that varies in the steerable portion.
Abstract:
A deflectable catheter including an outer member having a proximal portion and a distal portion, an elongated column member extending distally from the outer member and an inner member positioned coaxial with the outer member and attached to the column member. The inner member extends distally of the outer member and has a distal tip portion. A reinforcement member is positioned over the column member to restrict axial movement of the column member such that when one of the inner member or outer member is moved with respect to the other, axial compression of the column member is restricted by the reinforcement member causing the distal tip portion of the inner member to deflect laterally.
Abstract:
A deflectable catheter shaft section (12) is disclosed comprising an elongated body extending along a longitudinal axis and comprising a distal end (14) and a proximal end (16); and a plurality of lumens (24, 26, 28, 30, 32) extending along the longitudinal axis (A) of the elongated body, wherein at least one of the lumens is abutting at least another one of the lumens. A catheter (10) incorporating a deflectable catheter shaft section can further comprise first and second compression coils (82, 84) disposed over pull wires (40, 42) located within the catheter, wherein the compression coils are unattached to the catheter or components thereof, but can be constrained by a shaft coupler (60) at a distal end of each of the compression coils and by at least a portion of a handle assembly at a proximal end of each of the compression coils.
Abstract:
An improved steerable catheter (10) with biased, in-plane bi-directional deflection has an elongated catheter body (12), a deflectable intermediate section (14) having a tubing (51) with at least a first and a second off-axis opposing lumens (30, 32) for puller wires (42) that define a plane of deflection, and a control handle ()16 at a proximal end of the catheter body. The deflectable intermediate section includes at least two elongated bias members (54) that extend along the length and lie on a plane perpendicular to the plane of deflection so as to resist flexure outside of the plane of deflection. In a more detailed embodiment, the deflectable intermediate section has an integrated tubular construction (51) that includes an inner layer (50), a braided mesh (52) surrounding the inner layer and an outer layer (56), where the bias members can be situated between the inner layer and the braided mesh, or between the braided mesh and the outer layer.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a medical catheter instrument having a shaft portion, a distal portion (2) that can be bent in a controlled manner in at least one direction with respect to the shaft portion, and at least one control element (9) extending in an axially movable manner through the shaft portion to the distal portion. The axial movement of the control element controls a corresponding bending movement of the distal portion. The catheter instrument comprises at least one bending assembly having at least one elongated, elastically bendable stiffening element (5) and at least one elongated, bendable and axially length-adjustable bending element (6), said elements being provided at least in an axial sub-region of the distal portion and extending therein with an axial main component, wherein the stiffening element forms an element restoring bending movement and having a higher flexural stiffness than the bending element, and the bending element is coupled to the at least one control element or forms part of the same.