Patent ID: 11918762
Assignee: ST. JUDE MEDICAL, CARDIOLOGY DIVISION, INC.
Field: Medical technology (Instruments)
Classification: CPC A | IPC A

Claim 11:
12. A deflectable catheter comprising:
a catheter shaft comprising a shaft proximal end, a shaft distal end, a shaft deflectable distal portion, and at least one tension member extending from the shaft proximal end to the shaft deflectable distal portion;
a plunger assembly operatively coupled to the at least one tension member;
a force amplifier coupled to the plunger assembly, the force amplifier configured to reduce an input force applied to the plunger assembly to cause deflection of the shaft deflectable distal portion,
wherein the force amplifier comprises a system of gears, the system of gears comprising at least a first gear and a second gear; and
wherein the force amplifier comprises a threaded central axel around which the second gear rotates;
wherein the threaded central axel is configured to cause the second gear to translate upwards or downwards based on a direction of rotation of the second gear; and

a frictional element located between a bottom surface of the second gear and a bottom portion of the catheter handle, wherein the frictional element is an O-ring;
wherein friction between the frictional element and the bottom surface of the second gear increases as the second gear moves downwards; and, wherein friction between the frictional element and the bottom surface of the second gear decreases as the second gear moves upwards; and
a handle housing having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the plunger assembly is configured to be moved proximally out of the distal end of the handle housing and distally into the distal end of the handle housing.