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

Claim 0:
1. A catheter handle comprising:
a handle housing having a proximal end and a distal end;
a plunger assembly configured to be moved proximally out of the distal end of the handle housing and distally into the distal end of the handle housing, wherein the plunger assembly is configured to cause deflection of a distal portion of a catheter from a first position to a second position; and
a force amplifier coupled to the plunger assembly, the force amplifier configured to reduce an input force required to cause deflection of the distal portion of the catheter from the first position to the second position, wherein the input force is applied to the plunger assembly,
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.