Patent ID: 8388572
Filing Date: 2013-03-05
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
1. A steerable catheter comprising: an elongate catheter shaft having proximal and distal ends and defining a longitudinal axis; an inner catheter body oriented along the longitudinal axis and extending from the proximal end of the elongate catheter shaft past the distal end of the elongate catheter shaft, the inner catheter body having a main body portion and a deflectable tip portion attached to and distal the main body portion, the main body portion being slideably engaged within the elongate catheter shaft, a portion of the deflectable tip end portion being fixedly attached to the elongate catheter shaft; and a support tube coaxially disposed over at least a portion of the inner catheter body and at least a portion of the elongate catheter shaft wherein the support tube includes a coil-like structure configured to bend when deflected axially yet provide sufficient rigidity against radial expansion and the support tube comprises platinum-iridium.