Patent ID: 6579278
Filing Date: 2003-06-17
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
A steerable medical device, comprising:an elongated tubular body; a center support wire extending along the tubular body; a first stiffening member extending along the tubular body; a second stiffening member extending along the tubular body distally of the first stiffening member, wherein the second stiffening member is disposed on one side of the center support wire; a first steering wire having a distal end coupled to the center support wire, wherein operation of the first steering wire bends the center support wire in a first direction to create a bending moment having a fulcrum point adjacent a distal end of the second stiffening member; and a second steering wire having a distal end coupled to the center support wire, wherein operation of the second steering wire bends the center support wire in a second direction to create a bending moment having a fulcrum point adjacent a distal end of the first stiffening member, wherein the second direction is non-perpendicular to the first direction.