Patent ID: 7615044
Filing Date: 2009-11-10
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
1. A deflectable sheath assembly comprising: a) a deflectable body extending from a distal portion to a proximal portion; b) a rotatable actuator disposed at the proximal portion of the deflectable body, the rotatable actuator being threadingly engaged with a sliding member such that rotation of the actuator causes longitudinal movement of the sliding member; c) the sliding member fixedly coupled with a pull wire extending along the deflectable body to the deflectable body distal portion such that pull wire longitudinal movement causes deflection of the deflectable body distal portion; and d) wherein the rotatable actuator is threadingly engaged with the sliding member through a first threaded portion having a first pitch in co-axial alignment with a second threaded portion having a second pitch that is different than the first pitch, wherein the first and second threaded portions are either part of the rotatable actuator or part of the sliding member, but not both of them and wherein the sliding member operablely engages the rotatable actuator with the first threaded portion at a first longitudinal position and with the second threaded portion at a second longitudinal position such that rotation of the actuator causes different rates of translational movement of the sliding member per actuator rotation and consequently different rates of translational movement of the pull wire and further consequently different rates of deflection of the deflectable distal body portion when the sliding member engages the first threaded portion compared to the second threaded portion.