Patent ID: 6485482
Filing Date: 2002-11-26
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A rotational and translational drive coupling for moving an inner member of a catheter comprising:a housing: an elongate rotary drive element, comprising a first longitudinal drive path, mounted to the housing for rotation about a longitudinal axis; an inner catheter member termination element mounted to the rotary drive element for: longitudinal movement, relative to the rotary drive element, along the first longitudinal drive path; and rotary motion with the rotary drive element; a termination member; a bearing having a first part coupled to the termination member and a second part, said first and second parts freely rotatable relative to one another in at least one rotary direction; and a longitudinal driver, mounted to the housing, having a longitudinal drive element coupled to the second part of the bearing and movable along a second longitudinal drive path; whereby rotation of the rotary drive element rotates the termination element about the longitudinal axis, and longitudinal movement of the longitudinal drive element translates the bearing parallel to the second longitudinal drive path, which in turn translates the termination element along the first longitudinal drive path.