Patent ID: 7438716
Filing Date: 2008-10-21
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
1. A control apparatus for moving an intraluminal shaft of a medical device, the apparatus comprising: a housing having a longitudinally extending channel through at least a portion thereof, said channel having at least a first surface substantially inclined along a longitudinal direction; and an actuator movably mounted to the housing, the actuator being coupled to first and second spaced-apart jaws disposed in the channel, the jaws being adapted for releasably gripping a shaft extending longitudinally through the channel, said first and second jaws defining an opening of a first dimension therebetween for receiving the shaft, said actuator being movable to urge at least one of said first and second jaws longitudinally along said first substantially inclined surface to transition said first dimension to a second dimension adapted to grip the shaft, whereby continued movement of the actuator may cause longitudinal movement of the shaft.