Patent ID: 6829497
Filing Date: 2004-12-07
Classification: A61B,A61M

Abstract:
A steerable diagnostic catheter comprising:a catheter body having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, said distal end portion including a probe assembly formed by a deformable length of multi-lumened tubing having a first end and a second end, said first end being affixed to said proximal end portion of said catheter body, an end cap affixed to said second end, said end cap including a projection that extends into and mates with a lumen of said tubing, said projection having a transverse opening therein, and a plurality of electrodes distributed along the length of said tubing, said electrodes being formed by metal rings circumscribing said tubing and disposed in spaced apart relationship along the length thereof; a handle affixed to said proximal end portion, and including a steering actuator pivotably mounted to said handle by a pivot; a plurality of signal wires extending through said handle, said proximal end portion and the lumens of said tubing, a distal end portion of each said signal wire being deformed and extending through an opening in the wall of said tubing, said deformed portion being ohmically connected to one of said rings by mechanical engagement thereto; at least one steering wire formed by a single length of wire having a first wire end connected to said steering actuator on one side of said pivot, said steering wire extending through said proximal end portion and a lumen of said tubing to said second end where it engages said end cap, back through a lumen of said tubing, and back through said proximal end portion to said handle, the second wire end of said steering wire being attached to said actuator on an opposite side of said pivot, whereby movement of said actuator in one direction causes deflection of said distal end portion in one direction and movement of said actuator in an opposite direction causes deflection of said distal end portion in another direction thereby enabling said catheter to be steered.