Patent ID: 6203507
Filing Date: 2001-03-20
Classification: A61B,A61M

Abstract:
A deflectable catheter comprising:a catheter body having proximal and distal ends and at least one lumen extending therethrough;a tip section comprising proximal and distal ends and at least one lumen extending therethrough, wherein the proximal end of the tip section is fixedly attached to the distal end of the catheter body;a control handle comprising:a housing having a generally hollow interior;a piston receiving assembly at least partially within the interior of the housing and afforded rotational movement but not longitudinal movement relative to the housing, the assembly comprising a generally tubular member defining a piston chamber;a piston fixedly attached to the proximal end of the catheter body and extending into the piston chamber of the piston receiving assembly, wherein the piston is afforded longitudinal movement but not rotational movement relative to the piston receiving assembly, whereby rotation of the piston relative to the housing correspondingly rotates the piston receiving assembly, catheter body and tip section;a puller wire having proximal and distal ends extending from the control handle, through a lumen in the catheter body and into a lumen in the tip section, the proximal end of the puller wire being anchored in the control handle, whereby distal movement of the piston relative to the piston receiving assembly results in distal movement of the catheter body relative to the puller wire; andmeans for deflecting the tip section in response to distal movement of the catheter body relative to the puller wire.