Patent ID: 6450948
Filing Date: 2002-09-17
Classification: A61B,A61M

Abstract:
A steerable probe comprising:(a) a cannula having: (1) a proximal end and a distal end and extending along a length therebetween; (2) an exterior surface; (3) an interior surface defining a lumen; (4) an elongate flexible section extending along a first portion of the length and having a section proximal end and a section distal end; (b) a pull wire for deflecting said flexible section in a first direction in a preferred bending plane, the pull wire substantially embedded in the cannula between the interior surface and the exterior surface and extending from the section proximal end to the section distal end, the pull wire secured to the cannula adjacent the section distal end and freely passing through the section proximal end; and (c) at least two longitudinal strengthening members, extending along and embedded in said flexible section generally opposite each other about the preferred bending plane; wherein the flexible section is precurved in a second direction opposite the first direction.