Patent ID: 8706260
Filing Date: 2014-04-22
Classification: A61B,A61M

Abstract:
1. A catheter suitable for use in applying ablation energy to body tissue or detecting electrical signals conducted within the body tissue comprising: an elongated catheter body with a smooth outer surface, said elongated catheter body having a catheter body axis and extending between a catheter body proximal end and a catheter body distal end, the elongated catheter body having a catheter body proximal section extending distally from said catheter body proximal end and a deflectable distal tip section extending proximally from said catheter body distal end to a junction with said catheter body proximal section; said deflectable distal tip section including a distal segment, a curvable proximal segment having a proximal segment length and a bendable intermediate segment having an intermediate segment length disposed between the distal segment and the curvable proximal segment; at least one electrode positioned along the distal segment that is adapted to be disposed against body tissue for delivery of ablation energy thereto or for conduction of body tissue electrical signals; a handle at the proximal end of the catheter body, said handle having a proximal handle end and a distal handle end, said handle having a stop plate within said handle distal end; a conductor extending through the catheter body from the handle to the electrode; and an actuation mechanism extending through the catheter body to the deflectable tip section to selectively deflect the catheter body axis in the deflectable distal tip section with respect to the catheter body axis in the catheter body proximal section, the actuation mechanism adapted to curve the proximal segment in a first direction and to bend the intermediate segment in a second direction independently of the curve of the proximal segment to dispose the distal segment at a desired orientation to body tissue, wherein the actuation mechanism further comprises: a first pull wire extending between a first pull wire proximal end disposed within said handle and a first pull wire distal end coupled to said distal segment; a first pull wire lumen formed within said catheter body and extending between a first pull wire lumen proximal end communicating with said handle and a first pull wire lumen distal end, said first pull wire enclosed within said first pull wire lumen, said first pull wire lumen extending in parallel with said catheter body axis and displaced therefrom at a first off-axis location through said proximal and intermediate segments, and said first pull wire distal end affixed to said distal segment; a first pull wire control formed in said handle coupled with said first pull wire proximal end enabling application and release of tension on said first pull wire, said first pull wire control having an extended position wherein said first pull wire is slack and a plurality of retracted positions wherein said first pull wire is retracted and tensioned thereby imparting a knuckle curvature through the intermediate segment length with respect to said proximal segment and deflecting the catheter body axis of said distal segment with respect to the catheter body axis of the catheter body in the catheter body proximal section and the proximal segment; a second pull wire extending between a second pull wire proximal end disposed within said handle and a second pull wire distal end coupled to the junction of said intermediate segment with said proximal segment; a second pull wire lumen formed within said catheter body and extending between a second pull wire lumen proximal end communicating with said handle and a second pull wire lumen distal end, said second pull wire enclosed within said second pull wire lumen, said second pull wire lumen extending in parallel with said catheter body axis and displaced therefrom at a second off-axis location through said proximal segment, and said second pull wire distal end affixed to a junction of said proximal and intermediate segments, said first and second off-axis locations aligned with a common radial direction extending away from the catheter body axis; a second pull wire control formed in said handle coupled with said second pull wire proximal end enabling application and release of tension on said second pull wire independently of application and release of tension on said first pull wire, said second pull wire control having an extended position wherein said second pull wire is slack and a plurality of retracted positions wherein said second pull wire is retracted and tensioned thereby imparting a curvature through the proximal segment length with respect to said distal segment and deflecting the catheter body axis of said proximal segment with respect to the catheter body axis of catheter body in the catheter body proximal section and the distal segment, whereby independent manipulation of the first and second pull wire controls enables a knuckle curvature of the intermediate segment that deflects the distal segment in a first direction with respect to the proximal segment and formation of a curve in the proximal segment in a second direction sharing a common plane with respect to the catheter body axis in the catheter body proximal section and in the distal segment.