Patent ID: 7269453
Filing Date: 2007-09-11
Classification: A61B,A61M

Abstract:
1. A steerable diagnostic catheter comprising: an elongated, tubular central member having a distal end and a proximal end, said central member having a deformable end portion proximate said distal end; a catheter body having a proximal portion and a distal portion enveloping said central member, said distal portion including a probe assembly formed by a handle affixed to the proximal end of said catheter body, and including a steering actuator and a slider means for enabling relative axial movement between said proximal portion and said central member; a plurality of signal wires extending through said handle, said proximal portion and the lumens of said splines, a distal end portion of each said signal wire being deformed and extending through an opening in the outer wall of its corresponding tubing, said deformed portion being ohmically connected to one of said rings by mechanical engagement thereto, wherein said mechanical engagement of each said ring to a corresponding signal wire is achieved by folding said deformed portion back upon itself such that interference of the folded portion with the deformed portion maintains mechanical engagement of the folded portion to the ring; at least one steering wire having a first end affixed to said steering actuator and extending therefrom through said central member, a second end of said at least one steering wire being affixed to the distal end of said central member; whereby movement of said slider means in a first direction causes contraction of said distal portion of said catheter body resulting in deployment of said lengths of multi-lumened tubing away from central member, and whereby manipulation of said steering actuator causes retraction or extension of said at least one steering wire resulting in deformation of said deformable end portion and said probe assembly thereby enabling said catheter to be steered.