Patent ID: 8128614

Claim:
An apparatus for accessing a site within a body, comprising: a cannula having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending there between and a central longitudinal axis; a steering mechanism comprising a flexible elongate member having a distal end sized for insertion through the cannula lumen and configured to move, in situ, from a configuration where the steering mechanism is detached from the cannula to a configuration wherein the steering mechanism is attached to the cannula; and a handle secured to a proximal end of the elongate member, the handle having a tensioning device for applying a tension to the elongate member, wherein the steering mechanism is proximal the distal end of the cannula when the steering mechanism is attached to the cannula, and wherein the distal end of the steering mechanism has a shape that is radially asymmetrical with respect to the central longitudinal axis of the cannula when the steering mechanism is attached to the cannula, wherein the distal end of the elongate member has an expanded configuration and a collapsed configuration, wherein the elongate member may be secured to the distal end of the cannula when the elongate member distal end is in the expanded configuration, and wherein the distal end of the elongate member comprises a bent wire.