Patent ID: 7013170

Claim:
A method of manipulating a catheterization apparatus, comprising: providing a catheter comprising a flexible shaft having a preformed curve on a distal end of the flexible shaft, one or more electrodes disposed along the distal end of the flexible shaft, and a shape deflection area defined as a region on the flexible shaft between the preformed curve and a generally straight proximal portion of the flexible shaft, the catheter further comprising a first steering mechanism anchored at a distal portion of the pre-formed curve and a second steering mechanism anchored on the flexible shaft distal to the shape deflection area of the flexible shaft; changing a curvature of the preformed curve in response to a proximally directed force applied to the first steering mechanism; and moving the distal end of the catheter relative to the proximal portion of the flexible shaft in response to a proximally directed force applied to the second steering mechanism.