Steerable catheter with torque transfer system
US6605086B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 2, 2001 |
| Grant date | Aug 12, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 11, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61M2025/015
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A catheter includes a steering mechanism for manipulating the distal end of the catheter to obtain a plurality of deflection profiles, and a torque transfer system at the distal portion to enhance torque transfer from the handle to the distal tip. The steering mechanism includes two steering tendons. The steering tendons are attached to the distal-end region of the catheter. The steering tendons may be located approximately angularly aligned, thus causing the deflection profiles to be unidirectional. Alternatively, the steering tendons may be located angularly separated from each other, thus causing the deflection profiles to be bidirectional. In other aspects, the torque transfer system includes a flat ribbon within the relatively flexible distal-end region to enhance torque transfer through the distal-end region of the catheter.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.