Modular handle assembly for a steerable catheter
Inventors
Appling, Anthony • Furnish, Greg • Morris, Ben
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-10918833-B2
Publication Date
2021-02-16
Expiration Date
Abstract
A modular handle assembly includes a dial rotatably connected to a handle and rotatable about a first rotary axis. A first gear arm extends from the dial and terminates at a first traction surface. A second gear arm is connected to the handle and rotatable about a second rotary axis that is parallel to the first rotary axis. The second gear arm terminates at a second gear tip that presents a second traction surface disposed against the first traction surface such that rotation of the dial in a first rotary direction effectuates rotation of the second gear arm in an opposite direction. A cam is coupled with at least one of the first and second gear tips and presents at least one deflection surface for deflecting a deflection wire during rotation of the dial to steer a distal end of a steerable catheter containing the deflection wire.
Core Innovation
The modular handle assembly includes a steerable catheter having at least one deflection wire and a handle extending along a longitudinal axis for being positioned about a portion of the steerable catheter. The handle carries a dial rotatably connected to the handle and rotatable about a first rotary axis extending transverse to the longitudinal axis. The dial drives actuation for steering by mechanically transferring motion to gear arms and a cam coupled with gear tips.
A first gear arm extends radially relative to the first rotational axis from the dial and terminates at a first gear tip presenting a first friction surface. A second gear arm is rotatably connected to the handle and rotatable about a second rotary axis extending in spaced and parallel relationship with the first rotary axis, and the second gear arm terminates at a second gear tip presenting a second friction surface disposed against the first friction surface. Rotation of the dial in a first rotary direction about the first rotary axis effectuates rotation of the second gear arm in an opposite direction about the second rotary axis through a traction/friction interface.
A cam is coupled with at least one of the first and second gear tips for providing movement of the cam during rotation of the dial. The cam presents at least one deflection surface for deflecting the at least one deflection wire extending across the deflection surface during rotation of the dial, thereby steering the distal end of the steerable catheter. The disclosed structure includes distinct deflection surfaces for alternately deflecting respective deflection wires and includes a tuning block that wraps/tensions both wires at a single termination point, together with a dial brake assembly configured to hold and increase rotational resistance.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim is directed to a modular handle assembly that steers a distal end of a steerable catheter using a dial that oppositely drives first and second gear tips with respective friction surfaces to move a cam with deflection surfaces. The inventive mechanism includes four main inventive features: a dial-driven opposing gear-arm pair, a friction interface that transmits opposite rotational direction, a cam coupled with the gear tips, and deflection surfaces that steer by deflecting at least one deflection wire.
Dial-driven opposing gear-arm pair for mechanical actuation
A dial rotatably connected to the handle and rotatable about a first rotary axis extending transverse to the longitudinal axis; a first gear arm extending radially relative to the first rotational axis from the dial and terminating at a first gear tip presenting a first friction surface; and a second gear arm rotatably connected to the handle and rotatable about a second rotary axis extending in spaced and parallel relationship with the first rotary axis.
Opposite-direction rotation via disposed friction surfaces
The second gear arm extending radially relative to the second rotary axis and terminating at a second gear tip presenting a second friction surface disposed against said first friction surface such that rotation of said dial in a first rotary direction about said first rotary axis effectuates rotation of said second gear arm in an opposite direction about said second rotary axis.
Cam coupled to gear tips for deflection-surface motion
A cam coupled with at least one said first and second gear tips for providing movement of said cam during rotation of said dial.
Deflection surfaces for steering by wire deflection
Said cam presenting at least one deflection surface for deflecting said at least one deflection wire extending across said at least one deflection surface during rotation of said dial to steer a distal end of said steerable catheter with said first and second gear tips.
Across the independent claim, steering is achieved by coupling a dial to a paired, oppositely driven gear-arm interface with friction surfaces, translating that motion to a cam, and using cam deflection surfaces that deflect the at least one deflection wire to steer the catheter distal end.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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