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Publication Number
US-11141568-B2
Publication Date
2021-10-12
Expiration Date
Abstract
A bi-directional steerable catheter adapted for delivery into a patient's vasculature. The pull wires which are used to tension the deflectable segment of the steerable catheter are wound in parallel around the axis of the steerable catheter on opposite sides of the steerable catheter.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a bi-directional steerable catheter that includes a tube having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therebetween. The tube includes a first segment proximate the distal end and a second segment that extends proximally from the first segment. A first pull wire and a second pull wire are disposed within first and second side lumens of the tube, respectively, extending from the distal end to the proximal end.
The first and second pull wires include first and second wound segments wound about a longitudinal axis of the tube in the second segment, with the wound segments dispersed circumferentially about the longitudinal axis. The wound segments are configured to reduce whipping when the tube is rotated around the longitudinal axis of the tube, and by reducing pull-wire whipping, the catheter substantially stabilizes deflection and curve geometry during catheter rotation.
The catheter is configured to enable bidirectional steering via selective tensioning, including selective tensioning of the first pull wire without tensioning the second pull wire, or tensioning the second pull wire without tensioning the first pull wire. The arrangement also allows the first and second pull wires to extend within the first segment of the tube in straight distal segments on opposite sides of the tube, and the catheter may further include a handle with a lever-plus-brake locking function and layered wall construction with an inner tube, liners and braid embedded in different durometers, and a soft tip hardness gradient.
Claims Coverage
The partial content provides two independent claims: one independent apparatus claim for the steerable catheter and one independent method claim for accessing a target site. Across these claims, the main inventive features are organized around wound-segment pull-wire dispersion around the tube axis to reduce whipping during tube rotation and bidirectional steering enabled by selective tensioning.
Circumferentially dispersed wound segments to reduce whipping during tube rotation
A steerable catheter having a tube with a first segment and a second segment, and first and second pull wires that include first and second wound segments wound about a longitudinal axis of the tube in the second segment, wherein the first wound segment and the second wound segment are dispersed circumferentially about the longitudinal axis and are configured to reduce whipping when the tube is rotated around the longitudinal axis.
Opposite-side straight distal segments for each pull wire
The first pull wire extends distally within the first segment from the first wound segment in a straight distal segment, and the second pull wire extends distally within the first segment from the second wound segment in a straight distal segment, wherein the straight distal segments extend distally on opposite sides of the tube.
Selective tensioning of one pull wire without tensioning the other for bidirectional steering
A handle fixed to the tube comprising means for selectively tensioning the first pull wire without tensioning the second pull wire, or tensioning the second pull wire without tensioning the first pull wire, to provide bidirectional steering of the deflectable segment.
Method of accessing a target site with bidirectional steering while rotating in the vessel
A method of accessing a target site in a vessel of a patient by providing the steerable catheter with first and second wound segments configured to reduce whipping during rotation, inserting the steerable catheter into a vessel and navigating until the first segment is disposed proximate the target site and the second segment is disposed across a curve in the vessel, operating one or both pull wires to deflect the first segment, and rotating the tube about the long axis while the steerable catheter is disposed within the vessel.
The independent claim coverage centers on a bidirectionally steerable catheter using first and second pull wires with circumferentially dispersed wound segments to reduce whipping when the tube is rotated, combined with a handle that selectively tensions one pull wire without tensioning the other. The independent method claim applies this catheter to access a target site by navigating to a position across a vessel curve, deflecting the first segment by operating the pull wires, and rotating the tube while within the vessel.
Stated Advantages
Reduce pull-wire whipping when the tube is rotated around the longitudinal axis.
Stabilize deflection and curve geometry during catheter rotation.
Documented Applications
Method of accessing a target site in a vessel of a patient using the steerable catheter, including navigating to positions where the first segment is proximate the target site and the second segment is across a curve, then deflecting and rotating while disposed within the vessel.
Left atrium target site with a curve transitioning from the inferior vena cava to the atrial septum.
Anatomic vessel access examples corresponding to an aortic arch, iliac bifurcation, atrial septum, peripheral and coronary access, and aortic valve/coronary access.
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