Handle assembly for controlling a steerable catheter
Inventors
Furnish, Greg • Wetzel, Cody • Zeis, Timothy S.
Assignees
Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Publication Number
US-11654262-B2
Publication Date
2023-05-23
Expiration Date
Abstract
A handle assembly for controlling a steerable catheter includes a handle extending about a longitudinal axis from a proximal end to a distal end. A lumen extends through the handle to a distal tip extending outwardly from the distal end of the handle and a pair of control wires are interconnected to the distal end of extend the lumen. A lever assembly is disposed within the handle and includes a lever rotatable about a lever axis to control deflection of the distal end of the lumen. The lever assembly includes a first and second gear assembly disposed in opposing relationship to one another and offset relative to the longitudinal axis for allowing the lumen to pass therebetween. Each of the gear assemblies are interconnected to one of the pair of control wires to individually pull a respective one of the control wires in response to rotation of the lever.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a lever-style handle assembly for supporting and controlling a steerable catheter. The handle extends about a longitudinal axis from a proximal end to a distal end, and includes a lumen that extends through the handle along the longitudinal axis from a receiving end disposed adjacent the proximal end to a distal tip extending outwardly from and terminating in spaced relationship with the distal end. A pair of control wires is interconnected to the distal tip and extends through the lumen and into the handle.
A lever assembly is disposed at least partially within the handle and includes a lever rotatable about a lever axis to control deflection of the distal tip. The lever assembly includes a first gear assembly and a second gear assembly disposed in opposing relationship to one another and offset relative to the longitudinal axis, with the lumen passing between the first and second gear assemblies. Each of the first and second gear assemblies is interconnected to a respective one of the pair of control wires for individually pulling the control wires in response to rotation of the lever.
The disclosed architecture further specifies a central gear tooth arrangement and offset rotatable disk architecture, where the geometry promotes a compact arrangement and supports an arcuate wire path/bending radius. In the lever-actuated transmission, pulley lost-motion and pull-only connections are used to reduce compressive and non-tension loading on the control wires, using wire heads larger than wire openings and link engagement that prevents pushing. The arrangement also includes a lever tensioning mechanism to adjust rotational resistance and help prevent accidental lever actuation, and an adjacent sealed valve assembly at the proximal end for receiving a medical device through the lumen toward the distal end.
Claims Coverage
The document contains one independent claim that defines the core handle assembly architecture, including a lever rotatable about a lever axis, two opposing offset gear assemblies, a lumen passing between the gear assemblies, and two control wires individually pulled in response to lever rotation. Dependent claims refine the mechanism with specific pulley lost-motion and pull-only connections, wire lost-motion engagement, a lever-housing packaging arrangement, and an adjacent sealed valve assembly for medical device delivery.
Lever rotatable to control distal tip deflection with first and second gear assemblies
A handle assembly for a steerable catheter comprising a lever assembly disposed at least partially within the handle and including a lever rotatable about a lever axis to control deflection of the distal tip, wherein the lever assembly includes a first gear assembly and a second gear assembly disposed in opposing relationship to one another and offset relative to the longitudinal axis.
Lumen passing between opposing, offset gear assemblies
A lumen extending through the handle along the longitudinal axis, wherein the lumen passes between said first and second gear assemblies.
Individually pulling control wires from respective gear assemblies
Each of said first and second gear assemblies is interconnected to a respective one of said pair of control wires for individually pulling said control wires in response to rotation of said lever.
Pulley lost-motion connection with pivoting links
Pulley segments with pulley slots larger than the links, where each link is pivotably disposed in its pulley slot to engage the slot back in one lever rotational direction to rotate the pulley segment toward the proximal end and pull an associated control wire, and to freely pivot from the slot back to the slot front in the opposite lever rotational direction to create a pulley lost motion connection between the link and pulley segment.
Wire lost-motion pull-only engagement via slideable control wires
Pulley segments with wire openings and slideably disposed control wires that move within the openings during pulley rotation toward a distal handle end to create a wire lost-motion pull-only connection.
Lever assembly packaged in lever housings defining a lever volume housing
A lever assembly with a first and a second lever housing that fit together to define a lever volume housing containing the first and second gear assemblies.
Adjacent sealed valve assembly for receiving a medical device
An adjacent, sealed valve assembly that enables a medical device to enter at the receiving end and pass through the handle lumen toward the distal end for use in a patient medical procedure.
Overall, claim coverage centers on a lever rotatable about a lever axis controlling deflection of a steerable catheter distal tip via two opposing, longitudinal-axis-offset gear assemblies that individually pull a pair of control wires. Dependent refinements include pulley and wire lost-motion pull-only connections, packaging of the lever assembly in lever housings, and an adjacent sealed valve assembly for receiving a medical device through the handle lumen.
Stated Advantages
Reduced compressive and non-tension loading on the control wires through pulley lost-motion/pull-only connections.
Enables a large wire bending radius to enable different wire materials and reduce wire breakage risk.
Compact architecture of the lever assembly using central gear teeth and offset rotatable disk structures.
Helps prevent accidental lever actuation through a lever tensioning mechanism that adjusts rotational resistance.
Documented Applications
Enables a medical device to enter at the receiving end and pass through the handle lumen toward the distal end for use in a patient medical procedure.
Interested in licensing this patent?