US6585718B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Steerable catheter with shaft support system for resisting axial compressive loads
Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers Inc
•
Filing: 2001-05-02
•
Granted: 2003-07-01
•
Expires: 2021-05-02
Abstract
Abstract A catheter includes a steering mechanism for manipulating the distal end of the catheter to obtain a plurality of deflection profiles, a torque transfer system to enhance torque transfer from the handle to the distal tip, and a support system to reduce undesirable deformation of the distal-end region during steering. 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. The support system includes a compression cage and longitudinal struts that are located within the distal-end region of the catheter. The support system can support axial loads and deflect laterally in the direction of the steering, thereby reducing the amount of stretching and compression of the catheter sheath within the deflecting region.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert C. Hayzelden
- 👤 John A. Simpson
- 👤 Wade A. Bowe
- 👤 Andrea M. Moore
- 👤 Jesse Flores
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 07:49
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M25/00; A61M25/01; A61M25/0105; A61M25/0133; A61M25/0138; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/04; A61B18/12; A61B18/14; A61B18/1492; A61M25/0141; A61M25/0144; A61M25/0147; A61B17/00; A61B17/00234; A61B2017/00292; A61B2017/003; A61B2018/00571; A61B2018/00577; A61M2025/015
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 38
Claim 1
Independent Claim
144 words
A catheter comprising: a sheath including a proximal region, a distal-end region, and a longitudinal centerline; at least one steering tendon housed within the sheath, the steering tendon having a first end attached to the distal-end region of the sheath, and a second end located at the proximal region of the sheath, wherein movement of the steering tendon in a proximal direction causes the sheath distal-end region to deflect; and a support system having a proximal end, a distal end and a lumen there between, the support system sized to fit within the distal-end region of the sheath and configured to deflect laterally relative to the centerline and to resist axial compression along the centerline; wherein the support system comprises a helical coil defining the lumen and at least one strut secured to one side of the coil throughout the length of the coil.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
144 words
A catheter comprising: a sheath including a proximal region, a distal-end region, and a longitudinal centerline; at least one steering tendon housed within the sheath, the steering tendon having a first end attached to the distal-end region of the sheath, and a second end located at the proximal region of the sheath, wherein movement of the steering tendon in a proximal direction causes the sheath distal-end region to deflect; and a support system having a proximal end, a distal end and a lumen there between, the support system sized to fit within the distal-end region of the sheath and configured to deflect laterally relative to the centerline and to resist axial compression along the centerline; wherein the support system comprises a helical coil defining the lumen and at least one strut secured to one side of the coil throughout the length of the coil.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The catheter of claim 1 wherein the support system comprises a pair of struts secured to diametrically opposite sides of the coil.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The catheter of claim 1 wherein the support system is formed of a resiliently deformable, shape-memory material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
143 words
A catheter comprising: a sheath including a proximal region, a distal-end region, and a longitudinal centerline; at least one steering tendon housed within the sheath, the steering tendon having a first end attached to the distal-end region of the sheath, and a second end located at the proximal region of the sheath, wherein movement of the steering tendon in a proximal direction causes the sheath distal-end region to deflect; and a support system having a proximal end, a distal end and a lumen there between, the support system sized to fit within the distal-end region of the sheath and configured to deflect laterally relative to the centerline and to resist axial compression along the centerline; wherein the support system comprises a linear array of hollow rings defining the lumen and at least one strut secured to one side of each of the rings.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
143 words
A catheter comprising: a sheath including a proximal region, a distal-end region, and a longitudinal centerline; at least one steering tendon housed within the sheath, the steering tendon having a first end attached to the distal-end region of the sheath, and a second end located at the proximal region of the sheath, wherein movement of the steering tendon in a proximal direction causes the sheath distal-end region to deflect; and a support system having a proximal end, a distal end and a lumen there between, the support system sized to fit within the distal-end region of the sheath and configured to deflect laterally relative to the centerline and to resist axial compression along the centerline; wherein the support system comprises a linear array of hollow rings defining the lumen and at least one strut secured to one side of each of the rings.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The catheter of claim 4 wherein the support system comprises a pair of struts secured to diametrically opposite sides of each of the rings.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The catheter of claim 4 wherein the support system is formed of a resiliently deformable, shape-memory material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
131 words
A catheter comprising: a sheath including a proximal region, a distal-end region, and a longitudinal centerline; at least one steering tendon housed within the sheath, the steering tendon having a first end attached to the distal-end region of the sheath, and a second end located at the proximal region of the sheath, wherein movement of the steering tendon in a proximal direction causes the sheath distal-end region to deflect; a support system having a proximal end, a distal end and a lumen there between, the support system sized to fit within the distal-end region of the sheath and configured to deflect laterally relative to the centerline and to resist axial compression along the centerline; and a ribbon isolation sleeve having a proximal end coupled to the distal-end of the support system.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
131 words
A catheter comprising: a sheath including a proximal region, a distal-end region, and a longitudinal centerline; at least one steering tendon housed within the sheath, the steering tendon having a first end attached to the distal-end region of the sheath, and a second end located at the proximal region of the sheath, wherein movement of the steering tendon in a proximal direction causes the sheath distal-end region to deflect; a support system having a proximal end, a distal end and a lumen there between, the support system sized to fit within the distal-end region of the sheath and configured to deflect laterally relative to the centerline and to resist axial compression along the centerline; and a ribbon isolation sleeve having a proximal end coupled to the distal-end of the support system.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The catheter of claim 7 wherein the ribbon isolation sleeve is formed of a resiliently deformable material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The catheter of claim 8 wherein the ribbon isolation sleeve further comprises a wire coil embedded within the material.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The catheter of claim 7 wherein the first end of the steering tendon is attached at a location offset from the centerline of the sheath.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
183 words
A catheter comprising: a sheath including a proximal region and a distal-end region; a first steering tendon housed within the sheath, the first steering tendon having a first end attached to the distal-end region at a point proximate an inner surface of the sheath, and a second end exiting a proximal end of the sheath, wherein movement of the first steering tendon in a proximal direction causes the sheath distal-end region to deflect; a second steering tendon housed within the sheath, the second steering tendon having a first end attached to the distal-end region at a point proximate the inner surface of the sheath and proximal the attachment point of the first steering tendon, and a second end exiting the proximal end of the sheath, wherein movement of the second steering tendon in the proximal direction causes the sheath distal-end region to deflect; and a compression cage having a proximal end, a distal end and a lumen there between, the compression cage sized to fit within the distal-end region of the sheath and configured to deflect laterally and to support an axial load.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
183 words
A catheter comprising: a sheath including a proximal region and a distal-end region; a first steering tendon housed within the sheath, the first steering tendon having a first end attached to the distal-end region at a point proximate an inner surface of the sheath, and a second end exiting a proximal end of the sheath, wherein movement of the first steering tendon in a proximal direction causes the sheath distal-end region to deflect; a second steering tendon housed within the sheath, the second steering tendon having a first end attached to the distal-end region at a point proximate the inner surface of the sheath and proximal the attachment point of the first steering tendon, and a second end exiting the proximal end of the sheath, wherein movement of the second steering tendon in the proximal direction causes the sheath distal-end region to deflect; and a compression cage having a proximal end, a distal end and a lumen there between, the compression cage sized to fit within the distal-end region of the sheath and configured to deflect laterally and to support an axial load.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
The catheter of claim 11 wherein the first end of the second steering tendon is coupled to the compression cage.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
The catheter of claim 12 wherein the first end of the second steering tendon attaches to a distal portion of the compression cage.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
The catheter of claim 11 wherein the catheter further comprises an anchor band attached to the distal end of the compression cage.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
The catheter of claim 14 wherein the first end of the second steering tendon is attached to the anchor band.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
36 words
The catheter of claim 11 further comprising a torque transfer system housed within the compression cage and adapted to transfer torsional forces from the proximal region of the sheath to the distal-end region of the sheath.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
38 words
The catheter of claim 16 wherein the torque transfer system comprises an eyelet secured at the distal end of the proximal region of the sheath and the proximal end of the compression cage is secured to the eyelet.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
46 words
The catheter of claim 17 wherein the torque transfer system further comprises a ribbon housed within the compression cage and configured to deflect therewith, the ribbon having a first end secured to the eyelet and a second end attached to the distal-end region of the sheath.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
20 words
The catheter of claim 18 wherein the ribbon is positioned along the centerline of the distal-end region of the sheath.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
16 words
The catheter of claim 18 wherein the ribbon is formed of a resiliently deformable, shape-memory material.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
13 words
The catheter of claim 18 wherein the ribbon has a substantially rectangular cross-section.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
55 words
The catheter of claim 18 wherein: the compression cage is adapted to deflect in a direction; the ribbon is adapted to deflect in a direction; and the compression cage further comprises a ribbon locator, the ribbon locator being adapted to align the deflecting direction of the compression cage with the deflecting direction of the ribbon.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
235 words
A catheter for use with biological tissue, the catheter comprising: a sheath including a proximal region and a distal-end region; at least one electrode located in the distal-end region for transferring energy to the biological tissue; a first steering tendon housed within the sheath, the first steering tendon having a first end attached to the distal-end region at a point proximate an inner surface of the sheath, and a second end exiting a proximal end of the sheath, wherein movement of the first steering tendon in a proximal direction causes the sheath distal-end region to deflect; a second steering tendon housed within the sheath, the second steering tendon having a first end attached to the distal-end region at a point proximate the inner surface of the sheath and proximal the attachment point of the first steering tendon, and a second end exiting the proximal end of the sheath, wherein movement of the second steering tendon in the proximal direction causes the sheath distal-end region to deflect; a compression cage having a proximal end, a distal end and a lumen there between, the compression cage sized to fit within the distal-end region of the sheath and configured to deflect laterally therewith and to resist axial compression; and a torque transfer system housed within the compression cage and adapted to transfer torsional forces from the proximal region of the sheath to the distal-end region of the sheath.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
235 words
A catheter for use with biological tissue, the catheter comprising: a sheath including a proximal region and a distal-end region; at least one electrode located in the distal-end region for transferring energy to the biological tissue; a first steering tendon housed within the sheath, the first steering tendon having a first end attached to the distal-end region at a point proximate an inner surface of the sheath, and a second end exiting a proximal end of the sheath, wherein movement of the first steering tendon in a proximal direction causes the sheath distal-end region to deflect; a second steering tendon housed within the sheath, the second steering tendon having a first end attached to the distal-end region at a point proximate the inner surface of the sheath and proximal the attachment point of the first steering tendon, and a second end exiting the proximal end of the sheath, wherein movement of the second steering tendon in the proximal direction causes the sheath distal-end region to deflect; a compression cage having a proximal end, a distal end and a lumen there between, the compression cage sized to fit within the distal-end region of the sheath and configured to deflect laterally therewith and to resist axial compression; and a torque transfer system housed within the compression cage and adapted to transfer torsional forces from the proximal region of the sheath to the distal-end region of the sheath.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
19 words
The catheter of claim 23 wherein the first steering tendon is secured within a distal tip of the sheath.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
34 words
The catheter of claim 23 wherein the at least one electrode comprises: a tip electrode located at the distal end of the sheath; and the first steering tendon is secured within the tip electrode.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
34 words
The catheter of claim 23 wherein the compression cage comprises: a helical coil defining the lumen; and at least one strut secured to one side of the coil along the length of the coil.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
54 words
The catheter of claim 26 wherein: the catheter further comprises an anchor band having a proximal end and a distal end with a central lumen there between; the anchor band is housed within the distal-end region; and the proximal end of the anchor band is attached to the distal end of the compression cage.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
20 words
The catheter of claim 27 wherein the first end of the second steering tendon is attached to the anchor band.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
38 words
The catheter of claim 23 wherein: the torque transfer system comprises an eyelet secured at the distal end of the proximal region of the sheath; and the proximal end of the compression cage is secured to the eyelet.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
46 words
The catheter of claim 29 wherein the torque transfer system further comprises a ribbon housed within the compression cage and configured to deflect therewith, the ribbon having a first end secured within the eyelet and a second end attached to the distal-end region of the sheath.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
55 words
The catheter of claim 30 wherein: the compression cage is adapted to deflect in a direction; the ribbon is adapted to deflect in a direction; and the compression cage further comprises a ribbon locator, the ribbon locator being adapted to align the deflecting direction of the compression cage with the deflecting direction of the ribbon.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
25 words
The catheter of claim 1 wherein the first end of the steering tendon is attached at a location offset from the centerline of the sheath.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
25 words
The catheter of claim 4 wherein the first end of the steering tendon is attached at a location offset from the centerline of the sheath.
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