Steerable ablation device

摘要

The invention relates to a flexible assembly for use in a region of a medical or surgical device. In preferred embodiments, the flexible region comprises a set of pull wires for controllably moving a treatment end of the device, and elements to separate the pull wires and maintain the integrity of the shaft of the flexible region in order to improve the operating aspects of the device. The devices and methods can be especially useful in ablation treatments, such as ablation at cardiac or epicardial tissues.

主权项

1. A steerable medical device, comprising:
an elongate outer shaft including a steerable deflection region; an elongate steering member disposed within an interior of the outer shaft; wherein the steerable deflection region comprises at least one cut disposed through a wall of the outer shaft, the at least one cut defining an interlocking support structure configured to permit deflection of the steerable deflection region to an angle of deflection while maintaining the integrity of the steerable deflection region during deflection; and wherein the interlocking support structure includes a first spine that extends continuously from a proximal end of the steerable deflection region to a distal end of the steerable deflection region.