STEERABLE INSTRUMENT FOR USE IN MEDICAL PROCEDURES

摘要

An elongated medical instrument is provided in which the angular orientation of the distal portion is controlled by adjusting the axial position in the instrument of a wire that has a curved distal portion. The instrument has a stiffened straight portion that is set back slightly from the distal end of the instrument. When the curved portion of the wire is retracted into the stiffened portion, the distal portion of the instrument is undeflected. When the curved portion of the wire is advanced beyond the distal edge of the stiffened portion, the curvature of the wire angularly deflects the distal portion of the instrument. The curvature of the wire tip can be customized by the physician. The rotational orientation of the deflected distal portion of the instrument can be controlled by rotating the wire.