CATHETER CONTROL SYSTEM HAVING A PULLEY

摘要

A steerable catheter (10) comprising a resilient body member (12), a manipulation handle (11) attached to the proximal end of the body member (12), a control wire (20) extending from the handle (11) to the distal end (16) of the catheter for deflection control, and a pulley mechanism (26) for controlling the movement of the control wire (20). Longitudinal movement of a slide element (24) in the handle (11) causes movement of the control wire (20) and control over the deflection of the distal end of the catheter. The pulley mechanism (26) is connected between the slide element (24) and the control wire (20) to provide greater mechanical advantage to effect deflection of the body member (12) while enhancing deflection control resolution. A stiffening member (30) is also disposed in the catheter body member (12) and its position is controlled by the rotational motion of the slide element (24). The position of the pulley mechanism (26) is not affected by rotational motion of the slide element (24).