CATHETER DEFLECTION CONTROL

摘要

A vascular catheter (12) with a distal working tip (14) is provided with precise shape control. The tip section optionally includes a plurality of weakened segments (50, 52) of preferred deflection spaced from the distal end. Reciprocally operable control wires (24, 26) are attached distal each deflection segment and extend to a proximal control handle (18) where they are attached to manual controls (20, 22) for adjusting longitudinal tension to the distal section of the catheter from just beyond the deflection segments in a manner that encourages bending or collapse of the cutout areas. An additional reciprocating adjustable tubular member (176) which itself optionally may have areas (178) of preferred deflection slidably reciprocates within the main internal lumen of the working catheter section, and may be axially adjusted in relation to the working catheter segment to precisely modify the deflection characteristics of the catheter section sought to be controlled as produced by the wires.