Coupler assembly for catheters

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016144162-A1
Application number	US-201514948645-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Nov 23, 2015
Priority date	May 1, 2007
Publication date	May 26, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

Coupler assemblies and methods are disclosed as the coupler assemblies may be used with a catheter. An exemplary coupler assembly includes a spherical linkage coupler for a catheter. The coupler comprises a first cylinder portion for connecting to a structure, and a second cylinder portion for connecting to a distal end of a body of the catheter. The coupler also comprises a spherical linkage including at least two link arms. Each of the two link arms are connected on one end to the first cylinder portion and on the other end to the second cylinder portion. The two link arms connect a portion of the structure to the distal end of the catheter and enable the structure to move relative to the distal end of the catheter in response to an external force exerted on the structure.

First claim

1 .- 20 . (canceled)

21 . A catheter shaft coupler, comprising:
a first rigid segment; a second rigid segment; a plurality of link arms extending between the first rigid segment and the second rigid segment, wherein the plurality of link arms are configured to:
connect the first rigid segment and the second rigid segment; and
allow the second rigid segment to deflect with respect to the first rigid segment.

22 . The catheter shaft coupler of claim 21 , wherein the first rigid segment is connected to a proximal portion of a catheter shaft and the second rigid segment is connected to a distal portion of the catheter shaft.

23 . The catheter shaft coupler of claim 22 , wherein the catheter shaft coupler is configured to allow the distal portion of the catheter shaft to deflect with respect to the proximal portion of the catheter shaft.

24 . The catheter shaft coupler of claim 23 , wherein:
a distal end of the second rigid segment is connected with an optical sensor; and the optical sensor comprises an emitter and a receiver, the emitter configured to emit an optical signal between the distal portion and the proximal portion of the catheter shaft.

25 . The catheter shaft coupler of claim 21 , wherein a first end of each of the plurality of link arms is connected to the first rigid segment and a second end of each of the plurality of link arms is connected to the second rigid segment.

26 . The catheter shaft coupler of claim 25 , wherein:
the first end of each of the plurality of link arms includes a proximal end that is connected to a distal end of the first rigid segment; and the second end of each of the plurality of link arms includes a distal end that is connected to a proximal end of the second rigid segment.

27 . The catheter shaft coupler of claim 21 , wherein the plurality of link arms are configured to allow the second rigid segment to move proximally with respect to the first rigid segment in response to a compressive force being applied to the second rigid segment.

28 . The catheter shaft coupler of claim 21 , wherein an angle of each of the plurality of link arms with respect to at least one of the first rigid segment and the second rigid segment changes in response to a force being applied to the second rigid segment.

29 . The catheter shaft coupler of claim 21 , further comprising a plurality of bump stops disposed on at least one of a distal surface of the first rigid segment and a proximal surface of the second rigid segment, wherein the plurality of bump stops are configured to limit a proximal movement of the second rigid segment with respect to the first rigid segment.

30 . The catheter shaft coupler of claim 29 , wherein an electrode is connected to a distal end of the second rigid segment.

31 . The catheter shaft coupler of claim 21 , wherein each of the plurality of link arms extend circumferentially around less than an entire circumference of at least one of the first rigid segment and the second rigid segment.

32 . A catheter shaft, comprising:
an elongate shaft extending along a longitudinal axis and comprising a proximal shaft portion and a distal shaft portion; a coupler comprising a proximal rigid segment and a distal rigid segment, a distal end of the distal rigid segment connected to the distal shaft portion and a proximal end of the proximal rigid segment connected to the proximal shaft portion, wherein the coupler includes:
a plurality of link arms extending between the proximal rigid segment and the distal rigid segment, wherein the plurality of link arms are configured to allow the distal shaft portion and the distal rigid segment to deflect with respect to the proximal shaft portion and the proximal rigid segment.

33 . The catheter shaft of claim 32 , wherein:
a plurality of variable gaps are defined by the proximal rigid segment, the distal rigid segment, and the plurality of link arms; and a size of each of the plurality of variable gaps changes in response to the distal rigid segment being deflected with respect to the proximal rigid segment.

34 . The catheter shaft of claim 33 , further comprising a plurality of bump stops disposed on a distal surface of the proximal rigid segment, wherein the plurality of bump stops are configured to limit a size of the variable gaps.

35 . The catheter shaft of claim 32 , wherein the plurality of link arms are configured to allow circumferential rotation of the distal rigid segment relative to the proximal rigid segment.

36 . A catheter shaft coupler, comprising:
a first cylindrical rigid segment; a second cylindrical rigid segment; and a plurality of link arms, each connected on one end to the first cylindrical rigid segment and on the other end to the second cylindrical rigid segment, wherein: each of the plurality of link arms extend circumferentially around less than an entire circumference of at least one of the first and second cylindrical rigid segments; and the plurality of link arms are configured to allow the second cylindrical rigid segment to deflect with respect to the first cylindrical rigid segment.

37 . The catheter shaft coupler of claim 36 , wherein each of the plurality of link arms are connected to the first cylindrical rigid segment and the second cylindrical rigid segment by revolute joints.

38 . The catheter shaft coupler of claim 36 , wherein each of the plurality of link arms are connected to the first cylindrical rigid segment and the second cylindrical rigid segment by compliant joints.

39 . The catheter shaft coupler of claim 38 , wherein the first cylindrical rigid segment is located proximally with respect to the second cylindrical rigid segment; and the first cylindrical rigid segment comprises an elongate flexible body.

40 . The catheter shaft coupler of claim 38 , wherein the catheter shaft coupler is configured to enable circumferential rotation of the second cylindrical rigid segment with respect to the first cylindrical rigid segment.

Assignees

• St Jude Medical Atrial Fibrill

Inventors

• Erdman Arthur G
• Paul Saurav
• Tegg Troy T

Classifications

• A61B5/6852

  Catheters · CPC title

• A61M25/01

  Introducing, guiding, advancing, emplacing or holding catheters (A61M25/10 takes precedence) · CPC title

• A61B2017/00057

  Light · CPC title

• A61B18/24

  with a catheter (A61B18/26, A61B18/28 take precedence) · CPC title

• A61B2017/00084

  Temperature · CPC title