Control systems for shapeable catheters

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2021283373-A1
Application number	US-202117194198-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Mar 5, 2021
Priority date	Mar 10, 2020
Publication date	Sep 16, 2021
Grant date	—

Abstract

An intravascular device includes an elongated body having a proximal end and a distal end, and a plurality of energy transmitting conduits extending within the elongated body. The distal ends of the energy transmitting conduits terminate at different axial locations along the distal end of the elongated body. In one embodiment, the number of energy transmission conduits is only two, such that the number of bends in the compound curve assumed by the distal end of the elongated body is only two, although the number of energy transmission conduits may be any suitable number.

First claim

1 . An intravascular device, comprising:
an elongated catheter body having a proximal end and a distal end; a plurality of energy transmitting conduits extending within the elongated body, wherein distal ends of the energy transmitting conduits terminate at different axial locations along the distal end of the catheter body; a control mechanism; and an energy transmission linkage coupled between proximal ends of the energy transmission conduits and the control mechanism, wherein the energy transmission linkage is configured for, in response to a single energy input applied to the energy transmission linkage by the control mechanism, simultaneously applying a plurality of energy outputs respectively to the proximal ends of the energy transmitting conduits at a preset control parameter ratio; wherein the distal end of the elongated body is configured for assuming a compound curve comprising a plurality of bends in response to the application of the plurality of energy outputs by the energy transmission linkage to the proximal ends of the energy transmitting conduits.

2 . The intravascular device of claim 1 , further comprising a handle affixed to the proximal end of the elongated body, wherein the control mechanism and energy transmission linkage are supported by the handle.

3 . The intravascular device of claim 1 , wherein the number of energy transmission conduits is only two, such that the number of bends in the compound curve assumed by the distal end of elongated body is only two.

4 . The intravascular device of claim 1 , wherein the control parameter ratio of the energy transmission linkage is different than unity.

5 . The intravascular device of claim 1 , wherein the control parameter ratio of the energy transmission linkage is adjustable.

6 . The intravascular device of claim 5 , further comprising a control parameter ratio adjustment mechanism configured for adjusting the preset control parameter ratio of the energy transmission linkage.

7 . The intravascular device of claim 6 , wherein the control parameter ratio adjustment mechanism is configured for adjusting the preset control parameter ratio of the energy transmission linkage within a continuous range.

8 . The intravascular device of claim 6 , wherein the control parameter ratio adjustment mechanism is configured for adjusting the preset control parameter ratio of the energy transmission linkage within a discrete range.

9 . The intravascular device of claim 1 , wherein the energy transmission conduits are mechanical energy transmission conduits, the energy transmission linkage is a mechanical energy transmission linkage, the single energy input is a single mechanical energy input, and the energy outputs are mechanical energy outputs.

10 . The intravascular device of claim 9 , wherein the mechanical energy outputs are applied to the proximal ends of the mechanical energy transmission conduits in accordance with one of a preset force ratio and a preset linear displacement ratio.

11 . The intravascular device of claim 10 , wherein the mechanical energy transmission conduits are pull wires and the one of the preset force ratio and the preset linear displacement ratio comprises one of a pull wire tension ratio and a pull wire displacement ratio.

12 . The intravascular device of claim 11 , wherein the one of the preset pull wire tension ratio and the preset pull wire displacement ratio comprises the preset pull wire tension ratio, and the mechanical energy outputs are tensile outputs.

13 . The intravascular device of claim 12 , wherein the mechanical transmission linkage comprises a first moment arm to which a proximal end of a first one of the pull wires is operatively coupled, a second moment arm to which a proximal end of a second one of the pull wires is operatively coupled, and a drive assembly operatively coupled to the first moment arm and the second moment arm, the control mechanism is configured for applying the single mechanical energy input to the drive assembly to create the same moment on the first moment arm and the second moment arm respectively about a first axis and a second axis, such that the first moment arm applies a first one of the tensile outputs to the proximal end of the first pull wire, and the second moment arm applies a second one of the tensile outputs to the proximal end of the second pull wire, in accordance with the preset pull wire tension ratio.

14 . The intravascular device of claim 13 , wherein the first moment arm and the second moment arm have different lengths, such that the first tensile output and second tensile output are different.

15 . The intravascular device of claim 13 , wherein the first axis and the second axis are common.

16 . The intravascular device of claim 15 , wherein the drive assembly comprises a pulley including an axle to which the control mechanism is configured for applying the mechanical energy input, and a wheel around which the proximal end of the first pull wire is looped, and the mechanical transmission linkage comprises a lever having lever arm and a hinge corresponding to the common axis, wherein the proximal end of the first pull wire is engaged to the lever arm at a first anchor point to create the first moment arm, and the proximal end of the second pull wire is engaged to the lever arm at a second anchor point to create the second moment arm.

17 . The intravascular device of claim 16 , wherein the first anchor point is located between the second anchor point and the hinge, such that the preset pull wire tension ratio of the first tensile output over the second tensile output is greater than unity.

18 . The intravascular device of claim 17 , wherein the proximal end of the first pull wire is slidably engaged to the lever arm, such that the first anchor point is adjustable along a length of the lever arm to adjust the length of the first moment arm, and thus, the preset pull wire tension ratio of the first tensile output over the second tensile output.

19 . The intravascular device of claim 18 , further comprising a wire tension ratio adjustment mechanism configured for adjusting the first anchor point along the length of the lever arm.

20 . The intravascular device of claim 19 , wherein the wire tension ratio adjustment mechanism comprises a slider carriage to which the proximal end of the first pull wire is affixed, the slider carriage configured for being displaced along the lever arm to adjust the first anchor point along the length of the lever arm.

21 .- 47 . (canceled)

Assignees

• Stryker Corp
• Stryker European Operations Ltd

Inventors

• Porter Stephen

Classifications

• A61M25/0155

  with hydraulic or pneumatic means, e.g. balloons or inflatable compartments · CPC title

• A61M25/0147 Primary

  with movable mechanical means, e.g. pull wires · CPC title

• A61M2025/0161

  wherein the distal tips have two or more deflection regions · CPC title

• A61M25/0136 Primary

  Handles therefor · CPC title

• A61M2025/015

  Details of the distal fixation of the movable mechanical means · CPC title