Andrea T Moore

US Patent:

6605086, Aug 12, 2003

Filed:

May 2, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/848114

Inventors:

Robert C. Hayzelden - Canyon Lake CA
John A. Simpson - Carlsbad CA
Wade A. Bowe - Temecula CA
Andrea M. Moore - Murrieta CA
Jesse Flores - Perris CA

Assignee:

Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc. - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

A61B 1818

US Classification:

606 41, 604 9504, 604 9505

Abstract:

A catheter includes a steering mechanism for manipulating the distal end of the catheter to obtain a plurality of deflection profiles, and a torque transfer system at the distal portion to enhance torque transfer from the handle to the distal tip. The steering mechanism includes two steering tendons. The steering tendons are attached to the distal-end region of the catheter. The steering tendons may be located approximately angularly aligned, thus causing the deflection profiles to be unidirectional. Alternatively, the steering tendons may be located angularly separated from each other, thus causing the deflection profiles to be bidirectional. In other aspects, the torque transfer system includes a flat ribbon within the relatively flexible distal-end region to enhance torque transfer through the distal-end region of the catheter.

US Patent:

6652506, Nov 25, 2003

Filed:

May 4, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/849189

Inventors:

Wade A. Bowe - Temecula CA
Jesse Flores - Perris CA
Andrea M. Moore - Murrieta CA

Assignee:

Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc. - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

A61M 2500

US Classification:

604523, 600585, 604528

Abstract:

A catheter handle includes a steering controller with a self-locking mechanism to be used in conjunction with a steerable catheter shaft. A compression spring portion of the self-locking mechanism is located between the steering controller and a handle shell and causes alternating protrusions and recesses on the steering controller and on the handle shell to engage, thus locking the steering controller into a fixed position with the handle shell. Through a single-handed operation, an operator enables steering controller rotation by applying a force to the steering controller, which disengages the steering controller from the handle shell. The operator then adjusts the profile of a distal-end region of the catheter by rotating the steering controller. When the desired profile of the distal-end region of the catheter has been obtained, the operator removes the force from the steering controller and the spring decompresses to reengage the steering controller with the handle shell.

US Patent:

20020165461, Nov 7, 2002

Filed:

May 2, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/848087

Inventors:

Robert Hayzelden - Canyon Lake CA, US
John Simpson - Carlsbad CA, US
Wade Bowe - Temecula CA, US
Andrea Moore - Murrieta CA, US
Jesse Flores - Perris CA, US

International Classification:

A61B005/04

US Classification:

600/523000

Abstract:

A catheter includes a steering mechanism for manipulating the distal end of the catheter to obtain a plurality of deflection profiles, a torque transfer system to enhance torque transfer from the handle to the distal tip, and a support system to reduce undesirable deformation of the distal-end region during steering. The torque transfer system includes a flat ribbon within the relatively flexible distal-end region to enhance torque transfer through the distal-end region of the catheter. The support system includes a compression cage and longitudinal struts that are located within the distal-end region of the catheter. The support system can support axial loads and deflect laterally in the direction of the steering, thereby reducing the amount of stretching and compression of the catheter sheath within the deflecting region.

US Patent:

20030208198, Nov 6, 2003

Filed:

May 28, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/446903

Inventors:

Robert Hayzelden - Canyon Lake CA, US
John Simpson - Carlsbad CA, US
Wade Bowe - Temecula CA, US
Andrea Moore - Murrieta CA, US
Jesse Flores - Perris CA, US

International Classification:

A61B018/14

US Classification:

606/041000, 600/374000

Abstract:

A catheter includes a steering mechanism for manipulating the distal end of the catheter to obtain a plurality of deflection profiles, a torque transfer system to enhance torque transfer from the handle to the distal tip, and a support system to reduce undesirable deformation of the distal-end region during steering. The torque transfer system includes a flat ribbon within the relatively flexible distal-end region to enhance torque transfer through the distal-end region of the catheter. The support system includes a compression cage and longitudinal struts that are located within the distal-end region of the catheter. The support system can support axial loads and deflect laterally in the direction of the steering, thereby reducing the amount of stretching and compression of the catheter sheath within the deflecting region.