U.S. patent application number 14/887203 was filed with the patent office on 2017-04-20 for multi-directional steerable catheter.
This patent application is currently assigned to BIOCARDIA, INC.. The applicant listed for this patent is BioCardia, Inc.. Invention is credited to Wai Hsueh, James B. Ross, Ken Vien.
Application Number | 20170106170 14/887203 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 58522784 |
Filed Date | 2017-04-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170106170 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hsueh; Wai ; et al. |
April 20, 2017 |
Multi-Directional Steerable Catheter
Abstract
A bi-directional steerable catheter adapted for delivery into a
patient's vasculature. The pull wires which are used to tension the
deflectable segment of the steerable catheter are wound in parallel
around the axis of the steerable catheter on opposite sides of the
steerable catheter.
Inventors: |
Hsueh; Wai; (San Carlos,
CA) ; Vien; Ken; (San Carlos, CA) ; Ross;
James B.; (San Carlos, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
BioCardia, Inc. |
San Carlos |
CA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
BIOCARDIA, INC.
San Carlos
CA
|
Family ID: |
58522784 |
Appl. No.: |
14/887203 |
Filed: |
October 19, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61F 2/2427 20130101;
A61M 25/0147 20130101; A61M 25/0136 20130101; A61B 18/1492
20130101 |
International
Class: |
A61M 25/01 20060101
A61M025/01; A61B 17/00 20060101 A61B017/00; A61M 25/00 20060101
A61M025/00 |
Claims
1. A steerable catheter comprising: a tube (2) having a proximal
end (4), a distal end (5), and a lumen extending therebetween, said
tube (2) having a first segment (2d ) proximate said distal end and
second segment (2w ) that extends proximally from said first
segment (2d ) toward said proximal end, a first pull wire (12) and
a second pull wire (13) embedded within a wall of the tube, and
extending from the distal end (5) to the proximal end (4) of the
tube (2), said first and second pull wires comprising first and
second wound segments (12w, 13w) which are wound about a
longitudinal axis of the tube, with the first pull wire (12) wound
in a first direction and the second pull wire (13) wound in the
first direction, substantially in parallel with the first pull wire
with the first wound segment (12w) and the second wound segment
(13w) dispersed circumferentially about the longitudinal axis of
the tube (2).
2. The steerable catheter of claim 1, wherein: said first and
second pull wires comprise first and second straight distally
extending segments (12d, 13d) extending distally from the
respective wound segments (12w, 13w); and the first and second
straight distally extending segments (12d, 13d) are disposed within
the first segment (2d) of the tube; and the first and second wound
segments (12w, 13w) are disposed in the second segment of the
tube.
3. The steerable catheter of claim 2, wherein: in the first segment
(2d) of the tube, the tube wall consists of an inner tube (11), the
pull wires (12d, 13d) disposed about the inner tube (11), a braid
(14) embedded in a low durometer polymer disposed about the inner
tube (11) and pull wires (12d, 13d), and the outer tube (10)
disposed about the braid (14).
4. The steerable catheter of claim 2, wherein: in the second
segment (2w) of the tube, the tube wall consists of an inner tube
(11), the wound segments (12w, 13w) of the pull wires disposed
about the inner tube (11), the braid (14) embedded in a low
durometer polymer disposed about the inner tube and pull wires, an
additional braid 16 disposed about the braid (14), and the outer
tube 10 disposed about the additional braid 16.
5. The steerable catheter of claim 2, wherein: in the first segment
of the tube, the tube wall consists of a liner (15), an inner tube
(11) disposed about the liner, the pull wires (12d, 13d) disposed
about the inner tube (11), a braid (14) embedded in a low durometer
polymer disposed about the inner tube and pull wires, and the outer
tube 10 disposed about the braid (14).
6. The steerable catheter of claim 2, wherein: in the second
segment of the tube, the tube wall consists of a liner (15), an
inner tube (11) disposed about the liner (15), the wound segments
(12w, 13w) of the pull wires disposed about the inner tube (11), a
braid (14) embedded in a low durometer polymer disposed about the
inner tube and pull wires, and the outer tube 10 disposed about the
braid.
7. The steerable catheter of claim 1, wherein: first and second
wound segments (12w, 13w) each comprise three turns about the
longitudinal axis of the tube.
8. The steerable catheter of claim 2, further comprising: a third
segment (2p ) of the tube (2) extending proximally from the second
segment (2w ) to the proximal end of the tube; and the first pull
wire (12) and a second pull wire (13) each comprise a straight
proximally extending segment (12p and 13p ) extending proximally
from the wound segment toward the proximal end (4) of the tube (2);
and said straight proximally extending segments (12p and 13p ) of
the pull wires are disposed within the third segment (2p ) of the
tube.
9. The steerable catheter of claim 1, further comprising: handle
(3) fixed to the steerable catheter tube (2), said handle
comprising: a steering lever (6) rotatably secured to the handle at
a fulcrum (28), with the first and second pull wires (12, 13) fixed
to the steering lever (6)on opposite sides of the fulcrum (28); and
a disc (24) rotationally fixed to the steering lever (6); a brake
(7) disposed on the handle such that the rotation of the brake
prevents rotation of the disc (24), thereby holding the deflectable
segment (2d ) in a configuration corresponding to the rotational
position of the steering lever (6).
10. The steerable catheter of claim 9, wherein the brake comprises:
a brake lever (27) and a cam plate (26), disposed on the housing
such that the rotation of the brake lever (27) rotates the cam
plate (26) into interfering contact with the disc (24) and prevents
the disc (24) from rotating.
11. A method of accessing a target site in the vasculature of a
patient, said method comprising the steps of: providing a steerable
catheter comprising: a tube (2) having a proximal end (4), a distal
end (5), and a lumen extending therebetween, said tube (2) having a
first segment (2d ) proximate said distal end and second segment
(2w ) that extends proximally from said first segment (2d ) toward
said proximal end, one or more pull wires embedded within a wall of
the tube, and extending from the distal end (5) to the proximal end
(4) of the tube (2), said pull wires comprising wound segments
(12w, 13w) which are wound about a longitudinal axis of the tube;
inserting the steerable catheter into the vasculature of the
patient, and navigating the steerable catheter through the
vasculature of the patient until the deflectable segment is
disposed proximate the target site and the wound segment is
disposed across a curve in the vasculature; and operating one or
both of the pull wires to deflect the deflectable segment.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein the steerable catheter
comprises at least two pull wires, and the wound segments are
dispersed about the circumference of the steerable catheter.
13. The method of claim 11, wherein the target site is a left
atrium and the curve is the curve is a transition from an inferior
vena cava to an atrial septum of the patient.
14. The method of claim 11, wherein the target site is an iliac
artery of a patient and the curve is an iliac bifurcation of the
patient.
15. The method of claim 21, wherein the target site is a left
ventricle of a patient and the curve is an aortic arch of the
patient.
16. The method of claim 11, wherein the target site is a coronary
artery of a patient and the curve is an aortic arch of the
patient.
17. The method of claim 11, wherein the target site is an aortic
valve of a patient and the curve is an aortic arch of the
patient.
18. The method of claim 11, wherein the target site is a peripheral
blood vessel of a patient and the curve is a tortuosity between the
target site and an entry point into the vasculature of the
patient.
19. The method of claim 11, wherein the target site is a carotid
artery of a patient and the curve is bifurcation of the
brachiocephalic trunk or the aorta of the patient.
20. The steerable catheter of claim 8, further comprising: handle
(3) fixed to the steerable catheter tube (2), said handle
comprising: a steering lever (6) rotatably secured to the handle at
a fulcrum (28), with the first and second pull wires (12, 13) fixed
to the steering lever (6)on opposite sides of the fulcrum (28); and
a disc (24) rotationally fixed to the steering lever (6); a brake
(7) disposed on the handle such that the rotation of the brake
prevents rotation of the disc (24), thereby holding the deflectable
segment (2d ) in a configuration corresponding to the rotational
position of the steering lever (6).
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONS
[0001] The inventions described below relate to the field of
steerable guide catheters, sheaths and introducers.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONS
[0002] Steerable catheters, including steerable guide catheters,
guide sheaths and introducer sheaths, are used to gain access to
the desired target location within the vasculature of a patient and
provide a safe, smooth conduit to guide and support another device,
such as an interventional catheter, to a target location in the
vasculature of a patient. The interventional catheter is typically
a delivery device that carries an implant for deposit in the
vasculature, or an active device that carries out the diagnosis,
therapy or intervention. Guide catheters, guide sheaths and
introducer sheaths can also be used to pass fluids for
visualization, diagnosis or treatment. Provision of steering
mechanisms in these catheters facilitates their navigation through
the vasculature of a patient, to gain access a target site.
SUMMARY
[0003] The steerable catheters described below provide for easy,
atraumatic access to areas of the vasculature that are otherwise
difficult to access, while minimizing the propensity of pull-wire
operated steerable catheters to whip, or rapidly snap from one
configuration to another, as the pull wire is tensioned to steer
the device. The steerable catheters described below are constructed
with components that are selected to provide optimal stability to
prevent whipping. The steerable catheter includes two or more pull
wires which are wound along a portion of the steerable catheter,
around the long axis of the steerable catheter, in parallel and
circumferentially on opposite sides of the steerable catheter, to
balance the off-axis forces applied by the pull wires, and thus
prevent whipping and avoiding changes in curve geometry achieved by
manipulation of the pull wires when the steerable catheter is
deployed within the vasculature such that the wound portion of the
steerable catheter runs through a bend in the vasculature. The
curve in the vasculature may be any tortuosity such as the aortic
arch, the iliac bifurcation, the atrial septum, the brachial artery
inlet from the aorta, etc. The deflection segment curve geometry
remains more stable when the steerable catheter is rotated around
its long axis. The minimization of whipping is very effective, and
the deflection segment curve geometry remains more stable, where
the steerable catheter components are arranged along the length of
the steerable catheter such that the wound segments coincide with
the expected bend in the vasculature in the vasculature in which it
is deployed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] FIG. 1 illustrates the steerable catheter.
[0005] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the steerable catheter with
wound pull wires.
[0006] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the steerable catheter and
the wound pull wires.
[0007] FIG. 4 is a cross section of the steerable catheter of FIG.
1.
[0008] FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate the control handle of the
deflectable steerable catheter of FIG. 1.
[0009] FIG. 7, which illustrate the steerable catheter 1 disposed
within the vasculature of a patient
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIONS
[0010] FIG. 1 illustrates the deflectable steerable catheter. The
steerable catheter 1 comprises a steerable catheter tube (2 with a
catheter handle 3 mounted on the proximal end 4 of the steerable
catheter tube and a deflectable segment at the distal end 5, and a
lumen extending through the tube. The steerable catheter tube
includes the first, deflectable segment 2d which is operated by a
pull wire, a second, wound segment 2w (extending proximally from
the first segment) in which the pull wires are wound around the
catheter (shown in FIGS. 2 through 4), and, optionally, a third,
proximal segment 2p (extending proximally from the second segment),
in which the pull wire runs straight on opposite sides of the
steerable catheter tube. The catheter handle includes a steering
lever 6, which can be turned by a user to manipulate an internal
steering mechanism (show in FIGS. 5 and 6) and the pull wires, and
thus deflect the deflectable segment in to an arcuate
configuration, and a brake 7 which can be manipulated to lock the
steering mechanism in any selected position and thus hold the
deflectable segment in an arcuate configuration selected by the
user of the device, and corresponding to the rotational position of
the steering lever. As shown in phantom, the deflectable segment 2d
is operable, through manipulation of the steering lever, to bend
through a significant arc, away from the longitudinal axis 8, in
two directions in the same plane (where two pull wires are
provided), so that the tip can be deflected through an arc
intersected by the longitudinal axis, without the need to rotate
the steerable catheter about the longitudinal axis. This behavior
is referred to bi-directional steering.
[0011] FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate the steerable catheter and wound
pull wires embedded within the catheter wall and arranged to
provide steering without whipping. The major components of
steerable catheter tube 2 include the catheter wall 9 comprising an
outer tube or jacket 10 and an inner tube 11, and two pull wires 12
and 13 disposed between the outer tube and the inner tube. In the
wound segment of the steerable catheter (2w in FIG. 1), the pull
wires are wound about the longitudinal axis of the tube, and each
pull wire is wound in the same direction as the other pull wire in
wound wire segments 12w and 13w, preferably substantially in
parallel, to create a segment of the steerable catheter in which
the pull wires are wound on circumferentially opposite sides of the
steerable catheter at each point along the length of the wound
segment 2w (that is, in any radial cross section, the wound wires
will be on opposite sides of the steerable catheter, though along
the s of the wound segment the pull wire wrap around the steerable
catheter). Each pull wire has a straight distally extending segment
12d and 13d, extending from the wound segment, toward the distal
end of the steerable catheter (corresponding to the deflectable
segment 2d in FIG. 1), and a straight proximally extending segment
12p and 13p extending proximally from the wound segment toward the
proximal end of the steerable catheter (corresponding to the
proximal segment 2p in FIG. 1), where they are fixed to the control
mechanism shown in FIG. 4. The straight distally extending segments
12d and 13d correspond to the deflectable segment 2d of FIG. 1. The
pull wires may be disposed within separate side lumens in the wall
of the inner tube or outer tube or they may be disposed within
separate smaller tubes secured over the inner tube.
[0012] In the wound segment of the steerable catheter (2w in FIG.
1), the pull wires may be counter-wound, rather than parallel, with
each pull wire wound in a direction opposite the other pull wire in
wound wire segments 12w and 13w, to create a segment of the
steerable catheter in which the pull wires are counter-wound. The
counter-wound segments of the pull wires may be wound with one pull
wire within the other, or they may be braided.
[0013] FIG. 4 is cross section of the steerable catheter, showing
additional layers of the steerable catheter. As shown in FIG. 4,
the deflectable segment 2d of the steerable catheter tube 2
consists of the inner tube 11, and straight distally extending
segments 12d and 13d of the pull wires (disposed on opposite side
of the steerable catheter, about 180.degree. apart, both within
0.001'' thick PTFE pull wire liners), the deflectable segment also
includes a braid 14d (1 over 1 under, 20-30 picks per inch), over
the inner tube 11 and the pull wires, all within the outer tube 10.
Where the inner tube comprises PTFE, no liner may be necessary, but
in alternative embodiments in which the inner tube comprises
another polymer, the deflectable segment may consist of, in
addition to the layers just listed, a PTFE liner 15, disposed
within the inner tube. The braid 14d may be embedded in a low
durometer polymer, in which case the deflectable segment may
consist of, in addition to the layers listed above, the braid
embedded in a low durometer polymer.
[0014] A segment 2w proximal to the deflectable segment, in which
the two pull wires are wound about the axis of the steerable
catheter, consists of the inner tube 11, then the wound segments of
the pull wires (12w and 13w ), a second braid segment 14w (1 over 2
under, at 70-80 picks per inch), within the outer tube 10. (The
second braid segment 14w may be an continuous extension of the
braid 14d in the deflectable segment, or it may be a discrete
additional component.) Again, where the inner tube comprises PTFE,
no liner may be necessary, but in alternative embodiments in which
the inner tube comprises another polymer, the wound segment 2w may
consist of, in addition to the layers just listed, the PTFE liner
15, disposed within the inner tube. The braid 14w may be embedded
in a high durometer polymer, in which case the deflectable segment
may consist of, in addition to the layers listed above, the braid
embedded in a high durometer polymer. An additional braid 16 may be
embedded in the outer tube (this braid extends proximally to the
pull wire exit at the proximal end of the tube, and is preferably
wound at 80 picks per inch for some applications, and 20 picks per
inch for other applications). Where, in alternative embodiments,
the additional braid 16 is used, the wound segment 2w may consist
of, in addition to the layers listed above (the inner tube 11, the
pull wires 12 and 13, the braid 14w and the outer tube 10, or the
liner 15, the inner tube 11, the pull wires 12 and 13, the braid
14w and the outer tube 10), the additional braid 16.
[0015] A third, proximal-most segment 2p, in which the two pull
wires run straight along the length of the catheter, from the wound
segments of the pull wire to connections in the handle, consists
of, or comprises, the inner tube 11, the second braid 14w (the same
braid as in the wound segment)(1 over 2 under, at 70-80 picks per
inch), then the straight segments of the pull wires (12p and 13p )
within the outer tube 10. Again, where the inner tube comprises
PTFE, no liner may be necessary, but in alternative embodiments in
which the inner tube comprises another polymer, the proximal
segment may consist of, in addition to the layers just listed, the
PTFE liner 15, disposed within the inner tube. The braid 14w may be
embedded in a high durometer polymer, in which case the deflectable
segment may consist of, in addition to the layers listed above, the
braid embedded in a high durometer polymer. As in the wound
segment, the additional braid 16 may be embedded in the outer tube
in the third, proximal-most segment 2p. Where, in alternative
embodiments, the additional braid 16 is used, the wound segment 2w
may consist of, in addition to the layers listed above (the inner
tube 11, the pull wires 12 and 13, the braid 14w and the outer tube
10, or the liner 15, the inner tube 11, the pull wires 12 and 13,
the braid 14w and the outer tube 10), the additional braid 16.
[0016] A soft tip 17 covers the distal tip of the device. The
hardness of the outer tube can be very soft at the distal tip at
35D, and transition to progressively harder formulation of 55D
proximate the distal end of the wound segment, and then transition
further to a harder formulation of about 72D proximate the proximal
end of the wound segment, and remain at about 72D or harder for the
remaining proximal portion of the steerable catheter.
[0017] While the steerable catheter is illustrated with two pull
wires, the benefits of the wound pull wires can be achieved with a
plurality of pull wires obtain steerability across several planes.
For example, the steerable catheter may comprise three or four pull
wires, dispersed (preferably evenly distributed) about the
circumference of the steerable catheter and wound substantially in
parallel in the wound segment, to provide steering along arcs lying
in additional planes.
[0018] FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrates the catheter handle of the
deflectable steerable catheter of FIG. 1, with a braking system
that can be used with the pull wire system of FIGS. 1 through 4.
The catheter handle 3 is fixed to the steerable catheter tube 2.
The inner tube 11 of the catheter extends through the catheter
handle to the feeder tube 21, so that working catheters can be fed
into the steerable catheter. The proximal tips of the pull wires
12p and 13p are fixed to the steering lever 6 at joints 22 and 23,
through any convenient means. In order to provide a mechanism to
hold the lever and pull wires in a chosen position, to maintain an
arcuate configuration of the deflectable segment, the lever is also
rotationally fixed to the round disc 24, which turns in tandem with
the pull wire joints 22 and 23, and a brake 25 comprising a cam
plate 26 and lever 27 is disposed on the handle such that the
rotation of the brake lever rotates cam plate into interfering
contact with the disc and prevents the disc from rotating. The
brake lever and cam plate are held in position by friction between
the lever and cam and the fittings use to connect them to the
housing. This is shown in FIG. 6, in which the steering lever has
been rotated about its fulcrum 28 (with each pull wire fixed to the
lever on opposite sides of the fulcrum) to pull the pull wire 12
proximally, while relieving tension and allowing pull wire 13 to
translate distally, and the braking lever has been rotated to jam
the cam plate into interfering contact with the disc to hold it in
place. Though this braking system is particularly suited for use
with the pull wire system of FIGS. 1 through 5, the advantages of
the braking system can be obtained with other pull wire systems,
and the advantages of the pull wire system can be used with other
braking systems. A hemostatic valve 29 is provided at the proximal
end of the feeder tube 21.
[0019] The inner and outer tube may comprise PEBAX.RTM. 7033 SA01
MED WITH FOSTER Propell, or ProPell.TM. thermoplastic polyurethane
(TPU) for the inner tube. The liner, when used, may comprise PTFE.
The braids may comprise stainless steel braids of between 25 and
100 picks per inch, or the more preferable pick counts expressed
above. The braids are preferably made of flat wire about 0.007''
wide by 0.001'' thick in a 5.5 French internal diameter
configuration and may be larger in larger configurations and
smaller in smaller configurations. The braid of the deflectable
segment is preferably embedded in a low durometer polymer such as
Pebax at 30D to 35D. The braid of the wound segment is preferably
embedded in a high durometer polymer such as Pebax at about 72D.
The braid of the deflectable segment can be annealed to increase
its flexibility, by, for example, heating the stainless steel braid
at high temperature (about 1100.degree. F., or 600.degree. C.) for
about two minutes. The pull wires are preferably stainless steel
round pull wires with a diameter of about 0.006'' or flat pull
wires about 0.010'' wide by 0.003'' thick covered in a PTFE liner
with a wall thickness of about 0.001''. The pull wires may also
comprise a stainless steel braid, or a para-aramid synthetic fiber
(Kevlar.RTM.) tension element. The resultant overall wall thickness
for a steerable catheter with a 5.5F internal diameter, in the
deflectable segment and wound segment, may be about 0.3 to 0.4 mm,
preferably about 0.367 mm (about 1.1F). The resultant overall wall
thickness for a steerable catheter with an 11F internal diameter,
in the deflectable segment and wound segment, may be about 0.6 to
0.8 mm, preferably about 0.734 mm (about 2.2F). In such larger
diameter cross sections and walls, larger cross sectional area for
pull wires and for braid wire material may be used. (Likewise in
smaller diameter devices than the 5.5 French internal diameter
configuration disclosed these cross sectional areas could be
smaller.) These parameters may be varied to adjust the torque
transmission, pushability and trackability of steerable catheters
for particular applications. Suggested overall dimensions of the
steerable catheters for particular applications are as follows:
TABLE-US-00001 Clinical Applications/ Proximal Wound Defl. Target
Site Segment segment Segment ID Femoral vein access across 55 cm 10
cm 5 cm 8.5F the atrial septum access of the left atrium for AF
ablation Femoral vein access across 55 cm 10 cm 5 cm 8.5F, the
atrial septum to the 10.5F left atrium for mitral 12.5F valve
repair 14.5F Femoral artery access 80 cm 15 cm 5 cm 3.5F across the
aortic arch for 4.5F left ventricular 5.5F procedures from femoral
access for transendocardial biotherapeutic intervention and
coronary artery intervention and peri-valvular leak, Femoral artery
access 80 cm 15 cm 5 cm 12F across the aortic arch for 14F left
ventricular 16F procedures from femoral 18F access 20F for aortic
valve implantation Radial artery access to 50 cm 15 cm 40 cm 4.5F
the peripheral vasculature 5.5F of the aorto ostial region for
peripheral interventions Radial artery access to 50 cm 20 cm 70 cm
4.5F the peripheral vasculature 5.5F superior femoral artery for
peripheral interventions Radial artery access to 50 cm 20 cm 10 cm
3.5F the Aortic arch cardiac 4.5F interventions such as 5.5F
peri-valvular leak, transendocardial delivery Carotid access 80 cm
15 cm 5 cm 3.5F 4.5F 5.5F
[0020] Given these dimensions and the typical size and anatomy of
patients, the steerable catheter components are arranged along the
length of the steerable catheter such that the wound segments
coincide with the expected bend in the vasculature on along
predetermined access routes. Generally, the steerable catheter is
constructions with dimensions for the deflectable segment and the
wound segment such that, when inserted through a predetermined
access point, with the deflectable segment disposed at a target
site, the wound segment is disposed within curved portion of the
vasculature. Depending on the target site, the curved portion may
be the aortic arch, the transition from the inferior vena cava to
the atrial septum, the iliac bifurcation (for access from on iliac
artery to its contralateral iliac artery), the brachiocephalic
trunk or the aorta of the patient artery or the aortic arch (for
trans-radial access to the renal arteries), or other tortuosity
that may be encountered between the entry point and the target
site. For example, for access to the left atrium of a patient, from
the femoral vein, the curve of the right atrium is expected be
located about 55 to 65 cm from the entry point into the vasculature
(a cut-down in the thigh of the patient). Thus the steerable
catheter for access to the atrial septum from the femoral vein is
constructed such that, when the inserted in the vasculature, with
the deflectable segment disposed within the right atrium, proximate
the atrial septum of the patient (where deflection facilitates
crossing into the left atrium of the patient), the wound segment is
disposed, in curved configuration, across the right atrium. This
can be accomplished, as indicated in the table above, with a
steerable catheter having a 5 cm deflectable segment at the distal
and of the steerable catheter, followed by a 10 cm wound segment,
followed by a proximal segment of at least 55 cm (the proximal
segment lengths described in the table may be considered minimum
lengths). This relationship between the steerable catheter
structure and the vasculature of a patient is shown in FIG. 7,
which illustrate the steerable catheter 1 used access portions of
the heart 30, with the steerable catheter disposed within the
vasculature of a patient, in the pathway leading from the femoral
vein, up the inferior vena cava 31, through the right atrium 32,
through the atrial septum 33 an into the left atrium 34, such that
the deflectable segment 2d is disposed proximate the target site of
the left atrium and the wound segment 2w is disposed, in a curved
configuration, along around the curve leading from the vena cava to
the atrial septum. The proximal segment 2p extends downs the
inferior vena cava to the entry point in the femoral vein. In use,
the steerable catheter is inserted into the vasculature, navigated
through the vasculature until the deflectable segment of the
steerable catheter is disposed proximate the target site, and, with
a properly sized steerable catheter, the wound segment is disposed
across a curve in the vasculature. Once properly placed, the
deflectable segment can be deflected by operation of one or more
pull wires (tensioning or releasing tension), through manipulation
of the steering mechanism on the proximal handle. During
manipulations of the pull wires and deflection of the deflectable
segment, the wound segment, by virtue of the wound nature of the
pull wires, will experienced circumferentially balances forces and
be much less likely to change its configuration or experience
whipping common in other steerable catheters. The method can be
used to access many target sites, including each of the target
sites listed in the table, through corresponding insertion
sites.
[0021] Though the steerable catheter has been described in relation
to guide catheters, guide sheaths and introducer sheaths, the
inventive aspects of the steering mechanisms can be adapted to any
catheter. Thus, while the preferred embodiments of the devices and
methods have been described in reference to the environment in
which they were developed, they are merely illustrative of the
principles of the inventions. The elements of the various
embodiments may be incorporated into each of the other species to
obtain the benefits of those elements in combination with such
other species, and the various beneficial features may be employed
in embodiments alone or in combination with each other. Other
embodiments and configurations may be devised without departing
from the spirit of the inventions and the scope of the appended
claims.
* * * * *