Abstract: Steerable catheters are provided including an elongated flexible member having a proximal end, a distal end and a lumen extending therebetween (i.e., between the proximal end and the distal end). A plurality of electrical cables is bundled together and positioned within the lumen of the flexible member. The cross-section of the bundle of electrical cables is substantially ovular or rectangular so as to be bendable in two approximately opposite directions. Methods of steering such a catheter within a body include advancing the catheter within a body while a first force is applied to the bundle of electrical cables to cause the distal end of the elongate flexible member to form a bend. The catheter is farther advanced within the body while a second, opposite force is applied to the bundle of electrical cables to remove the bend in the distal end.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 7, 2004
Date of Patent:
March 24, 2009
Assignee:
St. Jude Medical, Atrial Fibrillation Division, Inc.
Inventors:
Simcha Borovsky, Praveen Dala-Krishna, Charles Bryan Byrd