Abstract: A steerable catheter including a flexible elongate tube having control line lumens disposed between the inner wall surface and the outer wall surface and extending along a length of the elongate tube. The catheter further includes an anchor disposed at a distal end of the elongate tube. The catheter further includes continuous control lines, extending through the control line lumens. A portion of each of the continuous control lines is secured at the anchor so that retraction toward a proximal end of the elongate tube of ends of the continuous control lines causes movement of the distal end of the elongate tube in two directions in two orthogonal planes of movement.

Abstract: Shape-controllable catheters are provided that are versatile in application and that, in human-imaging applications, minimize or reduce patient discomfort. One such catheter is provided with at least one control wire that extends inside the catheter and a control mechanism for tensioning the control wire to produce in the catheter a humped shape or a cantilevered configuration. Hardness of the catheter may be varied along the length thereof to facilitate desired bending. For example, hardness may be reduced in bend areas. Hardness may be maintained or increased in other areas for performance reasons, for example to maintain planarity of an imaging array.

Abstract: Shape-controllable catheters are provided that are versatile in application and that, in human-imaging applications, minimize or reduce patient discomfort. One such catheter is provided with at least one control wire that extends inside the catheter and a control mechanism for tensioning the control wire to produce in the catheter a humped shape or a cantilevered configuration. Hardness of the catheter may be varied along the length thereof to facilitate desired bending. For example, hardness may be reduced in bend areas. Hardness may be maintained or increased in other areas for performance reasons, for example to maintain planarity of an imaging array.

Abstract: Medical diagnostic ultrasound catheters are provided with improved materials for dielectric withstand strength. In one aspect, the catheter includes a braid of non-conductive material. The non-conductive braid reduces the capacitive: coupling effects and allows smaller catheters or a greater number of conductors. The non-conductive braid provides both compressive and tensile strength to transmit the torque applied to the catheter. The non-conductive braid also allows fusing of components while decreasing the risk of defective manufacture. In another aspect, a dielectric film, such as a polyester film, is positioned between the transducer and any lens or window. The dielectric film allows thinner window lenses to be used, allowing smaller catheters or larger transducers. The dielectric film may also increase the sensitivity of the transducer to acoustic energy.