Abstract: A steerable catheter or sheath includes a catheter or sheath body defining a longitudinal axis; first and second actuation wires extending from a proximal end of the body; and a control handle coupled to the body for steering a distal end of the body. The control handle includes a grip portion including a pivot; a wire diverting assembly located on the grip portion at a location separate from the pivot; and an actuator assembly coupled to the pivot and configured for pivotal movement in a single plane. The wire diverting assembly can include first and second actuation wire connection locations that are disposed on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis. The first and second actuation wires can extend toward the wire diverting assembly in a first orientation, and the wire diverting assembly can change the first orientation to a second orientation that is at an angle to the first orientation.

Abstract: A steerable catheter or sheath includes a catheter or sheath body defining a longitudinal axis; first and second actuation wires extending from a proximal end of the body; and a control handle coupled to the body for steering a distal end of the body. The control handle includes a grip portion including a pivot; a wire diverting assembly located on the grip portion at a location separate from the pivot; and an actuator assembly coupled to the pivot and configured for pivotal movement in a single plane. The wire diverting assembly can include first and second actuation wire connection locations that are disposed on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis. The first and second actuation wires can extend toward the wire diverting assembly in a first orientation, and the wire diverting assembly can change the first orientation to a second orientation that is at an angle to the first orientation.

Abstract: A steerable catheter or sheath control handle for steering a distal end of a tubular catheter body or sheath body having first and second actuation wires extending from a proximal end of the body comprises a grip portion, a bearing assembly, and an actuator. The first grip potion includes a pivot and an actuation wire pathway. The bearing assembly is located on the grip portion proximal to the pivot. The actuator is pivotally coupled to the pivot and includes first and second ends that are on opposite sides of the centerline from each other. When the distal end of the handle is coupled to the proximal end of the body, the first and second actuation wires extend along the pathway to the bearing assembly. The bearing assembly diverts the first actuation wire to a first connection point on the actuator and the second actuation wire to a second connection point on the actuator.

Abstract: The present invention is a handle for controlling the deflection of a distal end of a catheter body. The catheter body includes first and second deflection wires that extend through the catheter body from the distal end of the catheter body. The handle comprises a slide base, an adjustment knob, a first slide and a second slide. The slide base includes a first end, a second end, and a slide compartment longitudinally extending through at least a portion of the slide base. The adjustment knob is rotateably connected to the first end of the slide base and includes a hole extending through the knob, wherein at least a portion of an inner diameter of the hole includes an internal right thread and an internal left thread. The first slide is located in the slide compartment, is adapted to be coupled to the first deflection wire, and includes an external right thread. The second slide is located in the slide compartment, is adapted to be coupled to the second deflection wire, and includes an external left thread.

Abstract: The present invention is a catheter actuation handle for deflecting a distal end of a tubular catheter body having first and second actuation wires extending from a proximal end of the body. The handle comprises a first grip portion, a bearing assembly, and an actuator. The first grip potion includes a pivot with a pathway extending through the pivot. The pathway is generally parallel to a longitudinal centerline of the first grip portion. The bearing assembly is located on the first grip portion proximal to the pivot. The actuator is pivotally coupled to the pivot and includes first and second ends that are laterally offset from the longitudinal centerline and are on opposite sides of the centerline from each other. When the distal end of the handle is coupled to the proximal end of the body, the first and second actuation wires extend along the pathway to the bearing assembly.

Abstract: A catheter actuation handle for deflecting a distal end of a tubular catheter body having first and second actuation wires extending from a proximal end of the body. The handle comprises a first grip portion, a bearing assembly, and an actuator. The first grip portion includes a pivot with a pathway extending through the pivot. The pathway is generally parallel to a longitudinal centerline of the first grip portion. The bearing assembly is located on the first grip portion proximal to the pivot. The actuator is pivotally coupled to the pivot and includes first and second ends that are laterally offset from the longitudinal centerline and are on opposite sides of the centerline from each other. When the distal end of the handle is coupled to the proximal end of the body, the first and second actuation wires extend along the pathway to the bearing assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus for imparting a tensile force to deflect a distal portion of a catheter while maintaining its exterior dimensions may include a handle grip including a cross-section of generally predetermined exterior dimensions, and a longitudinal axis. A flexible elongate member may include proximal and distal end portions, with the proximal end portion being coupled to the handle grip. An adjustment knob may include a cross-section of generally predetermined exterior dimensions, and is rotatably coupled to the handle grip around the longitudinal axis. An elongate deflection member may be operably coupled to the adjustment knob and to the distal end portion of the elongate member. Rotation of the adjustment knob may impart a tensile force to the deflection member thereby causing the distal end portion of the elongate member to deflect from a prior configuration while maintaining the generally predetermined exterior dimensions of the handle grip and the adjustment knob.

Abstract: A catheter actuation handle is disclosed for deflecting a distal end of a tubular catheter body including a first actuation wire extending from a proximal end of the body. The handle includes a grip portion for coupling to the proximal end of the body. A first actuator is moveably coupled to the grip portion. A first stationary gear rack is fixed relative to the grip portion. A first moveable gear rack is moveable relative to the grip portion and for coupling to the first actuation wire. A first pinion gear is coupled to the first actuator and located between, and engaged with, the first stationary gear rack and the first moveable gear rack.