Asymmetric catheter curve shapes

Abstract

A deflectable catheter shaft with compression resistance coils is configured to create different curve shapes when the catheter is steered or deflected in different directions. One or more compression resistance coils include an elongated-pitch section. The compression resistance coils may be pull wire compression coils or body compression coils.

Description

BACKGROUND[0001]Field of the Disclosure[0002]The instant disclosure relates generally to a deflectable catheter shaft, and particularly to a catheter shaft with compression resistance coils configured to create different curve shapes when the catheter is steered or deflected in different directions.[0003]Background Art[0004]Electrophysiology catheters are used in a variety of diagnostic, therapeutic, mapping, and ablation procedures to diagnose and / or correct conditions such as atrial arrhythmias, including, for example, ectopic atrial tachycardia, atrial fibrillation, and atrial flutter. Arrhythmias can create a variety of conditions including irregular heart rates, loss of synchronous atrioventricular contractions, and stasis of blood flow in a chamber of a heart, all of which can lead to a variety of symptomatic and asymptomatic ailments and even death.[0005]Typically, a catheter is deployed and manipulated through a patient's vasculature to the intended site—for example, a site ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present disclosure describes a steerable catheter with compression resistance coils that create different curve shapes when the catheter is steered or deflected in different directions. The catheter includes a proximal catheter shaft section, a distal deflectable section, and a compression coil surrounding a pull wire and extending longitudinally through the shaft section. The compression coil has a distal elongated-pitch section or a separate distal elongated-pitch section. The technical effect of the invention is that it enables improved control and flexibility when maneuvering the catheter through narrow or difficult-to-reach areas.

Problems solved by technology

Arrhythmias can create a variety of conditions including irregular heart rates, loss of synchronous atrioventricular contractions, and stasis of blood flow in a chamber of a heart, all of which can lead to a variety of symptomatic and asymptomatic ailments and even death.

This lesion disrupts undesirable cardiac activation pathways and thereby limits, corrals, or prevents errant conduction signals that can form the basis for arrhythmias.

With respect to resisting compression during use, catheter shafts may include compression coils that comprise a plurality of stacked coils, such that the catheter shaft may be laterally deflected or curved while resisting longitudinal compression and the concomitant problems that such longitudinal compression may cause.

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