EP-4735087-A1 - STEERABLE CATHETER WITH PUSH RING ASSEMBLY

Abstract

A steerable catheter (10) includes an outer sheath defining an outer sheath lumen extending from a proximal region to a distal region (16). A push ring (22) is secured within the proximal region of the outer sheath lumen. A pull ring (24) is secured within the distal region of the outer sheath lumen. An inner shaft member (30) extends within the outer sheath lumen between the push ring (22) and the pull ring (24). A pair of push members (26a, 26b) extends through the outer sheath lumen and is secured to the push ring (22), each of the pair of push members defining a push member lumen extending therethrough. A pair of pull wires (28a, 28b) are secured to the pull ring (24), each of the pair of pull wires (28a, 28b) extending through one of the push member lumens.

Inventors

• KIRT, DAVID CORY
• MARTIN, KEVIN

Assignees

• Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.

Dates

Publication Date

20260506

Application Date

20240628

Claims (15)

1. 1. A steerable catheter, comprising: an outer sheath defining an outer sheath haft lumen extending from a proximal region to a distal region; a push ring secured within the proximal region of the outer sheath lumen; a pull ring secured within the distal region of the outer sheath lumen; an inner shaft member extending within the outer sheath lumen between the push ring and the pull ring; a pair of push members extending through the outer sheath lumen and secured to the push ring, each of the pair of push members defining a push member lumen extending therethrough; and a pair of pull wires secured to the pull ring, each of the pair of pull wires extending through one of the push member lumens.
2. 2. The steerable catheter of claim 1, wherein the push ring comprises a metal cylinder and each of the push members are welded to the metal cylinder.
3. 3. The steerable catheter of any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein each of the push members comprise a tightly wound coil.
4. 4. The steerable catheter of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the push ring defines an inner diameter, and each push member of the pair of push members are disposed inside of the inner diameter.
5. 5. The steerable catheter of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the push ring defines an inner surface, and each push member of the pair of push members are disposed radially inwardly from the inner surface.
6. 6. The steerable catheter of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the push ring comprises a plurality of apertures for securing the push ring to the outer sheath.
7. 7. The steerable catheter of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the inner shaft member comprises a plurality of articulation joints.
8. 8. The steerable catheter of claim 7, wherein a first articulation joint proximate the push ring includes a proximal reduced diameter segment adapted to fit inside of the push ring.
9. 9. The steerable catheter of claim 7, wherein the push ring comprises a distally extending first snap fit feature and a first articulation joint proximate the push ring comprises a complementary second snap fit feature adapted to form a snap fit with the distally extending first snap fit feature.
10. 10. A steering assembly adapted for use in a steerable catheter including an outer sheath defining an outer sheath lumen extending therethrough, the steering assembly adapted to fit within the outer sheath lumen, the steering assembly comprising: a push ring; a pair of push members welded to the push ring and adapted to extend proximally therefrom, each of the pair of push members defining a push member lumen extending therethrough; a pull ring; a pair of pull wires welded to the pull ring and adapted to extend proximally from the pull ring; and a force transmission member extending between the push ring and the pull ring; wherein the pair of pull wires each extend through a corresponding push member lumen proximal of the push ring.
11. 11. The steering assembly of claim 10, wherein the push ring comprises a plurality of apertures for securing the push ring to the outer shaft.
12. 12. The steering assembly of any one of claims 10 or 11, wherein the force transmission member comprises a plurality of articulation joints.
13. 13. The steering assembly of claim 12, wherein a first articulation joint proximate the push ring includes a proximal reduced diameter segment adapted to fit inside of the push ring.
14. 14. The steering assembly of claim 12 wherein the push ring comprises a distally extending first snap fit feature and a first articulation joint proximate the push ring comprises a complementary second snap fit feature adapted to form a snap fit with the distally extending first snap fit feature.
15. 15. A steerable catheter, comprising: an outer shaft defining an outer shaft lumen extending from a proximal region to a distal region; a push ring secured within the proximal region of the outer shaft lumen; a pull ring secured within the distal region of the outer shaft lumen; a plurality of articulation joints extending within the outer shaft lumen between the push ring and the pull ring; a pair of push members extending through the outer shaft lumen and welded to the push ring, each of the pair of push members defining a push member lumen extending therethrough; and a pair of pull wires welded to the pull ring, each of the pair of pull wires extending through one of the push member lumens, each of the pair of pull wires extending through the outer shaft lumen both proximal and distal of the pair of push members.

Description

STEERABLE CATHETER WITH PUSH RING ASSEMBLY CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/524,546, filed June 30, 2023, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. TECHNICAL FIELD [0002] The present disclosure pertains to medical devices, and methods for manufacturing medical devices. BACKGROUND [0003] A wide variety of intracorporeal medical devices have been developed for medical use, for example, intravascular use. Some of these devices include guidewires, catheters, and the like. These devices are manufactured by any one of a variety of different manufacturing methods and may be used according to any one of a variety of methods. Of the known medical devices and methods, each has certain advantages and disadvantages. There is an ongoing need to provide alternative medical devices as well as alternative methods for manufacturing and using medical devices. SUMMARY [0004] The disclosure is directed to several alternative designs, materials and methods of manufacturing medical device structures and assemblies, and the use thereof. An example may be found in a steerable catheter. The steerable catheter includes an outer sheath defining an outer sheath haft lumen extending from a proximal region to a distal region, a push ring secured within the proximal region of the outer sheath lumen, a pull ring secured within the distal region of the outer sheath lumen and an inner shaft member extending within the outer sheath lumen between the push ring and the pull ring. A pair of push members extend through the outer sheath lumen and are secured to the push ring, each of the pair of push members defining a push member lumen extending therethrough. A pair of pull wires are secured to the pull ring, each of the pair of pull wires extending through one of the push member lumens. [0005] Alternatively or additionally, each of the pull wires may extend within the outer sheath lumen proximal of the pair of push members. [0006] Alternatively or additionally, each of the pull wires may extend within the outer sheath lumen distal of the pair of push members. [0007] Alternatively or additionally, the push ring may include a metal cylinder and each of the push members may be welded to the metal cylinder. [0008] Alternatively or additionally, each of the push members may include a tightly wound coil. [0009] Alternatively or additionally, each of the pull wires, extending through an associated push member, together with the associated push member, may be considered a Bowden cable. [0010] Alternatively or additionally, the push ring may define an inner diameter, and each push member of the pair of push members may be disposed inside of the inner diameter. [0011] Alternatively or additionally, the push ring may define an inner surface, and each push member of the pair of push members may be disposed radially inwardly from the inner surface. [0012] Alternatively or additionally, the push ring may include a plurality of apertures for securing the push ring to the outer sheath. [0013] Alternatively or additionally, the inner shaft member may include a plurality of articulation joints. [0014] Alternatively or additionally, a first articulation joint proximate the push ring may include a proximal reduced diameter segment adapted to fit inside of the push ring. [0015] Alternatively or additionally, the push ring may include a distally extending first snap fit feature and a first articulation joint proximate the push ring may include a complementary second snap fit feature adapted to form a snap fit with the distally extending first snap fit feature. [0016] Another example may be found in a steering assembly adapted for use in a steerable catheter including an outer sheath defining an outer sheath lumen extending therethrough, the steering assembly adapted to fit within the outer sheath lumen. The steering assembly includes a push ring and a pair of push members welded to the push ring and adapted to extend proximally therefrom, each of the pair of push members defining a push member lumen extending therethrough. The steering assembly includes a pull ring and a pair of pull wires welded to the pull ring and adapted to extend proximally from the pull ring. A force transmission member extends between the push ring and the pull ring. The pair of pull wires each extend through a corresponding push member lumen proximal of the push ring. [0017] Alternatively or additionally, each of the push members include a tightly wound coil. [0018] Alternatively or additionally, each of the pull wires, extending through an associated push member, together with the associated push member, may be considered a Bowden cable. [0019] Alternatively or additionally, the push ring may include a plurality of apertures for securing the push ring to the outer shaft. [0020] Alternatively or additionally, the force transmission member may include a plurality