Heart Rhythm Technologies, Inc.

Tracy D Maahs

Peter Thornton, Jr

Robert C Hayzelden

Miriam H Taimisto

Thomas M Castellano

A steerable catheter comprising a resilient body member, a manipulation handle attached to the proximal end of the body member, a control wire extending from the handle to the distal end of the catheter for deflection control, and a pulley mechanism for controlling the movement of the control wire. Longitudinal movement of a slide element in the handle causes movement of the control wire and control over the deflection of the distal end of the catheter. The pulley mechanism is connected between the slide element and the control wire to provide greater mechanical advantage to effect deflection of the body member while enhancing deflection control resolution. A stiffening member is also disposed in the catheter body member and its position is controlled by the rotational motion of the slide element. The position of the pulley mechanism is not affected by rotational motion of the slide element.

Catheter control system having a pulley

Manipulation handle

A catheter includes a piezoelectric transducer mounted to the distal end of a catheter. In one embodiment, the piezoelectric transducer has the shape of a cylinder and in another embodiment, a convex shape with a mounting flange. In the cylindrical shape, a plurality of surface mounted temperature sensors are disposed within the piezoelectric transducer. The sensors are electrically insulated and a sealing technique prevents the leakage of body fluids from penetrating the interior of the catheter through the sensor bores. The cylindrical transducer is supported on mounting members so that it is accurately mounted and sealed while at the same time, the material used does not significantly dampen the transducer. The convex shape includes a temperature sensor at its tip.

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San Jose, CA, United States of America

Tracy D Maahs