公开(公告)号：EP0513224A4

公开(公告)日：1993-09-15

申请号：EP91904670

申请日：1991-01-31

Applicant: EP TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

Inventor： LUNDQUIST, INGEMAR ,  THOMPSON, RUSSELL, BLAKE

IPC: A61B1/00 ,  A61M25/01 ,  A61M37/00

CPC classification number: A61M25/0144 ,  A61B2018/00916 ,  A61B2018/00952 ,  A61M25/0136 ,  A61M25/0147 ,  A61M2025/0161

Abstract: A steering mechanism (315) including a steering shaft (320) coupled to a controller (410) which includes a handle (540) and apparatus for manipulating the distal end (340) of the steering shaft. The steering shaft includes a flexible coiled spring (170) having a lead spring (350) fixed in position with respect to a distal end thereof in the distal end of the steering shaft. One or more steering wires (360, 370) is affixed at the distal ends thereof to the lead spring. The steering wires extend through the steering shaft to the controller, and the steering apparatus of the controller is used to place tension on one or both of the steering wires. The attachment of the distal ends of the steering wires to the lead spring may be opposite one another or may be offset for providing greater maneuverability. Tension may be placed on the steering wires by wedges (650, 660) mounted transversely to the controller housing, or by rotation of a shaft (450) mounted transversely to the controller housing, the steering wires being attached to the shaft such that rotation in one direction tenses one steering wire, and rotation in the other direction tenses the other steering wire. Two independently rotatable shafts (1560, 1590) may be used to separately control the two steering wires. The steering shaft is adapted for insertion into a lumen (45) of a catheter (40) for use in guiding the distal end of the catheter to a treatment site within a patient. The steering mechanism may also be used in conjunction with tools or apparatus which must reach into difficult locations, such as engines or other machines.

公开(公告)号：EP0426736A4

公开(公告)日：1991-11-21

申请号：EP89908759

申请日：1989-07-27

Applicant: EP TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

Inventor： FRANZ, MICHAEL VA MEDICAL CENTER ,  LUNDQUIST, INGEMAR

IPC: A61B5/0402 ,  A61B5/042 ,  A61B5/0452 ,  A61B5/04

CPC classification number: A61B5/6855 ,  A61B5/042 ,  A61B5/0452 ,  A61B2562/0209 ,  A61B2562/046

Abstract: The apparatus comprises a probe (60) having a tip portion (64), a first electrode (72) mounted on a terminal free end of the tip portion and a second electrode (74) spaced along the tip portion from the first electrode for supplying a reference potential. The probe is constructed so as to hold the first electrode in contact with tissue of an in vivo beating heart with a positive pressure without causing macroscopic damage to the heart tissue while orienting the probe such that the second electrode is spaced from the heart tissue. A stylet (66) is retractably mounted within the probe, for allowing a physician to maneuver the probe through a vein or the like. In an alternative embodiment, a combination catheter (200) is disclosed, including pacing electrodes (215, 225) for pacing the heart while measuring the potentials thereof.