Steerable medical device, handle for a medical device, and method for operating a medical device

1 . A steerable medical device comprising:

a handle having a handle body and a knob that is rotatable about a knob axis with respect to the handle body;

an elongate tool extending from the handle; and

a steering assembly for causing deflection of the tool by rotation of the knob, the steering assembly comprising a slider housed within the handle body and translatable within the handle body, a control wire coupled between the slider and the tool, and a crank assembly coupled between the knob and the slider to drive translation of the slider by rotation of the knob, the crank assembly comprising a shaft coupled to the knob and rotatable with the knob about the knob axis, a crank coupled to the shaft and pivotable about the knob axis by rotation of the shaft, the crank having a fixed end that is fixed to the shaft, and a free end that is spaced from the fixed end and that orbits the shaft, and a first connecting rod and a second connecting rod coupled to the free end of the crank;

whereby translation of the slider causes tensioning of the control wire and tensioning of the control wire causes deflection of the tool.

2 . The steerable medical device of claim 1 , wherein the first connecting rod and the second connecting rod are coupled between the slider and the free end of the crank, whereby pivoting of the crank about the knob axis drives rotation and translation of the first connecting rod and the second connecting rod, and rotation and translation of the first connecting rod and the second connecting rod drives translation of the slider.

3 . The steerable medical device of claim 2 , wherein the first connecting rod and the second connecting rod include a first end that is pivotably coupled to the free end of the crank and a second end that is pivotably coupled to the slider.

4 . The steerable medical device of claim 3 , wherein the slider is mounted to a track that limits movement of the slider.

5 . The steerable medical device of claim 2 , wherein the crank assembly further comprises a pinion gear rotatably mounted to the first connecting rod and the second connecting rod, and a first rack that is engaged with the pinion gear and fixed in position.

6 . The steerable medical device of claim 5 , wherein the slider comprises a second rack that is engaged with the pinion gear.

7 . The steerable medical device of claim 1 , wherein the tool is a sheath, a catheter, or an introducer.

8 . A handle for a medical device, the handle comprising:

a handle body;

a knob that is rotatable about a knob axis with respect to the handle body;

a slider housed within the handle body and translatable within the handle body, a control wire coupled to slider, and a crank assembly coupled between the knob and the slider to drive translation of the slider by rotation of the knob, the crank assembly comprising a shaft coupled to the knob and rotatable with the knob about the knob axis, a crank coupled to the shaft and pivotable about the knob axis by rotation of the shaft, the crank having a fixed end that is fixed to the shaft, and a free end that is spaced from the fixed end and that orbits the shaft, and a first connecting rod and a second connecting rod coupled to the free end of the crank;

whereby translation of the slider causes tensioning of the control wire.

9 . The steerable medical device of claim 8 , wherein the first connecting rod and the second connecting rod are coupled between the slider and the free end of the crank, whereby pivoting of the crank about the knob axis drives rotation and translation of the first connecting rod and the second connecting rod, and rotation and translation of the first connecting rod and the second connecting rod drives translation of the slider.

10 . The handle of claim 9 , wherein the first connecting rod and the second connecting rod include has a first end that is pivotably coupled to the free end of the crank and a second end that is pivotably coupled to the slider.

11 . The handle of claim 9 , wherein the crank assembly further comprises a pinion gear rotatably mounted to the first connecting rod and the second connecting rod, and a first rack that is engaged with the pinion gear and fixed in position.

12 . The handle of claim 11 , wherein the slider comprises a second rack that is engaged with the pinion gear.

13 . The handle of claim 8 , wherein the slider is fixed in a channel and translatable within the channel.

14 . A handle for a medical device, the handle comprising:

a handle body;

a knob that is rotatable about a knob axis with respect to the handle body;

a slider housed within the handle body and translatable within the handle body, a control wire coupled to slider, and a crank assembly coupled between the knob and the slider to drive translation of the slider by rotation of the knob, the crank assembly comprising a shaft coupled to the knob and rotatable with the knob about the knob axis, a crank coupled to the shaft and pivotable about the knob axis by rotation of the shaft, the crank having a fixed end that is fixed to the shaft, and a free end that is spaced from the fixed end and that orbits the shaft, a connecting rod coupled between the slider and the free end of the crank, whereby pivoting of the crank about the knob axis drives rotation and translation of the connecting rod, and rotation and translation of the connecting rod drives translation of the slider, and a pinion gear rotatably coupled to the connecting rod, and first rack that is engaged with the pinion and fixed in position;

whereby translation of the slider causes tensioning of the control wire.

15 . The handle of claim 14 , wherein the slider comprises a second rack that is engaged with the pinion gear.

16 . The handle of claim 14 , wherein the slider is fixed in a channel and translatable within the channel.