Catheter instrument with three pull wires

1 . An apparatus, comprising:

(a) a catheter, a proximal portion of the catheter defining a longitudinal axis, the catheter having an outer diameter of about 8.5 French or smaller and including:

(i) a first shaft with a first shaft lumen;

(ii) a second shaft extending through the first shaft lumen, and configured for longitudinal translation relative to the first shaft, the second shaft defining:

(A) first and second lumens defining a first plane coextensive with the longitudinal axis;

(B) a third lumen between the first and second lumens and intersected by the first plane;

(C) fourth and fifth lumens defining a second plane orthogonal to the first plane;

(D) a sixth lumen defining a pathway for communication of fluid; and

(E) a seventh lumen;

(iii) a first cable positioned in the first lumen, the first cable being operable to translate relative to the second shaft;

(iv) a second cable positioned in the second lumen, the second cable being operable to translate relative to the second shaft; and

(v) a third cable positioned in the third lumen, the third cable being operable to translate relative to the first shaft;

(vi) a first tubular insert positioned in the fourth lumen; and

(vii) a second tubular insert positioned in the fifth lumen;

(viii) one or more wires extending through the seventh lumen;

(b) an end effector extending distally from the second shaft, the end effector including at least one electrode and configured to transition between an expanded configuration and a non-expanded configuration, distal ends of the first and second cables coupled to the end effector; and

(c) a handle at a proximal end of the catheter, the handle comprising:

(ix) a deflection drive assembly comprising a rocker arm coupled to the first and second cables such that rotation of the rocker arm results in simultaneous and opposite translational movement of the first and second cables, the first and second cables being operable in response to the rotation of the rocker arm to deflect the end effector laterally along the first plane, away from the longitudinal axis upon actuation of the deflection drive assembly, the first and second tubular inserts configured with greater rigidity than the second shaft to prevent deflection of the end effector along the second plane, away from the longitudinal axis; and

(x) an end effector expansion actuator comprising a slider and a base, the slider configured for direct operation by a user to move translationally between a proximal position and a distal position, the slider being coupled to the base, and the base being coupled to a proximal end of the third cable, the slider being positioned distal of the rocker arm of the deflection drive assembly such that the proximal end of the third cable terminates distal of the rocker arm, a distal end of the third cable being coupled to the end effector, the slider configured to move between a first position that moves the end effector into the expanded configuration when distal of a distal end of the first shaft, and a second position that returns the end effector into the first shaft lumen of the first shaft in the non-expanded configuration.

2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , the end effector being configured to define a cylindraceous shape in the non-expanded configuration, the end effector being configured to define a generally spherical or spiral shape in the expanded configuration.

3 . The apparatus of claim 1 , the end effector including a flexible body with a plurality of strips.

4 . The apparatus of claim 1 , the end effector including a plurality of electrophysiology mapping electrodes configured to sense potentials in tissue.

5 . The apparatus of claim 1 , the end effector comprising at least one opening configured to dispense the fluid from the sixth lumen.

6 . The apparatus of claim 1 , the fourth and fifth lumens being closer to one of the first and second lumens than to the other of the first and second lumens.

7 . The apparatus of claim 1 , one of the fourth and fifth lumens being closer to the seventh lumen than the other of the fourth and fifth lumens.