Steerable loop structures for supporting diagnostic and therapeutic elements in contact with body tissue

1. A probe for use with an outer member including a wall defining an interior bore, the probe comprising:

an elongate body, defining a distal region, a distal end, a proximal region and an interior, adapted to be carried within the outer member interior bore;

at least one operative element supported on the distal region of the elongate body;

a pull wire defining a distal portion associated with the distal end of the elongate body and a proximal portion extending along the exterior of the elongate body toward the proximal region of the elongate body; and

a steering element secured to the distal portion of the elongate body and extending within the interior of the elongate body to the proximal region of the elongate body.

2. A probe as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the steering element comprises a pair of steering elements.

3. A probe as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the elongate body comprises a catheter body.

4. A probe as claimed in claim 1 , wherein at least the distal region of the elongate body includes a flexible spline.

5. A probe as claimed in claim 4 , wherein the flexible spline comprises a solid core wire.

6. A probe as claimed in claim 4 , wherein the flexible spline defines a substantially circular cross sectional shape over a substantial portion thereof and a substantially flat cross sectional shape over a relatively small portion thereof.

7. A probe as claimed in claim 4 , wherein the steering element is fixedly secured to the flexible spline.

8. A probe as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the operative element comprises an electrode.

9. A probe as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the proximal region of the elongate body is relatively long and stiff and the distal region of the elongate body is relatively short and flexible.

10. A probe, comprising:

an elongate body defining a distal region and an interior;

a loop structure associated with the distal region of the elongate body and defining an interior and a loop structure plane;

at least one operative element supported on the loop structure; and

a steering element extending through the interior of the loop structure and the interior of the elongate body to the proximal region of the elongate body, the steering element being secured to the loop structure such that proximal movement of the steering element will bend a portion of the loop structure that is co-extensive with at least a portion of the at least one operative element out of the loop structure plane and leave the remainder of the loop structure in the loop structure plane.

11. A probe as claimed in claim 10 , wherein the steering element comprises a pair of steering elements.

12. A probe as claimed in claim 10 , wherein the elongate body comprises a catheter body.

13. A probe as claimed in claim 10 , wherein at least the distal region of the elongate body includes a flexible spline.

14. A probe as claimed in claim 13 , wherein the flexible spline comprises a solid core wire.

15. A probe as claimed in claim 13 , wherein the flexible spline defines a substantially circular cross sectional shape over a substantial portion thereof and a substantially flat cross sectional shape over a relatively small portion thereof.

16. A probe as claimed in claim 13 , wherein the steering element is fixedly secured to the flexible spline.

17. A probe as claimed in claim 10 , wherein the operative element comprises an electrode.

18. A probe as claimed in claim 10 , wherein the proximal region of the elongate body is relatively long and stiff and the distal region of the elongate body is relatively short and flexible.

19. A probe as claimed in claim 10 , further comprising:

a control element defining a distal portion associated with the loop structure and a proximal portion extending along the exterior of the elongate body toward the proximal region of the elongate body.

20. A probe as claimed in claim 10 , wherein

the at least one operative element comprises a plurality of spaced operative elements; and

the steering element is secured to the loop structure such that proximal movement of the steering element will bend a portion of the loop structure that is coextensive with at least a portion of at least one of the operative elements and leave a portion of the loop structure that is coextensive with at least a portion of another one of the operative elements in the loop structure plane.

21. A probe as claimed in claim 20 , wherein the plurality of spaced operative elements comprises a plurality of spaced electrodes.