Steering mechanism

1. A mechanism for controlled articulation of a steerable device, comprising:

a handle extending along a longitudinal axis and coupleable to a steerable device; and

a steering system configured to articulate the steerable device in a first plane and a second plane different than the first plane, the steering system including:

a first actuator rotatable about a first axis different than the longitudinal axis and configured to apply force leverage to the steerable device to move the device along the first plane; and

a second actuator having a portion extending into the first actuator, wherein the second actuator is moveable relative to the first actuator.

2. The mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the second actuator is independently moveable of the first actuator.

3. The mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the second actuator is actuatable either (i) along the first axis, or (ii) about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis.

4. The mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the first axis is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

5. The mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the steering system is adapted to achieve 360 degrees of articulation of the steerable device.

6. The mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the first actuator and the second actuator are adapted for one-handed operation by a user.

7. The mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the first plane is a vertical plane and the second plane is a horizontal plane.

8. A steering system for a steerable medical device, comprising:

a housing extending along a longitudinal axis;

a first actuator coupled to at least a first vertical plane wire, the first actuator configured to move a steerable medical device between a first position and a second position different from the first position upon actuation of the first actuator, the first actuator configured for actuation about a first axis different than the longitudinal axis; and

a second actuator coupled to the first actuator and at least a first horizontal plane wire, the second actuator configured to move the steerable medical device between the first position and a third position different from the first and second positions upon actuation of the second actuator, at least a portion of the second actuator extending into the first actuator;

wherein the steering system is adapted to achieve 360 degrees of articulation of the steerable medical device.

9. The steering system of claim 8 , wherein the first actuator is configured to apply force leverage on the at least first vertical plane wire.

10. The steering system of claim 8 , further comprising at least two first vertical plane wires.

11. The steering system of claim 8 , further comprising at least two first horizontal plane wires.

12. The steering system of claim 8 , wherein the second actuator is independently actuatable of the first actuator.

13. The steering system of claim 8 , wherein the second actuator is actuatable either (i) along the first axis, or (ii) about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis.

14. The steering system of claim 8 , wherein the first actuator and the second actuator are adapted for one-handed operation by a user.

15. A medical device, comprising:

a handle extending along a longitudinal axis and having a proximal end and a distal end;

a steerable member coupled to and extending distally from the distal end of the handle; and

a steering system configured to articulate the steerable member in a first plane and a second plane different than the first plane, the steering system including:

a first actuator rotatable about a first axis different than the longitudinal axis and configured move the steerable member along the first plane; and

a second actuator having a portion extending into the first actuator, wherein the second actuator is moveable relative to the first actuator.

16. The medical device of claim 15 , wherein the second actuator is actuatable either (i) along the first axis, or (ii) about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis.

17. The medical device of claim 15 , wherein the second actuator is independently actuatable of the first actuator.

18. The medical device of claim 15 , wherein the first actuator and the second actuator are adapted for one-handed by a user.

19. The medical device of claim 15 , wherein the first plane is a vertical plane and the second plane is a horizontal plane.

20. The medical device of claim 15 , wherein the first axis is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.