Deflectable medical probe
A medical probe includes a shaft for navigation in a patient body, and first and second deflection mechanisms. The shaft ends with a flexible section and a spring, followed by a rigid distal tip having one or more medical devices coupled thereto. The first deflection mechanism is configured to deflect the flexible section relative to the shaft. The second deflection mechanism is configured to deflect the distal tip relative to the first flexible section by using the spring.
1 . A medical probe, comprising:
a shaft for navigation in a body, the shaft extending along a longitudinal axis and comprising a proximal end and a distal end;
a flexible section disposed on the distal end of the shaft;
a spring disposed on a distal end of the flexible section;
a rigid distal tip disposed on a distal end of the spring;
a first deflection mechanism comprising a first wire attached to a first side of the flexible section and a second wire attached to a second side of the flexible section, the first wire and the second wire each configured to deflect the flexible section relative to the shaft; and
a second deflection mechanism comprising a third wire attached to a first side of the rigid distal tip and a fourth wire attached to a second side of the rigid distal tip, the third wire and the fourth wire each configured to deflect the rigid distal tip relative to the flexible section.
2 . The medical probe of claim 1 , wherein the first wire is configured to deflect the flexible section in a first direction relative to the longitudinal axis, and wherein the second wire is configured to deflect the flexible section in a second direction relative to the longitudinal axis, the second direction being opposite the first direction.
3 . The medical probe of claim 2 , wherein the third wire is configured to deflect the rigid distal tip in a third direction relative to the longitudinal axis, and wherein the fourth wire is configured to deflect the rigid distal tip in a fourth direction relative to the longitudinal axis, the fourth direction being opposite the third direction.
4 . The medical probe of claim 3 , wherein the first direction, the second direction, the third direction, and the fourth direction are each different from one another.
5 . The medical probe of claim 1 further comprising a medical device attached to the rigid distal tip, the medical device comprising a plurality of electrodes configured to detect electrical-potential signals of a heart.
6 . The medical probe of claim 1 further comprising a medical device attached to the rigid distal tip, the medical device comprising a plurality of electrodes configured for ablation of tissue of a heart.
7 . The medical probe of claim 1 , wherein the flexible section is less flexible than the spring.
8 . The medical probe of claim 1 further comprising a handle, wherein the first wire, the second wire, the third wire, and the fourth wire are each attached to the handle.
9 . The medical probe of claim 8 , wherein the handle comprises a first device configured to apply a first force to the first wire and a second force to the second wire to cause deflection of the flexible section, and wherein the handle comprises a second device configured to apply a third force to the third wire and a fourth force to the fourth wire to cause deflection of the rigid distal tip.
10 . The medical probe of claim 1 , wherein the shaft, the flexible section, the spring, and the rigid distal tip form a hollow profile and the first wire, the second wire, the third wire, and the fourth wire are each disposed within the hollow profile.