Electrophysiology/ablation catheter having second passage

Abstract

A deflectable tip cardiac electrophysiology/ablation lumen catheter includes first and second passages, one of which communicates with an inflatable member or balloon. The second passage terminates in an opening or port downstream of the inflatable member. The second passage is adapted to introduce a liquid during an electrophysiology study while the inflatable member prevents backflow of an injected liquid or dye and blood, or is adapted to alternatively receive a guide wire or other medical device therethrough.

1 . A medical device, comprising:
 an elongated body comprising a distal portion and a proximal portion, the distal portion comprising a deflectable portion and a distal end portion;   a deflection member disposed within the elongated body and movable relative to the proximal portion, wherein the deflection member is operably fixed to the distal end portion such that pushing on the deflection member causes the deflectable portion to deflect in a first direction; and   a handle coupled to the proximal portion of the elongated body, the handle comprising a housing and an actuator assembly comprising an actuator, wherein the actuator assembly is operably coupled to the deflection member such that rotation of the actuator in a first rotational direction relative to the housing causes the actuator assembly to push on the deflection member, thereby causing the deflection member to move within the proximal portion of the elongate body and the deflectable portion of the elongate body to deflect in the first direction.   
     
     
         2 . The medical device of  claim 1 , wherein the deflection member is operably fixed to the distal portion such that pulling on the deflection member causes the distal portion to deflect in a second direction. 
     
     
         3 . The medical device of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated body comprises a lumen sized and configured to pass a medical device therethrough. 
     
     
         4 . The medical device of  claim 1 , wherein the deflection member comprises a circular cross-section. 
     
     
         5 . The medical device of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated body comprises a tubular shape. 
     
     
         6 . The medical device of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator assembly is operably coupled to the deflection member such that rotation of the actuator in a second rotational direction relative to the housing causes the actuator assembly to pull on the deflection member, thereby causing the deflection member to move within the proximal portion of the elongate body and the deflectable portion of the elongate body to deflect in a second direction. 
     
     
         7 . The medical device of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator is sized and configured to be manually rotated by a user. 
     
     
         8 . The medical device of  claim 1 , further comprising a reinforcing member disposed within the elongate body. 
     
     
         9 . The medical device of  claim 8 , wherein the reinforcing member varies in stiffness from the proximal portion to the deflectable portion of the elongate body. 
     
     
         10 . The medical device of  claim 9 , wherein the reinforcing member is stiffer within the proximal portion than within the deflectable portion of the elongate body. 
     
     
         11 . The medical device of  claim 10 , wherein the reinforcing member comprises an opening within the deflectable portion. 
     
     
         12 . The medical device of  claim 8 , wherein the reinforcing member comprises a braided tube. 
     
     
         13 . The medical device of  claim 1 , further comprising an electrode disposed on the distal portion of the elongated body. 
     
     
         14 . The medical device of  claim 1 , wherein the distal portion of the elongated body is configured to contact blood. 
     
     
         15 . The medical device of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated body defines a longitudinal axis and wherein the first direction is not parallel to the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         16 . A catheter, comprising:
 an elongated body comprising a distal portion and a proximal portion, the distal portion comprising a steerable portion and a distal end portion;   a steering member disposed within the elongated body and movable relative to the proximal portion, wherein the steering member is operably fixed to the distal end portion such that placing a compressive force on the steering member steers the steerable portion in a first direction; and   a handle coupled to the proximal portion of the elongated body, the handle comprising a housing and an actuator assembly comprising an actuator, wherein the actuator assembly is operably coupled to the steering member such that rotation of the actuator in a first rotational direction relative to the housing causes the actuator assembly to place a compressive force on the steering member, thereby causing the steering member to move within the proximal portion of the elongate body and the steerable portion of the elongate body to steer in the first direction.   
     
     
         17 . The catheter of  claim 16 , wherein the steering member is operably fixed to the distal portion such that placing a tensile force on the steering member steers the steerable portion in a second direction. 
     
     
         18 . The catheter of  claim 16 , wherein the elongated body comprises a lumen sized and configured to pass a medical device therethrough. 
     
     
         19 . The catheter of  claim 16 , wherein the actuator assembly is operably coupled to the steering member such that rotation of the actuator in a second rotational direction relative to the housing causes the actuator assembly to place a tensile force on the steering member, thereby causing the steering member to move within the proximal portion of the elongate body and the steerable portion of the elongate body to steer in a second direction. 
     
     
         20 . The catheter of  claim 16 , further comprising a reinforcing member disposed within the elongate body, wherein the reinforcing member varies in stiffness from the proximal portion to the deflectable portion, and wherein the reinforcing member is stiffer within the proximal portion than within the deflectable portion.