Deflectable sheath catheters

Abstract

The present invention provides devices and methods for the treatment of atrial fibrillation. In one embodiment a deflectable sheath catheter includes an elongate catheter body having proximal and distal ends, the distal end having a distal tip region that includes a plurality of flexible segments with varying degrees of stiffness. A handle portion can be located at the proximal end of the catheter body to provide a steering mechanism that causes the distal tip region to deflect according to a compound curve.

1 . A deflectable sheath catheter, comprising:
 an elongate catheter body having proximal and distal ends;   the catheter body comprising a plurality of flexible segments along its length, at least one of the segments having a different stiffness; and   a deflectable distal end section at the distal end of the catheter body,   wherein the segments of different stiffness permit the deflectable distal end section to form a compound curve upon deflection.   
     
     
         2 . The catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the compound curve is a spiral curve. 
     
     
         3 . The catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the segments of different stiffness are formed by a plurality polymeric segments of the elongate body having different durometers. 
     
     
         4 . The catheter of  claim 3 , wherein the polymeric segments further comprise Pbax polymer. 
     
     
         5 . The catheter of  claim 3 , where the durometer of the distal end section decreases in the distal direction along at least a portion of the section. 
     
     
         6 . The catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the elongate catheter body comprises at least one braided wire reinforcement layer. 
     
     
         7 . The catheter of  claim 6 , wherein the catheter comprises at least one braided wire cladding surrounding at least a portion of the body length. 
     
     
         8 . The catheter of  claim 6 , wherein the reinforcement layer is continuous. 
     
     
         9 . The catheter of  claim 6 , wherein the reinforcement layer is discontinuous. 
     
     
         10 . The catheter of  claim 6 , wherein the reinforcement layer is varied to provide segments of different stiffness. 
     
     
         11 . The catheter of  claim 1 , further comprising an actuator that effects deflection of the deflectable tip section. 
     
     
         12 . The catheter of  claim 11 , wherein the actuator further comprises a lock to fix the deflectable distal end section in a particular curve within its range of movement. 
     
     
         13 . The catheter of  claim 12 , wherein the actuator further comprises a pull wire mechanically linking the deflectable distal end section to a proximal handle portion. 
     
     
         14 . The catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the deflectable tip section has a plurality of flexible segments of varying stiffness. 
     
     
         15 . The catheter of  claim 14 , wherein the stiffness of the plurality of segment varies progressive over at least a portion of the distal end section. 
     
     
         16 . The catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the deflectable distal end section includes at least one irrigation port. 
     
     
         17 . The catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the deflectable distal end section includes at least one radioopaque band. 
     
     
         18 . The catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the handle comprises at least one hemostasis valve. 
     
     
         19 . The catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the deflectable distal end section further comprises a distal tip that is bent out of a plane of deflection. 
     
     
         20 - 30 . (canceled)