Handle for steerable catheter

Abstract

A handle for controlling a steerable catheter can be aligned so that the direction of movement of the catheter is aligned with the orientation of an image on a monitor. In one embodiment, the handle is axially symmetric, allowing a physician to grasp it such that the movement of the catheter is aligned with an image displayed. In another embodiment, the handle is a grip that is rotatable with respect to the controls of a steerable catheter in order to align the movement with the image displayed.

1 - 9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . A steerable medical device, comprising;
 an elongated member having a proximal end and a steerable distal end;   a handle coupled to the proximal end of the member, the handle including a proximal end and a distal end, and extending along a longitudinal axis;   a steering actuator configured to deflect the steerable distal end of the member, the actuator extending along a longitudinal actuator axis proximally of the proximal end of the handle and, when in a neutral position, along or parallel with the longitudinal axis of the handle;   a steering arrangement functionally associated with the actuator, wherein movement of the actuator causes deflection of the steerable distal end of the member in one or more directions; and   indicia indicating to a user a direction in which the actuator is to be moved in order to produce movement of the steerable distal end in a desired direction;   wherein the handle is substantially symmetric about the longitudinal axis; and   wherein the actuator is configured to be actuated by a single digit.   
     
     
         11 . The steerable medical device of  claim 10 , wherein the handle and the actuator are configured for one-handed operation. 
     
     
         12 . The steerable medical device of  claim 10 , wherein the actuator is a joy-stick. 
     
     
         13 . The steerable medical device of  claim 10 , wherein the actuator is configured for 360 degree movement. 
     
     
         14 . The steerable medical device of  claim 10 , wherein the indicia is moveable with respect to the handle. 
     
     
         15 . The steerable medical device of  claim 14 , further including:
 a ring disposed on and rotatable about the handle, wherein the indicia are associated with the ring such that movement of the ring causes movement of the indicia.   
     
     
         16 . The steerable medical device of  claim 15 , wherein the ring is configured to rotate upon application of a force and remain stationary with respect to the handle when the force is removed. 
     
     
         17 . The steerable medical device of  claim 10 , wherein the indicia includes directional markings. 
     
     
         18 . The steerable medical device of  claim 10 , wherein the handle is rotatable with respect to the member. 
     
     
         19 . The steerable medical device of  claim 10 , further including:
 means for fastening the handle to a second medical device, wherein the means includes at least one of a velcro-strap, a C-clamp, a snap-fit component, or combinations thereof.   
     
     
         20 . A steerable medical device, comprising:
 an elongated member having a proximal end and a steerable distal end;   a handle coupled to the proximal end of the member, the handle including a proximal end and a distal end, and extending along a longitudinal axis;   a steering lever configured to deflect the steerable distal end of the member, the lever extending proximally of the proximal end of the handle and, when in a neutral position, along or parallel with the longitudinal axis, wherein the lever is adapted for 360 degree movement;   two or more pull wires having distal ends secured at or adjacent the steerable distal end of the member and proximal ends functionally associated with the lever, wherein movement of the lever causes at least one of the two or more pull wires to be selectively tensioned or relaxed in order to deflect the distal end of the member in one or more directions: and   indicia indicating to a user a direction in which the lever is to be activated in order to produce movement of the steerable distal end in a desired direction;   wherein at least a portion of the handle is rotatable with respect to, and independently of, the lever.   
     
     
         21 . The steerable medical device of  claim 20 , wherein the indicia is moveable with respect to the handle. 
     
     
         22 . The steerable medical device of  claim 21 , further including:
 a ring disposed on and rotatable about the handle, wherein the indicia are associated with the ring such that movement of the ring causes movement of the indicia.   
     
     
         23 . The steerable medical device of  claim 22 , wherein the ring is configured to rotate upon application of a force and remain stationary with respect to the handle when the force is removed. 
     
     
         24 . The steerable medical device of  claim 20 , wherein the handle includes an ergonomic grip configured for selective rotation about the longitudinal axis relative to, and independently of, the lever. 
     
     
         25 . A method of orienting a medical device, comprising:
 inserting a medical device into a body lumen of a patient, the medical device including:
 an elongated member having a steerable distal end; and 
 a handle coupled to a proximal end of the member and functionally associated with a steering actuator configured to deflect the steerable distal end of the member, the handle including indicia and the actuator extending proximally of a proximal end of the handle and, when in a neutral position, along or parallel with a longitudinal axis of the handle; 
   moving the actuator in an upwards direction;   observing which direction the steerable distal end moves in response to the upward movement of the actuator; and   rotating the indicia relative to the handle such that the indicia indicate which direction of deflection corresponds with an upward movement of the actuator.   
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the medical device further includes a ring disposed on and rotatable about the handle, wherein the indicia are associated with the ring such that movement of the ring causes movement of the indicia. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the ring is configured to rotate upon application of a force and remain stationary with respect to the handle when the force is removed. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , further including:
 holding the medical device in a single hand.   
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein moving the actuator includes moving the actuator with a single digit of a user.