Control mechanism for steerable medical device

Abstract

A control mechanism for use with a steerable medical device allows for single-handed operation of at least a distal portion of the medical device. The device can be a catheter or an endoscope, for example.

1 - 8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . A method of performing a surgical procedure with a medical device, the method comprising:
 rotating a first handle portion relative to a second handle portion at an interface to move the medical device along a first path to perform a first aspect of the surgical procedure; and   pivoting an actuator about a pivot point to move the medical device along a second path to perform a second aspect of the surgical procedure.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein both rotating the first handle portion and pivoting the actuator are performed by the same hand of an operator. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , further including inserting the medical device into a patient with a different hand. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further including adjusting a longitudinal position of the medical device with the different hand. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the second path is different from the first path and the pivot point is disposed proximally of the interface. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the first handle portion is disposed proximally of the second handle portion. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the pivot point is disposed within the first handle portion. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the actuator is configured to pivot about an elongate member that extends substantially orthogonally to a longitudinal axis of the medical device. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein an operator engages the actuator with a thumb. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the thumb of the operator engages a plurality of gripping elements disposed on the actuator. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 9 , further including preventing rotation of the first handle portion relative to the second handle portion once a predetermined amount of rotation has been reached. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 9 , further including locking a position of the actuator when the medical device is in a desired position. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein pivoting the actuator also moves the actuator axially along a longitudinal axis of the medical device. 
     
     
         22 . A method of performing a surgical procedure with a medical device, the method comprising:
 rotating a first handle portion relative to a second handle portion at an interface to move the medical device along a first path to perform a first aspect of the surgical procedure; and   axially moving an actuator along a longitudinal axis of the medical device to move the medical device along a second path to perform a second aspect of the surgical procedure, wherein the second path is different from the first path and an entirety of the actuator is disposed proximally of the interface.   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , further including pivoting the actuator to axially move the actuator along the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein rotating the first handle portion and axially moving the actuator are performed by the same hand of an operator. 
     
     
         25 . A method of performing a surgical procedure with a medical device, the method comprising:
 with only one hand, rotating a first handle portion relative to a second handle portion at an interface to move an elongate shaft of the medical device along a first path to perform a first aspect of the surgical procedure; and   with the same hand, pivoting an actuator about a pivot point so as to move the actuator along a longitudinal axis of the medical device to move the elongate shaft along a second path to perform a second aspect of the surgical procedure, wherein the second path is different from the first path and an entirety of the actuator is disposed proximally of the interface.   
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , further including inserting the medical device into a patient and adjusting the longitudinal position of the medical device with a different hand. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the first handle portion is disposed proximally of the second handle portion and the pivot point is disposed within the first handle portion.