Systems and devices for articulation wire guidance

Abstract

A steering assembly of a medical device may comprise a handle having a recess and first and second wire guides disposed within the recess. At least one of the first or second wire guides may be keyed to the recess to prevent rotation of the first or second wire guide within the recess. First and second wire segments may be configured to steer a sheath coupled to the steering assembly in first and second directions. The first wire segment may pass through a first gap between the first wire guide and the second wire guide. The second wire segment may pass through a second gap between the first wire guide and the second wire guide. Neither of the first nor the second gap may occupy any overlapping space.

1 .- 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A steering assembly of a medical device, the steering assembly comprising:
 a handle having a recess;   a first wire guide disposed within the recess, wherein the first wire guide is shaped to prevent rotation of the first wire guide within the recess; and   first and second wire segments configured to steer a distal portion of the medical device in first and second directions,   wherein the first wire segment extends distally over a first side of the first wire guide, and wherein the second wire segment extends distally below a second side of the first wire guide.   
     
     
         22 . The steering assembly of  claim 21 , wherein the first wire guide includes a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion, wherein the first portion is proximal to the second portion and the third portion, wherein the second portion is adjacent to the third portion,
 wherein the first portion has a first thickness, the second portion has a second thickness, and the third portion has a third thickness,   wherein the first thickness is less than the second thickness and the third thickness, and   wherein the second thickness is equal to the third thickness.   
     
     
         23 . The steering assembly of  claim 22 , wherein the second thickness is a thickness of a distal wall of the second portion, and wherein the third thickness is a thickness of a distal wall of the third portion. 
     
     
         24 . The steering assembly of  claim 22 , wherein the first portion is washer-shaped. 
     
     
         25 . The steering assembly of  claim 22 , wherein the second portion of the first wire guide extends from a first lateral side of the first wire guide towards a second lateral side of the first wire guide, and wherein the third portion of the first wire guide extends from the second lateral side of the first wire guide to towards the first lateral side of the first wire guide. 
     
     
         26 . The steering assembly of  claim 21 , wherein the first wire guide includes a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion, wherein the first portion is proximal to the second portion and the third portion, wherein the second portion is adjacent to the third portion, and wherein the second portion and the third portion protrude relative to the first portion on the first side and the second side of the first wire guide. 
     
     
         27 . The steering assembly of  claim 26 , wherein the second portion protrudes relative to the third portion on the first side of the first wire guide. 
     
     
         28 . The steering assembly of  claim 26 , wherein the third portion protrudes relative to the second portion on the second side of the first wire guide. 
     
     
         29 . The steering assembly of  claim 22 , further including:
 a first pulley coupled to the first wire segment, wherein the first pulley is disposed on the first side of the first wire guide, and   a second pulley coupled to the second wire segment, wherein the second pulley is disposed on the second side of the first wire guide.   
     
     
         30 . A steering assembly of a medical device, the steering assembly comprising:
 a first wire guide disposed in a recess of a handle, wherein the first wire guide is keyed to the recess of the handle to prevent rotation of the first wire guide within the recess;   a first pulley having first and second wires, wherein the first and second wires are configured to steer a distal end of the medical device in first and second directions, wherein the first pulley is rotatable relative to the first wire guide, and wherein the first pulley is disposed on a first side of the first wire guide;   a second pulley having third and fourth wires, wherein the third and fourth wires are configured to steer the distal end of the medical device in third and fourth directions, wherein the second pulley is rotatable relative to the first wire guide, and wherein the second pulley is disposed on a second side of the first wire guide,   wherein the first wire guide includes an opening extending from the first side to the second side, and wherein the opening is configured to receive a portion of the first pulley.   
     
     
         31 . The steering assembly of  claim 30 , wherein the first wire guide includes a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion, wherein the first portion is proximal to the second portion and the third portion, wherein the second portion is adjacent to the third portion, wherein the first portion of the first wire guide is washer-shaped, wherein the first portion is configured to receive the first pulley on the first side of the first wire guide, and wherein the first portion is configured to receive the second pulley on the second side of the first wire guide. 
     
     
         32 . The steering assembly of  claim 31 , wherein the first side of the first portion of the first wire guide includes a recess. 
     
     
         33 . The steering assembly of  claim 31 , wherein the second portion of the first wire guide extends partially across the first wire guide from a first lateral side of the first wire guide towards a second lateral side of the first wire guide, and wherein the third portion of the first wire guide extends partially across the first wire guide from the second lateral side of the first wire guide to towards the first lateral side of the first wire guide. 
     
     
         34 . The steering assembly of  claim 31 , wherein the first wire guide includes a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion, wherein the first portion is proximal to the second portion and the third portion, wherein the second portion is adjacent to the third portion,
 wherein, on the first side of the first wire guide, (1) the second portion protrudes relative to the first portion, and (2) the third portion protrudes relative to the first portion and the second portion, and   wherein, on the second side of the first wire guide, (3) the third portion protrudes relative to the first portion and the second portion, and (4) the second portion protrudes relative to the first portion.   
     
     
         35 . The steering assembly of  claim 31 , wherein the first portion has a first thickness, the second portion has a second thickness, and the third portion has a third thickness,
 wherein the first thickness is less than the second thickness and the third thickness, and wherein the second thickness is equal to the third thickness.   
     
     
         36 . A steering assembly of a medical device, the steering assembly comprising:
 a first wire guide, a second wire guide, and a third wire guide, wherein each of the first wire guide, the second wire guide, and the third wire guide is disposed within a recess of a handle of the medical device;   a first pulley coupled to first and second wire segments, wherein each of the first and second wire segments extends distally from the first pulley, wherein the first pulley is disposed between a proximal portion of the first wire guide and a proximal portion of the second wire guide, wherein each of the first and second wire segments are disposed between a distal portion of the first wire guide and a distal portion of the second wire guide;   a second pulley coupled to third and fourth wire segments, wherein each of the third and fourth wire segments extends distally from the second pulley wherein the second pulley is disposed between the proximal portion of second wire guide and a proximal portion of the third wire guide, and wherein the third and fourth wire segments are disposed between the distal portion of the second wire guide and a distal portion of the third wire guide.   
     
     
         37 . The steering assembly of  claim 36 , wherein the proximal portion of each of the first wire guide, the second wire guide, and the third wire guide is washer-shaped. 
     
     
         38 . The steering assembly of  claim 36 , wherein the distal portion of a first side of the first wire guide is identical to the distal portion of a second side of the third wire guide. 
     
     
         39 . The steering assembly of  claim 36 , wherein the distal portion of a first side of the second wire guide further includes a first lateral portion and a second lateral portion wherein the first lateral portion extends partially across the distal portion of the first side of the second wire guide from a first lateral side of the second wire guide towards a second lateral side of the first wire guide, and wherein the second lateral portion extends partially across the distal portion of the first side of the second wire guide from the second lateral side of the second wire guide towards the first lateral side of the second wire guide,
 wherein the proximal portion has a first thickness, the first lateral portion has a second thickness, and the second lateral portion has a third thickness,   wherein the second thickness and the third thickness are greater than the first thickness, and wherein the third thickness is equal to the second thickness.   
     
     
         40 . The steering assembly of  claim 36 , wherein the proximal portion of the second wire guide includes a first opening extending from a first side of the second wire guide to a second side of the second wire guide, and wherein the first opening is configured to receive a portion of the first pulley,
 wherein the proximal portion of the third wire guide includes a second opening extending from a first side of the third wire guide to a second side of the third wire guide, and wherein the second opening is configured to receive a portion of the second pulley, and wherein a diameter of the first opening is smaller than a diameter of the second opening.