US 11,918,762 B2
Reduced actuation force electrophysiology catheter handle
Varun D. Bansal, Plymouth, MN (US); Michael S. Bowers, Edina, MN (US); and Alexandre Ioan Romoscanu, Geneva (CH)
Assigned to St. Jude Medical, Cardiology Division, Inc., St. Paul, MN (US)
Filed by St. Jude Medical, Cardiology Division, Inc., St. Paul, MN (US)
Filed on Oct. 2, 2019, as Appl. No. 16/591,304.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/740,828, filed on Oct. 3, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2020/0108228 A1, Apr. 9, 2020
Int. Cl. A61M 25/01 (2006.01); A61B 17/00 (2006.01); A61B 18/00 (2006.01); A61B 18/14 (2006.01)
CPC A61M 25/0136 (2013.01) [A61B 18/1492 (2013.01); A61M 25/0147 (2013.01); A61B 2017/003 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00351 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00952 (2013.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A catheter handle comprising:
a handle housing having a proximal end and a distal end;
a plunger assembly configured to be moved proximally out of the distal end of the handle housing and distally into the distal end of the handle housing, wherein the plunger assembly is configured to cause deflection of a distal portion of a catheter from a first position to a second position; and
a force amplifier coupled to the plunger assembly, the force amplifier configured to reduce an input force required to cause deflection of the distal portion of the catheter from the first position to the second position, wherein the input force is applied to the plunger assembly,
wherein the force amplifier comprises a system of gears, the system of gears comprising at least a first gear and a second gear; and
wherein the force amplifier comprises a threaded central axel around which the second gear rotates;
wherein the threaded central axel is configured to cause the second gear to translate upwards or downwards based on a direction of rotation of the second gear; and
a frictional element located between a bottom surface of the second gear and a bottom portion of the catheter handle, wherein the frictional element is an O-ring;
wherein friction between the frictional element and the bottom surface of the second gear increases as the second gear moves downwards; and
wherein friction between the frictional element and the bottom surface of the second gear decreases as the second gear moves upwards.