CPC A61B 34/30 (2016.02) [A61B 1/00149 (2013.01); A61B 1/0055 (2013.01); A61B 1/018 (2013.01); A61B 1/2676 (2013.01); A61B 2034/301 (2016.02); A61B 2034/303 (2016.02); A61M 25/0113 (2013.01); A61M 25/0138 (2013.01)] | 21 Claims |
1. A catheter device for traversing internal body passages, said catheter device comprising:
a hollow catheter comprising at least one stage, said hollow catheter comprising a distal portion and a proximal portion;
said proximal portion comprising a hollow torque shaft configured to receive torque from a rotary shaft actuator;
said hollow catheter configured so that torque applied to said hollow torque shaft is conveyed to said distal portion;
said device further comprising conduits comprising at least one tensioning cable extending along said catheter from said proximal portion to said distal portion, each said tensioning cable comprising a steering cable;
said hollow torque shaft and said distal portion further comprising a working channel configured to convey at least one other conduit through said proximal portion and said distal portion to at least a distal tool plate mounted on a distal end of said distal portion;
wherein said at least one said tensioning cables comprise at least one distal portion steering cable that is
configured to convey distal portion steering force to said distal tool plate, causing said distal tool plate and said distal portion to move according to said distal portion steering force;
wherein said device further comprises:
at least one distal portion tensioning actuator configured to flex and unflex said end of said distal portion by creating and releasing tension on at least one of said at least one distal portion steering cables;
said at least one distal portion tensioning actuator further configured to rotate said at least one distal portion steering cable in a 1:1 ratio with any rotation of at least said distal portion caused by torque from said rotary shaft actuator.
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