Patent attributes
A steerable catheter having a reinforced distal end for improved deflection is provided. The catheter comprises an elongated, flexible tubular catheter body having proximal and distal ends and a lumen extending therethrough. A tip section is provided at the distal end of the catheter body. The tip section comprises a flexible plastic tubing having at least one off-axis lumen extending therethrough. A control handle is provided at the proximal end of the catheter body. At least one puller wire extends through the off-axis lumen of the tip section and lumen of the catheter body. The puller wire has a proximal end anchored to the control handle and a distal end anchored to the tip section. The puller wire is longitudinally moveable relative to the catheter body to cause deflection of the tip section in a plane in a first direction. The catheter further comprises one or more stabilizing features extending longitudinally along at least a portion of the length of the tip section and positioned generally symmetrically about a diameter of the tip section corresponding to the plane in which the tip section is deflectable. The one or more stabilizing features comprise a material that has a higher modulus of elasticity than the plastic of the tip section.
