Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
197 words
A deflectable catheter, comprising: an elongated catheter body having a proximal end and a distal end, said catheter body having a distal section adjacent its distal end along which at least one electrode is located; a first deflection wire, movable longitudinally within said catheter body, extending from said proximal end of said catheter body to a first point adjacent said distal end of said catheter body, arranged so that longitudinal movement of said deflection wire causes deflection of said distal section of said catheter body into a generally planar first curve generally falling into a first plane; a core wire, extending from the proximal end of said catheter body and coupled to said catheter body at a second point, proximal of said distal section of said catheter body, arranged such that application of torque to said catheter body by said core wire causes movement of said generally planar first curve of said distal section into a second plane, different from said first plane; and a handle assembly, located at the proximal end of said catheter body having controls located thereon operatively coupled to apply torque to said core wire and to longitudinally move said first deflection wire.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
197 words
A deflectable catheter, comprising: an elongated catheter body having a proximal end and a distal end, said catheter body having a distal section adjacent its distal end along which at least one electrode is located; a first deflection wire, movable longitudinally within said catheter body, extending from said proximal end of said catheter body to a first point adjacent said distal end of said catheter body, arranged so that longitudinal movement of said deflection wire causes deflection of said distal section of said catheter body into a generally planar first curve generally falling into a first plane; a core wire, extending from the proximal end of said catheter body and coupled to said catheter body at a second point, proximal of said distal section of said catheter body, arranged such that application of torque to said catheter body by said core wire causes movement of said generally planar first curve of said distal section into a second plane, different from said first plane; and a handle assembly, located at the proximal end of said catheter body having controls located thereon operatively coupled to apply torque to said core wire and to longitudinally move said first deflection wire.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
73 words
A catheter as described in claim 1 wherein said catheter body further comprises an intermediate section, proximal to said distal section and wherein said catheter further comprises a second deflection wire longitudinally movable within said catheter body and coupled to said catheter at a third point, proximal to said distal section, arranged so that longitudinal movement of said second deflection wire causes deflection of said intermediate section into a second, generally planar curve.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
A catheter according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said first and second curves of said distal and intermediate sections, respectively, are generally coplanar in the absence of torque applied to said core wire.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
A catheter according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said at least one electrode comprises multiple electrodes arranged along said distal section of said catheter body.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
A catheter according to claim 1 further comprising means for varying radius of curvature of said first, generally planar curve.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
A catheter according to claim 2 further comprising means for varying radius of curvature of at least one of said intermediate and distal sections of said catheter body.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
126 words
A deflectable catheter, comprising: an elongated catheter body having a proximal end and a distal end, said catheter body having a distal section adjacent its distal end along which at least one electrode is located; first deflection means for deflecting said distal section of said catheter body into a generally planar first curve generally falling into a first plane; means for applying torque to said catheter body at a point proximal to said distal section to cause movement of said generally planar first curve of said distal section into a second plane, different from said first plane; and a handle assembly, located at the proximal end of said catheter body having controls located thereon operatively coupled to said first deflection means and said torque applying means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
126 words
A deflectable catheter, comprising: an elongated catheter body having a proximal end and a distal end, said catheter body having a distal section adjacent its distal end along which at least one electrode is located; first deflection means for deflecting said distal section of said catheter body into a generally planar first curve generally falling into a first plane; means for applying torque to said catheter body at a point proximal to said distal section to cause movement of said generally planar first curve of said distal section into a second plane, different from said first plane; and a handle assembly, located at the proximal end of said catheter body having controls located thereon operatively coupled to said first deflection means and said torque applying means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
43 words
A catheter as described in claim 7 wherein said catheter body further comprises an intermediate section, proximal to said distal section and wherein said catheter further comprises a second deflection means for deflection of said intermediate section into a second, generally planar curve.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
A catheter according to claim 7 or claim 8 wherein said first and second curves of said distal and intermediate sections, respectively, are generally coplanar in the absence of torque applied by said torque applying means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
A catheter according to claim 7 or claim 8 wherein said at least one electrode comprises multiple electrodes arranged along said distal section of said catheter body.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
A catheter according to claim 7 further comprising means for varying radius of curvature of said first, generally planar curve.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
A catheter according to claim 8 further comprising means for varying radius of curvature of at least one of said intermediate and distal sections of said catheter body.