System for indicating catheter deflection

Abstract

Apparatus, consisting of a probe, having a proximal end and a distal end, which is deflectable in first and second directions. The apparatus includes a probe manipulator, which is coupled to the proximal end of the probe and has first and second tactile control elements. The elements are operable by a user of the probe to deflect the distal end in the first and second directions, respectively, and are tactilely distinguishable one from the other.

1 . Apparatus, comprising:
 a probe, comprising a proximal end and a distal end, which is deflectable in first and second directions; and   a probe manipulator, which is coupled to the proximal end of the probe and comprises first and second tactile control elements, which are operable by a user of the probe to deflect the distal end in the first and second directions, respectively, and which are tactilely distinguishable one from the other.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second tactile control elements have respective first and second shapes, wherein the first and second shapes are different one from the other. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second tactile control elements have respective first and second congruent shapes, wherein the first and second shapes are oriented differently. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second tactile control elements have respective surfaces which are tactilely distinguishable one from the other. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , and wherein the first and second tactile control elements are configured to have respective visible characteristics different one from the other. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , and comprising a screen configured to display respective different graphic symbols in response to deflection of the distal end in the first direction and in the second direction. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein the first and second tactile control elements are configured to have respective visible characteristics different one from the other, and wherein the respective graphic symbols comprise the respective visible characteristics. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein the screen is configured to display a further graphic symbol in response to the distal end being in an un-deflected state. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second tactile control elements are related by 2-fold rotational symmetry. 
     
     
         10 . A method, comprising:
 configuring a probe, comprising a proximal end, and a distal end that is deflectable in first and second directions; and   coupling a probe manipulator to the proximal end of the probe, the manipulator comprising first and second tactile control elements, which are operable by a user of the probe to deflect the distal end in the first and second directions, respectively, and which are tactilely distinguishable one from the other.   
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the first and second tactile control elements have respective first and second shapes, wherein the first and second shapes are different one from the other. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the first and second tactile control elements have respective first and second congruent shapes, wherein the first and second shapes are oriented differently. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the first and second tactile control elements have respective surfaces which are tactilely distinguishable one from the other. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 10 , and wherein the first and second tactile control elements are configured to have respective visible characteristics different one from the other. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 10 , and comprising displaying respective different graphic symbols in response to deflection of the distal end in the first direction and in the second direction. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the first and second tactile control elements are configured to have respective visible characteristics different one from the other, and wherein the respective graphic symbols comprise the respective visible characteristics. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 15 , and comprising displaying a further graphic symbol in response to the distal end being in an un-deflected state. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein the first and second tactile control elements are related by 2-fold rotational symmetry.