Steerable ablation device

Abstract

The invention relates to a flexible assembly for use in a region of a medical or surgical device. In preferred embodiments, the flexible region comprises a set of pull wires for controllably moving a treatment end of the device, and elements to separate the pull wires and maintain the integrity of the shaft of the flexible region in order to improve the operating aspects of the device. The devices and methods can be especially useful in ablation treatments, such as ablation at cardiac or epicardial tissues.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A medical catheter component, comprising:
 a cylindrical body including a circumferential wall defining an inner lumen; and   a plurality of cuts through the circumferential wall of the cylindrical body,   wherein the plurality of cuts define a ribbed structure comprising a first continuous spine extending from a first point on the cylindrical body just proximal of a most proximal of the plurality of cuts to a second point on the cylindrical body just distal of a most distal of the plurality of cuts.   
     
     
         3 . The medical device component according to  claim 2 , wherein the ribbed structure further comprises a second continuous spine extending from a third point on the cylindrical body just proximal of the most proximal of the plurality of cuts to a fourth point on the cylindrical body just distal of the most distal of the plurality of cuts. 
     
     
         4 . The medical device component according to  claim 2 , wherein the second continuous spine is located diametrically opposite the first continuous spine. 
     
     
         5 . The medical device component according to  claim 2 , wherein the first continuous spine has a switchback arrangement. 
     
     
         6 . The medical device component according to  claim 2 , wherein the first continuous spine comprises an uncut portion of the circumferential wall extending longitudinally along a length of the cylindrical body. 
     
     
         7 . The medical device component according to  claim 2 , further comprising a tri-lumenal insert positioned within the inner lumen of the cylindrical body. 
     
     
         8 . The medical device component according to  claim 7 , wherein the tri-lumenal insert comprises an anchor member secured to a distal section of the cylindrical body. 
     
     
         9 . The medical device component according to  claim 7 , wherein the tri-lumenal insert comprises an hourglass-shaped central lumen and a pair of pull wire lumens positioned peripheral to the hourglass-shaped central lumen. 
     
     
         10 . The medical device component according to  claim 9 , wherein the pair of peripheral lumens are positioned opposite each other adjacent a neck of the hourglass-shaped central lumen. 
     
     
         11 . The medical device component according to  claim 2 , wherein the cylindrical body comprises a shape memory material. 
     
     
         12 . A medical catheter component, comprising:
 a cylindrical body including a wall that defines a plurality of lumens, the plurality of lumens comprising:
 an hourglass-shaped central lumen; and 
 at least two additional lumens positioned peripheral of the hourglass-shaped central lumen. 
   
     
     
         13 . The medical device component according to  claim 12 , wherein the at least two peripheral lumens comprise a first peripheral lumen and a second peripheral lumen, and wherein the first and second peripheral lumens are positioned on opposite sides of a neck of the hourglass-shaped central lumen. 
     
     
         14 . A medical catheter, comprising:
 a cylindrical body including a plurality of lumens, the plurality of lumens comprising:
 an hourglass-shaped central lumen including a central portion and a peripheral portion; and 
 at least two peripheral lumens each configured to slidably receive a pull wire therein, wherein the at least two peripheral lumens are each coextensive with the peripheral portion of the hourglass-shaped central lumen. 
   
     
     
         15 . The medical catheter according to  claim 14 , wherein the at least two peripheral lumens comprise a first peripheral lumen and a second peripheral lumen, and wherein the first and second peripheral lumens are positioned on opposite sides of a neck of the hourglass-shaped central lumen. 
     
     
         16 . The medical catheter according to  claim 14 , wherein the cylindrical body comprises a plurality of cuts through a circumferential wall of the cylindrical body, the plurality of cuts defining a ribbed structure comprising a first continuous spine extending from a first point on the cylindrical body just proximal of a most proximal of the plurality of cuts to a second point on the cylindrical body just distal of a most distal of the plurality of cuts. 
     
     
         17 . The medical catheter according to  claim 16 , wherein the ribbed structure further comprises a second continuous spine extending from a third point on the cylindrical body just proximal of the most proximal of the plurality of cuts to a fourth point on the cylindrical body just distal of the most distal of the plurality of cuts. 
     
     
         18 . The medical catheter according to  claim 17 , wherein the second continuous spine is located diametrically opposite the first continuous spine. 
     
     
         19 . The medical catheter according to  claim 17 , wherein the first continuous spine has a switchback arrangement. 
     
     
         20 . The medical catheter according to  claim 16 , wherein the first continuous spine comprises an uncut portion of the circumferential wall extending longitudinally along a length of the cylindrical body. 
     
     
         21 . The medical catheter according to  claim 14 , wherein the cylindrical body comprises a shape memory material.