Importance

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Abstract

A vascular catheter with a distal working tip is provided with precise shape control. The tip section optionally includes a plurality of weakened segments of preferred deflection spaced from the distal end. Reciprocally operable control wires are attached distal each deflection segment and extend to a proximal control handle where they are attached to manual controls for adjusting longitudinal tension to the distal section of the catheter from just beyond the deflection segments in a manner that encourages bending or collapse of the deflection segments in the direction of the weakened or cutout areas. An additional reciprocating adjustable deflection shape control element, preferably a rod or tubular member which itself optionally may have areas of preferred deflection slidably reciprocates slidably within the main internal lumen of the working catheter section, and may be axially adjusted in relation to the working catheter segment to precisely modify the deflection characteristics of the catheter section sought to be controlled as produced by the control wires.

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First Claim