Importance

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Abstract

A driven catheter system (2) includes broadly a driven catheter assembly (6) coupled to a control unit (4). The driven catheter assembly includes a motor drive unit (8) and a catheter assembly (10) mounted thereto. The catheter assembly includes a rotational and translational drive coupling (26) and a catheter (14) extending therefrom. The catheter includes a sheath (16) and a core (18) slidably housed within the sheath. The drive coupling includes an elongate rotary drive element (36), defining a first longitudinal drive path, mounted for rotation about a longitudinal axis (42). A termination element (44) is mounted to the proximal end of the core and slides along the first longitudinal drive path but rotates with the rotary drive element. A bearing (46) has an inner race (48) secured to the termination member and an outer race (50) coupled to the longitudinal drive element (54, 62) of a longitudinal driver (56). Rotation of the rotary drive element rotates the termination element and the proximal end of the core therewith about the longitudinal axis. Longitudinal movement of the longitudinal drive element translates the bearing parallel to the longitudinal drive path; this causes the termination element and the proximal end of the core therewith to be translated along the first longitudinal drive path, the translational and rotational movements being independent of one another.

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First Claim