Appeal No. 1998-1045
Application 08/482,674
See Figures 2 and 5. Rotation of the housing 14 and the ring
gear 24 causes the rotation of the pinion gear 25 and the core
member 21. The torque applied to the core member 21 is
transmitted to the distal tip of the guidewire or catheter.
See col. 5, lines 24-33.
Jackowski discloses a steerable suction/ablation catheter
10 including a tubular body 12 defining a lumen 14, a wire
member 16 loosely positioned in lumen 14, and a tubular
electrode 18 positioned adjacent the distal end 20 of the
catheter. The distal tip 24 of wire member 16 is hooked into
electrical contact with electrode 18 and soldered in place.
See col. 3, lines 33-41. Jackowski further discloses that end
portion 26 of wire member 16 is typically tapered and
flattened which helps to direct the tip portion 28 of catheter
10 into a predetermined direction of bending which is
generally perpendicular to the plane of flattened end 26.
Jackowski also teaches that “[a]ntirotation lock means may be
provided to prevent rotation of wire member 16 to avoid
spiraling or twisting thereof” (col. 3, lines 55-57). During
use, the catheter is inserted into a vein of the patient with
7
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