Catheter torque mechanism

Claim 1

A torque control mechanism for a catheter, the catheter having a catheter body with a proximal end, a distal end, means positioned near said distal end for treatment of a patient, and a first lumen through the catheter body defining a catheter axis, the torque control mechanism including: a tip attached to the catheter distal end; a torque wire having a first end and a second end and positioned in the first lumen with said first end at said catheter proximal end and with said second end affixed to said tip; and means attached to said first end for rotating said torque wire independently of the catheter body, for positioning the treatment means within the patient, wherein said rotating means includes: a handle and means for attaching said handle to said proximal end said handle being rotatable relative to said attaching means, for allowing rotation of said second end of said torque wire by rotation of said handle, wherein said rotating means further includes means for limiting rotation of said handle relative to said attachment means, wherein said handle includes first coupling means, wherein said attaching means includes a housing connected to the catheter body and having second coupling means coupled with said first coupling means, wherein said first and second coupling means are configured for varying their relative positions when said handle is rotated, said attaching means further including limiting means for defining a range of rotation of said handle, wherein said first coupling means comprises a nut having first threads, said second coupling means comprises second threads carried on said housing, such that rotation of said handle causes said nut to move relative to said housing, and said limiting means comprises a first stop and a second stop positioned at a first and second ends, respectively, of said second coupling means, for preventing threading of said nut past said first and second stops, respectively.