Retrieval device

• US 20030004538A1
• Filed: 05/15/2002
• Published: 01/02/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/18/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: United States Endoscopy Group Incorporated
• Original Assignee: United States Endoscopy Group Incorporated
• Inventors: Secrest, Dean J., Younker, Marlin E.
• Granted Patent: US 6,814,739 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/200
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/00234 for minimally invasive surgery A61B17/0218, A61B17/0469, A61B17/12013, A61B17/1285, A61B17/29, A61B17/320016 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/221 Gripping devices in the form of loops or baskets for gripping calculi or similar types of obstructions surgical snare instruments A61B17/32056
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00287 Bags for minimally invasive surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2212 having a closed distal end, e.g. a loop

Abstract

An endoscopic surgical device for retrieving severed tissue or foreign bodies from within a subject is disclosed. The device comprises a support unit and a tissue retrieving net system. The net system is carried by the support unit and may be inserted into the subject through an orifice or small incision and operated to retrieve tissue that has been severed by a conventional method. The net system comprises a net, a net actuator, a net deployment and retrieval assembly for transmitting motion between the net and its actuator. The net system further comprises at least one net connector disposed such that only one connector is within an articulation zone, defined by locations of severe bending of the device during operation.

Claims

1. An endoscopic surgical device for retrieving severed tissue or foreign bodies from within a human body, the device comprising:

a. a support unit comprising;

i. a body defining a first passage therethrough; and

ii. an elongated introducer member having a first end section proximal and fixed with respect to said body and a second end section remote from the body, the introducer member defining a second passage aligned with the first passage and opening at said second end section; and

b. a tissue retrieving net system comprising;

i. a net comprising a wire-like resilient loop and a net element having a mouth section slidably disposed on the loop and a tissue receiving pouch section, said loop terminating with two relatively parallel loop cables, said net disposed adjacent said second end for deployment and retraction through said second passage opening;

ii. a net deployment and retrieval assembly extending substantially through said first and second passages and connected to the net, said assembly comprising a motion transmitting member extending in said second passage to said loop; and

,

iii. a net actuator unit comprising a first handle fixed with respect to said body and a second handle fixed with respect to said motion transmitting member and movable relative to said first handle so that shifting the second handle relative to said first handle shifts said net into and out of said second passage opening;

c. said introducer member second passage having a diametrical extent substantially smaller than the width of said loop as deployed, said member engaging said loop at said second end section opening and resiliently collapsing and elongating said loop as said net is retracted and moves into said introducer member passage, said loop resiliently returning to its uncollapsed configuration as it is deployed;

d. said net system further comprising a first connector, a second net connector proximal to second passage opening, and an intermediate portion defined by an axial space on the loop cables between the first connector and the second connector, wherein the first connector and the second connector are adapted to fasten each loop cable, and ends of said net element are secured to the loop within the intermediate loop portion between the first connector and the second connector.

2. The device claimed in claim 1 wherein said deployment and retrieval assembly comprises a thin, flexible wire-like motion transmitting member between the net actuator unit and the loop, said motion transmitting member extending within an introducer guide passage, said introducer guide passage closely surrounding said motion transmitting member and constraining said member for translational longitudinal motion within said passage.

3. The device claimed in claim 1 wherein said first connector is disposed at least 6 inches from said second connector, such that only one connector is within an articulation zone during deployment of the net element.

4. An endoscopic surgical device for retrieving severed tissue or foreign bodies from within a human body, the device comprising:

a. a support unit comprising;

i. a body defining a first passage therethrough; and

ii. an elongated introducer member having a first end section proximal and fixed with respect to said body and a second end section remote from the body, the introducer member defining a second passage aligned with the first passage and opening at said second end section; and

b. a tissue retrieving net system comprising;

i. a net comprising a wire-like resilient loop and a net element having a mouth section slidably disposed on the loop and a tissue receiving pouch section, said loop terminating with two relatively parallel loop cables, said net disposed adjacent said second end for deployment and retraction through said second passage opening;

ii. a net deployment and retrieval assembly extending substantially through said first and second passages and connected to the net, said assembly comprising a motion transmitting member extending in said second passage to said loop; and

,

iii. a net actuator unit comprising a first handle fixed with respect to said body and a second handle fixed with respect to said motion transmitting member and movable relative to said first handle so that shifting the second handle relative to said first handle shifts said net into and out of said second passage opening;

c. said introducer member second passage having a diametrical extent substantially smaller than the width of said loop as deployed, said member engaging said loop at said second end section opening and resiliently collapsing and elongating said loop as said net is retracted and moves into said introducer member passage, said loop resiliently returning to its uncollapsed configuration as it is deployed;

d. said net system further comprising a connector, wherein the connector is adapted to fasten each loop cable, and ends of said net element are secured to the motion transmitting member on the proximal side of the connector with respect to said support unit.

5. The device claimed in claim 4 wherein said deployment and retrieval assembly comprises a thin, flexible wire-like motion transmitting member between the net actuator unit and the loop, said motion transmitting member extending within an introducer guide passage, said introducer guide passage closely surrounding said motion transmitting member and constraining said member for translational longitudinal motion within said passage.

6. The device claimed in claim 4 wherein the ends of said net element are secured to the motion transmitting member adjacent a proximal shoulder of said connector with respect to said support unit.