Tool for removing object from the body of a patient

• US 20040026942A1
• Filed: 07/31/2003
• Published: 02/12/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/20/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Angiomed GmbH & Co. Medizintechnik KG
• Original Assignee: Angiomed GmbH & Co. Medizintechnik KG
• Inventors: Gohlmann, Christian, Kessler, Gerhard, Zusann, Rene
• Granted Patent: US 7,670,347 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 294/100
• 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 2017/00526 Methods of manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2212 having a closed distal end, e.g. a loop

Abstract

Disclosed is a device for removing a foreign object from the body of a human or animal patient, the device being formed from a single length of tubing, slit lengthwise at its distal end to define an envelope of a basket cavity, the envelope featuring a set of second strands, each formed by slitting one of the first strands over a distal portion of the first strand, which distal portion is less than the full length of the first strand.

Claims

1. A tool which defines a basket cavity for removing a discrete object from the body of a human or animal patient, said tool having an elongate shaft having a tool head at a distal end thereof, said tool head having a radially compact disposition and a radially spread disposition for embracing said object, characterized in that:

1. the shaft and tool head are formed from a single length of tubing;

2. said tubing is slit lengthwise within a length contained within said tool head and stopping short of a distal end surface of said tube, thereby to form at least three parallel first strands which together define an envelope of said basket cavity; and

3. the tool is provided with a set of second strands, each formed by slitting one of the first strands within a distal portion of said first strand, said portion having a length less than the full length of the first strand.

2. A tool as claimed in claim 1 wherein the strands have a relaxed disposition which defines the spread basket envelope.

3. A tool as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the second strands have a length of between 45% and 80% of the length of the first strand.

4. A tool as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further including a set of third strands, each formed by slitting one of the second strands over a portion of the length of said second strand, which length is less than that of the full length of the second strand.

5. A tool as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the unslitted distal end of the tube has a length which is less than twice the outside diameter of the tube.

6. A tube as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the tube is of a shape memory material.

7. Tool as claimed in claim 6 wherein the tube is made of nickel titanium shape memory alloy.

8. Tool as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in combination with a sheath.

9. Tool as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in combination with a lithotripsy probe compatible with the lumen size of the tubing of the tool.