Polypectomy snare having ability to actuate through tortuous path

• US 6,517,539 B1
• Filed: 11/20/2000
• Issued: 02/11/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/06/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Scimed Life Systems Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Smith, Kevin W., McBrayer, Sean
• Primary Examiner(s): PEFFLEY, MICHAEL F
• Application Number:
  US09/716,776
• Time in Patent Office: 813 Days
• Field of Search: 606/46,47,113,114,110
• US Class Current: 606/47
• 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 17/32056 Surgical snare instruments for removing or smashing calculi A61B2017/2212; tonsillotomes A61B17/26
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/14 Probes or electrodes therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1492 having a flexible, catheter-like structure, e.g. for heart ablation A61B18/1477 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2212 having a closed distal end, e.g. a loop
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2902 characterized by features of the actuating rod
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2905 flexible
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2929 with a head rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/293 with means preventing relative rotation between the shaft and the actuating rod
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00196 reciprocating lengthwise
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0091 Handpieces of the surgical instrument or device
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1407 Loop
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/141 Snare
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1861 with an instrument inserted into a body lumen or cavity, e.g. a catheter

Abstract

This invention relates broadly to surgical instruments. More particularly, this invention relates to a surgical snare instrument for excising polyps. Preferably, the instrument includes a coupling member that may increase ability to actuate the snare. According to a preferred embodiment, the present invention comprises a surgical instrument for insertion through an endoscope having a handle and a working channel, said surgical instrument including an elongate flexible tubular sheath having proximal and distal ends; a flexible shaft extending through and axially movable relative to the sheath, said shaft having proximal and distal ends; an end effector coupled to or formed at said distal end of said shaft; and a coupling member disposed at said distal end of said shaft.

Claims

1. A surgical instrument for insertion through an endoscope having a handle and a working channel, said surgical instrument comprising:

an elongate flexible tubular sheath having proximal and distal ends;

a flexible shaft extending through and axially movable relative to the sheath, said shaft having proximal and distal ends;

a snare coupled to said distal end of said shaft by a crimp band; and

a coupling member disposed at said distal end of said shaft and extending at least in part proximally of said crimp band, wherein said coupling member provides increased ability to actuate said snare.

2. A surgical instrument according to claim 1, wherein the coupling member comprises a shrink tube.

3. A surgical instrument according to claim 1, wherein the coupling member is disposed over the crimp band.

4. A surgical instrument for insertion through an endoscope having a handle and a working channel, said surgical instrument comprising:

an elongate flexible tubular sheath having proximal and distal ends;

a flexible shaft extending through and axially movable relative to the sheath, said shaft having proximal and distal ends;

a snare coupled to said distal end of said shaft by a crimp band;

a coupling member disposed at said distal end of said shaft and extending at least in part proximally of said crimp band, wherein said coupling member provides increased ability to actuate said snare; and

wherein the coupling member is disposed proximal the crimp band.

5. A surgical instrument for insertion through an endoscope having a handle and a working channel, said surgical instrument comprising:

an elongate flexible tubular sheath having proximal and distal ends;

a flexible shaft extending through and axially movable relative to the sheath, said shaft having proximal and distal ends;

an end effector coupled to or formed at a joining region, said joining region being disposed adjacent said distal end of said shaft;

a coupling member disposed at said distal end of said shaft and extending at least in part proximally of said joining region;

a first means for rotating said shaft relative to said sheath;

a second means for longitudinally moving said shaft relative to said sheath;

wherein the end effector and the shaft are coupled by a crimp band; and

wherein the coupling member is disposed proximal the crimp band.

6. A surgical instrument for insertion through an endoscope having a handle and a working channel, said surgical instrument comprising:

an elongate flexible tubular sheath having proximal and distal ends;

a flexible shaft extending through and axially movable relative to the sheath, said shaft having proximal and distal ends;

an end effector coupled to or formed at a joining region, said joining region being disposed adjacent said distal end of said shaft;

a coupling member disposed at said distal end of said shaft and extending at least in part proximally of said joining region;

wherein the end effector and the shaft are coupled by a crimp band; and

wherein the coupling member is disposed proximal the crimp band.