Tissue cutting and retrieval device and method

• US 6,585,734 B2
• Filed: 01/24/2002
• Issued: 07/01/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/17/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Melvin Levinson
• Original Assignee: Melvin Levinson
• Inventors: Levinson, Melvin
• Primary Examiner(s): PEFFLEY, MICHAEL F
• Application Number:
  US10/057,422
• Publication Number:
  US 20030055423A1
• Time in Patent Office: 523 Days
• Field of Search: 606/41, 606/47, 606/113, 606/127, 606/128
• 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 2018/1407 Loop
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/141 Snare

Abstract

A device for cutting and retrieving tissue, including a handle having a tube, a first set of wires positioned within the tube and extending from the handle to distal ends, and a control tip secured to the distal ends. A second set of wires are positioned within the tube and extend from the handle, through a slot in the control tip, to coupled distal ends. A retaining pin is secured to the control tip, extends between at least two of the second set of wires, allows the second set of wires to be extended from the tube and through the control tip, and prevents the second set of wires from being withdrawn from the control tip and into the tube. The retaining pin also extends the second set of wires from the tube upon the first set of wires being extended from the tube.

Claims

1. A device for selectively capturing, cutting and retrieving tissue, comprising:

A) a handle having an elongated, flexible tube extending therefrom along a central axis to a distal end;

B) a first set of elongated, flexible wires slidingly positioned within the tube and extending along the central axis from the handle to distal ends for extending out of the distal end of the tube;

C) a control tip secured to the distal ends of the first set of wires, the control tip having a slot;

D) a second set of elongated, flexible wires slidingly positioned within the tube and extending along the central axis from the handle, through the slot in the control tip, to distal ends, the second set of wires coupled at the distal ends; and

E) a retaining pin secured to the control tip and extending through the slot of the control tip and between at least two of the second set of wires, the retaining pin allowing the distal ends of the second set of wires to be extended through the control tip, and preventing the coupled distal ends of the second set of wires from being withdrawn from the slot of the control tip and into the tube, the retaining pin extending the distal ends of the second set of wires from the distal end of the tube upon the distal ends of the first set of wires being extended from the distal end of the tube.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the first set of wires includes two wires.

3. A device according to claim 1, wherein the second set of wires includes two wires.

4. A device according to claim 1, wherein the control tip is secured to the first set of wires and the slot of the control tip is oriented such that a first reference plane formed by at least two of the wires of the first set and a second reference plane formed by at least two of the wires of the second set are angularly offset.

5. A device according to claim 4, wherein the first reference plane is substantially perpendicular to the second reference plane.

6. A device according to claim 1, wherein the wires have shape memory such that each of the first and the second sets of wires expand upon being extended from the distal end of the tube.

7. A device according to claim 6, wherein each of the first and the second sets of wires expand to an oval loop upon being extended from the distal end of the tube.

8. A device according to claim 1, wherein the retaining pin is unitarily formed as part of the control tip.

9. A device according to claim 1, further comprising:

F) a first deployment assembly operatively connected to the first set of wires and allowing a user to selectively extend and withdraw the distal ends of the first set of wires from the distal end of the tube; and

G) a second deployment assembly operatively connected to the second set of wires and allowing a user to selectively extend and withdraw the distal ends of the second set of wires from the distal end of the tube.

10. A device according to claim 9 further comprising a latching mechanism for connecting the first and second deployment assemblies.

11. A device according to claim 9 further comprising a locking mechanism for preventing movement of the first deployment assembly.

12. A method for selectively capturing, cutting and retrieving tissue in a body cavity, comprising:

A) inserting a distal end of an elongated, flexible tube into the body cavity, the flexible tube extending from a handle and having,

a first set of elongated, flexible wires slidingly positioned within the tube and extending from the handle to distal ends,

a control tip secured to the distal ends of the first set of wires, the control tip having a slot,

a second set of elongated, flexible wires slidingly positioned within the tube and extending from the handle, through the slot in the control tip, to distal ends, the second set of wires coupled at the distal ends, and

a retaining pin secured to the control tip and extending through the slot of the control tip and between at least two of the second set of wires;

B) manipulating the second set of wires from the handle so that the distal ends of the second set extend from the distal end of the tube and capture tissue to be cut between at least two wires of the second set;

C) applying a cauterizing current to the second set of wires such that the tissue is cut;

D) manipulating the first set of wires from the handle so that the distal ends of the first set of wires and the control tip extend from the distal end of the tube and capture the cut tissue between the first and the second sets of wires; and

E) withdrawing the distal end of the tube, together with the first and the second sets of wires and the cut and captured tissue, from the body cavity.

13. A method according to claim 12, wherein the first set of wires is provided with two wires.

14. A method according to claim 12, wherein the second set of wires is provided with two wires.

15. A method according to claim 12, wherein the control tip is secured to the first set of wires and the slot of the control tip is oriented such that a first reference plane formed by at least two of the wires of the first set and a second reference plane formed by at least two of the wires of the second set are angularly offset.

16. A method according to claim 15, wherein the control tip is secured to the first set of wires and the slot of the control tip is oriented such that the first reference plane is substantially perpendicular to the second reference plane.

17. A method according to claim 12, wherein the wires are provided with shape memory such that each of the first and the second sets of wires expands upon being extended from the distal end of the tube.

18. A method according to claim 17, wherein the wires are provided with shape memory such that each of the first and the second sets of wires expands to form an oval loop upon being extended from the distal end of the tube.

19. A method according to claim 12, wherein the retaining pin is unitarily formed as part of the control tip.

20. A method according to claim 12, wherein the first set of wires is locked in position prior to manipulation of the second set of wires.

21. A method according to claim 12, wherein proximal ends of the first and the second sets of the wires are connected together prior to withdrawal of the wires from the body cavity.