Tissue cutting and retrieval device and method

• US 6,833,000 B2
• Filed: 09/17/2002
• Issued: 12/21/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/17/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Melvin E. Levinson
• Original Assignee: Melvin E. Levinson
• Inventors: Levinson, Melvin E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Peffley, Michael
• Application Number:
  US10/245,132
• Publication Number:
  US 20030153909A1
• Time in Patent Office: 826 Days
• Field of Search: 606/41, 606/47, 606/113, 606/127, 606/128
• US Class Current: 606/113
• 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, includes a handle, a first set of at least one wire, and a second set of at least one wire. The handle includes an elongated shaft, a tube, a first sleeve member disposed over the shaft, and a second sleeve member disposed over the shaft. The shaft defines a passageway therein. The tube connects to and extends from a distal end of the passageway, and forms a continuing channel with the passageway. The two sets of wires, attached respectively to the first sleeve member and the second sleeve member, extend through the channel to distal ends of the wires, and form loops at their distal ends. A control tip is secured to the distal end of the first set of wire. A retaining pin is secured to the control tip, extends between at least two wires of the loop of the second set of wire, allows the second set of wire to be extended from the tube and through the control tip, and prevents the second set of wire from being withdrawn from the control tip and into the tube. The retaining pin also extends the second set of wire from the tube upon the first set of wire 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, said tube having a diameter D at its distal end;

B) a first set of at least one elongated, flexible wire slidingly positioned within the tube and extending along the central axis from the handle to a distal end for extending out of the distal end of the tube, wherein said distal end include a control tip portion extending a distance larger than D in a direction transverse to said central axis, said control tip portion defining two apertures separated by a retaining portion,

C) a second set of at least one elongated, flexible wire slidingly positioned within the tube and extending along the central axis from the handle to a distal end, wherein the second set of wire passes on opposite sides of said retaining portion and through an associated one of said apertures of said control tip portion,

wherein said distal ends of said first set of wire and said second set of wire are each adapted for selective positioning along said central axis between points adjacent to said distal end of said tube and points distal therefrom.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein said selective positioning of said first set of wire and said selective positioning of said second set of wire are independently controllable, with said distal end of said second set of wire being farther from said distal end of said tube than said distal end of said first set of wire.

3. A device according to claim 1, wherein the first set of wire and said control tip portion are formed from a single wire.

4. A device according to claim 1, wherein the second set of wire is formed from a single wire.

5. A device according to claim 1, wherein the second set of wire is made of a material adapted for carrying a cauterizing energy.

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

D) a first deployment assembly operatively connected to the first set of wire and allowing a user to selectively extend and withdraw the distal end of the first set of wire from the handle; and

E) a second deployment assembly operatively connected to the second set of wire and allowing a user to selectively extend and withdraw the distal end of the second set of wire from the handle.

7. A device according to claim 1 further comprising a latching mechanism for connecting the first and second deployment assemblies.

8. A device according to claim 1 further comprising a locking mechanism for preventing movement of the first deployment assembly.

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

A) a handle comprising;

a) an elongated shaft extending along a central axis, said shaft defining a longitudinal passageway therein along the central axis;

b) an elongated, flexible tube connected to and extending from a distal end of the passageway of the shaft along the central axis to a distal end of said tube;

c) a first sleeve member disposed over said shaft and being slidingly movable on said shaft;

d) a second sleeve member disposed over said shaft and being slidingly movable on said shaft; and

e) a latch mechanism coupled to said first sleeve member, said shaft, and said second sleeve member, for selectively latching said first sleeve member to said shaft and said second sleeve member;

B) a first set of at least one elongated, flexible wire attached to said first sleeve member, said first set of wire extending through the passageway of said shaft and the flexible tube to a distal end for extending out of the distal end of the tube, said first set of wire forming a loop at the distal end of said first set of wire;

C) a second set of at least one elongated, flexible wire attached to said second sleeve member, said second set of wire extending through the passageway of said shaft and the flexible tube to a distal end for extending out of the distal end of the tube, said second set of wire forming a loop at the distal end of said second set of wire;

D) a control tip at the distal end of the first set of wire and including a transverse portion extending beyond the distal end of the tube in a direction transverse to the central axis, the transverse portion being adapted for interfering engagement with the distal end of said tube, thereby preventing the distal end of said first set of wire from being wholly drawn into said tube, and

wherein said control tip includes two apertures separated by a retaining portion, wherein said second set of wire passes on opposite sides of said retaining portion and through an associated one of said apertures, and wherein said retaining portion is adapted for interfering engagement with the loop of said second set of wire, thereby maintaining said distal end of said second set of wire farther from said distal end of said tube than said control tip.

10. A device according to claim 9, wherein said first set of at least one elongated, flexible wire includes a single wire having the distal end bent to form the loop.

11. A device according to claim 9, wherein said second set of at least one elongated, flexible wire includes a single wire having the distal end bent to form the loop.

12. A device according to claim 9, wherein said first set of at least one elongated, flexible wire includes a front portion having an expanded distal end, and a rear portion having an expanded proximal end, said expanded distal end of the front portion and said expanded proximal end being relatively rotatably joined by a tube.

13. A device according to claim 9, wherein said second set of at.least one elongated, flexible wire includes a front portion having an expanded distal end, and a rear portion having an expanded proximal end, said expanded distal end of the front portion and said expanded proximal end being relatively rotatably joined by a tube.

14. A device according to claim 9, wherein said latch mechanism comprising a hook pivotally mounted to the first sleeve member, a first pin extending from said shaft, and a second pin extending from said second sleeve member, and wherein said hook is adapted for selectively capturing said first pin and said second pin, and thereby selectively lock said first sleeve member with said shaft and said second sleeve member.

15. A device according to claim 14, wherein said hook has a substantially W shape.

16. A device according to claim 9, wherein said passageway of said shaft includes a slot defined through a central portion of said shaft and an interior channel defined through a rear portion of said shaft.

17. A device according to claim 9, 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.

18. A device according to claim 9, wherein said first set of wire and said control tip are formed from a single wire, said control tip having a substantially S shape defining two apertures, and wherein the wire of said second set passes through each respective one of said apertures.

19. A device according to claim 9, wherein said second set of wire is made of a material adapted for carrying a cauterizing energy.

20. A device according to claim 9, wherein said first sleeve member further comprising a first terminal lock extending radially inwardly from an inner surface of said first sleeve member into said longitudinal passageway of said shaft, wherein said first set of wire attached to said first terminal lock.

21. A device according to claim 9, wherein said second sleeve member further comprising a second terminal lock extending radially inwardly from an inner surface of said second sleeve member into said longitudinal passageway of said shaft, wherein said second set of wire attached to said second terminal lock.

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

A) a handle comprising;

a) an elongated shaft extending along a central axis, said shaft defining a longitudinal passageway therein along the central axis;

b) an elongated, flexible tube connected to and extending from a distal end of the passageway of the shaft along the central axis to a distal end of said tube;

c) a first sleeve member disposed over said shaft and being slidingly movable on said shaft;

d) a second sleeve member disposed over said shaft and being slidingly movable on said shaft;

e) a first latch mechanism coupled to said shaft and said first sleeve member for latching said first sleeve member to said shaft; and

f) a second latch mechanism coupled to said first sleeve member and said second sleeve member for latching said second sleeve member to said first sleeve member;

B) a first set of at least one elongated, flexible wire attached to said first sleeve member, said first set of wire extending through the passageway of said shaft and the flexible tube to a distal end for extending out of the distal end of the tube, said first set of wire forming a loop at the distal end of said first set of wire;

C) a second set of at least one elongated, flexible wire attached to said second sleeve member, said second set of wire extending through the passageway of said shaft and the flexible tube to a distal end for extending out of the distal end of the tube, said second set of wire forming a loop at the distal end of said second set of wire;

D) a control tip at the distal end of the first set of wire and including a transverse portion extending beyond the distal end of the tube in a direction transverse to the central axis, the transverse portion being adapted for interfering engagement with the distal end of said tube, thereby preventing the distal end of said first set of wire from being wholly drawn into said tube, and

wherein said control tip includes two apertures separated by a retaining portion, wherein said second set of wire passes on opposite sides of said retaining portion and through an associated one of said apertures, and wherein said retaining portion is adapted for interfering engagement of the loop of said second set of wire, thereby maintaining said distal end of said second set of wire farther from said distal end of said tube than said control tip.

23. A device according to claim 22, wherein the first latch mechanism includes a first pin extending radially outwardly from the shaft and a first slot defined in the first sleeve member, and wherein the first slot defined in the first sleeve member is adapted for engaging with the first pin on the shaft for latching the first sleeve member to the shaft.

24. A device according to claim 22, wherein the second latch mechanism. includes a second pin extending axially from the second sleeve member towards the first sleeve member and a second slot defined in said first sleeve member, and wherein the second slot defined in the first sleeve member is adapted for engaging with the second pin for latching the second sleeve member to the first sleeve member.

25. A device according to claim 24, wherein the first sleeve member comprises a bearing and a ring rotataly retained on said bearing, and wherein said second slot is defined on said ring.

26. A device according to claim 22, wherein said first set of at least one elongated, flexible wire includes a single wire having the distal end bent to form the loop.

27. A device according to claim 22, wherein said second set of at least one elongated, flexible wire includes a single wire having the distal end bent to form the loop.

28. A device according to claim 22, wherein said first set of at least one elongated, flexible wire includes a front portion having an expanded distal end, and a rear portion having an expanded proximal end, said expanded distal end of the front portion and said expanded proximal end of the rear portion being relatively rotatably joined by a tube.

29. A device according to claim 22, wherein said second set of at least one elongated, flexible wire includes a front portion having an expanded distal end, and a rear portion having an expanded proximal end, said expanded distal end of the front portion and said expanded proximal end of the rear portion being relatively rotatably joined by a tube.

30. A device according to claim 22, wherein said passageway of said shaft includes a slot defined through a central portion of said shaft and a interior channel defined through a rear portion of said shaft.

31. A device according to claim 22, 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.

32. A device according to claim 22, wherein said first set of wire and said control tip are formed from a single wire, said control tip having a substantially S shape defining two apertures, and wherein the wire of said second set passes through each respective one of said apertures.

33. A device according to claim 22, wherein said second set of wire is made of a material adapted for carrying a cauterizing energy.

34. A device according to claim 22, wherein said first sleeve member further comprising a first terminal lock extending radially inwardly from an inner surface of said first sleeve member into said longitudinal passageway of said shaft, wherein said first set of wire attached to said first terminal lock.

35. A device according to claim 22, wherein said second sleeve member further comprising a second terminal lock extending radially inwardly from an inner surface of said second sleeve member into said longitudinal passageway of said shaft, wherein said second set of wire attached to said second terminal lock.