Stone retriever for flexible endoscopes having small diameter working channels
US8523879B1 · kind B1 · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 31, 2005 |
| Grant date | Sep 3, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 31, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2017/2212
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A medical retrieval device and method used in endoscopic procedures to retrieve stones has a shaft comprising a sheath with a lumen and a drive wire slidably disposed within the lumen for operating a stone entrapping mechanism on the distal end of the retrieval device. The shaft has an average outside diameter of less than 1.9 Fr. The shaft, sheath and drive wire each have proximal, intermediate and distal portions, and each of the corresponding portions are in generally similar locations along the longitudinal length of the device. The proximal portions of the shaft and the drive wire are preferably stiffer than the corresponding intermediate portions of the shaft and drive wire. The proximal and intermediate portions of the sheath have generally similar stiffnesses. The shaft reduces flow resistance within the working channel of an endoscope, increasing the flow of irrigation fluid in order to improve procedural visibility. The shaft varies in flexibility to match the requirements of a flexible endoscope and facilitate deflection of the endoscope.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.