Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
178 words
A medical retriever device (10) sized and adapted for use through the working channel of an endoscope for removing stones and the like from the kidneys, ureter or biliary duct, said device comprising as enlongated, narrow sheath (14), a basket (12) of relatively large diameter extendible from the distal end of said sheath and collapsible when withdrawn into said sheath, said basket defined by a multiplicity of spaced apart, outwardly bowed spring arms which extend generally axially of said sheath and are joined at respective distal and proximal ends of said basket, and remote means (16) to project, retract and rotate said basket relative to the distal end of said sheath, characterized in that said basket is defined by a set of generally flat spring strips (20', 20", 21', 21"), the ratio of radial to circumferential dimensions of said strips of said basket being between about 1:2 and 1:4, at least two of said strips at the distal extremity of said basket being disposed face to face and joined together in a manner contributing stiffness to said basket.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
178 words
A medical retriever device (10) sized and adapted for use through the working channel of an endoscope for removing stones and the like from the kidneys, ureter or biliary duct, said device comprising as enlongated, narrow sheath (14), a basket (12) of relatively large diameter extendible from the distal end of said sheath and collapsible when withdrawn into said sheath, said basket defined by a multiplicity of spaced apart, outwardly bowed spring arms which extend generally axially of said sheath and are joined at respective distal and proximal ends of said basket, and remote means (16) to project, retract and rotate said basket relative to the distal end of said sheath, characterized in that said basket is defined by a set of generally flat spring strips (20', 20", 21', 21"), the ratio of radial to circumferential dimensions of said strips of said basket being between about 1:2 and 1:4, at least two of said strips at the distal extremity of said basket being disposed face to face and joined together in a manner contributing stiffness to said basket.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
The medical retriever device of claim 1 characterized in that said basket has generally bulbous form adjacent its distal end, the joining of said strips at the distal extremity of said basket being in a manner contributing stiffness to said bulbous end of said basket.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The medical retriever device of claim 2 characterized in that said basket is comprised of at least four of said strips joined at the distal tip (22) of said basket.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
The medical retriever device of claim 1 or 2 characterized in that at least one pair of said spring strips forming said basket is comprised of a single length of strip-form material formed into a loop.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The medical retriever device of claim 1 or 2 characterized in that said ratio is about 1:3.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The medical retriever device of claim 5 characterized in that said strip has a radial dimension of about .005 inch (0.13 mm) and a circumferential dimension of about .015 inch (0.38 mm).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The medical retriever device of claim 1 or 2 characterized in that the proximal ends (24, 25) of said generally flat spring strip are joined within a sleeve (26) retractable into said sheath.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
55 words
The medical retriever device of claim 1 or 2 characterized in that a first portion (28) of said generally flat spring strip closely adjacent the distal extremity of said basket lies at an angle close to the axis of said basket in a manner to facilitate collapse of said basket during withdrawal into said sheath.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
42 words
The medical retriever device of claim 8 characterized in that a second portion of said strip proximal of said first strip portion extends outwardly of the first strip portion, and has a curved shape comprised sequentially of oppositely directed arcs (30, 32).
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
49 words
The medical retriever device of claim 1 or 2 characterized in that the maximum diameter (M) of said basket is spaced from the distal end of said basket a distance (L 1 ) equal to between about one quarter and one third the overall length (L) of said basket.