Device for removing solid objects from body canals, cavities and organs

Claim 1

A surgical instrument for removing foreign objects from body canals, cavities or organs, used in minimally invasive procedures performed under either direct, endoscopic, fluoroscopic or other visualization comprising: a) a handle, said handle including a means for extending and retracting a wire linkage attached to said handle, said wire linkage having a first proximal end attached to said means for extending and retracting said wire linkage, said wire linkage having a second distal end; b) an elongated tubular sheath attached to said handle, said sheath having a hollow lumen extending longitudinally therethrough, said wire linkage contained within said lumen, said wire linkage being adapted to slide within said lumen of said sheath; c) a wire frame attached to said wire linkage at said second distal end of said wire linkage, said wire frame being extendible beyond said sheath and retractable into said sheath by said means for extending and retracting said wire linkage which correspondingly extends and retracts said wire frame within said sheath, said wire frame being formed of a shape-memory-effect alloy wire, said alloy in a super elastic state and previously trained to form at an end of the wire frame opposite said wire linkage at least a partial loop, said at least partial loop forming when said wire frame is extended beyond said sheath, said at least partial loop being continuous between the ends of each of said at least two control arms opposite the wire linkage said wire frame having at least two control arms diverging from the longitudinal axis of said sheath between said wire linkage and said at least partial loop when said wire frame is extended beyond said sheath, said at least two control arms positioned parallel to and adjacent the longitudinal axis of the sheath when said wire frame is retracted into said sheath; and d) a sack having a mouth, said mouth of said sack being attached to said wire frame wherein said mouth of said sack is opened and closed when said at least two control arms are extended from and retracted into said sheath.

Claim 24

A method of removing a foreign object from a body canal, cavity or organ, comprising the steps of: a) inserting a surgical instrument into said body canal, cavity or organ through an entry point, said entry point including at least one of an existing body opening and a surgically created body opening; b) viewing the inserting of said surgical instrument through at least one of the group consisting of direct examination, endoscopic examination, or fluoroscopic examination; c) continuing the inserting of said surgical instrument to a point beyond said foreign object with respect to entry point; d) extending said surgical instrument to form a sack; e) withdrawing said surgical instrument to encircle said foreign object within said sack; f) retracting said surgical instrument to capture said foreign object in said sack; g) removing said surgical instrument and said foreign object from said body, wherein said surgical instrument includes i) a handle, said handle including a means for extending and retracting a wire linkage attached to said handle, said wire linkage having a first proximal end attached to said means for extending and retracting said wire linkage, said wire linkage having a second distal end; ii) an elongated tubular sheath attached to said handle, said sheath having a hollow lumen extending longitudinally therethrough, said wire linkage contained within said lumen, said wire linkage being adapted to slide within said lumen of said sheath; iii) a wire frame attached to said wire linkage at said second distal end of said wire linkage, said wire frame being extendible beyond said sheath and retractable into said sheath by said means for extending and retracting said wire linkage which correspondingly extends and retracts said wire frame within said sheath, said wire frame being formed of a shape-memory-effect alloy wire, said alloy in a super elastic state and previously trained to form at an end of the wire frame opposite said wire linkage at least a partial loop, said at least partial loop forming when said wire frame is extended beyond said sheath, said at least partial loop being continuous between the ends of each of said at least two control arms opposite the wire linkage said wire frame having at least two control arms diverging from the longitudinal axis of said sheath between said wire linkage and said at least partial loop when said wire frame is extended beyond said sheath, said at least two control arms positioned parallel to and adjacent the longitudinal axis of the sheath when said wire frame is retracted into said sheath; and iv) a sack having a mouth, said mouth of said sack being attached to said wire frame, wherein said mouth of said sack is opened and closed when said at least two control arms are extended from and retracted into said sheath.

Claim 25

A method of removing a foreign object from a body canal, cavity or organ, comprising the steps of: a) inserting a surgical instrument into said body canal, cavity or organ through an entry point, said entry point including at least one of an existing body opening and a surgically created body opening; b) viewing the inserting of said surgical instrument through at least one of the group consisting of direct examination, endoscopic examination, or fluoroscopic examination; c) continuing the inserting of said surgical instrument to a point beyond said foreign object with respect to entry point; d) extending said surgical instrument to form a sack; e) withdrawing said surgical instrument to encircle said foreign object within said sack; f) retracting said surgical instrument to capture said foreign object in said sack; g) removing said surgical instrument and said foreign object from said body, wherein said surgical instrument includes i) a handle, said handle including a means for extending and retracting a wire linkage attached to said handle, said wire linkage having a first proximal end attached to said means for extending and retracting said wire linkage, said wire linkage having a second distal end; ii) an elongated tubular sheath attached to said handle, said sheath having a hollow lumen extending longitudinally therethrough, said wire linkage contained within said lumen, said wire linkage being adapted to slide within said lumen of said sheath; iii) a wire frame attached to said wire linkage at said second distal end of said wire linkage, said wire frame being extendible beyond said sheath and retractable into said sheath by said means for extending and retracting said wire linkage which correspondingly extends and retracts said wire frame within said sheath, said wire frame being formed of a shape-memory-effect alloy wire, said alloy in a super elastic state and previously trained to form at an end of the wire frame opposite said wire linkage at least a partial loop, said at least partial loop forming when said wire frame is extended beyond said sheath, said at least partial loop being continuous between the ends of each of said at least two control arms opposite the wire linkage said wire frame having at least two control arms diverging from the longitudinal axis of said sheath between said wire linkage and said at least partial loop when said wire frame is extended beyond said sheath, said at least two control arms positioned parallel to and adjacent the longitudinal axis of the sheath when said wire frame is retracted into said sheath; and iv) a sack having a mouth, said mouth of said sack being attached to said wire frame, wherein said mouth of said sack is opened and closed when said at least two control arms are extended from and retracted into said sheath.