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US6966914B2 Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Retrieval catheter

Assignee: University of California
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Filing: 2002-05-16
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Granted: 2005-11-22
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Expires: 2022-05-16
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Abstract

Abstract This invention provides, e.g., a catheter with a threaded loop type snare tool for retrieval of objects from blood vessels and/or body cavities. The snare tool of the invention provides, e.g., independently maneuverable probe wires and snare wires to encircle and releasably snare foreign objects inside human and veterinary patients. The invention further provides methods of using the catheter of the invention to retrieve objects from patients.

Inventors

  • 👤 Bennett K. Abe

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-23 13:50
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/32; A61B17/3205; A61B17/32056; A61B17/22; A61B17/221; A61B17/22031; A61B2017/22035; A61B2017/2215

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim 94 words
A retrieval catheter comprising: a tube-shaped member adapted for insertion into a patient, the tube-shaped member comprising a distal port and a proximal end; a proximal port on the tube-shaped member between the distal port and the proximal end; a first lumen extending through the tube-shaped member to the distal port; a second lumen extending through the tube-shaped member to the proximal port; a snare wire comprising an end loop, which snare wire is slidably retained by the first lumen; and, a probe wire slidably retained by the second lumen of the tube-shaped member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 94 words
A retrieval catheter comprising: a tube-shaped member adapted for insertion into a patient, the tube-shaped member comprising a distal port and a proximal end; a proximal port on the tube-shaped member between the distal port and the proximal end; a first lumen extending through the tube-shaped member to the distal port; a second lumen extending through the tube-shaped member to the proximal port; a snare wire comprising an end loop, which snare wire is slidably retained by the first lumen; and, a probe wire slidably retained by the second lumen of the tube-shaped member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 34 words
The retrieval catheter of claim 1 , wherein the tube-shaped member further comprises an alignment region comprising a second angle at the proximal port, thereby offsetting the distal port relative to the proximal port.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 22 words
The retrieval catheter of claim 2 , wherein the second angle comprises an angle between about 0 degrees and about 180 degrees.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 31 words
The retrieval catheter of claim 3 , further comprising: a third lumen extending through the alignment region within the tube-shaped member; and, an alignment wire slidably retained in the third lumen.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 15 words
The retrieval catheter of claim 2 , wherein the alignment region comprises a resilient material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 17 words
The retrieval catheter of claim 1 , wherein the tube-shaped member comprises a plastic or composite material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 24 words
The retrieval catheter of claim 1 , wherein the snare wire further comprises a first angle between about 90 degrees and about 180 degrees.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 19 words
The retrieval catheter of claim 1 , wherein the snare wire end loop comprises stainless steel, gold, or platinum.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 19 words
The retrieval catheter of claim 1 , wherein the snare wire end loop comprising a superelastic shape memory alloy.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 12 words
The retrieval catheter of claim 9 , wherein the alloy comprises nickel-titanium.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 32 words
The retrieval catheter of claim 9 , wherein the snare wire end loop comprises a collapsed shape when retained within the first lumen and an elliptical shape when outside of the lumen.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 15 words
The retrieval catheter of claim 1 , wherein the probe wire comprises a third angle.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 24 words
The retrieval catheter of claim 12 , wherein the probe wire third angle comprises an angle between about 90 degrees and about 180 degrees.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 27 words
The retrieval catheter of claim 1 , wherein the snare wire or the probe wire comprises a diameter ranging from about 0.01 inches to about 0.2 inches.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 17 words
The retrieval catheter of claim 1 , wherein the snare wire and probe wire are independently rotatable.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 120 words
The retrieval catheter of claim 1 , wherein the catheter is configured such that an object can be retrieved from the body of a patient by: positioning the distal port of the tube-shaped member adjacent to the object; advancing the snare wire end loop from the first lumen and maneuvering it around a first side of the object; advancing the probe wire from the second lumen and maneuvering it around a second side of the object and through the snare wire end loop to form a snare; retracting the snare wire into the first lumen constricting the snare around the object, thereby grasping the object; and, withdrawing the tube-shaped member from the patient, thereby retrieving the object from the patient.
Claim 18
Independent Claim 134 words
A method of grasping an object inside a patient, the method comprising; inserting a catheter comprising a tube-shaped member into the patient, the tube-shaped member retaining a probe wire, and retaining a snare wire comprising an end loop, wherein the probe wire advances from the tube-shaped member at a proximal port between a distal port and a proximal end of the tube-shaped member; positioning the tube-shaped member with the snare wire and probe wire adjacent to the object; independently axially rotating and advancing the snare wire around a first side of the object; advancing the probe wire around a second side of the object, and through the end loop of the snare wire, thereby forming a snare; and, retracting the snare wire into the tube-shaped member to constrict the snare, thereby grasping the object.
Claim 19
Independent Claim 134 words
A method of grasping an object inside a patient, the method comprising; inserting a catheter comprising a tube-shaped member into the patient, the tube-shaped member retaining a probe wire, and retaining a snare wire comprising an end loop, wherein the probe wire advances from the tube-shaped member at a proximal port between a distal port and a proximal end of the tube-shaped member; positioning the tube-shaped member with the snare wire and probe wire adjacent to the object; independently axially rotating and advancing the snare wire around a first side of the object; advancing the probe wire around a second side of the object, and through the end loop of the snare wire, thereby forming a snare; and, retracting the snare wire into the tube-shaped member to constrict the snare, thereby grasping the object.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 23 words
The method of claim 17 , further comprising independently axially rotating the probe wire, wherein the probe wire comprises a probe wire angle.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 25 words
The method of claim 17 , wherein retracting the snare wire comprises holding the snare wire stationary while advancing the tube-shaped member towards the object.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 19 words
The method of claim 17 , further comprising withdrawing the tube-shaped member from the patient, thereby retrieving the object.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 16 words
The method of claim 17 , wherein the patient is a human being or an animal.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 20 words
The method of claim 17 , wherein the object is located inside vasculature or a body cavity of the patient.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US5171233A Cited
US5108406A Cited
US5741271A Cited
US5281238A Cited
US5562678A Cited
US6068603A Cited
US6015415A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 2008-11-21 2009-05-23 2009-11-22 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
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11.5 Years (Year 12) 2016-11-21 2017-05-23 2017-11-22 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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