Intracorporeal Grasping Device

Abstract

An intracorporeal grasping device includes a tubular member for entering a lumen of a human body and the tube member having a distal end portion. An elongated core member is disposed with the interior cavity of the tubular member for rotational or slidably movement within the tubular member and the elongated core member having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. The elongated core member comprises a uniform diameter tube having some flexibility at the proximal end portion and greater flexibility while along a longitudinal axis in a direction towards the distal end portion; and a grasping configuration is provided for capturing an object (e.g., clot or debris) therein and the assembly may have a proximal end secured to the distal end of the elongated core member. The configuration has an expanded and contracted configuration, and distal sections configured to grasp an object. The grasping configuration may be formed by at least one movable jaw attached to the distal end portion of the elongated core member and a length portion of the distal end portion of the tube member. The grasping configuration may include unitarily formed plurality of movable jaws attached to the distal end portion of the elongated core member. Further, the grasping configuration may be formed by a plurality of loop members attached to the distal end portion of the elongated core member. Further, the grasping configuration may be formed by at least one spiral member having a distal tip for penetrating an object to be removed from a human body lumen. The device has the spiral member provided at the distal end portion of the elongated core member. The grasping configuration can be formed by at least one web member for retaining an object to be removed from a human body lumen, the web member being provided at the distal end portion of the elongated core member.

1 . An intracorporeal grasping device having a longitudinal axis, comprising:
 an elongated core member having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, the elongated core member comprising a generally uniform diameter tube having variable flexibility along a length from the proximal end portion to the distal end portion; and   a grasping assembly attached to the distal end portion of the elongated core member.   
   
   
       2 . The intracorporeal grasping device of  claim 1 , wherein the distal portion of the core member is at least in part 10%-25% more flexible than the proximal portion of the core member. 
   
   
       3 . The intracorporeal grasping device of  claim 1 , wherein the wherein the distal portion of the core member is at least in part 35%-50% more flexible than the proximal portion of the core member. 
   
   
       4 . The intracorporeal grasping device of  claim 1 , wherein the tube further comprises a series of spaced circumferential slots at the distal end portion to provide variability flexibility of the tube. 
   
   
       5 . The intracorporeal grasping device of  claim 1 , wherein the wherein an intermediate portion of the core member is defined between the distal end portion and the proximal end portion, the intermediate portion having greater flexibility than the proximal end portion of the core member, and the intermediate portion having less flexibility than the distal end portion of the core member. 
   
   
       6 . The intracorporeal grasping device of  claim 5 , wherein the tube comprises a series of circumferential slots providing the distal end portion with greater flexibility than the intermediate portion. 
   
   
       7 . The intracorporeal grasping device of  claim 5 , wherein the tube further comprises a series of circumferential slots, wherein a density of the slots is higher at the distal end portion than a density of slots at the proximal end portion. 
   
   
       8 . The intracorporeal grasping device of  claim 7 , wherein there is a continuous transition along the length of the tube from higher density of slots to lower the density of slots. 
   
   
       9 . The intracorporeal grasping device of  claim 1 , further comprising a uniform diameter core centered within the tube and spanning the length of the tube. 
   
   
       10 . The intracorporeal grasping device of  claim 9 , wherein at least the ends of the core are radially attached to the tube. 
   
   
       11 . The intracorporeal grasping device of  claim 10 , wherein the core is radially attached to the tube by at least one of soldering, welding or brazing. 
   
   
       12 . An intracorporeal grasping device having a longitudinal axis, comprising:
 a movable elongated core having a proximal end and a distal end, the elongated core comprising a plurality of flexion regions having different flexions along a length from the proximal end to the distal end portion; and   a grasping assembly attached to the distal end of the elongated core.   
   
   
       13 . The intracorporeal grasping device of  claim 12 , wherein at least one flexion region of the core member is 10%-25% more flexible than another flexion region the core member. 
   
   
       14 . The intracorporeal grasping device of  claim 12 , wherein the wherein at least one flexion region of the core member is 35%-50% more flexible than another flexion region. of the core member. 
   
   
       15 . The intracorporeal grasping device of  claim 12 , wherein the flexion regions include plurality circumferential slots of different densities. 
   
   
       16 . An intracorporeal grasping device, comprising:
 a tubular member for entering a lumen of a human body and the tubular member having a distal end portion;   an elongated core member being disposed with the tubular member and the elongated core member having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion; and   a grasping configuration for capturing an object therein, in which the grasping configuration is formed by at least one spiral member having a distal tip for penetrating an object to be removed from a human body lumen, the spiral member being provided at the distal end portion of the elongated core member.   
   
   
       17 . The grasping device according to  claim 16 , wherein the spiral member is configured to rotate by an axis to penetrate the object to be removed. 
   
   
       18 . The grasping device according to  claim 16 , wherein the grasping configuration includes a moveable jaw type member. 
   
   
       19 . The grasping device according to  claim 18 , wherein the grasping configuration is formed with tubing having at least one perforation for releasing a fluid from within the tubing. 
   
   
       20 . The grasping device according to  claim 16 , wherein the elongated core member has variable flexibility along a length from the proximal end portion to the distal end portion. 
   
   
       21 . The grasping device according to  claim 16 , wherein the tube further comprises a series of spaced circumferential slots at the distal end portion to provide variability flexibility of the tube. 
   
   
       22 . The grasping device according to  claim 16 , wherein the wherein an intermediate portion of the core member is defined between the distal end portion and the proximal end portion, the intermediate portion having greater flexibility than the proximal end portion of the core member, and the intermediate portion having less flexibility than the distal end portion of the core member. 
   
   
       23 . An intracorporeal grasping device, comprising:
 a tubular member for entering a lumen of a human body and the tubular member having a distal end portion;   an elongated core member being disposed with the tubular member and the elongated core member having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion; and   a grasping configuration for capturing an object therein, in which the grasping configuration is formed by at least one web member retaining an object to be removed from a human body lumen, the web member being provided at the distal end portion of the elongated core member.   
   
   
       24 . The grasping device according to  claim 23 , wherein the grasping configuration includes a moveable jaw type member attached to the web member. 
   
   
       25 . The grasping device according to  claim 24 , wherein the grasping configuration is formed with tubing having a wall with at least one perforation for releasing a fluid from within the tubing. 
   
   
       26 . The grasping device according to  claim 25 , wherein the jaws includes an engaging surface and an opposing surface, the engaging surface including a plurality of engaging elements provided along a longitudinal length thereof. 
   
   
       27 . The grasping device according to  claim 26 , wherein the engaging elements are formed as ribs inwardly extending thereof. 
   
   
       28 . The grasping device according to  claim 23 , wherein the elongated core member has variable flexibility along a length from the proximal end portion to the distal end portion. 
   
   
       29 . An intracorporeal grasping device, comprising:
 a tubular member for entering a lumen of a human body and the tubular member having a distal end portion;   an elongated core member being disposed with the tubular member and the elongated core member having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion; and   a grasping configuration for capturing an object therein, in which the grasping configuration is formed by at least one spiral member having a distal tip for penetrating an object to be removed from a human body lumen, the spiral member being provided at the distal end portion of the elongated core member.   
   
   
       30 . The grasping device according to  claim 29 , wherein the spiral member is configured to rotate by an axis to penetrate the object to be removed. 
   
   
       31 . The grasping device according to  claim 29 , wherein the grasping configuration includes a moveable jaw type member. 
   
   
       32 . The grasping device according to  claim 29 , wherein the grasping configuration is formed with tubing having at least one perforation for releasing a fluid from within the tubing. 
   
   
       33 . The grasping device according to  claim 29 , wherein the elongated core member has variable flexibility along a length from the proximal end portion to the distal end portion. 
   
   
       34 . The grasping device according to  claim 29 , wherein the tube further comprises a series of spaced circumferential slots at the distal end portion to provide variability flexibility of the tube. 
   
   
       35 . The grasping device according to  claim 29 , wherein the wherein an intermediate portion of the core member is defined between the distal end portion and the proximal end portion, the intermediate portion having greater flexibility than the proximal end portion of the core member, and the intermediate portion having less flexibility than the distal end portion of the core member. 
   
   
       36 . An intracorporeal grasping device, comprising:
 a tubular member for entering a lumen of a human body and the tubular member having a distal end portion;   an elongated core member being disposed with the tubular member and the elongated core member having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion; and   a grasping configuration for capturing an object therein, in which the grasping configuration is formed by at least one web member retaining an object to be removed from a human body lumen, the web member being provided at the distal end portion of the elongated core member.   
   
   
       37 . The grasping device according to  claim 36 , wherein the grasping configuration includes a moveable jaw type member attached to the web member. 
   
   
       38 . The grasping device according to  claim 37 , wherein the grasping configuration is formed with tubing having a wall with at least one perforation for releasing a fluid from within the tubing. 
   
   
       39 . The grasping device according to  claim 38 , wherein the jaws includes an engaging surface and an opposing surface, the engaging surface including a plurality of engaging elements provided along a longitudinal length thereof. 
   
   
       40 . The grasping device according to  claim 39 , wherein the engaging elements are formed as ribs inwardly extending thereof. 
   
   
       41 . The grasping device according to  claim 36 , wherein the elongated core member has variable flexibility along a length from the proximal end portion to the distal end portion.