Retrieval device

Abstract

An endoscopic device for retrieving an object from within a human body is disclosed. The device includes a support assembly, a transmitting assembly, a wire, and a net element. The support assembly has a base and a tubular member. The transmitting assembly includes a handle and a motion transmitting link fixed to the handle and extending through at least a portion of the tubular member. The wire defines a loop portion and two leg portions. A proximal end of each leg portion is secured to the link by a first connection and the two leg portions are secured to each other by at least a second connection distal from the first connection. The net element has a distally protruding portion secured to the loop portion and a proximally protruding portion secured relative to the leg portions.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An endoscopic device for retrieving an object from within a human body, the device comprising:
 a support assembly comprising a base and an elongated tubular member;   a transmitting assembly comprising a handle movable relative to the base, and a link having a first end fixed to the handle and a second end remote from the base, the link extending through at least a portion of the tubular member;   a wire defining a loop portion and two leg portions, wherein each leg portion is disposed proximal from the loop portion and a proximal end of each leg portion is secured to the second end of the link by a first connection, and the two leg portions are secured to each other by at least a second connection at a location between the first connection and the loop portion; and   a net element having a distally protruding portion and a proximally protruding portion, wherein the proximally protruding portion includes a tail portion;   wherein the distally protruding portion is secured to a distal end of the loop portion, and the proximally protruding portion is secured between the two leg portions at a location proximal from the second connection, and wherein the tail portion at least partially surrounds at least one of the first connection and the second connection.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the distally protruding portion is a tail. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the distally protruding portion is a sleeve. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the distally protruding portion is secured by wrapping the distally protruding portion around at least a portion of the distal end of the loop portion. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the distally protruding portion is secured by tying the distally protruding portion to at least a portion of the distal end of the loop portion. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the distally protruding portion is secured by weaving the distally protruding portion to at least a portion of the distal end of the loop portion. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the wire further comprises a 360 degree curved portion at a distal end of the loop portion. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein at least a portion of the net element is tied to at least a portion of the 360 degree curved portion. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein at least a portion of the net element is tethered to at least a portion of the 360 degree curved portion. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein at least a portion of the distally protruding portion is wrapped around at least a portion of the 360 degree curved portion to secure the distal portion to the 360 degree curved portion. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the secured distally protruding portion is secured against a pair of opposing sides of the wire. 
     
     
         12 . An endoscopic device for retrieving an object from within a human body, the device comprising:
 a support assembly comprising a base and an elongated tubular member;   a transmitting assembly comprising a handle movable relative to the base, and a link having a first end fixed to the handle and a second end remote from the base, the link extending through at least a portion of the tubular member;   a wire defining a loop portion and two leg portions, wherein each leg portion is disposed proximal from the loop portion and is secured to the second end of the link by a first connection, and the two leg portions are secured to each other by a second connection; and   a net element having a distally protruding portion secured to the loop portion and a proximal tail portion secured between the two leg portions at a location proximal from the second connection, and wherein the tail portion at least partially surrounds at least one of the first connection and the second connection.   
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the distally protruding portion is a tail. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the distally protruding portion is wrapped around at least a portion of the loop portion. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the distally protruding portion is tied to the loop portion. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the distally protruding portion is weaved to the loop portion. 
     
     
         17 . An endoscopic device for retrieving an object from within a human body, the device comprising:
 a support assembly comprising a base and an elongated tubular member;   a transmitting assembly comprising a handle movable relative to the base, and a link having a first end fixed to the handle and a second end remote from the base, the link extending through at least a portion of the tubular member;   a wire defining a loop portion and two leg portions, wherein each leg portion is disposed proximal from the loop portion and a proximal end of each leg portion is secured to the second end of the link by a first connection, and the two leg portions are secured to each other by a second connection and by a third connection; and   a net element having a distally protruding portion secured to the loop portion and a proximal tail portion secured between the two leg portions at a location between the second connection and third connection, and wherein the proximal tail portion at least partially surrounds at least one of the first connection, the second connection, and the third connection.   
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein the distally protruding portion of the net element is secured to the loop portion by tying the distally protruding portion around at least a portion of the loop portion wire. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein the distally protruding portion is secured by wrapping the distally protruding portion around at least a portion of the loop portion wire. 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein the distally protruding portion is secured to the loop portion by weaving the distally protruding portion around a portion of the loop portion wire.