Abstract: A medical retrieval basket used for entrapping and extracting objects such as urinary and biliary calculi from the body comprising a handle assembly, a flexible shaft, and a basket. The basket comprises a plurality of outwardly disposed shape memory wires and is bulbous in shape at its distal end. Located at the intersection point of the wires at the distal end of the basket is a hub that restricts the degree of relative movement between the wires. This hub also serves to increase contact points with the object to be retrieved and to stabilize the orientation of the basket wires. The substantially tipless configuration of the distal end of the basket permits the basket to retrieve objects from difficult to reach locations and reduces tissue trauma caused by the basket tip. The basket wires have varying cross sectional shapes and sizes in different sections of the basket to optimize the performance to the needs of each section within the basket.

Abstract: The present invention is an access sheath comprising a tube or sheath with a passageway primarily for endoscopic procedures accessing the ureter through the bladder. The sheath has a bend limiting feature to limit the bend angle or bend radius. The sheath exhibits flexibility up to this limit at which point it becomes rigid. Excessive force is required to bend the sheath beyond the bend limit and would result in the kinking of the tubular frame.

Abstract: A medical retrieval basket used for entrapping and extracting objects such as urinary and biliary calculi from the body comprising a handle assembly, a flexible shaft, and a basket. The basket comprises a plurality of outwardly disposed shape memory wires and is bulbous in shape at its distal end. Located at the intersection point of the wires at the distal end of the basket is a hub that restricts the degree of relative movement between the wires. This hub also serves to increase contact points with the object to be retrieved and to stabilize the orientation of the basket wires. The substantially tipless configuration of the distal end of the basket permits the basket to retrieve objects from difficult to reach locations and reduces tissue trauma caused by the basket tip. The basket wires have varying cross sectional shapes and sizes in different sections of the basket to optimize the performance to the needs of each section within the basket.

Abstract: A medical retrieval basket used for entrapping and extracting objects such as urinary and biliary calculi from the body comprising a handle assembly, a flexible shaft, and a basket. The basket comprises a plurality of outwardly disposed shape memory wires and is bulbous in shape at its distal end. Located at the intersection point of the wires at the distal end of the basket is a hub that restricts the degree of relative movement between the wires. This hub also serves to increase contact points with the object to be retrieved and to stabilize the orientation of the basket wires. The substantially tipless configuration of the distal end of the basket permits the basket to retrieve objects from difficult to reach locations and reduces tissue trauma caused by the basket tip. The basket wires have varying cross sectional shapes and sizes in different sections of the basket to optimize the performance to the needs of each section within the basket.

Abstract: A medical retrieval device and method used in endoscopic procedures to retrieve stones has a shaft comprising a sheath with a lumen and a drive wire slidably disposed within the lumen for operating a stone entrapping mechanism on the distal end of the retrieval device. The shaft has an average outside diameter of less than 1.9 Fr. The shaft, sheath and drive wire each have proximal, intermediate and distal portions, and each of the corresponding portions are in generally similar locations along the longitudinal length of the device. The proximal portions of the shaft and the drive wire are preferably stiffer than the corresponding intermediate portions of the shaft and drive wire. The proximal and intermediate portions of the sheath have generally similar stiffnesses. The shaft reduces flow resistance within the working channel of an endoscope, increasing the flow of irrigation fluid in order to improve procedural visibility.

Abstract: A medical retrieval device used to remove objects such as urinary and biliary calculi from the body comprising a handle assembly with a cable and a cable protection means. In a preferred embodiment, the handle assembly comprises a longitudinally stationary base portion and a thumb slide actuation means. A portion of the thumb slide actuation means is located between the distal and proximal ends of the handle base portion during the complete actuation cycle. Actuation of the thumb slide relative to the handle base portion causes the retrieval device to be actuated between the open and closed positions. The handle is preferably sized and configured to be held and operated comfortably with one hand. The light weight of the entire handle assembly minimizes potential damage to the small diameter flexible cable. In preferred embodiments, a series of openings in the handle base reduce weight, reduce material usage, and facilitate sterilization while maintaining strength.

Abstract: A medical retrieval basket for removing objects such as urinary and biliary calculi from the body. The basket comprises an elongated flexible tube and a cage which is extendible from the distal end of the tube and can be collapsed by withdrawing into the tube by means of an actuation cable which passes through the tube. The cage consists of a plurality of flexible elements which are outwardly disposed to form a space for entrapping objects. The flexible elements are constructed of a shape memory material, allowing the cage to resume its original configuration when extended from the tube. The configuration of the cage is such that by means of rotating the cage, differing sizes, cross sectional shapes and/or spacing of the flexible elements may be presented to a given portion of the object to be removed. Rotation of the cage is controlled more precisely using an actuation cable constructed of nickel titanium.

Abstract: A medical forceps jaw assembly for obtaining biopsy specimens or grasping objects. The forceps has a jaw assembly which incorporates a clevis pivot. The clevis pivot has a cross hole which is parallel to the center line of the jaw assembly. This cross hole, along with the lumens of the clevis and the shaft comprise a passageway. A diagnostic or procedural member can be passed through this passageway. By incorporating the diagnostic or procedural member into the passageway of the medical forceps, the need for two separate devices is eliminated for procedures which require both. By locating the cross hole appropriately in the clevis pivot, the diagnostic or procedural member can be centered between the two jaws. When used with an endoscope, the device allows two functions to be simultaneously accomplished using an endoscope with only one working channel. The design of the device is simple and cost effective.

Abstract: An elongated guide for use in medical procedures is provided, the guide having a flexible metal core and a forward portion comprising an elongated, helically wound wire coil providing a flexible tip. A flexible safety wire extends forwardly within the coil and terminates forwardly in an integral, enlarged diameter portion defining a plug carried adjacent the forward end of the coil, the plug having a diameter at least approximately equal to the inner diameter of the coil at its forward end and substantially filling the lumen of the coil. A bonding agent such as a polymeric resin, solder or the like is employed to adhere the plug to the coil.