Sample retrieval tool with compliant retention member

Inventors: Jason Dearden (Provo, UT); Jared Bruton (Provo, UT); Trent Zimmerman (American Fork, UT); Clayton Grames (East Palo Alto, CA); Amelia Mariah Parkinson (Salt Lake City, UT); Brian D. Jensen (Orem, UT); Spencer P. Magleby (Provo, UT); Larry L. Howell (Orem, UT)

Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.

A61B10/0275 G01N1/08 A61B2010/0208

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Quick Facts

Patent No.: US 12,661,095
App. No.: 18/106,723
Granted: Jun 23, 2026
Kind: B2

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Abstract

The embodiments described herein can be used in a variety of sample retrieval, grasping, cutting, and manipulating operations. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes an elongated member and a retention member movably coupled to the elongated member. The elongated member includes a cutting portion configured to cut a target sample when moved, and defines an internal volume within which at least a portion of the target sample can be received. The retention member includes an engagement portion configured to move between a first position and a second position when the retention member is actuated. The engagement portion is configured to extend within the internal volume to exert a force on the target sample within the internal volume when the engagement portion is in the second position.

Claims (19)

1 . A method, comprising:

producing, in a material sheet when the material sheet is in a planar configuration, a side wall of a sample retrieval tool, the side wall including a retention member, the retention member includes an engagement portion and an actuation portion, the engagement portion includes a flexure at a proximal end portion of the engagement portion, the side wall defining a first notch that surrounds a portion of the retention member except for the flexure,

the retention member defining a second notch that surrounds a portion of the actuation portion, and the engagement portion configured to move relative to the side wall;

after the producing, rolling the material sheet such that an end portion of the side wall defines an internal volume within which at least a portion of a target sample can be received; and

after the rolling, joining a first side of the material sheet to a second side of the material sheet.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein:

the producing the side wall includes removing material from the material sheet to define the first notch; and

removing material from the material sheet to define the second notch.

3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein:

the removing material from the material sheet is performed via an electrical discharge machining process.

4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein:

the rolling includes forming a cylinder that defines the internal volume.

5 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

deforming the actuation portion of the retention member relative to the engagement portion of the retention member.

6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the actuation portion includes a connector, the method further comprising:

coupling an end portion of an actuator to the connector of the actuation portion such that the end portion of the actuator is within the internal volume.

7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the material sheet is constructed from a nickel titanium alloy.

8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein:

the producing the side wall of the sample retrieval tool includes producing the side wall with a second retention member, the second retention member being monolithically constructed with the side wall.