ARTICULATING RETRIEVAL DEVICE
Device and methods for removing a foreign object from a body lumen are disclosed. A retrieval device in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include an elongated member including a flexible collector element, and a core wire that can be engaged by the physician to actuate the collector element between a first position and a second position with the body. The collector element may comprise a coiled section including a coiled flat ribbon adapted to assume a substantially straight shape in the first position and an expanded shape forming one or more helically oriented loops in the second position. The collector element may also comprise one or more fibers operatively coupled to the coiled section.
1 . A retrieval device for removing a foreign object from a body lumen, comprising:
a flexible coil movable between a first position and a second position within a body lumen, the flexible coil adapted to assume a substantially straight shape in the first position and an expanded shape forming one or more loops in the second position; and
a core wire operatively coupled to the flexible coil, the core wire having a proximal section and a distal section;
wherein the core wire is located externally to the flexible coil.
2 . The retrieval device of claim 1 , wherein the flexible coil comprises a coiled flat ribbon.
3 . The retrieval device of claim 1 , wherein the flexible coil includes a superelastic material.
4 . The retrieval device of claim 1 , wherein the flexible coil includes a shape memory material.
5 . The retrieval device of claim 1 , wherein the flexible coil has a textured surface.
6 . The retrieval device of claim 5 , wherein the flexible coil includes a number of bumps or protrusions.
7 . The retrieval device of claim 5 , wherein said textured surface includes a nanoporous coating.
8 . The retrieval device of claim 1 , wherein said one or more loops are adapted to align circumferentially with the inner wall of the body lumen.
9 . The retrieval device of claim 1 , wherein said one or more loops comprise a single loop.
10 . The retrieval device of claim 1 , wherein said one or more loops comprise a plurality of loops.
11 . The retrieval device of claim 10 , wherein said plurality of loops have a distally tapering shape.
12 . The retrieval device of claim 1 , further comprising one or more fibers operatively coupled to the flexible coil, each fiber adapted to constrain longitudinal movement of the flexible coil in the second position.
13 . The retrieval device of claim 12 , wherein at least one of the fibers forms a proximal mouth of the flexible coil.
14 . The retrieval device of claim 1 , further comprising an actuator mechanism operatively coupled to the proximal section of the core wire.
15 . The retrieval device of claim 1 , wherein the flexible coil is predefined to be in the expanded shape.
16 . The retrieval device of claim 1 , wherein the flexible coil is movable between the first position and the second position in response to an axial force applied to the core wire.
17 . The retrieval device of claim 1 , wherein the one or more loops are configured in a substantially helical orientation.
18 . The retrieval device of claim 1 , wherein the flexible coil defines a first path and the core wire defines a second path;
wherein the first path is substantially different from the second path when the flexible coil is in the expanded shape.
19 . The retrieval device of claim 1 , wherein the flexible coil defines a first path and the core wire defines a second path;
wherein the first path is substantially parallel to the second path when the flexible coil is in the substantially straight shape.
20 . A retrieval device for removing a foreign object from a body lumen, comprising:
an elongated member including a flexible coil movable between a first position and a second position within a body lumen, the flexible coil adapted to assume a substantially straight shape in the first position and an expanded shape forming a plurality of helically oriented loops in the second position;
a core wire operatively coupled to the flexible coil, the core wire having a proximal section and a distal section;
wherein the core wire is located externally to the flexible coil;
one or more fibers each operatively coupled at a plurality of locations to the flexible coil, each fiber adapted to constrain longitudinal movement of the flexible coil in the second position; and
an actuator mechanism operatively coupled to the proximal section of the core wire.
21 . The retrieval device of claim 20 , wherein the flexible coil includes a coiled flat ribbon.
22 . The retrieval device of claim 20 , wherein the flexible coil includes a shape memory material.
23 . The retrieval device of claim 20 , wherein the flexible coil includes a superelastic material.
24 . The retrieval device of claim 20 , wherein the flexible coil is predefined to be in the expanded shape.
25 . The retrieval device of claim 20 , wherein the flexible coil is movable between the first position and the second position in response to an axial force applied to the core wire.
26 . The retrieval device of claim 20 , wherein the flexible coil defines a first path and the core wire defines a second path;
wherein the first path is substantially different from the second path when the flexible coil is in the expanded shape.
27 . The retrieval device of claim 20 , wherein the flexible coil defines a first path and the core wire defines a second path;
wherein the first path is substantially parallel to the second path when the flexible coil is in the substantially straight shape.
28 . The retrieval device of claim 20 , wherein the flexible coil has a textured surface.
29 . The retrieval device of claim 28 , wherein the flexible coil includes a number of bumps or protrusions.
30 . The retrieval device of claim 28 , wherein the textured surface includes a nanoporous coating.
31 . The retrieval device of claim 20 , wherein at least one of the fibers forms a proximal mouth of the flexible coil section.
32 . The retrieval device of claim 20 , wherein said plurality of loops have a distally tapering shape.
33 . A method for removing a foreign object from a body lumen comprising the steps of:
providing a retrieval device having an elongated member including a flexible coil movable between a first collapsed position and a second expanded position in response to an axial force applied to a core wire operatively coupled to the flexible coil, where the retrieval device further includes one or more fibers adapted to limit longitudinal movement of the flexible coil operatively coupled to the flexible coil;
introducing the retrieval device into a body lumen with the flexible coil in the collapsed position;
applying an axial force to the core wire to move the flexible coil into the expanded position;
capturing a foreign object within the body lumen; and
removing the retrieval device and captured foreign object from the body lumen.
34 . The method of step 33 , wherein the retrieval device is further provided with an actuator mechanism operatively coupled to the core wire.
35 . The method of step 34 , wherein the axial force is applied using said actuator mechanism.