Granted Patent B2

US 9,949,748 · App. 14/623,265 · Granted Apr 24, 2018

Abstract

Claims (31)

1. A tissue retrieval system comprising:

a tissue retrieval bag having an open end, a closed end, and a cuff extending peripherally around at least a portion of the open end;

a tubular introducer having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending generally longitudinally therethrough between the proximal end and the distal end;

a foldable actuator slidable within the tubular introducer, the foldable actuator having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the actuator comprising:

a handle disposed at the first end;

an elongate arm between the first end and the second end, the elongate arm defining a longitudinal axis of the actuator, the elongate arm having a foldable neck between the first end and the second end; and

a hoop segment extending distally from the elongate arm to the second end, the hoop segment partially disposed within the cuff of the tissue retrieval bag, the hoop segment biased into an open state to open the open end of the tissue retrieval bag; and

wherein the actuator is slidable between a distal position relative to the tubular introducer defining a deployed configuration in which a portion of the hoop segment extends distally from the distal end of the introducer and a proximal position relative to the tubular introducer in which the cuff of the tissue retrieval bag is cinched against the distal end of the tubular introducer and the foldable neck of the elongate arm is positioned proximal of the proximal end of the tubular introducer wherein with the actuator in the proximal position, the actuator is foldable at the foldable neck relative to the tubular introducer into a withdrawal condition such that the first end of the actuator and the handle extends towards the distal end of the introducer.

2. The tissue retrieval system of claim 1 , wherein the actuator further comprises a flexible segment on the hoop segment positioned distally of the distal end of the tubular introducer with the actuator in the distal position, the flexible segment is foldable about an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis such that in a folded state the portion of the hoop segment and the tissue retrieval bag extend along the tubular introducer in a first direction towards the proximal end of the introducer.

3. The tissue retrieval system of claim 1 , further comprising a grip positioned on an exterior surface of the introducer.

4. The tissue retrieval system of claim 3 , wherein the grip comprises an elastomeric material.

5. The tissue retrieval system of claim 1 , wherein the actuator is unitarily formed in a monolithic construction.

6. The tissue retrieval system of claim 1 , wherein the handle comprises a flexible band formed to a loop configuration.

7. The tissue retrieval system of claim 1 , wherein the hoop segment comprises at least one hinge section having a relatively high flexibility such that the hoop segment can be deformed from the open state to a generally oval profile.

8. The tissue retrieval system of claim 1 , wherein the tissue retrieval bag is coupled to the distal end of the introducer to maintain a position of the tissue retrieval bag relative to the distal end of the introducer.

9. A tissue retrieval system comprising:

a tissue retrieval bag having an open end, a closed end, and a cuff extending peripherally around at least a portion of the open end;

a tubular introducer having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending generally longitudinally therethrough between the proximal end and the distal end;

an actuator slidable within the lumen of the tubular introducer, the actuator having a first end extending from the proximal end of the introducer and a second end extending from the distal end of the introducer, the actuator comprising:

a first elongate arm slidably positionable within the lumen of the introducer;

a second elongate arm slidably positioned in the lumen of the introducer;

a flexible region joining the first elongate arm to the second elongate arm; and

a hoop segment extending distally from the second elongate arm at the second end, the hoop segment partially disposed within the cuff of the tissue retrieval bag, the hoop segment biased into an open state to open the open end of the tissue retrieval bag; and

wherein the tissue retrieval bag is coupled to the distal end of the tubular introducer to maintain a position of the tissue retrieval bag relative to the introducer, and

wherein the actuator is foldable to an insertion configuration, while within the tubular introducer, such that the hoop segment and the tissue retrieval bag extend along an outer surface of the introducer toward the proximal end of the tubular introducer.

10. The tissue retrieval system of claim 9 , further comprising a coupler coupling the tissue retrieval bag to the distal end of the introducer.

11. The tissue retrieval system of claim 9 , wherein the hoop segment comprises a flexible band having a generally rectangular cross-sectional profile.

12. The tissue retrieval system of claim 9 , wherein the first elongate arm comprises a generally cylindrical segment.

13. The tissue retrieval system of claim 9 , wherein the first elongate arm comprises a first generally cylindrical segment, the second elongate arm comprises a second generally cylindrical segment, and the flexible region comprises a neck extending between the first elongate arm and the second elongate arm.

14. The tissue retrieval system of claim 9 , wherein the hoop segment comprises at least one hinge section having a relatively high flexibility such that the hoop segment can be deformed from the open state to the insertion configuration.

15. The tissue retrieval system of claim 9 , wherein the actuator is sized to sealingly engage the lumen of the tubular introducer.

Assignments (8)