Method of attaching a mesh to a coated loop member of a surgical snare device

1. A method of attaching a mesh to a loop member, the method comprising the steps of:

manipulating a wire to form a loop member, wherein the wire includes a first material;

applying a layer of a second material to the loop member;

placing the mesh over the loop member, wherein the mesh includes a third material, wherein the mesh at least partially covers the loop member and contacts the layer of the second material; and

coupling the mesh to the second material;

wherein the loop member and the mesh are fixedly coupled, collapsible by retracting into a lumen of a sheath, and expandable when extended out of said sheath;

wherein the loop member lies in a plane, wherein a plane of bisection bisects the wire of the loop member into a first side and a second side, wherein the plane of bisection is parallel to the plane in which the loop member is lying, and wherein placing the mesh over the loop member includes placing the mesh over the first side of the wire and not over the second side of the wire; and

wherein the layer of the second material includes a first section on the first side of the wire and a second section on the second side of the wire, and wherein coupling the mesh to the second material includes coupling the mesh to the first section of the second material and not to the second section of the second material.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the coupling step includes exposing the loop member and the mesh to heat while the mesh is held over the loop member.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the heat is transferred to the second material via electrically heating the wire, exposing the loop member to hot air, applying a hot iron, or using ultraviolet radiation.

4. The method of claim 2 , wherein exposing the loop member to heat causes the second material to melt, soften, or become tacky.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the coupling step causes portions of the mesh to be embedded in the second material.

6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of trimming portions of the mesh extending beyond a circumference of the loop member.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein trimming portions of the mesh includes cutting portions of the mesh using a laser beam, ultrasonic welding, or a mesh cutting die.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein applying the layer of the second material to the loop member includes covering the loop member such that the second material envelops the loop member.

9. A method of attaching a mesh to a loop member, the method comprising the steps of:

coating a wire of a first material with a layer of a second material;

manipulating the wire and the layer to form the loop member;

placing the mesh over the loop member, wherein the mesh is of a third material, wherein the mesh at least partially covers the loop member, and wherein portions of the mesh extend beyond a circumference of the loop member;

transferring heat to the layer while the mesh is over the loop member; and

fixedly coupling the mesh to the second material;

wherein the loop member lies in a plane, wherein a plane of bisection bisects the wire of the loop member into a first side and a second side, wherein the plane of bisection is parallel to the plane in which the loop member is lying, and wherein placing the mesh over the loop member includes placing the mesh over the first side of the wire and not over the second side of the wire;

wherein the layer of the second material includes a first section on the first side of the wire and a second section on the second side of the wire, and wherein coupling the mesh to the second material includes coupling the mesh to the first section of the second material and not to the second section of the second material.

10. The method of claim 9 , further comprising the step of coupling a shrink tube to a proximal portion of the loop member.

11. The method of claim 9 , wherein applying the layer of the second material to the loop member includes covering the loop member such that the second material envelops the loop member.

12. The method of claim 9 , further comprising the step of positioning the loop member in a base fixture to hold the loop member in place prior to placing the mesh over the loop member.

13. The method of claim 12 , further comprising moving a portion of the mesh covering a center of the loop member within a hollow defined within the base fixture to form a pouch at the center of the loop member.

14. A method of attaching a mesh to a loop member, the method comprising the steps of:

coating a wire of a first material with a layer of a second material;

manipulating the wire and the layer to form the loop member, wherein the loop member lies in a plane, wherein a plane of bisection bisects the wire of the loop member into a first side and a second side, wherein the plane of bisection is parallel to the plane in which the loop member is lying, and wherein the second material includes a first section coating the first side and a second section coating the second side;

placing the mesh over the loop member, wherein the mesh is of a third material, wherein the mesh at least partially covers the loop member, and wherein portions of the mesh extend beyond a circumference of the loop member; and

fixedly coupling the mesh to the second material of the loop member, wherein coupling the mesh to the second material includes coupling the mesh to the first section of the second material and not to the second section of the second material.

15. The method of claim 14 , further comprising the step of coupling a shrink tube to a proximal portion of the loop member.

16. The method of claim 14 , wherein applying the layer of the second material to the loop member includes covering the loop member such that the second material envelops the loop member.