Resection device with support mechanism and related methods of use

1. A medical device for resecting tissue comprising:

an elongate shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therebetween, wherein the distal end of the elongate shaft includes an opening in communication with the lumen;

a support structure having a slot extending along an inner surface of the support structure, the slot being in communication with the lumen of the elongate shaft;

a snare loop having a first position disposed within the slot of the support structure, and a second position disposed within the lumen of the elongate shaft;

an actuation member slidably disposed within the lumen, wherein the actuation member includes a distal end portion secured to the snare loop; and

a first guide element and a second guide element, wherein the first and second guide elements are connected to the snare loop, and wherein proximal portions of the first and second guide elements are connected to the actuation member.

2. The medical device of claim 1 , wherein the support structure is attached to the distal end of the elongate shaft.

3. The medical device of claim 1 , wherein the support structure includes a lumen formed therein in communication with the slot and the lumen of the elongate shaft.

4. The medical device of claim 3 , wherein the first and second guide elements are disposed within the lumen of the support structure.

5. The medical device of claim 3 , wherein distal portions of the first and second guide elements are connected to one or more points on the snare loop, and proximal portions of the first and second guide elements extend through the lumen in the support structure and through the lumen of the elongate shaft.

6. The medical device of claim 1 , wherein the snare loop and the actuation member are configured to conduct electrical energy.

7. The medical device of claim 1 , wherein a proximal portion of the actuation member includes a control mechanism.

8. The medical device of claim 1 , further comprising a sheath disposed over the elongate shaft.

9. The medical device of claim 1 , wherein the slot of the support structure includes a plurality of holes, through which the guide elements are connected to the snare loop.

10. The medical device of claim 1 , wherein the snare loop is configured to translate between the first and second positions.

11. The medical device of claim 1 , wherein the support structure is a substantially ring-shaped structure.

12. The medical device of claim 1 , wherein the guide elements bias the snare loop to the slot.

13. A medical device for resecting tissue, the medical device comprising:

an elongate member having a distal end, a proximal end, and a lumen extending therebetween, the elongate member having an opening at the distal end in communication with the lumen;

a support structure having a slot in communication with the lumen of the elongate shaft, and a lumen formed therein;

a snare loop having a first position secured within the slot of the support structure, and a second position disposed within the lumen of the elongate shaft; and

an actuation member slidably disposed within the lumen of the elongate shaft, the actuation member includes a distal end secured to the snare loop; and

a plurality of guide elements having proximal portions and distal portions, the proximal portions of the guide elements extending proximally through the lumen of the elongate shaft, and the distal portions connected to the snare loop.

14. The medical device of claim 11 , wherein the support structure is a substantially ring-shaped structure.

15. The medical device of claim 11 , wherein the proximal portions of the guide elements extend proximally through the slot and the distal portions of the guide elements are connected to a distal tip of the snare loop.

16. The medical device of claim 11 , wherein the slot of the support structure includes a plurality of holes, through which the guide elements are connected to the snare loop.

17. The medical device of claim 11 , wherein the guide elements bias the snare loop to the slot.

18. The medical device of claim 13 , wherein the snare loop and the actuation member are configured to conduct electrical energy.

19. A method for manipulating tissue comprising:

introducing a medical device within a body cavity, the medical device including:

an elongate shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therebetween, wherein the distal end of the elongate shaft includes an opening in communication with the lumen;

a support structure having a slot extending along an inner surface of the support structure, the slot being in communication with the lumen of the elongate shaft;

a snare loop having a first position secured within the slot of the support structure, and a second position disposed within the lumen of the elongate shaft;

an actuation member slidably disposed within the lumen, wherein the actuation member includes a distal end secured to the snare loop; and

a plurality of guide elements having proximal portions and distal portions, the proximal portions of the guide elements extending proximally through the lumen of the elongate shaft, and the distal portions of the guide elements connected to the snare loop;

advancing an introduction sheath to a desired location within the body cavity;

extending the snare loop out of the elongate sheath;

placing the snare loop over tissue targeted for resection;

manipulating the tissue with the medical device; and

actuating the guide elements in a proximal direction to transition the snare loop into the second position.

20. The method of claim 19 , further comprising:

actuating the actuation member in a proximal direction to transition the snare loop into the first position to resect the tissue.