Patent ID: 7717924
Filing Date: 2010-05-18
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A device for retrieving material from a body, comprising: an outer sheath; an inner core moveable within the outer sheath, the inner core having a handle fixedly attached to a proximal end thereof; and an expandable element having a first basket portion, a second basket portion, and an intermediate basket portion longitudinally between the first and second basket portions, wherein the expandable element is disposed in a distal region of the device, the expandable element being moveable between a retracted position and an expanded position based on axial movement of the inner core relative to the outer sheath, the intermediate basket portion of the expandable element comprising a plurality of legs having proximal and distal ends, the legs being substantially parallel and spirally disposed around a central axis within the intermediate basket portion, and the expandable element forming a substantially predetermined configuration in the expanded position, wherein the inner core comprises the proximal ends of the plurality of legs, the legs extending proximally through the outer sheath; wherein the plurality of legs are spaced at a generally fixed distance apart to form a substantially cylindrical shape within the intermediate basket portion of the expandable element and wherein an end-view of the expandable element comprises a star configuration.