Patent ID: 6679893
Filing Date: 2004-01-20
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
An intracorporeal grasping device having a longitudinal axis, comprising:a. an elongated core member having proximal and distal end portions, said elongated core member being tapered alone at least a portion of its distal end portion such that the diameter of a portion of said elongated core member intermediate said proximal and distal end portions is greater than the diameter of said tapered portion of said distal end portion; and b. a grasping assembly on the distal end of the elongated core member having a plurality of arms disposed about the longitudinal axis of the device and having an expanded and contracted configuration, with arms of the grasping assembly having proximal sections secured to the distal end of the elongated core member and distal sections which have free distal ends configured to grasp an object and which in the expanded configuration are essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the device.