Patent ID: 7387632
Filing Date: 2008-06-17
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A snare for an endoscope, comprising: a flexible sheath; a control wire configured to move axially within said flexible sheath; and a snare loop connected to a distal end of said control wire, wherein when said control wire is axially advanced, said snare loop projects from a distal end of said flexible sheath and expands into a loop shape due to resiliency of said snare loop, and when said control wire is axially retracted, said snare loop retracts into said distal end of said flexible sheath and is folded into a closed shape, wherein a resilient wire which forms said snare loop includes a hook portion at a distal end of said resilient wire, said hook portion protruding in a lateral direction of said snare loop, wherein a length of said hook portion is configured such that a tip end of said hook portion is positioned in close proximity to an outer edge of said flexible sheath when said resilient wire is retracted into said distal end of said flexible sheath, wherein said length of said hook portion substantially corresponds to an outside diameter of said flexible sheath minus a wall thickness of said flexible sheath, and wherein said resilient wire includes a biasing portion which biases said distal end of said resilient wire in a biasing direction, extending from said tip end to a base end of said hook portion, such that said distal end of said resilient wire is pressed against an inner peripheral surface of said flexible sheath when said resilient wire is retracted into said distal end of said flexible sheath.