Patent ID: 6743237
Filing Date: 2004-06-01
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
An endoscopic stone-extraction device comprising:a support filament comprising a first end portion and a second end portion; a sheath comprising a lumen, the support filament disposed in the lumen such that the sheath is slideable with respect to the support filament; a stone-extraction basket carried by the first end portion of the support filament; a handle comprising an actuator, wherein movement of the actuator in a first direction advances the sheath and causes the basket to at least partially collapse inside the lumen of the sheath, and wherein movement of the actuator in a second direction retracts the sheath and causes the basket to expand to an operational shape outside the lumen of the sheath; the basket comprising a stone-entrance region and a stone-retention region, the stone-entrance region comprising a first, larger opening sized to admit a stone into the basket, the stone-retention region comprising a plurality of second openings, all of the second openings being smaller than the first opening; the first opening facing laterally away from a longitudinal axis extending through the basket and passing through the first end portion of the support filament, the stone-retention region extending over more than one-half of a total surface area defined by the basket.