Patent ID: 8142347

Claim:
A self-orienting snare loop device, comprising: a tubular sheath having a proximal end region and a distal end region; a shaft disposed within the sheath, the shaft having a distal end that is disposed at the distal end region of the sheath; a handle coupled to the proximal end region of the sheath; wherein the handle include a sliding member, the sliding member being directly attached to the shaft such that movement of the sliding member results in movement of the shaft; a swivel coupled to the distal end of the shaft, the swivel including a swivel body and a bearing disposed within the swivel body; wherein the swivel is disposed adjacent the distal end region of the sheath; and a snare loop coupled to the swivel, the snare loop being disposed at the distal end region of the tubular sheath, wherein the snare loop includes one or more proximal legs wherein at least a portion of the one or more legs is disposed within the swivel body; a handle attached to the shaft; wherein the shaft is moveable between a first position where the snare loop is substantially disposed within the sheath and a second position where the snare loop extends distally out of the distal end region of the sheath; wherein the handle is configured to shift the shaft between the first and second positions by longitudinal movement of an actuation member on the handle; wherein longitudinal movement of the actuation member results in substantially equivalent longitudinal movement of the shaft; and wherein the swivel is disposed within the sheath when the shaft is in the second position.