Patent ID: 7789825

Claim:
A medical device comprising: a flexible member; an end effector operatively associated with a distal end of the flexible member; and an elongate handle extending longitudinally from a handle proximal end to a handle distal end, the handle being operatively associated with the proximal end of the flexible member, wherein the flexible member extends from an end of the elongate handle along an axis generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the elongate handle; wherein the handle comprises an actuator operable by the same hand used to grasp the handle for operating the end effector through the flexible member with a portion of the flexible member in a looped configuration behind the back of the same hand; wherein the actuator is disposed on the handle to be operated by the same hand holding the handle without the use of the thumb or index finger of the same hand, while the thumb and index finger of the same hand are free to grip and advance the portion of the flexible member in a looped configuration; wherein the handle has an outer surface, the handle outer surface extending lengthwise intermediate the handle proximal and distal ends, with the handle outer surface having a maximum width portion disposed intermediate the handle proximal and distal ends, wherein the handle outer surface has a length that is greater than the width of the maximum width portion, and wherein the actuator comprises a lever, the lever extending lengthwise alongside at least a portion of the handle outer surface, and wherein the lever extends alongside the maximum width portion of the handle outer surface; the medical device further comprising a ratchet mechanism; and the medical device further comprising a release disposed at a first end of the handle, wherein the elongate flexible member extends from a second, opposite end of the handle; and wherein the release is operable to disengage the ratchet mechanism.