Patent ID: 6872211

Claim:
A medical retrieval device, comprising: a proximal handle; a sheath extending from the handle and including a lumen, the sheath including a distal end away from the handle; and a retrieval assembly that is moveable relative to the sheath to achieve a collapsed position of the retrieval assembly within the lumen, the retrieval assembly comprising a proximal portion comprising a distal end, a plurality of strands, and a three-dimensional shape when at least a portion of the retrieval assembly extends out of the lumen from the distal end of the sheath, and a distal portion positioned at the distal end of the proximal portion, the distal portion comprising a plurality of wires, each wire joined to the distal end of at least two strands, said distal portion extending perpendicular to the long axis of the retrieval device when the proximal portion of the retrieval assembly extends out of the distal end of the sheath, wherein each strand has a first rigidity and each wire has a second rigidity different from the first rigidity.