Patent ID: 8585715

Claim:
A medical device, comprising: an elongate shaft having a proximal end and a distal portion; a plurality of compressible structures disposed on the distal portion and arranged so that each pair of compressible structures defines a space therebetween; a plurality of compressive elements, wherein each compressive element corresponds to one of the plurality of compressible structures on the distal portion; a plurality of elastic members, each elastic member disposed in the space between a corresponding pair of adjacent compressible structures; and an elongate member, wherein a portion of the elongate member is coupled to each compressible structure such that, upon tension of the elongate member, one of the plurality of elastic members is released from the distal portion; wherein, prior to applying tension to the elongate member, the plurality of compressible structures extend radially outward from an exterior surface of the distal portion; and wherein, upon tension of the elongate member, one of the plurality of compressible structures is pulled toward the exterior surface of the distal portion.