Foreign substance removing device and foreign substance collecting system
Inventors
Yamanouchi, Dai • Ohta, Kunihiro • Ishida, Hiroki
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11457938-B2
Publication Date
2022-10-04
Expiration Date
Abstract
A foreign substance removing device includes a tubular member and a retriever configured to be expandable to and contractible from a predetermined shape. The retriever includes main wires disposed to be centered around a tube axis of the tubular member, and sub wires each connecting adjacent ones of the main wires to each other. Each of the main wires is configured to curve when the retriever is expanded such that a space having a predetermined size is provided by the main wires. Each of the sub wires is configured to be foldable at at least one point between the adjacent ones of the main wires. When the retriever is expanded, the folding points of the sub wires are positioned inside the space such that the sub wires do not protrude out of the main wires.
Core Innovation
A foreign substance removing device is provided for removing a foreign substance in a body lumen. The device includes a tubular member and a retriever disposed in a portion of the tubular member, wherein the retriever is configured to be expandable to and contractible from a predetermined shape. The retriever comprises a plurality of main wires disposed to be centered around a tube axis of the tubular member, and a plurality of sub wires each connecting adjacent ones of the plurality of main wires to each other.
Each of the plurality of main wires curves when the retriever is expanded such that a space having a predetermined size is provided by the plurality of main wires. Each of the plurality of sub wires is directly connected to an intermediate portion of a corresponding main wire in an axial direction of the retriever, and each sub wire is foldable at at least one point between adjacent main wires. When the retriever is expanded, folding points of the plurality of sub wires are positioned inside the space such that the plurality of sub wires do not protrude out of the plurality of main wires.
The retriever further comprises a plurality of regulating portions connected to the folding points of the plurality of sub wires to regulate positions of the folding points such that, when the retriever is expanded, the folding points do not protrude out of the plurality of main wires. Each sub wire is foldable such that a pair of arm portions extending away from each other from the folding point toward adjacent ones of the plurality of main wires move toward each other, and is arranged to be convex from an intermediate portion of the retriever toward an end portion of the retriever, wherein each regulating portion connects the folding point of a corresponding sub wire and the end portion of the retriever to each other.
When viewed from a direction orthogonal to the tube axis, parts of the sub wires in a first region and a second region are symmetrical with respect to the intermediate portion.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims cover multiple aspects of an expandable/contractible retriever and its use within a foreign substance collecting system, with seven inventive features including inward-positioned foldable sub-wire folding points, regulated folding-point control, structured wire geometry, symmetry, and relative rigidity between main wires and sub wires.
Main-wire-centered expandable retriever with predetermined space
A tubular member and a retriever disposed in a portion of the tubular member configured to be expandable to and contractible from a predetermined shape, wherein the retriever comprises a plurality of main wires disposed to be centered around a tube axis such that, when expanded, the plurality of main wires curve to provide a space having a predetermined size.
Sub-wires connecting adjacent main wires with axial intermediate connections
A plurality of sub wires each connecting adjacent ones of the plurality of main wires to each other, wherein each of the plurality of sub wires is directly connected to an intermediate portion of a corresponding main wire in an axial direction of the retriever.
Inward-positioned foldable sub-wire folding points that do not protrude
Each of the plurality of sub wires is configured to be foldable at at least one point between adjacent ones of the plurality of main wires such that, when the retriever is expanded, folding points of the plurality of sub wires are positioned inside the space and the plurality of sub wires do not protrude out of the plurality of main wires.
Regulating portions controlling folding-point positions via end-portion connections
A plurality of regulating portions connected to the folding points of the plurality of sub wires to regulate positions of the folding points such that, when expanded, the folding points do not protrude out of the plurality of main wires, wherein each regulating portion connects the folding point of a corresponding one of the plurality of sub wires and the end portion of the retriever to each other.
Arm portions folding toward each other with convex arrangement
Each sub wire is configured to be foldable such that a pair of arm portions extending away from each other from the folding point toward adjacent ones of the plurality of main wires move toward each other, and is arranged to be convex from an intermediate portion of the retriever toward an end portion of the retriever.
Orthogonal-view symmetry of sub wires across an intermediate portion
When the retriever is viewed from a direction orthogonal to the tube axis, a part of the plurality of sub wires arranged in a first region from the intermediate portion to one end portion and another part of the plurality of sub wires arranged in a second region from the intermediate portion to another end portion are symmetrical with respect to the intermediate portion of the retriever.
Foreign substance collecting system using removing catheter and capturing catheter lumen
A foreign substance collecting system comprising a foreign substance removing catheter and a foreign substance capturing catheter to capture the foreign substance in a body lumen, wherein the foreign substance capturing catheter comprises a lumen through which the foreign substance removing catheter is passed, and the foreign substance removing catheter comprises a catheter body and a foreign substance removing device disposed at a distal portion of the catheter body with an expandable/contractible retriever having main wires and foldable sub wires with folding points positioned inside a space and not protruding out of the main wires.
Across the independent claims, the core claimed subject matter is a foreign substance removing device and its use in a foreign substance collecting system, where an expandable/contractible retriever uses main wires to define a predetermined internal space and sub wires that fold with folding points positioned inside that space; regulating portions control folding-point positions so the sub wires do not protrude beyond the main wires, with additional configurations including convex folding geometry and symmetry of sub-wire regions when viewed orthogonally to the tube axis.
Stated Advantages
The folding points and sub wires are positioned such that, when the retriever is expanded, the sub wires do not protrude out of the plurality of main wires.
Documented Applications
Removing a foreign substance in a body lumen using a foreign substance removing device and associated retriever disposed on a tubular member.
Collecting a foreign substance in a body lumen using a foreign substance collecting system that includes a foreign substance removing catheter and a foreign substance capturing catheter.
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