Method and apparatus for separating a coiled structure from biological tissue

Apparatus for separating a blood vessel and a length of an electrical lead restricted in said blood vessel, said lead having a proximal end and including a coiled structure wound in a first direction and having a longitudinal passageway therein, comprising:

• limiting means for inserting into said longitudinal passageway of said electrical lead;
• expandable means attached to said limiting means for securing said limiting means to said electrical lead at a predetermined distance away from said proximal end of said electrical lead;
• and
• separator means positionable about said limiting means and said length of said electrical lead and movable therealong for separating said blood vessel and said electrical lead restricted in said blood vessel when said limiting means is secured to said electrical lead.

Apparatus for removing a heart lead having a longitudinal passageway therein and a distal end secured to heart tissue, said passageway having a predetermined dimension, comprising:

• a stylet wire having distal end means for inserting into said longitudinal passageway of said heart lead;
• a wire coil attached to said distal end means of said stylet wire and including expandable means for securing said distal end means of said stylet wire to said distal end of said heart lead, said expandable means in a first state having an outside dimension within a predetermined tolerance of said predetermined dimension and in an expanded state engaging said heart lead when in said passageway;
• and
• a tube including distal tube end means for separating said distal end of said heart lead secured to said heart tissue when said tube is positioned about said stylet wire and said distal end of said heart lead, and said stylet wire is secured to said distal end of said heart lead.

Apparatus for removing a coiled structure from biological tissue, said structure including a longitudinal passageway having a predetermined dimension therein, comprising:

• a wire having distal end means for inserting in said longitudinal passageway of said coiled structure;
• a coil attached about said distal end means of said wire and including expandable means for securing said wire to said coiled structure at a position within said passageway distal from said proximal end of said coiled structure, said expandable means in a first state having an outside dimension within a predetermined tolerance of said predetermined dimension and in an expanded state engaging said coiled structure when in said passageway;
• and
• control means positioned about a proximal end of said wire for removing said coiled structure from said tissue when said wire is secured to said coiled structure.