Device for removing an elongated structure implanted in biological tissue

A device (10) for removing from a patient (12) a previously implanted elongated structure (14);

• the elongated structure (14) having an outside dimension, a proximal end (16), and a distal end (20) located within the patient:
• and the device (10) comprising in combination;
• a sheath member (22) having an inside dimension greater than the outside dimension of the elongated structure (14);
• and
• a snare (24) associated with the sheath member (22) and shaped as a coil dimensioned to encircle one of the proximal end (16) and the distal end (20) of the elongated structure (14), the sheath member (22) delivering the snare (24) to the one of the proximal end (16) and the distal end (20) of the elongated structure (14);
• wherein the snare (24) is positioned within the sheath member (22), and wherein the snare (24) is compressively contained by the sheath member (22).

A device (10) for removing from a patient (12) a previously implanted elongated structure (14);

• the elongated structure (14) having an outside dimension, a proximal end (16), and a distal end (20) located within the patient;
• and the device (10) comprising in combination:
• parallel first (32) and second (34) sheaths, at least one of the first (32) and second (34) sheaths having an axis, and at least one of the first (32) and second (34) sheaths having an inside dimension greater than the outside dimension of the elongated structure (14);
• and
• a snare (24) lying across the axis of, but positioned coaxially with, at least one of the first (32) and second (34) sheaths, the snare (24) being dimensioned to encircle one of the proximal end (16) and the distal end (20) of the elongated structure (14), and at least one of the first (32) and second (34) sheaths delivering the snare (24) to the one of the proximal end (16) and the distal end (20) of the elongated structure (14).

A device (10) for removing from a patient (12) a previously implanted elongated structure (14);

• the elongated structure (14) having an outside dimension, a proximal end (16), and a distal end (20) located within the patient;
• and the device (10) comprising in combination;
• a sheath member (22) having an inside dimension greater than the outside dimension of the elongated structure (14):
• and
• a snare (24) associated with the sheath member (22) and dimensioned to encircle one of the proximal end (16) and the distal end (20) of the elongated structure (14), the sheath member (22) delivering the snare (24) to the one of the proximal end (16) and the distal end (20) of the elongated structure (14);
• wherein the sheath member (22) comprises parallel first (32) and second (34) sheaths wherein the first (32) and second (34) sheaths are coaxial, and wherein the first (32) and second (34) sheaths each include a distal end (58 and 62), and the snare (24) is a coiled leaf spring (44) connected to and extending between the distal ends (58 and 62) of the first (32) and second (34) sheaths.

A device (10) for removing from a patient (12) a previously implanted elongated structure (14);

• the elongated structure (14) having an outside dimension, a proximal end (16), and a distal end (20) located within the patient;
• and the device (10) comprising in combination:
• a sheath member (22) having an inside dimension greater than the outside dimension of the elongated structure (14);
• and
• a cylindrical cage (46) having a passage extending longitudinally therethrough formed from at least two criss-crossed elongated loops (48 and 50), associated with the sheath member (22) and dimensioned to encircle one of the proximal end (16) and the distal end (20) of the elongated structure (14), the longitudinal passage through the cylindrical cage (46) being dimensioned to encircle and receive therein the one of the proximal (16) and distal (20) ends of the structure (14) and the sheath member (22) delivering the cylindrical cage (46) to the one of the proximal end (16) and the distal end (20) of the elongated structure (14).

A device (10) for removing from a patient (12) a previously implanted elongated structure (14);

• the elongated structure (14) having an outside dimension, a proximal end (16), and a distal end (20) located within the patient;
• and the device (10) comprising in combination;
• a sheath member (22) having an inside dimension greater than the outside dimension of the elongated structure (14);
• and
• a snare (24) associated with the sheath member (22) and dimensioned to encircle one of the proximal end (16) and the distal end (20) of the elongated structure (14), the sheath member (22) delivering the snare (24) to the one of the proximal end (16) and the distal end (20) of the elongated structure (14);
• wherein the snare (24) is a cylindrical cage (46) formed from at least two criss-crossed elongated loops (48 and 50), and wherein the cage (46) has a distal end (52), and wherein the device (10) further comprises a suture (54) for attaching the distal end (52) of the cage (46) to the elongated structure (14).

A device (10) for removing from a patient (12) a previously implanted elongated structure (14);

• the elongared structure (14) having an outside dimension, a priximal end (16), and a distal end (20) located within the patient;
• and the device (10) comprising in combination:
• a sheath member (22) having an inside dimension greater than the outside dimension of the elongated structure (14):
• a snare (24) associated with the sheath member (22) and dimensioned to encircle one of the proximal end (16) and the distal end (20) of the elongated structure (14), the sheath member (22) delivering the snare (24) to the one of the proximal end (16) and the distal end (20) of the elongated structure (14);
• and
• a locking stylet (56) dimensioned to be recieved in the elongated structure (14) through the proximal end (16) of the elongated structure (14).

A device (10) for removing from a patient (12) a previously implanted elongated structure (14);

• the elongated structure (14) having an outside dimension, a proximal end (16), and a distal end (20) located within the patient (12);
• and the device comprising in combination:
• a first, locally flexible dilator sheath (36) and a second sheath (34) coaxially contained in the first dilator sheath (36), the first dilator sheath (36) having a distal end (58), and the second sheath (34) having an inside dimension greater than the outside dimension of the elongated structure (14);
• a reversibly collapsible snare (24) positioned between the first dilator sheath (36) and the second sheath (34), the snare being dimensioned to encircle the distal end (20) of the elongated structure (14) and being shaped as a coil (28), affixed to the distal end (58) of the first dilator sheath (36);
• draw means (26) connected to the snare (24) and extending outwardly of the patient (12), for collapsing the snare (24) about the encircled distal end (20) of the elongated structure (14);
• and
• a locking stylet (56) dimensioned to be received in the elongated structure (14) through the proximal end (16) of the elongated structure (14).