Scimed Life Systems, Inc.

St&eacute;phane Gobron

Tim E Ward

Srinivas Nishtala

Jeff D Smith

Like Que

D H Perkins

Linda D Elbert

Tina M Carpenter

William Curtis White

An apparatus and method for use in the percutaneous insertion of medical devices is disclosed. In an embodiment, the apparatus includes an access tube defining a central lumen and a retention portion disposed at a distal end of the access tube. The retention portion is reconfigurable between a first configuration of reduced lateral extent and a second configuration of increased lateral extent. A trocar is moveably disposed within the central lumen of the access tube. The access tube is movably disposed within a central lumen of an overtube. In an embodiment of a method of the present invention, the method includes the steps of inserting the trocar and access tube through a body wall of a patient, where the trocar is disposed within the access tube and where a retention portion disposed at a distal end of the access tube is configured in a first configuration of reduced lateral extent. The retention portion is then configured in a second configuration of increased lateral extent. The trocar is removed from the access tube. An overtube is inserted around the access tube and through the body wall, where the access tube is received within a central lumen of the overtube and where the retention portion is received through a slot defined by the overtube. The retention portion is returned to the first configuration of reduced lateral extent. The access tube is removed from the central lumen of the overtube and the medical device is inserted within the central lumen of the overtube and through the body wall. The overtube is then removed.

Apparatus and method for the insertion of a medical device

Devices and methods permit dilation of a track of a body to any of a plurality of diameters using a single integrated device that can reach any of a plurality of expanded diameters upon actuation by a user of an actuating mechanism which directs and controls the dilation of a dilating element to which it is connected by a dial and transmission mechanism. A variety of dials, transmission mechanisms and dilating elements are disclosed which may be combined in a variety of ways.

Dilation systems and related methods

A medical retrieval device includes a handle, a sheath, and a basket having basket legs and an atraumatic distal tip. The atraumatic tip of the basket is formed, for example, by entwining the ends of the basket legs together at the distal tip of the basket. Baskets with atraumatic tips according to the invention allow the capture of material from difficult to reach areas of the body while reducing the risk of tissue damage.

Medical retrieval device and method of making

Growing community of inventors

Mount Prospect, IL, United States of America

Stéphane Gobron

Growing community of inventors

Mount Prospect, IL, United States of America

St&eacute;phane Gobron

Stéphane Gobron