Extractor device with an intra-foldable toroidal protector

Abstract

An extractor device (1000) for removal of a metallic object (100) from an inner void (200) of the body of a person or an animal, is disclosed. The device essentially comprises a control tube (300), an attractor element (310) and a dynamic protector (320). The attractor element (310) resides in an inactive attracting state, in which it is devoid of any effective magnetic field, or in an active attracting state, in which it produces a magnetic field adapted to apply an effective attracting magnetic force on the metallic object (100) to move or hold the same. The dynamic protector (320) is an intra-foldable toroidal element that resides in a pre-protective state, in which it is encapsulating the circumference of a distal part of the control tube (300), or in a protective state, in which it is fully or partly encapsulating the metallic object (100).

Description

[0001] EXTRACTOR DEVICE WITH AN INTRA-FOLDABLE TOROIDAL PROTECTOR

[0002] Technical Field

[0003] The present invention generally relates to the field of medical instruments and more particularly to an extractor device for safe removal of a metallic object from an inner void of the body of a person or an animal.

[0004] Background

[0005] A metallic object residing inside a bodily cavity constitutes a serious health hazard, in particular such sharp objects. Patients seeking medical treatment for such a condition may suffer from a mental condition or belong to the group of children, causing them to voluntarily swallow such objects. Removal of such sharp objects typically requires surgical intervention as non-surgical removal by pulling them back from the bodily cavity may cause new or further bodily damage by accidental cutting.

[0006] Foley catheters and magnet-attached Levin tubes have been used for removal of foreign objects from bodily cavities, e.g. as described by Choe et al in Pediatr Gastroenterol Hepatol Nutr. 2019 Mar; 22(2):132-141 . Although magnet-attached Levin tubes may be used for removal of metallic objects, this method would be hazardous, should the metallic object have any sharp edges or corners.

[0007] Hence, an improved device for safe removal of a metallic object from an inner void of the body of a person or an animal would be advantageous. In particular allowing for avoiding more of the above-mentioned problems and compromises, including providing for a non-surgical removal of such sharp objects while minimizing the risk of tissue damage.

[0008] Summary

[0009] Accordingly, examples of the present invention preferably seek to mitigate, alleviate or eliminate one or more deficiencies, disadvantages or issues in the art, such as the above-identified, singly or in any combination by providing an extractor device according to the appended patent claims. According to a first aspect, an extractor device for removal of a metallic object from an inner void of the body of a person or an animal is provided. The extractor device comprises a control tube having a proximal end, located outside of the body when the extractor device is in operation, and a distal end, located inside of the body for at least a part of the time when the extractor device is in operation; an attractor element attached to the distal end and being in either of an inactive attracting state, in which the attractor element is devoid of any effective magnetic field, and an active attracting state, in which the attractor element produces a magnetic field adapted to apply an effective attracting magnetic force on the metallic object to move or hold the same; an air- and liquid tight dynamic protector, being an intra-foldable toroidal element having a dynamic inner duct, a dynamic outer surface, a dynamic inner volume, and being in either of a pre-protective state, in which the dynamic inner duct is encapsulating the circumference of a distal part of the control tube and exposing the attractor element to the surrounding, and in a protective state, in which the dynamic inner duct is fully or partly encapsulating the attractor element and, optionally, fully or partly encapsulating the sharp metallic object; and an intersecting area, being a junction between a part of an outer area of the dynamic inner duct and at least a part of the outer circumferential area of the distal end of the control tube.

[0010] According to a second aspect, a method for removal of a metallic object from an inner void of the body of a person or an animal employing the extractor device of the first aspect, is provided. The method comprises the steps of (i) providing an extractor device of the first aspect; (ii) placing the attractor element in an inactive attracting state in close proximity to the metallic object while the extractor device is in its pre-protective state; (iii) turning the attractor element from its inactive attracting state to its active attracting state, to attach the metallic object thereto; (iv) turning the extractor device from its pre-protective state to its protective state; and (v) removing the attractor element and the sharp metallic object from the inner void.

[0011] Further examples of the invention are defined in the dependent claims, wherein features for the first aspect may be implemented for the second aspect, and vice versa. Some examples of the disclosure provide for a facilitated removal of a sharp metallic object from an inner void, e.g. the gastrointestinal tract, of the body of a person, e.g. a patient, or an animal.

[0012] Some examples of the disclosure provide for a facilitated removal of blunt or smooth, i.e. non-sharp, metallic object from an inner void, e.g. the gastrointestinal tract, of the body of a person, e.g. a patient, or an animal.

[0013] Some examples of the disclosure provide for removal of sharp metallic object from an inner void, e.g. the gastrointestinal tract, of the body of a person, e.g. a patient, or an animal, without the need to undertake surgical intervention.

[0014] Some examples of the disclosure provide for increased patient safety.

[0015] It should be emphasized that the term “comprises / comprising” when used in this specification is taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof.

[0016] Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017] These and other aspects, features and advantages of which examples of the invention are capable of will be apparent and elucidated from the following description of examples of the present invention, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0018] Fig. 1 is a schematic illustration of an extractor device 1000 of the invention in operation, having a distal end 302 of a control tube 300 placed inside an inner void 200 of a person and having captured a metallic object 100 by having set an attractor element 310 in an active attracting state and thereafter a dynamic protector 320 in a protective state, according to examples of the disclosure;

[0019] Figs. 2A-B are schematic illustrations showing part of the control tube 300 being, at its distal end 302, in connection with the attractor element 310 comprising an electromagnet having a flat capturing surface being rotatable around a central axis (indicated with a dashed line), and a suitably fitting, by connection via an intersecting area 330 (indicated by dashed double arrow), dynamic protector 320 comprising a dynamic inner duct 321 , a dynamic outer surface 322 and a dynamic inner volume 323, according to examples of the disclosure;

[0020] Fig. 3A is a partial schematic illustration of an extractor device 1000 of the invention in a pre-protective state in operation, having the attractor element 310 of Figs. 2A-B and having captured a sharp metallic object 100 at an angle versus the extension of the dynamic protector 320 by having set the attractor element 310 in an active attracting state, according to examples of the disclosure;

[0021] Fig. 3B illustrates the extractor device 1000 of Fig. 3A in transitioning from a pre-protective state towards a protective state, showing how the dynamic protector 320 has partly folded in into itself and thereby moved in a distal direction causing it to partly straighten up the angle of the sharp metallic object 100 and partly encompassing it, according to examples of the disclosure; and Fig. 3C illustrates the extractor device 1000 of Fig. 3A in a protective state, showing how the dynamic protector 320 has maximally folded in into itself and thereby moved in a distal direction causing it to fully straighten up the angle of the sharp metallic object 100 and fully encompassing it, according to examples of the disclosure.

[0022] Detailed Description

[0023] Specific examples of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the examples set forth herein. Rather, these examples are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. The terminology used in the detailed description of the examples illustrated in the accompanying drawings is not intended to be limiting of the invention. In the drawings, like numbers refer to like elements.

[0024] The extractor device 1000 of the invention may advantageously be used for removal of a metallic object 100 from an inner void of the body, such as e.g. the gastrointestinal tract, the airways, the anus, the vagina, the ear or the nose of a person or an animal. The metallic object 100 has magnetic properties to allow capture by a permanent or electromagnet of the extractor device 1000 and may be and may be sharp or blunt. The extractor device 1000 essentially comprises a control tube 300, an attractor element 310 and a dynamic protector 320.

[0025] The control tube 300 has a proximal end 301 and a distal end 302 and may be semi-flexible or flexible to allow for insertion through bends within the body to reach the target inner void 200 within the body (see e.g. Fig 1). The distal end 302 is attached to or extends into an attractor element 310, which is provided with means to allow it to become magnetic to attract the metallic object 100. Such means include, for example, permanent magnets and electromagnets. The latter which may be connected to electrical conductors extending inside or alongside the control tube 300 to allow for control from outside the body. In an inactive attracting state, the attractor element 310 is not magnetic or only slightly magnetic, hence not significantly attracting the metallic object 100. In the corresponding active attracting state, the attractor element 310 is magnetic enough to attract, move and optionally capture or hold the metallic object 100.

[0026] The dynamic protector 320 is an air- and liquid tight, intra-foldable toroidal element. Its geometry and properties may be explained by making a comparison to an imaginary flexible height-extended hollow donut that may be folded into itself. The dynamic protector 320 is transitioned between a pre- protective state, in which it is encapsulating the circumference of a distal part of the control tube 300 and simultaneously exposing the attractor element 310, and a protective state, in which it is encapsulating the attractor element 310 and, fully or partly, any potentially captured metallic object 100, by such a folding-into-self motion. Any intermediate state between the pre-protective state and the protective state, such as e.g. a state where the attractor element 310 and / or the metallic object 100 is only partly covered by the dynamic protector 320, is possible. The dynamic protector 320 is attached via a point or area, i.e. an intersecting area 330, to the distal end 302. The intersecting area 330 may fully or partly stretch around the circumference of the control tube 300. The following description serves as a potential non-limiting example on how the invention may be used or carried out. The prehistorical hypothetical context involves, in this exemplary case, a patient who has swallowed a razorblade. It further assumes the exemplary and non-limiting use of an attractor element 310 comprising a surface, e.g. a flat surface, adapted to maximize the holding of the metallic object 100 in the active attracting state, according to one embodiment. It yet further assumes the exemplary and non-limiting use of an attractor element having an active attracting part being rotatable around a central axis being perpendicular to the proximal-distal extension of the dynamic protector 320, according to one embodiment.

[0027] An extractor device 1000, in its inactive attracting state and its pre- protective state and in an optionally deflated state, where the dynamic inner volume 323 of the dynamic protector 320 is minimized, is inserted through the mouth of the patient such that the attractor element 310 is brought close to the razor-blade, i.e. a sharp metallic object 100, inside the stomach, i.e. an inner void 200, of the patient. The attractor element 310 is brought to an active attracting state, e.g. by providing current to an electromagnet being part of the attractor element 310, according to one embodiment of the invention. The razorblade is thereby captured and magnetically attached to the attractor element 310 at an angle versus the extension of the extractor device 1000 (compare Fig. 3A). If being in a deflated state, the dynamic inner volume 323 is then increased by fully or partly inflating the same. Such inflation may be conducted through a separate air- or liquid conducting conduit 340 running through the intersecting area 330 and having one opening in the dynamic inner volume 323, according to one embodiment. The extractor device 1000 is then gently pulled outwards to a point where the dynamic outer surface 322 of the attractor element 310 reaches a constriction of the stomach. Further gentle pulling will the cause a partial transition from the pre-protective state towards the protective state, whereby the razor-blade is partly residing within the dynamic inner duct 321 of the dynamic protector 320 and said angle is decreasing due to rotation of the attracting part of the attractor element 310 (compare Fig. 3B). Yet further pulling will set dynamic protector 320 in the protective state and align and fully cover the razor-blade withing the dynamic inner duct 321 (compare Fig. 3C). Careful complete withdrawal of the extractor device 1000 from the patient may then result in effective and safe removal of the razor-blade. The interchanging dynamic outer surface 322 and dynamic inner duct 321 may be made of a low- friction material, as known in the art, to allow for smooth sliding through constrictions within the body.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the surface of the side of the attractor element 310, which is in contact with and holds the metallic object 100 with a magnetic force in the active attracting state, may be adapted to minimize the risk of slippage / movement of the metallic object 100 relative this surface, i.e. to provide a spatially constant relationship between the surface and the metallic object 100. For example, the surface may be provided with a plurality of extending indentation to maximize the contact surface with an elongated metallic object 100, e.g. a needle. In another example, the surface may be flat when a flat metallic object, e.g. a razorblade, is to be captured and extracted. Advantages according to this embodiment include, for example, minimization of the risk of the metallic object 100 slipping off the attractor element 310 when transitioning from the pre-protective state towards the protective state when getting in contact with the dynamic protector 320.

[0029] According to one embodiment, the surface of the attractor element 310 may be adapted to provide a spatially constant relationship relative the metallic object 100, as describe above, and the attractor element 310 or an attracting active part thereof may be rotatable around a central axis being perpendicular to the proximal-distal extension of the dynamic protector 320. This combination of features advantageously further minimizes the risk of the metallic object 100 slipping off the attractor element 310 when transitioning from the pre-protective state towards the protective state.

[0030] The present invention has been described above with reference to specific examples. However, other examples than the above described are equally possible within the scope of the invention. The different features and steps of the invention may be combined in other combinations than those described. The scope of the invention is only limited by the appended patent claims.

[0031] More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are meant to be exemplary and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and / or configurations will depend upon the specific application or applications for which the teachings of the present invention is / are used.

Claims

AMENDED CLAIMS received by the International Bureau on 23 September 2025 (23.09.2025)

1. An extractor device (1000) for removal of a metallic object (100) from an inner void (200) of the body of a person or an animal, comprising- a control tube (300) having a proximal end (301), located outside of said body when said extractor device (1000) is in operation, and a distal end (302), located inside of said body for at least a part of the time when said extractor device (1000) is in operation;- an attractor element (310) attached to said distal end (302) and being in either of an inactive attracting state, in which said attractor element (310) is devoid of any effective magnetic field, and an active attracting state, in which said attractor element (310) produces a magnetic field adapted to apply an effective attracting magnetic force on said metallic object (100) to move or hold the same; and- an air- and liquid tight dynamic protector (320) and an intersecting area (330); c h a r a c t e r i s e d b y- said air- and liquid tight dynamic protector (320), being an intra-foldable toroidal element having a dynamic inner duct (321), a dynamic outer surface (322), a dynamic inner volume (323), and being in either of a pre-protective state, in which said dynamic inner duct (321) is encapsulating the circumference of a distal part of said control tube (300) and exposing said attractor element (310) to the surrounding, and in a protective state, in which said dynamic inner duct (321) is fully or partly encapsulating said attractor element (310) and, optionally, fully or partly encapsulating said metallic object (100); and- said intersecting area (330), being a junction between a part of an outer area of said dynamic inner duct (321) and at least a part of the outer circumferential area of the distal end of said control tube (300).

2. An extractor device (1000) according to claim 1 , wherein said attractor element (310) is an electromagnet adapted to set saidattractor element (310) in said active attracting state when an electric current is passed therethrough.

3. An extractor device (1000) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said attractor element (310) or the attracting active part thereof is rotatable around a central axis being perpendicular to the proximal-distal extension of said dynamic protector (320) in said pre-protective state or in said protective state.

4. An extractor device (1000) according to any one of the preceding claims, further provided with a conduit (340) running through said intersecting area (330) and adapted for filling or emptying said dynamic inner volume (323) with a liquid or with a gas to increase or decrease, respectively, said dynamic inner volume (323).

5. An extractor device (1000) according to claim 4, wherein said conduit (340) is extending inside or along said control tube (300) having one opening inside said dynamic inner volume (323) and the other opening located outside said body, when said extractor device (1000) is in operation.

6. A method for removal of a metallic object (100) from an inner void (200) of the body of a person or an animal, comprising the steps (i) to (v):(i) providing an extractor device (1000) according to any one of claims 1-5;(ii) placing said attractor element (310) in an inactive attracting state in close proximity to said metallic object (100) while said extractor device (1000) is in its pre-protective state;(iii) turning said attractor element (310) from its inactive attracting state to its active attracting state, to attach said metallic object (100) thereto;(iv) turning said extractor device (1000) from its pre-protective state to its protective state; and(v) removing said attractor element (310) and said metallic object (100) from said inner void (200).[0001]Further, the applicant wishes to communicate the following observations with regard to the Examiners negative assessment of Inventive Step in the WRITTEN OPINION:[0002]We respectfully disagree with the Examiners negative assessment regarding Inventive step in light of non-obvious and advantageous technical effects enabled by, for example, the essential dynamic protector 320.[0003]The corresponding protective elements of the relevant prior-art are constituted by a funnel-shaped hood 31 in D1 , by a skirt 3 in JP 5985211 II and by a hood 13 in US 4657020 A.[0004]The dynamic protector 320 of the present invention differs from all of the above mentioned corresponding protective elements of the prior-art in, at least, having an operational effective outer surface that is disengaged from its operational effective inner surface by a non-solid (i.e. liquid or gaseous) medium or, at least, slidingly.[0005]One advantageous technical feature this difference brings about is a significantly decreased risk of a sharp object, residing in the inner void of the protective element, to penetrate through the outer surface of the protective element during operation. In contrast to any (funnel-shaped) hood or skirt of the prior-art, the dynamic protector 320 of the present invention allows an outer force applied to its outer surface, e.g. from the gastrointestinal tract, to disperse in the non-solid medium without being directly transferred to its inner surface, i.e. the surface being in direct contact with the sharp object, and / or to result in an inner sliding motion of the dynamic protector 320.[0006]When facing the problem of “how to reduce the risk of the sharp object to penetrate through the protective element during operation?”, the teachings of above mentioned prior-art, taken alone or in any combination, does not lead to the solution of the present invention, i.e. the essential dynamic protector 320.[0007]On partial basis of above description relating to the dynamic protector 320, the Swedish Intellectual Property Office issued a NOTIFICATION OF INTENTION TO GRANT A PATENT on July 1st, 2025 of the Swedish priority application no. 2430309-1.

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