Breakable Retrieval Basket Wires for Controlled Object Release

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing medical extraction devices face challenges in releasing objects captured by an expandable retrieval basket, particularly when the object is too large to be removed through a sheath or tube, leading to procedural issues and increased risk of patient injury.

Innovation Solution

A medical device with a retrieval device comprising a plurality of wires that can move between closed and open states, featuring breakable points or defects, allowing for controlled release of captured objects by mechanisms such as sheath movement, sharp edges, or cutter tools.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an expandable retrieval basket is used to capture large objects, then the object can be securely captured, but the object cannot be removed through the sheath and release becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveobject capture reliabilityVSAvoidrelease operation difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The retrieval basket wire is divided into multiple segments with predetermined break points, allowing controlled failure of individual wire sections to release the object while maintaining basket integrity during capture

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Break points are pre-formed in the wire structure during manufacturing, creating predetermined weak points that will fail under controlled conditions to enable object release without requiring complex manual manipulation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the retrieval basket wire is made strong to securely hold objects, then capture reliability improves, but the wire becomes difficult to break for object release

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveobject capture reliabilityVSAvoidwire breaking difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The wire has non-uniform structure with localized weak points at predetermined break points, while the rest of the wire maintains high strength for secure object capture

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

Weak points are pre-formed in the wire structure during manufacturing, creating predetermined failure locations that will break under controlled conditions while the rest of the wire remains strong

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple instruments are used to extract objects, then extraction capability improves, but procedural complexity and patient injury risk increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveextraction capabilityVSAvoidprocedural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The retrieval basket is designed to perform multiple functions: secure capture of objects, controlled release through wire breaking, and navigation through sheath, eliminating the need for separate instruments for each function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20250380959A1Retrieval devices and related systems and methods

Publication Date: 2025.12.18 BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED INC

AI summary

Medical devices, systems, and related methods for capturing objects within a subject (e.g., patient) are described. The medical device includes a sheath, a shaft, and a retrieval device coupled to a distal end of the shaft. At least a portion of the shaft is movably disposed within the sheath. The retrieval device includes a plurality of wires coupled to the distal end of the shaft. The retrieval device is movable between at least a closed state and an open state. Movement of one of the sheath and the retrieval device relative to another one of the sheath or the retrieval device is configured to break at least one wire of the plurality of wires.