Importance

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Abstract

A reversible snare (10) for grasping and retrieving an article (15) such as a cardiac lead from within a human or veterinary patient (20) includes a sheath member (25) adapted for introduction into the patient (20), and a retractable closed loop (30) carried by the sheath member (25). The closed loop (30) is composed of a shape memory material and defines a hook (35) adapted to partly encircle the article (15). The snare further includes a threader (45) also carried by the sheath member (25), the threader (45) being reversibly extendable through the closed loop (30) (like a thread through a needle's eye) so that the hook (35) and threader (45) can fully encircle the article (15). Retraction of the closed loop (30) causes the hook (35) and threader (45) to close around the article (15) and permit its withdrawal into the sheath member (25). Independent retraction of the threader (45) allows the hook (35) to disengage from the article (15). The closed loop (30) and threader (45) are both preferably composed of nitinol wire, and the loop (30) possesses a nose (40) narrower than the inside diameter of the sheath member (25), in order to minimize deformation or fracture of the closed loop (30) during repeated extension and retraction. The sheath member (25) preferably includes conventional outer and inner femoral workstation sheaths (60 and 65), as well as an inner dilator sheath (55) carrying the closed loop (30) and threader (45). The snare (10) is particularly advantageous in that it can be repeatedly disengaged and reengaged with the cardiac lead or other article (15) without suffering any decrease in its utility or degradation of its components.

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First Claim