Material Retrieval Device and Method of Using (Calculus Retrieval Device)
Project Leaders: Brad Schwartz and Ajay Mahajan
Units: College of Engineering, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering and Energy Processes; School of Medicine, Center for Laparoscopy and Endourology
Brief Description:
This technology is an improved kidney stone retrieval device that uses a newly designed cage of NiTinol wires encompassing a mesh basket made of a material that is laser-resistant. Current methods to extract large stones involve imaging, use of a laser to fragment the stones, use of existing cage-like baskets to trap the fragments individually, and fragment extraction one at a time. These procedures are tedious and may often result in some fragments remaining behind that can reform stones, necessitating another procedure. This new device has a mesh-like sack which consists of a laser-resistant material enclosed within a NiTinol cage of a novel design.
Patent Status:
Two patents pending. U.S. patent application no. 20060247662.
Potential Commercial Uses:
The disadvantage for existing retrieval products is that they are not able to be used in conjunction with laser blast fragmentation. With existing products, initially one must blast larger stone pieces and then in a separate step use the retrieval device to collect the stone particles. This is tedious and could take several procedures to eliminate the particles, with some particles often irretrievable. Using this new device a laser can be used to fragment the stone while it is held in the basket, and essentially all the fragments can be retained in the basket. The basket can then be retracted, allowing for the retrieval of all the fragments in one procedure. This stone retrieval basket will significantly improve the efficiency and effectiveness of urological lithotripsy procedures for removal of large kidney stones.
Contact:
Jeff Myers, Senior Technology Transfer Specialist, (618) 453-4543, fax: (618) 453-8038