Retrieval device made of precursor alloy cable

Abstract

A medical retrieval device for retrieving foreign objects from a patient and the method of constructing the device are disclosed. The device incorporates a wire cable composed of a precursor alloy to a superelastic material to improve durability of the device. Because precursor alloys exhibit, a linear stress-strain relationship and a yield point associated with a relatively high stress level, the device transfers greater stresses before experiencing deformation. Thus, greater crushing forces can be achieved using a device of this type. These crushing forces may be needed when the foreign object is too large to remove intact. This property also facilitates the device in dilating ducts to retrieve foreign objects. Using the precursor alloy additionally eliminates the need for heat treatment of the cables used in constructing the device. A retrieval device made of precursor alloy cable also is less susceptible to permanent deformation and unwinding during use.

1 . A medical device for use in a body lumen, comprising: a self-expanding body formed from struts having a compressed state and an expanded state; the body including a cold formed nickel-titanium alloy having a transformation temperature greater than a mammalian body temperature, wherein the nickel-titanium alloy exhibits linear pseudoelasticity regardless of stress applied to the body; and a sheath at least partially enclosing the body in the compressed state. 
     
     
         2 . The medical device of  claim 1 , wherein the transformation temperature includes at least one of A s  and A f  that is >37° C. 
     
     
         3 . The medical device of  claim 1 , wherein the body has been heat treated and a hysteresis curve of the nickel-titanium alloy does not include a stress plateau. 
     
     
         4 . The medical device of  claim 1 , wherein the nickel-titanium alloy is pseudo elastic when stressed without onset of stress-induced martensite. 
     
     
         5 . The medical device of  claim 1 , wherein the body assumes a shape imparted by cold forming. 
     
     
         6 . The medical device of  claim 5 , wherein the cold forming occurs below the recrystallization temperature of the alloy. 
     
     
         7 . The medical device of  claim 1 , wherein the body includes a thin wall. 
     
     
         8 . The medical device of  claim 1 , wherein the nickel-titanium alloy includes a ternary element selected from the group of chemical elements consisting of: palladium, platinum, chromium, iron, cobalt, vanadium, manganese, boron, copper, aluminum, tungsten, tantalum, or zirconium. 
     
     
         9 . The medical device of  claim 1 , wherein the nickel-titanium alloy does not undergo a phase transformation when the body is stressed. 
     
     
         10 . A medical device for use in a body lumen, comprising: a self-expanding body formed from struts; the body including a cold formed nickel-titanium alloy, wherein the nickel-titanium alloy is in a martensitic phase when the body is stressed into a first shape and when the body is stress relieved to a second shape, and wherein the nickel-titanium alloy has a transformation temperature >37° C.; and a sheath at least partially enveloping the body in its first shape. 
     
     
         11 . The medical device of  claim 10 , wherein the nickel-titanium alloy does not include stress-induced martensite in the first shape, the second shape, and transitioning therebetween. 
     
     
         12 . The medical device of  claim 10 , wherein a stress-strain hysteresis curve for the nickel-titanium alloy does not include a stress plateau. 
     
     
         13 . The medical device of  claim 10 , wherein the body includes a thin wall and includes an opening therethrough. 
     
     
         14 . The medical device of  claim 10 , wherein the body includes low temperature heat treating. 
     
     
         15 . The medical device of  claim 14 , wherein the heat treating includes heating the alloy up to 350° C. inclusive for up to five minutes inclusive. 
     
     
         16 . A method of providing a medical device for use in a body lumen, comprising: providing struts including a cold formed nickel-titanium alloy; setting a transformation temperature >37° C.; cold forming the struts into a body having a shape; stressing the body into a first shape wherein the nickel-titanium alloy is in a martensitic phase; providing a sheath; disposing the body in the first shape at least partially inside the sheath; and deploying the body from the sheath to stress relieve the body into a second shape, wherein the nickel-titanium alloy remains in the martensitic phase. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the method includes stressing the body into the first shape and at least partially withdrawing the body into the sheath. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein stressing the body into the first shape does not create stress-induced martensite in the alloy. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the transformation temperature includes A s >37° C. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the nickel-titanium alloy exhibits linear pseudoelasticity when stressed. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the nickel-titanium alloy includes a ternary element selected from the group of chemical elements consisting of: palladium, platinum, chromium, iron, cobalt, vanadium, manganese, boron, copper, aluminum, tungsten, tantalum, or zirconium.