Method for retrieval of retained common bile duct stones

摘要

A method for the removal of retained common bile duct stones includes the steps of introducing a distal end of a flexible tubular member into the common bile duct and ejecting from the distal end of the tubular member a loop to which a flexible web is attached to form a capture pocket. The loop and the pocket are expanded from a collapsed configuration upon ejection of the loop from the distal end of the tubular member. The loop and the pocket are moved through the common bile duct to capture a retained stone in the pocket. Subsequently, the loop and the pocket are at least partially closed by drawing the loop and the pocket in a proximal direction into the distal end of the tubular member, thereby enclosing the captured stone in the pocket. The tubular member and the contracted loop and pocket are withdrawn from the common bile duct, thereby removing the captured stone from the common bile duct. The loop may be bent to form a right angle in an unstressed opened configuration, while the capture pocket may be formed with a trap door or flap for preventing the loss of stones once they are caught in the capture pocket.