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An embodiment of a medical retrieval device includes a sheath having a proximal end and a distal end, a handle at the proximal end of the sheath, and a basket. The basket has a collapsed position when the basket is within the sheath and collapsed and an expanded position when the basket is positione

An embodiment of a medical retrieval device includes a sheath having a proximal end and a distal end, a handle at the proximal end of the sheath, and a basket. The basket has a collapsed position when the basket is within the sheath and collapsed and an expanded position when the basket is positioned beyond the distal end of the sheath and expanded. The basket includes a plurality of legs, at least one leg having a frangible portion wherein the at least one leg breaks upon application of a predetermined force to the basket. A distal portion of the plurality of legs may be formed from a single piece of material.

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What is claimed is: 1. A medical retrieval device, comprising: a sheath including a proximal end and a distal end; a handle at the proximal end of the sheath; and a basket having a collapsed position when the basket is within the sheath and collapsed and an expanded position when the basket is posi

What is claimed is: 1. A medical retrieval device, comprising: a sheath including a proximal end and a distal end; a handle at the proximal end of the sheath; and a basket having a collapsed position when the basket is within the sheath and collapsed and an expanded position when the basket is positioned beyond the distal end of the sheath and expanded, the basket comprising three or more legs, at least one leg comprising a frangible portion wherein the at least one leg breaks upon application of a predetermined force to the basket, the distal portions of the three or more legs being a single integral piece of material, and the frangible portion including a plurality of separate points of structural weakness at a distal end of the basket, the separate points being weaker than portions adjacent to the separate points at the distal end of the basket. 2. The device of claim 1, wherein each of the legs comprises a distal end portion, the distal end portion of the at least one leg comprising a break point. 3. The device of claim 1, wherein the frangible portion of at least one leg is laser etched. 4. The device of claim 1, wherein the frangible portion of at least one leg is laser cut. 5. The device of claim 1, wherein the frangible portion of at least one leg is stamped. 6. The device of claim 1, wherein the frangible portion of at least one leg comprises at least one perforation. 7. The device of claim 1, wherein the frangible portion of at least one leg comprises at least one notch. 8. The device of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of at least one leg is manufactured from or coated with an electrically alterable substance that is altered by the application of an electrical current that does not damage tissue. 9. The device of claim 8, wherein the electrically alterable substance is polyacetylene, polyaniline, polyphenylene, stainless steel, platinum, or gold. 10. The device of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of at least one leg is manufactured from or coated with a thermally alterable substance that is altered by a thermal change that does not damage tissue. 11. The device of claim 10, wherein the thermally alterable substance is ethylene-vinyl acetate or ethylene-methyl acrylate. 12. The device of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of at least one leg is manufactured from or coated with a chemically alterable substance that is altered by a chemical change that does not damage tissue. 13. The device of claim 12, wherein the chemically alterable substance is hydroxyapatite, acrylic-methacrylic acid, or ethylcellulose. 14. The device of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of at least one leg is manufactured or coated with an adhesive substance that does not adhere to, or damage, tissue. 15. The device of claim 14, wherein the adhesive substance is acrylic-methacrylic acid, silicone, urethane, or isooctylacrylate. 16. The device of claim 1, wherein the distal portion of the three or more legs is attached to a proximal end portion of the basket by one of gluing, soldering, and welding. 17. The device of claim 1, wherein the frangible portion is disposed proximate a distal end of the at least one leg. 18. The device of claim 1, wherein the frangible portion has a thickness that is less than a thickness of a remainder of the at least one leg. 19. The device of claim 18, wherein the thickness of the frangible portion is about 10%-85% less than the thickness of the remainder of the at least one leg. 20. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one leg is tapered. 21. The device of claim 1, wherein a distal portion of the at least one leg includes a width that is less than a width of a remainder of the at least one leg. 22. The device of claim 1, wherein the distal portion is made of a different material than a proximal end portion of the basket. 23. The device of claim 1, wherein the basket comprises four or more legs. 24. A method for removing a material from a body tract, comprising the steps of: providing a medical retrieval device, comprising: a sheath including a proximal end and a distal end; a handle at the proximal end of the sheath; and a basket having a collapsed position when the basket is within the sheath and collapsed and an expanded position when the basket is positioned beyond the distal end of the sheath and expanded, the basket comprising three or more legs, at least one leg comprising a frangible portion wherein the at least one leg breaks upon application of a predetermined force to the basket, the distal portions of the three or more legs being a single integral piece of material, and the frangible portion including a plurality of separate points of structural weakness at a distal end of the basket, the separate points being weaker than portions adjacent to the separate points at the distal end of the basket; inserting the device into a body tract; moving the basket into an extended position; maneuvering the device until the material is trapped inside the basket; moving the basket into a retracted position; and withdrawing the device from the body tract. 25. The method of claim 24, further comprising the step of providing a predetermined force to the basket. 26. The method of claim 24, wherein the distal portion of the plurality of legs is attached to a proximal end portion of the basket by one of gluing, soldering, and welding. 27. The method of claim 24, wherein the frangible portion is disposed proximate a distal end of the at least one leg. 28. The method of claim 24, wherein the frangible portion has a thickness that is less than a thickness of a remainder of the at least one leg. 29. The method of claim 28, wherein the thickness of the frangible portion is about 10% -85% less than the thickness of the remainder of the at least one leg. 30. The method of claim 24, wherein the at least one leg is tapered. 31. The method of claim 24, wherein a distal portion of the at least one leg includes a width that is less than a width of a remainder of the at least one leg. 32. The method of claim 24, wherein each of the legs comprises a distal end portion, the distal end portion of the at least one leg comprising a break point. 33. The method of claim 24, wherein the frangible portion of at least one leg is laser etched. 34. The method of claim 24, wherein the frangible portion of at least one leg comprises at least one perforation. 35. The method of claim 24, wherein the frangible portion of at least one leg comprises at least one notch. 36. The method of claim 24, wherein at least a portion of at least one leg is manufactured from or coated with an electrically alterable substance that is altered by the application of an electrical current that does not damage tissue. 37. The method of claim 24, wherein at least a portion of at least one leg is manufactured from or coated with a thermally alterable substance that is altered by a thermal change that does not damage tissue. 38. The method of claim 24, wherein at least a portion of at least one leg is manufactured from or coated with a chemically alterable substance that is altered by a chemical change that does not damage tissue. 39. The method of claim 24, wherein at least a portion of at least one leg is manufactured or coated with an adhesive substance that does not adhere to, or damage, tissue. 40. The method of claim 24, wherein the distal portion is made of a different material than a proximal end portion of the basket. 41. The method of claim 24, wherein the basket comprises four or more legs. 42. A medical retrieval device, comprising: a sheath including a proximal end and a distal end; a handle at the proximal end of the sheath; and a basket having a collapsed position when the basket is within the sheath and collapsed and an expanded position when the basket is positioned beyond the distal end of the sheath and expanded, the basket comprising three or more legs having a distal end formed of a single integral piece of material, at least one leg of the basket including a frangible portion having multiple perforations at a distal end of the basket, the frangible portion being configured to break upon the application of a predetermined force to dissociate, at the distal end, the at least one leg from the other legs of the basket which remain associated at the distal end. 43. A method for removing a material from a body tract, comprising the steps of: providing a medical retrieval device, comprising: a sheath having a proximal end and a distal end; a handle at the proximal end of the sheath; and a basket having a collapsed position when the basket is within the sheath and an expanded position when the basket is positioned beyond the distal end of the sheath, the basket comprising three or more legs having a distal formed of a single integral piece of material, at least one leg of the basket including a frangible portion having multiple perforations at a distal end of the basket, the frangible portion being configured to break upon the application of a predetermined force to dissociate, at the distal end, the at least one leg from the other legs of the basket which remain associated at the distal end; inserting the device into a body tract; moving the basket into an extended position; maneuvering the device until the material is trapped inside the basket; moving the basket into a retracted position; and withdrawing the device from the body tract.