The present invention provides a snare for intravascular use having an elongate proximal member and a loop-shaped distal segment oriented at an angle to the adjacent portion of the proximal member. The snare may be formed of a superelastic shape memory alloy, which permits the distal segment to be collapsed...http://www.google.ca/patents/US5171233?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US5171233 - Snare-type probe
