Devices and methods for removal of acute blockages from blood vessels

• US 10,357,265 B2
• Filed: 03/12/2014
• Issued: 07/23/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Neuravi Limited (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Neuravi Limited (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Brady, Eamon, Casey, Brendan, Gilvarry, Michael, Hardiman, David, Vale, David
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Vi X
• Application Number:
  US14/774,110
• Publication Number:
  US 20160015402A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,959 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/221 Gripping devices in the form of loops or baskets for gripping calculi or similar types of obstructions surgical snare instruments A61B17/32056
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00526 Methods of manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00867 shape memory effect for prostheses A61F2210/0014
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00942 hydrophilic
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00951 adhesive
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22034 for gripping the obstruction or the tissue part from inside
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2212 having a closed distal end, e.g. a loop
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2217 single wire changing shape to a gripping configuration
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3966 Radiopaque markers visible in an X-ray image
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 31/022 Metals or alloys
• CPC Class Codes: B05D 1/322 Removable films used as masks
• CPC Class Codes: B05D 3/12 by mechanical means

Abstract

A clot retrieval device comprises an elongate shaft 104 and an expandable clot retrieval element 2101 on the shaft, the clot retrieval element comprising a framework formed from a substrate material such as Nitinol and having a plurality of struts 2105 and crowns 2102, at least some of the struts 2105 comprises at least one widened portion 2104 of the substrate material to provide enhanced radiopacity. The framework is coated with a radiopaque material such as gold. The device is rendered radiopaque with reduced damping effects.

Claims

1. A clot retrieval device comprising an elongate shaft and an expandable clot engaging element on the shaft, the clot engaging element comprising

a framework formed from a substrate material and having a plurality of sequentially spaced struts and crowns,

wherein to provide enhanced radiopacity, each strut comprises a plurality of widened portions each separated by a narrower regular strut section, wherein each widened portion is at least 50% wider than the narrower regular strut section along a length of the strut between the widened portions.

2. The clot retrieval device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the widened portion of the strut is at least 75%, at least 100%, at least 125%, at least 150%, at least 175%, at least 200%, at least 300% wider than the narrower regular strut section along a length of the strut between the widened portions.

3. The clot retrieval device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the widened portions have a length which is less than 100%, less than 75%, less than 50%, less than 25% of a length of the narrower regular strut section.

4. The clot retrieval device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the length of the regions of the strut between the widened portions is greater than 300%, greater than 400%, greater than 500%, greater than 600%, greater than 700%, greater than 800%, greater than 900% of the width of the strut.

5. The clot retrieval device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the clot engaging element is cut from a tube of uniform thickness.

6. The clot retrieval device as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the framework is coated with a radiopaque material.

7. The clot retrieval device as claimed in claim 6 wherein the coating material is Gold, Tantalum, Tungsten, Platinum or an alloy of one of these elements or other dense element or alloy containing one or more radiodense elements.

8. The clot retrieval device as claimed in claim 6 wherein the coating material comprises a polymer or adhesive filled with a dense or high atomic number material such as Barium Sulphate, Bismuth SubCarbonate, Barium OxyChloride, Gold, Tungsten, Platinum or Tantalum.

9. The clot retrieval device as claimed in claim 6 wherein the coating material is applied using an electroplating process, a dipping process, a plasma deposition process, an electrostatic process, a dip or spray coating process, a sputtering process, a soldering process, a cladding process or a drawing process.

10. The clot retrieval device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the substrate material has a density of less than 10 g/cm³, optionally less than 8 g/cm³.

11. The clot retrieval device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the substrate material is a superelastic material such as Nitinol or other super or pseudo elastic metallic alloy.

12. A clot retrieval device comprising

an elongate shaft and an expandable section, the expandable section comprising a framework of sequentially spaced strut elements and connections between the strut elements,

the framework being formed from a substrate material,

wherein to provide enhanced radiopacity, each strut element comprises a plurality of widened portions each separated by a narrower regular strut section, wherein each widened portion is at least 50% wider than the narrower regular strut section along a length of the strut between the widened portions.

13. The clot retrieval device as claimed in claim 12 wherein the connections comprise crown elements.

14. The clot retrieval device as claimed in claim 13 comprising a second coating on at least portion of the crown elements.

15. The clot retrieval device as claimed in claim 13 comprising a first coating on the strut elements and a second coating on the crown elements.

16. The clot retrieval device as claimed in claim 15 wherein the first and second coatings are of the same material.

17. The clot retrieval device as claimed in claim 15 wherein the first and second coatings are of different materials.

18. The clot retrieval device as claimed in claim 17 wherein at least a portion of the framework is coated with a radiopaque material such as gold.

19. The clot retrieval device as claimed in claim 15 wherein the thickness of the first coating varies along a length of a strut element.

20. The clot retrieval device as claimed in claim 12 comprising a first coating on at least portion of the strut elements.