Laser-cut clot puller

• US 20050038447A1
• Filed: 08/12/2003
• Published: 02/17/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/12/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Stryker European Operations Holdings, LLC (Stryker Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Scimed Life Systems Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Huffmaster, Andrew
• Granted Patent: US 7,316,692 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/127
• 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 2017/00867 shape memory effect for prostheses A61F2210/0014
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2215 having an open distal end
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/39 Markers, e.g. radio-opaque or breast lesions markers

Abstract

A device for removing blood clots and methods of making and using the same. The clot pulling device may include a first spine, a second spine disposed parallel to the first spine, and a basket disposed between and coupled to the spines. In addition, a pushing member may be coupled to the first spine and extend proximally therefrom.

Claims

1. A medical device for removing clots from a blood vessel, comprising:

a first longitudinally-oriented spine having a distal end;

a pushing member coupled to the proximal end of the first longitudinally-oriented spine and extending proximally therefrom; and

a clot-grabbing basket generally disposed between and coupled to the first longitudinally-oriented spine.

2. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the basket includes a proximal end and a distal end and wherein the distal end is attached to the first longitudinally-oriented spine and the proximal end is attached to the first longitudinally-oriented spine.

3. The medical device of claim 2, wherein the proximal end of the basket is open.

4. The medical device of claim 2, wherein the distal end of the basket is open.

5. The medical device of claim 2, wherein both the proximal end and the distal end of the basket are open.

6. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the first longitudinally-oriented spine includes a nickel-titanium alloy.

7. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the basket includes a nickel-titanium alloy.

8. The medical device of claim 1, where in the basket is adapted to shift between a first generally collapsed configuration and a second generally expanded configuration.

9. The medical device of claim 8, wherein the basket is biased to be in the second configuration.

10. The medical device of claim 8, wherein the basket is biased to be in the first configuration, and the basket is shifted to the second configuration using a pull wire.

11. The medical device of claim 8, wherein the basket is shifted from the first configuration toward the second configuration by distally advancing the pushing member.

12. The medical device of claim 8, wherein the basket includes a shape memory material and wherein the basket can be shifted between the first configuration and the second configuration by altering the temperature of the basket.

13. The medical device of claim 8, further comprising a second longitudinally-oriented spine, wherein the first longitudinally-oriented spine and the second longitudinally-oriented spine are closer together when the basket is in the first configuration and the first longitudinally-oriented spine and the second longitudinally-oriented spine move further apart when the basket shifts toward the second configuration.

14. The medical device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first longitudinally-oriented spine, and basket include a marker member coupled thereto.

15. A medical device, comprising:

a clot-pulling device including a first spine, a second spine generally parallel to the first spine, and a basket coupled to and disposed therebetween;

a shaft coupled to the first spine and extending proximally therefrom; and

an elongate catheter for delivering the clot-pulling device.

16. The medical device of claim 15, wherein the catheter includes a distal housing configured for having the clot-pulling device disposed therein.

17. The medical device of claim 15, wherein the catheter includes a lumen extending along the length thereof for advancing the clot-pulling device therethrough.

18. A method for removing clots from a blood vessel, comprising the steps of:

providing a clot pulling device including a first spine having a proximal end, a second spine disposed parallel to the first spine, a pushing member coupled to the proximal end of the first spine and extending proximally therefrom, and a basket disposed between and coupled to the first and second spines;

providing a catheter having a lumen extending therethrough;

advancing the catheter through a blood vessel to a location adjacent an area of interest;

advancing the clot pulling device through the lumen of the catheter to a position distally of the area of interest;

expanding the basket; and

entrapping a clot within the basket.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the step of advancing the catheter through a blood vessel to a location adjacent an area of interest includes disposing the clot pulling device in the lumen and advancing the catheter and clot pulling device through the blood vessel.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the step of advancing the clot pulling device through the lumen of the catheter to a position distally of the area of interest includes advancing the clot pulling device out from a distal end of the catheter.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein the step of advancing the clot pulling device through the lumen of the catheter to a position distally of the area of interest includes pushing the clot pulling in the distal direction with the pushing member.

22. The method of claim 18, wherein the step of expanding the basket includes applying force in the distal direction to the pushing member.

23. A method for removing clots from a blood vessel, comprising the steps of:

providing a clot pulling device including a first spine having a proximal end, a second spine disposed parallel to the first spine, a pushing member coupled to the proximal end of the first spine and extending proximally therefrom, and a basket disposed between and coupled to the first and second spines;

providing a catheter having a lumen extending therethrough;

disposing the clot pulling device within the lumen of the catheter;

advancing the catheter through a blood vessel to a location adjacent an area of interest;

proximally retracting the catheter relative to the clot pulling device;

expanding the basket; and

entrapping a clot within the basket.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the basket is self expanding so that the steps of proximally retracting the catheter relative to the clot pulling device and expanding the basket are combined into a single step.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein the step of expanding the basket includes applying force in the distal direction to the pushing member.