Systems, methods and devices for removing obstructions from a blood vessel

• US 20050216050A1
• Filed: 01/28/2005
• Published: 09/29/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Stryker Corporation
• Original Assignee: Concentric Medical, Inc. (Stryker Corporation)
• Inventors: Sepetka, Ivan, Vu, Emily, Miller, John, Pierce, Ryan, Fung, Norman, Ngo, Tiffany Tran, Nguyen, Dan
• Granted Patent: US 7,727,242 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/200
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/22031 Gripping instruments, e.g. forceps, for removing or smashing calculi A61B17/221 takes precedence
• 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 17/320725 with radially expandable cutting or abrading elements A61B17/32075 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1492 having a flexible, catheter-like structure, e.g. for heart ablation A61B18/1477 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00287 Bags for minimally invasive surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22034 for gripping the obstruction or the tissue part from inside
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22035 for retrieving or repositioning foreign objects
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22067 Blocking; Occlusion A61B2017/22054 takes precedence
• 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 2017/320716 comprising means for preventing embolism by dislodged material
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00214 Expandable means emitting energy, e.g. by elements carried thereon
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00898 Alarms or notifications created in response to an abnormal condition

Abstract

Devices and methods for removing an obstruction from a blood vessel are described. The devices are deployed in a collapsed condition and are then expanded within the body. The devices are then manipulated to engage and remove the obstruction.

Claims

1. A method of removing an obstruction from a blood vessel, comprising the steps of:

providing an obstruction removing element having an expandable portion which is movable from a collapsed position to an expanded position, the obstruction removing element also having a proximal portion and means for stopping distal advancement of the proximal portion of the element to prevent expansion of the obstruction engaging element beyond the expanded position, the preventing means being coupled to the proximal portion of the element;

advancing the obstruction removing element into the obstruction with the obstruction removing element in the collapsed position;

permitting the obstruction removing element to move toward the expanded shape after the advancing step; and

moving the obstruction removing element proximally to engage the obstruction, the preventing means preventing distal displacement of the proximal portion of the element relative to the insertion element when the obstruction removing element is moved proximally.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the providing step is carried out with the obstruction removing element forming a helical coil in the expanded position.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the providing step is carried out with the helical coil being coupled to an insertion element, the preventing means including a stop on the insertion element, the proximal end of the helical coil being slidable on the insertion element until contacting the stop.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein:

the providing step is carried out with the coil having a proximal end coupled to an insertion element, the filament having a proximal end coupled to the insertion element and a distal end coupled to the proximal portion of the coil.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the providing step is carried out with the preventing means including a filament coupled to an expandable portion of the obstruction removing element.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein:

the providing step is carried out with the obstruction engaging element having a proximal end coupled to an insertion element, the filament having a proximal end coupled to the insertion element and a distal end coupled to the expandable portion of the obstruction engaging portion.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein:

the providing step is carried out with the filament having a proximal end which is slidable on the insertion element.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the providing step is carried out with the proximal end of the obstruction engaging element being slidable on the insertion element.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein:

the providing step is carried out with a tether coupled to the proximal end of the obstruction engaging element, the tether being tensioned to move the proximal end of the obstruction engaging element proximally to collapse the expandable portion.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the providing step is carried out with the preventing means including a filament coupled to the expandable portion of the obstruction engaging portion, the expandable portion of the obstruction engaging portion extending from an insertion element, the filament being slidably coupled to the insertion element at a location proximal to the expandable portion of the obstruction engaging element.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

releasing the filament after the moving step to release tension on the filament.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the providing step is carried out with the stopping means including at least two filaments.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the providing step is carried out with the expandable portion of the element being mounted to an insertion element, the expandable portion having a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end being coupled to the insertion element and the proximal end being slidably coupled to the insertion element.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein:

the providing step is carried out with the filament being tensioned when limiting distal movement of the proximal end of the expandable portion relative to the insertion element.

15. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

providing a catheter;

advancing the catheter into the obstruction; and

positioning the obstruction removing element in the catheter; and

the permitting step being carried out by moving at least one of the catheter and obstruction removing element after the advancing step.

16. A device for removing an obstruction from a blood vessel, comprising:

an insertion element;

an expandable element coupled to the insertion element, the expandable element having a proximal portion slidably coupled to the insertion element and a distal portion coupled to a distal portion of the insertion element;

a filament having a proximal portion coupled to the insertion element and a distal portion coupled to the expandable element, wherein the filament limits distal movement of the proximal portion relative to the insertion element.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein:

the expandable element forms a helical shape.

18. The device of claim 16, wherein:

the filament has a proximal end which is slidably coupled to the insertion element.

19. The device of claim 16, wherein:

at least two filaments extend from the insertion element to the expandable element.

20. The device of claim 16, wherein:

the expandable element extends around the insertion element and forms a coil when expanded.

21. The device of claim 16, wherein:

the expandable element forms a coil having a plurality of windings; and

the filament is slidably coupled to a proximal winding of the plurality of windings.

22. The device of claim 21, wherein:

the expandable element has a distal end which is slidable on the insertion element.

23-65. -65. (canceled)