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

• US 20060195137A1
• Filed: 10/13/2005
• Published: 08/31/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Stryker Corporation
• Original Assignee: Concentric Medical, Inc. (Stryker Corporation)
• Inventors: Sepetka, Ivan, Miller, John, Pierce, Ryan, Gia, Son, Aboytes, Maria, Ngo, Tiffany Tran, Dieck, Martin
• Granted Patent: US 8,298,257 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/200
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/22 Implements for squeezing-off ulcers or the like on the inside of inner organs of the body; Implements for scraping-out cavities of body organs, e.g. bones; Calculus removers; Calculus smashing apparatus; Apparatus for removing obstructions in blood vessels, not otherwise provided for dilators A61M29/00
• 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 2017/00336 with a protective sleeve, e.g. retractable or slidable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22034 for gripping the obstruction or the tissue part from inside
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22094 for crossing total occlusions, i.e. piercing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2212 having a closed distal end, e.g. a loop
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2215 having an open distal end
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2217 single wire changing shape to a gripping configuration
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/011 Instruments for their placement or removal
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/013 Distal protection devices, i.e. devices placed distally in combination with another endovascular procedure, e.g. angioplasty or stenting
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/016 made from wire-like elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/018 made from tubes or sheets of material, e.g. by etching or laser-cutting
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0067 conical
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0091 helically-coiled or spirally-coiled, i.e. having a 2-D spiral cross-section
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0065 telescopic

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 elongate element, the elongate element forming a plurality of expandable structures along an obstruction engaging portion, the plurality of structures being movable from a collapsed position to an expanded position, the plurality of structures being formed by the elongate element with adjacent structures being formed so that adjacent structures are wound in opposite directions;

positioning the obstruction removing element in the collapsed position;

advancing the obstruction removing element into an obstruction; and

permitting the obstruction engaging element to expand after the advancing step so that the plurality of structures move toward the expanded position and engage the obstruction.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the advancing step is carried out with the obstruction removing element being positioned within a catheter.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the providing step is carried out with the discrete structures each forming a loop structure.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the providing step is carried out with the loop structure being circular.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the providing step is carried out with the elongate element extending to a free end, the plurality of structures being formed by sections of the elongate element.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein:

the expandable structures wind 315 to 405 degrees when viewed along the longitudinal axis.

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

a delivery catheter;

an obstruction removing element contained within the delivery catheter, the element being movable from a collapsed position to an expanded position, the obstruction removing element having a wire which extends to a free end, the obstruction removing element forming a plurality of structures when in the expanded position, the delivery catheter holding the element in the collapsed position, the plurality of structures being formed by the elongate element with adjacent structures being wound in opposite directions when viewed along the longitudinal axis.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein:

the discrete structures each form a loop structure.

8. The device of claim 6, wherein:

the discrete structures form loop structure which are circular.

9. The device of claim 6, wherein:

the elongate element extends to a free end, the plurality of structures being formed by sections of the elongate element.

10. The device of claim 6, wherein:

the plurality of structures are formed by a continuous length of the elongate element.

11. The device of claim 6, wherein:

the plurality of structures are separated by substantially straight sections of the elongate element.

12. The device of claim 6, wherein:

the plurality of structures are formed continuously one after the other by the elongate element.

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

providing an obstruction removing element including an elongate element having a longitudinal axis, the elongate element forming a plurality of expandable structures along an obstruction engaging portion, the plurality of structures being movable from a collapsed position to an expanded position, the plurality of structures being formed by the elongate element with adjacent structures being formed so that adjacent structures wind in opposite directions when viewed along the longitudinal axis;

positioning the obstruction removing element in the collapsed position;

advancing the obstruction removing element into an obstruction; and

permitting the obstruction engaging element to expand after the advancing step so that the plurality of structures move toward the expanded position and engage the obstruction.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein:

the permitting step is carried out with the expandable structures winding 315-405 degrees when viewed along the longitudinal axis.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein:

the providing step is carried out with the plurality of discrete structures each forming a loop structure.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein:

the providing step is carried out with the loop structure being circular.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein:

the providing step is carried out with the elongate element extending to a free end, the plurality of structures being formed by sections of the elongate element.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein:

the providing step is carried out with the plurality of structures being formed by a continuous length of the elongate element.

20. The method of claim 14, wherein:

the providing step is carried out with the plurality of structures being separated by substantially straight sections of the elongate element.

21. The method of claim 14, wherein:

the providing step is carried out with the plurality of structures being formed continuously one after the other by the elongate element.

22. The method of claim 14, wherein:

the providing step is carried out with the plurality of structures being formed continuously one after the other by the elongate element.

23. The method of claim 14, wherein:

the providing step is carried out with the obstruction removing element having a flexible filament, the flexible filament being coupled to at least one of the expandable structures.

24. The method of claim 14, wherein:

the providing step is carried out with the obstruction removing element having an expandable distal section positioned distal to the plurality of structures.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein:

the permitting step is carried out with the distal section expanding distal to the obstruction.

26. The method of claim 14, wherein:

the permitting step is carried out with the plurality of structures being positioned adjacent to the obstruction when expanded so that the plurality of structures expand into engagement with the obstruction.

27. The method of claim 14, wherein:

the providing step is carried out with the obstruction removing element having a proximal section positioned proximal to the plurality of structures.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein:

the permitting step is carried out with the proximal section expanding proximal to the obstruction.