Thrombus removal system and process

• US 20060224177A1
• Filed: 04/01/2005
• Published: 10/05/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/01/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nexgen Medical Systems, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nexgen Medical Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Finitsis, Stephanos
• Granted Patent: US 7,955,344 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/200
• 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 17/32056 Surgical snare instruments for removing or smashing calculi A61B2017/2212; tonsillotomes A61B17/26
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3207 Atherectomy devices working by cutting or abrading; Similar devices specially adapted for non-vascular obstructions A61B17/32037 takes precedence; endoscopic cutting instruments A61B17/320016
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2212 having a closed distal end, e.g. a loop

Abstract

A device captures and assists in the removal of a thrombus in arteries, even in small arteries. The device uses a soft coil mesh to engage the surface of a thrombus, and a guidewire is used to retract the soft coil mesh with the captured thrombus. The soft coil is formed by an elongated microcoil element that forms the helical elements of a macrocoil element. The microcoil element provides a relatively elastic effect to the helical element forming the macrocoil and allows for control of gripping forces on the thrombus while reducing non-rigid contact of the device with arterial walls.

Claims

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

a macrocoil thrombus engaging component having a length with a proximal end and a distal end, the length of the macrocoil comprising microcoils that allow the length of the macrocoil to be extendable;

a first wire capable of providing force on the distal end of the macrocoil;

a second wire capable of providing force on the proximal end of the macrocoil;

the macrocoil being capable of retracting to a maximum thickness of less than 0.001 mm when extended by the first wire and the second wire, and the microcoil being expandable to a width of at least 0.002 mm when distended by relative movement between the first wire and second wire.

2. The medical device of claim 1 wherein the macrocoil and the microcoil comprise non-thrombogenic compositions.

3. The medical device of claim 1 wherein the first wire on the proximal end of the macrocoil has a different thickness than the second wire on the distal end of the macrocoil.

4. The medical device of claim 1 wherein the first wire on the proximal end of the macrocoil and the second wire on the distal end of the macrocoil have the same thickness.

5. A method of capturing and retrieving a thrombus within vasculature of a living organism comprising:

inserting into the vasculature the medical device of claim 1;

positioning at least a portion of the macrocoil past a thrombus;

adjusting the position of section of the macrocoil with respect to the thrombus by movement of at least one of the first wire and second wire;

entraining the thrombus within coils of the macrocoil by movement of at least one of the first wire and second wire; and

removing the thrombus by withdrawing the medical device from the vasculature.

6. A method of capturing and retrieving a thrombus within vasculature of a living organism comprising:

inserting into the vasculature the medical device of claim 2;

positioning at least a portion of the macrocoil past a thrombus;

adjusting the position of section of the macrocoil with respect to the thrombus by movement of at least one of the first wire and second wire;

entraining the thrombus within coils of the macrocoil by movement of at least one of the first wire and second wire; and

removing the thrombus by withdrawing the medical device from the vasculature.

7. A method of capturing and retrieving a thrombus within vasculature of a living organism comprising:

inserting into the vasculature the medical device of claim 3;

positioning at least a portion of the macrocoil past a thrombus;

adjusting the position of section of the macrocoil with respect to the thrombus by movement of at least one of the first wire and second wire;

entraining the thrombus within coils of the macrocoil by movement of at least one of the first wire and second wire; and

removing the thrombus by withdrawing the medical device from the vasculature.

8. A method of capturing and retrieving a thrombus within vasculature of a living organism comprising:

inserting into the vasculature the medical device of claim 4;

positioning at least a portion of the macrocoil past a thrombus;

adjusting the position of section of the macrocoil with respect to the thrombus by movement of at least one of the first wire and second wire;

entraining the thrombus within coils of the macrocoil by movement of at least one of the first wire and second wire; and

removing the thrombus by withdrawing the medical device from the vasculature.

9. The method of claim 5 wherein the macrocoil and first and second wire are carried to a position adjacent the thrombus in a catheter having an exterior diameter with no portion of the macrocoil being expanded beyond the exterior diameter of the catheter.

10. The method of claim 6 wherein the macrocoil and first and second wire are carried to a position adjacent the thrombus in a catheter having an exterior diameter with no portion of the macrocoil being expanded beyond the exterior diameter of the catheter.

11. The method of claim 8 wherein the macrocoil and first and second wire are carried to a position adjacent the thrombus in a catheter having an exterior diameter with no portion of the macrocoil being expanded beyond the exterior diameter of the catheter.

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

providing a clot pulling device comprising the medical device of claim 1 having a pushing member coupled to the proximal end or distal end of the macrocoil proximally therefrom, providing the medical device within a catheter having a lumen extending therethrough;

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

advancing at least a portion of the macrocoil through the lumen of the catheter to a position distal of the area of interest;

expanding the macrocoil; and

entrapping a clot within the basket.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the macrocoil is carried to a position adjacent the thrombus in a catheter having an exterior diameter with no portion of the macrocoil being expanded beyond the exterior diameter of the catheter.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein a first and second wire attached to the macrocoil is also carried within the catheter to the position adjacent to the thrombus.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein at least one of the first and second wire is used to deploy the macrocoil from the catheter to assist in engaging the thrombus with the macrocoil.

16. The method of claim 12 wherein the catheter is positioned within a blood vessel within the brain adjacent the thrombus.

17. The method of claim 12 wherein the catheter is positioned within a blood vessel within the brain adjacent the thrombus.