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

• US 20080215077A1
• Filed: 12/28/2007
• Published: 09/04/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• 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
• Application Number:
  US12/006,107
• Publication Number:
  US 20080215077A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/159
• 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 18/1492 having a flexible, catheter-like structure, e.g. for heart ablation A61B18/1477 takes precedence
• 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 2017/2215 having an open distal end
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2217 single wire changing shape to a gripping configuration
• 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
• 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 2230/0091 helically-coiled or spirally-coiled, i.e. having a 2-D spiral cross-section
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0068 Static characteristics of the catheter tip, e.g. shape, atraumatic tip, curved tip or tip structure
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0074 Dynamic characteristics of the catheter tip, e.g. openable, closable, expandable or deformable
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/008 Strength or flexibility characteristics of the catheter tip
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0082 Catheter tip comprising a tool

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 elongate obstruction removing element, the element being naturally biased toward an expanded shape, the expanded shape forming a plurality of coils;

positioning the element in a collapsed position, wherein at least one strand also extends along the elongate obstruction removing element;

advancing the element into an obstruction while holding the element in the collapsed configuration;

releasing the element so that the element naturally expands toward the expanded shape, wherein the at least one strand extends between the plurality of coils;

engaging an obstruction with the element; and

removing the element thereby removing the obstruction.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the providing step is carried out with the element having a free end.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the positioning step is carried out with the free end being at the distal most part of the element.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the engaging step is carried out by pulling the element proximally to engage and dislodge the obstruction.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the positioning step is carried out with a plurality of strands coupled to the element; and

the expanding step is carried out with the plurality of strands extending between the plurality of coils.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the positioning step is carried out with the strand being coupled to the element at a proximal location and a distal location, the proximal and distal locations being located at proximal and distal ends of the plurality of coils.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the providing step is carried out with a filament wrapped around the coil.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the expanding step is carried out with the strands being held by the filament.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the expanding step is carried out with the strands being held between windings of the filament at a location dependent upon expansion of the element.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the expanding step is carried out with the element expanding in a helical motion so that the helical motion causes the strand to engage the element at a location dependent upon expansion of the element.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the expanding step is carried out with the element rotating as it emerges from the catheter, wherein rotation of the element causes the strand to become entangled with the element at locations dependent upon expansion of the element.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the providing step is carried out with the coils having an axis which is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the device.

13-73. -73. (canceled)