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

• US 7,285,126 B2
• Filed: 01/22/2002
• Issued: 10/23/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Stryker Corporation
• Original Assignee: Concentric Medical, Inc. (Stryker Corporation)
• Inventors: Sepetka, Ivan, Vu, Emily, Miller, John, Pierce, Ryan, Gia, Son, Aboytes, Maria, Ngo, Tiffany Tran, Nguyen, Dan, Dieck, Martin
• Primary Examiner(s): TRUONG, KEVIN THAO
• Application Number:
  US10/055,714
• Publication Number:
  US 20020123765A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,100 Days
• Field of Search: 606/113, 606/127, 606/159, 606/114, 606/200
• 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 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 2017/22035 for retrieving or repositioning foreign objects
• 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: A61B 2090/034 abutting on parts of the device itself
• 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: A61M 2025/0096 being laterally outward extensions or tools, e.g. hooks or fibres
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/10 : Balloon catheters A61M25/0125 takes precedence; embolectomy A61B17/22032; retractors A61B17/02; inflatable balloons for placing stents or stent-grafts A61F2/958 ; stomach balloons for treatment of obesity A61F5/0003; oesophagal tubes A61J15/00

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 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, wherein the obstruction element including a helical coil coupled to an insertion element, the preventing means including a stop in the insertion element, the proximal end of the helical coil being distally slidable on the insertion element unit contacting the stop;

advancing the obstruction removing element into the obstruction with the obstruction removing element in the collapsed position so that at least part of the obstruction removing element is positioned within the obstruction;

permitting the obstruction removing element, including the part of the obstruction removing element positioned within the obstruction, to move toward the expanded shape after the advancing step; and

moving the obstruction removing element proximally to further engage the obstruction with the obstruction removing element, 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, 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.