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

• US 7,534,252 B2
• Filed: 01/18/2005
• Issued: 05/19/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Stryker Corporation
• Original Assignee: Concentric Medical, Inc. (Stryker Corporation)
• Inventors: Nguyen, Dan, Sepetka, Ivan, Vu, Emily, Miller, John, Pierce, Ryan, Gia, Son, Aboytes, Maria, Ngo, Tiffany Tran, Dieck, Martin
• Primary Examiner(s): TRUONG, KEVIN THAO
• Application Number:
  US11/038,906
• Publication Number:
  US 20050125024A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,582 Days
• Field of Search: 606/104, 606/113, 606/114, 606/127, 606/159, 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 device having a first obstruction removing element and a second obstruction removing element, the first and second obstruction removing elements both being movable from a collapsed position to an expanded position, the first and second obstruction removing elements being independently movable, the first obstruction removing element being an elongate element which extends to a free end and is naturally biased toward the expanded shape;

positioning the obstruction removing device in at least one catheter with the first and second obstruction removing elements in the collapsed position;

advancing the catheter through the obstruction;

moving the first obstruction removing element out of the catheter after the advancing step so that the obstruction removing element automatically expands toward the expanded position when positioned outside the catheter;

expanding the second obstruction removing element on an opposite side of the obstruction from the first obstruction engaging element so that the obstruction is positioned between the first and second obstruction removing elements; and

engaging the obstruction by moving at least one of the first and second obstruction removing elements.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the providing step is carried out with the first and second obstruction removing elements both being elongate elements which each extend to a free end.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the providing step is carried out with first obstruction removing element having a coiled shape extending to a free end.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the engaging step is carried out with the first obstruction removing element engaging the obstruction while the second obstruction removing element is positioned distal to the first obstruction removing element to form a trap which prevents the obstruction from traveling downstream.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the providing step is carried out with the first and second obstruction removing elements each extending through a lumen in the same catheter.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the engaging step is carried out with the first obstruction removing element engaging the obstruction while the second obstruction removing element is positioned downstream of the first obstruction removing element.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the engaging step is carried out with the second obstruction removing element positioned distal to the first obstruction removing element so that the second obstruction removing element forms a trap to prevent the obstruction from traveling downstream.