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

• US 7,727,243 B2
• Filed: 01/28/2005
• Issued: 06/01/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Stryker Corporation
• Original Assignee: Concentric Medical, Inc. (Stryker Corporation)
• Inventors: Sepetka, Ivan, Vu, Emily, Miller, John, Pierce, Ryan, Fung, Norman, Ngo, Tiffany Tran, Nguyen, Dan
• Primary Examiner(s): TRUONG, KEVIN THAO
• Application Number:
  US11/046,563
• Publication Number:
  US 20050216030A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,950 Days
• Field of Search: 606/127, 606/200, 606/113, 606/114, 606/159
• US Class Current: 606/127
• 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 17/24 for use in the oral cavity, larynx, bronchial passages or nose for medical inspection of cavities or tubes in the body A61B1/00; Tongue scrapers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/320725 with radially expandable cutting or abrading elements A61B17/32075 takes precedence
• 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 2017/2217 single wire changing shape to a gripping configuration
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320716 comprising means for preventing embolism by dislodged material
• 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: A61M 29/00 Dilators with or without means for introducing media, e.g. remedies instruments for performing visual medical inspections of cavities or tubes of the body A61B1/00

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 patient, comprising the steps of:

providing an obstruction removing device having an insertion element and an obstruction engaging portion movable from a collapsed position to an expanded position, the obstruction removing device also having a releasable connection;

introducing the obstruction removing device into a patient in the collapsed position;

engaging an obstruction with the obstruction engaging portion;

releasing the releasable connection of the obstruction engaging device after the engaging step, wherein the obstruction engaging portion remains attached to the insertion element after releasing the releasable connection, the releasable connection being automatically released upon application of a threshold force; and

removing the obstruction removing device after the releasing step with the obstruction engaging portion remaining attached to the insertion element.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the releasing step is carried out with the releasable connection being an elongate element.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the releasing step is carried out with the releasable connection being in tension during the engaging step.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the releasing step is carried out with the releasable connection being in tension prior to release.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the releasing step is carried out with the releasable connection being an electrolytically severable bond.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the releasing step reduces the engagement between the device and the obstruction.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the releasing step is carried out with upon application of the threshold force of less than five lbs.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the providing step is carried out with the obstruction engaging portion being naturally biased toward the expanded position.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

releasing another releasable connection on the obstruction removing device.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the providing step is carried out with the releasable connection being part of a flexible filament having no predetermined shape.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the providing step is carried out with the releasable connection being positioned along a loop of material; and

the releasing step eliminates the loop.