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

• US 8,267,940 B2
• Filed: 10/25/2004
• Issued: 09/18/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Stryker Corporation
• Original Assignee: Concentric Medical, Inc. (Stryker Corporation)
• Inventors: Sepetka, Ivan, Gia, Son, Miller, John, Pierce, Ryan, Aboytes, Maria, Ngo, Tiffany Tran
• Primary Examiner(s): McDermott, Corrine M
• Assistant Examiner(s): RYCKMAN, MELISSA K
• Application Number:
  US10/973,888
• Publication Number:
  US 20050059995A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,885 Days
• Field of Search: 606/113, 606/114, 606/127, 606/200, 606/110, 606/159
• US Class Current: 606/113
• 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 17/3207 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 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

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 removal device having an obstruction engaging portion, the obstruction engaging portion being movable from a collapsed shape to an expanded shape, the obstruction engaging portion being naturally biased toward the expanded shape, the obstruction removal device also having at least one flexible strand which has a proximal end coupled to the obstruction removal device at a proximal location and a distal end coupled to the obstruction removal device at a distal location, the proximal end of the flexible strand being slidably coupled to the obstruction removal device at the proximal location, the flexible strand being connected to a non-expanding portion of the obstruction removal device at the proximal location and the distal location, the obstruction engaging portion being positioned between the proximal and distal locations where the flexible strand is coupled to the obstruction removal device, the obstruction removal device being a single strand extending to a free end;

advancing the obstruction removal device through a patient'"'"'s vascular system to the obstruction;

introducing the obstruction engaging portion into the obstruction with the obstruction removal device in the collapsed shape;

permitting the obstruction engaging portion of the obstruction removal device to expand within the obstruction after the introducing step;

manipulating the obstruction removal device so that the obstruction engaging portion and the at least one flexible strand become entangled with the obstruction; and

removing the obstruction with the obstruction removal device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the providing step is carried out with the obstruction engaging portion forming a helical coil.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the providing step is carried out with the obstruction engaging portion forming a number of coils.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the providing step is carried out with a plurality of strands slidably coupled to the obstruction removal device.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the advancing step is carried out by advancing a distal end of the obstruction removal device through the obstruction with the obstruction removal device in the collapsed position; and

the permitting step is carried out with part of the obstruction removal device expanding distal to the obstruction and part of the obstruction removal device expanding within the obstruction.