Method and apparatus for increasing blood flow through an obstructed blood vessel
First Claim
1. An expandable member, comprising:
- a proximal member end;
a distal member end, longitudinally spaced from the proximal member end;
a tubular member body extending between the proximal and distal member ends and adapted to selectively contact at least a portion of an obstruction within a blood vessel in a radial direction, to dislodge at least one fragment from the obstruction, and to enhance blood flow through the blood vessel past the obstruction;
at least one of the proximal and distal member ends being closed;
the member body being made of a first mesh having a plurality of first interstices, at least one of the first interstices being adapted to allow passage of at least one fragment therethrough in a radial direction into the member body; and
a closed one of the proximal and distal member ends being made of a second mesh having a plurality of second interstices, at least one of the second interstices being adapted to selectively allow passage of at least one fragment therethrough.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method of increasing blood flow through an obstructed blood vessel includes providing an expandable member substantially made of a mesh having a plurality of interstices. The expandable member is inserted into the blood vessel, positioned within the blood vessel with the proximal member end upstream of the distal member end and the member body located radially adjacent at least a portion of an obstruction, and expanded to bring at least a portion of the member body into contact with the obstruction. An outward radial force is exerted on the obstruction to dislodge at least one fragment from the obstruction and to enhance blood flow through the blood vessel past the obstruction. The at least one fragment is passed through at least one interstice of the member body in the radial direction, and is selectively retained within the expandable member.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. An expandable member, comprising:
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a proximal member end; a distal member end, longitudinally spaced from the proximal member end; a tubular member body extending between the proximal and distal member ends and adapted to selectively contact at least a portion of an obstruction within a blood vessel in a radial direction, to dislodge at least one fragment from the obstruction, and to enhance blood flow through the blood vessel past the obstruction; at least one of the proximal and distal member ends being closed; the member body being made of a first mesh having a plurality of first interstices, at least one of the first interstices being adapted to allow passage of at least one fragment therethrough in a radial direction into the member body; and a closed one of the proximal and distal member ends being made of a second mesh having a plurality of second interstices, at least one of the second interstices being adapted to selectively allow passage of at least one fragment therethrough. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification