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

• US 8,409,215 B2
• Filed: 08/20/2009
• Issued: 04/02/2013
• 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, Nguyen, Dan, Miller, John, Pierce, Ryan, Ngo, Tiffany Tran, Fung, Norman
• Primary Examiner(s): WOODALL, NICHOLAS W
• Application Number:
  US12/583,599
• Publication Number:
  US 20100076452A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,321 Days
• Field of Search: 606/113, 606/114, 606/127, 606/159, 606/200, 128/898
• 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 17/320725 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 2017/00287 Bags for minimally invasive surgery
• 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 2017/22067 Blocking; Occlusion A61B2017/22054 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2212 having a closed distal end, e.g. a loop
• 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 for removing an obstruction from a blood vessel, comprising the steps of:

providing an obstruction removing device having an insertion element, a tether, a plurality of filaments, and an expandable element coupled to the insertion element, the expandable element being naturally biased toward an expanded shape, the expandable element having a proximal portion slidably coupled to the insertion element and a distal portion which is rotatably coupled to the insertion element, the tether being coupled to the proximal portion of the expandable element, the tether being tensioned to collapse the expandable element onto the insertion element, the plurality of filaments each having no predetermined shape, each of the plurality of filaments having a proximal portion coupled to the insertion element and a distal portion coupled to the expandable element;

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

manipulating the obstruction removing device to ensnare the obstruction, wherein the filaments limit distal movement of the expandable element relative to the insertion element during manipulation.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the providing step is carried out with each of the filaments having a proximal end which is slidably coupled to the insertion element.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the providing step is carried out with the expandable element extending around the insertion element and forming a coil when expanded.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the providing step is carried out with the expandable element forming a coil having a plurality of windings, the plurality of filaments being coupled to the windings.