Method and apparatus for increasing blood flow through an obstructed blood vessel
First Claim
1. An expandable member and a delivery system for removing an obstruction from a blood vessel, comprising:
- a delivery system; and
an expandable member comprising;
a proximal member end permanently attached to the delivery system;
a distal member end;
a member body extending between the proximal and distal member ends and, the member body expandable from a first diameter to a second diameter, the second diameter being larger than the first diameter, such that when the member body is expanded to the second diameter, the member body contacts at least a portion of the obstruction within a blood vessel to enhance blood flow through the blood vessel; and
said member body further comprising at least a portion of the member body 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 dislodged portion of the obstruction therethrough in a radial direction into the member body.
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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.
158 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An expandable member and a delivery system for removing an obstruction from a blood vessel, comprising:
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a delivery system; and an expandable member comprising; a proximal member end permanently attached to the delivery system; a distal member end; a member body extending between the proximal and distal member ends and, the member body expandable from a first diameter to a second diameter, the second diameter being larger than the first diameter, such that when the member body is expanded to the second diameter, the member body contacts at least a portion of the obstruction within a blood vessel to enhance blood flow through the blood vessel; and said member body further comprising at least a portion of the member body 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 dislodged portion of the obstruction therethrough in a radial direction into the member body. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification