Systems, methods and devices for removing obstructions from a blood vessel
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.
1 - 28 . (canceled)
29 . A method of removing an obstruction from a blood vessel, comprising the steps of:
providing an obstruction engaging element and a catheter having an interlocking structure, the obstruction engaging element being movable from a position within the catheter to a position outside the catheter;
advancing the catheter into an obstruction;
withdrawing the catheter after the advancing step so that the interlocking structure remains within the obstruction; and
moving the element so that the element becomes entangled with the obstruction and the interlocking structure.
30 . The method of claim 29 , wherein:
the providing step is carried out with the interlocking structure being a loose, flexible structure;
the withdrawing step being carried out with the loose, flexible interlocking structure being held by the obstruction so that the loose, flexible structure remains within the obstruction.
31 . The method of claim 30 , wherein:
the advancing step is carried out with the interlocking structure being a loose, flexible structure which lies loosely against an outer wall of the catheter.
32 . The method of claim 30 , wherein:
the providing step is carried out with the flexible structure including at least one filament.
33 . The method of claim 30 , wherein:
the providing step is carried out with the filament forming at least one closed loop.
34 . The method of claim 33 , wherein:
the providing step is carried out with the interlocking structure including at least four closed loops.
35 . The method of claim 33 , wherein:
the providing step is carried out with a plurality of closed loops having different sizes.
36 . The method of claim 32 , wherein:
the providing step is carried out with the filament having at least one radiopaque material attached thereto.
37 . The method of claim 36 , wherein:
the providing step is carried out with the radiopaque material being formed as discrete beads, tubes or coils on the filament.
38 . The method of claim 29 , wherein:
the moving step is carried out by moving the element proximally into engagement with the obstruction after the withdrawing step.
39 . The method of claim 29 , wherein:
the providing step is carried out with the obstruction engaging element being naturally biased to an expanded position.
40 . The method of claim 39 , wherein:
the providing step is carried out with the obstruction engaging element extending through a lumen in the catheter.
41 . The method of claim 40 , wherein:
the moving step is carried out by permitting the obstruction engaging element to expand.
42 . The method of claim 40 , wherein:
the moving step is carried out by rotating the obstruction engaging element so that the element becomes entangled with the interlocking structure.
43 . The method of claim 29 , further comprising the step of:
exposing part of the obstruction engaging element before completing the withdrawing step.
44 . The method of claim 43 , wherein:
the exposing step is carried out before beginning the withdrawing step.
45 . The method of claim 29 , wherein:
the providing step is carried out with the interlocking structure being a tube of material.
46 . The method of claim 45 , wherein:
the providing step is carried out with the tube having a plurality of slots therein.
47 . The method of claim 46 , wherein:
the moving step is carried out with the element extending into the slots in the tube.
48 - 80 . (canceled)