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 . A system for removing an obstruction from a blood vessel, comprising:
a catheter having a lumen;
an expandable capture element which is contained within the lumen of the catheter, the capture element being slidable within the lumen of the catheter between a collapsed position contained within the lumen and an expanded position in which the capture element is positioned outside the lumen; and
an obstruction engaging device having a filament, the filament being movable from a collapsed position to an expanded position, the obstruction engaging element passing through the catheter.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein:
the expandable capture element is naturally biased toward the expanded position when positioned outside the lumen.
3 . The system of claim 3 , wherein:
the expandable capture element has a support structure with a flexible cover attached to the support structure.
4 . The system of claim 3 , wherein:
the self-expanding support structure has a closed loop having integrally formed hinges.
5 . The system of claim 4 , wherein:
the hinges are V-shaped interconnecting elements.
6 . The system of claim 3 , wherein:
the support structure has a plurality of longitudinal struts extending from the loop.
7 . The system of claim 1 , wherein:
the capture element has an expandable loop at the distal end.
8 . The system of claim 7 , wherein:
the loop is formed by an eyelet with a control arm extending through the eyelet.
9 . The system of claim 1 , wherein:
the capture element has a flexible cover, the cover having a length which is at least three times an expanded diameter of the capture element.
10 . The system of claim 9 , wherein:
the length of the cover is at least five times the expanded diameter of the capture element.
11 . The system of claim 1 , wherein:
the engaging device has 1-4 filaments.
12 . A method of removing an obstruction from a blood vessel comprising the steps of:
providing a catheter, an obstruction engaging device and an expandable capture element, the capture element being contained within a lumen of the catheter in a collapsed position, the capture element moving to an expanded position when positioned outside the lumen, the obstruction engaging device having a filament which is movable from a collapsed position to an expanded position;
introducing the catheter into a blood vessel of a patient;
engaging an obstruction with the filament;
expanding the capture element; and
moving the obstruction into the capture element with the engaging device after the engaging and expanding steps.
13 . The method of claim 12 , wherein:
engaging step is carried out with the filament penetrating and ensnaring the obstruction.
14 . The method of claim 12 , wherein:
the expanding step is carried out with the capture element being naturally biased toward the expanded position with a self-expanding support structure.
15 . The method of claim 14 , wherein:
the providing step is carried out with a flexible material attached to the support structure.
16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein:
the providing step is carried out with the self-expanding support structure having a closed loop.
17 . The method of claim 15 , wherein:
the providing step is carried out with the loop being integrally formed.
18 . The method of claim 15 , wherein:
the providing step is carried out with the support structure has a plurality of longitudinal struts.
19 . The method of claim 18 , wherein:
the providing step is carried out with the loop being formed by a number of integrally formed hinges.
20 . The method of claim 19 , wherein:
the providing step is carried out with the hinges being V-shaped elements.
21 - 73 . (canceled)