Obstruction removal system
An obstruction removal device is described, having one or more engaging members which can engage portions of the clot. The one or more engaging members have a collapsed, delivery state, and an expanded, deployed state.
1. An obstruction removal device comprising:
a plurality of engaging members arranged end-to-end and connected together such that said engaging members are able to rotate independently of each other;
at least one proximal structure connected to said plurality of engaging members such that said at least one engaging member is allowed to rotate independently of said proximal structure;
said plurality of engaging members including a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration.
2. The obstruction removal device of claim 1 wherein in said expanded configuration, said plurality of engaging members forms a shape selected from the group consisting of round, oval, elliptical, hourglass, spherical.
3. The obstruction removal device of claim 1 wherein said plurality of engaging members comprises a proximal end, a distal end, and at least one strut between said proximal end and said distal end.
4. The obstruction removal device of claim 3 wherein said at least one strut between said proximal end and said distal end comprises a plurality of struts interconnected to span between said proximal end and said distal end.
5. The obstruction removal device of claim 4 wherein said plurality of interconnected struts comprises struts that are non-symmetrical with struts on an opposite side of said plurality of engaging members.
6. The obstruction removal device of claim 5 wherein said non-symmetrical struts are arranged to shift a center of gravity of said plurality of engaging members away from a geometric center thereof.
7. The obstruction removal device of claim 4 wherein said plurality of interconnected struts comprises a plurality of struts, no single strut of which spans between opposing holes.
8. The obstruction removal device of claim 4 wherein at least one of said plurality of interconnected struts comprises a feature selected from the group consisting of barb, bump, protrusion, spike, branch and nub.
9. The obstruction removal device of claim 1 further comprising a distal structure connected to the distal end of a distal-most engaging member.
10. The obstruction removal device of claim 9 wherein said distal structure is radiopaque.
11. The obstruction removal device of claim 1 wherein said proximal structure comprises a core wire arranged within a coil.
12. The obstruction removal device of claim 1 wherein said plurality of engaging members comprises a plurality of engaging members linked together with at least one connection mechanism.
13. The obstruction removal device of claim 12 wherein said at least one connection mechanism comprises a link passing through a proximal hole of one of said engaging members and a distal hole of an adjacent engaging member.
14. The obstruction removal device of claim 12 wherein at least two of said plurality of engaging members have different strut patterns.