METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR TREATING SMALL VESSEL THROMBOEMBOLISMS
A device and method for intravascular treatment of an embolism, and particularly an embolism within a small vessel, is disclosed herein. One aspect of the present technology, for example, is directed toward a clot treatment device that includes a support member configured to extend through a delivery catheter and a plurality of clot engagement members positioned about the circumference of a distal portion of the support member. The individual clot engagement members can have a first portion and a second portion extending from the first portion, and the first portions can have a proximal region attached to the support member. In the deployed state, the individual second portions can extend from the distal region of one of the first portions and project radially outwardly relative to the support member in a curve that has a proximally extending section which defines a proximally facing concave portion.
1 - 20 . (canceled)
21 . A method of treating a cerebral or coronary embolism that at least partially restricts blood flow through a small vessel, the method comprising:
deploying an embolectomy device within the embolism in the small vessel by penetrating clot material with a plurality of clot engagement members, wherein individual clot engagement members extend into the clot material along an arcuate path that extends radially outward and proximally with respect to the elongated shaft, and then curve radially inwardly, whereby the clot material is held by the clot engagement members;
moving the embolectomy device and at least a portion of the embolism along the small vessel; and
withdrawing the embolectomy device and at least a portion of the embolism from the small vessel.
22 . The method of claim 21 wherein deploying the embolectomy device comprises expanding the clot engagement members into arcuate shapes, each having a concave portion facing proximally.
23 . The method of claim 21 wherein withdrawing the embolectomy device comprises urging the portion of the embolism into a catheter while applying a vacuum through the catheter.
24 . The method of claim 21 wherein retraction of the device includes extracting at least some clot material and increasing flow in the small vessel where flow had been reduced by the presence of a thrombus.
25 . The method of claim 21 wherein individual clot engagement members have a first portion and a second portion extending from the first portion, and wherein individual first portions have a proximal region attached to the support member and a distal region, and wherein the first portions extend distally in a longitudinal direction from the proximal region to the distal region.
26 . The method of claim 25 wherein individual second portions further include an end section curving radially inward from the proximally extending section.
27 . The method of claim 25 wherein individual clot engagement members have a proximal region that is fixed to a distal portion of the embolectomy device.
28 . The method of claim 21 , further comprising improving blood flow to ischemic tissue.
29 . The method of claim 21 , wherein the small vessel is a cerebral vessel.
30 . The method of claim 21 , wherein the small vessel is a coronary vessel.