Method of removing a thrombus from a blood vessel

1. A method for mechanically capturing and removing a thrombus from a blood vessel, comprising:

providing a thrombus removal device comprising an aspiration catheter having a lumen, an elongate catheter slidably disposed within the lumen of the aspiration catheter, a filter body fixed to a distal end of the elongate catheter, and an inner catheter;

advancing the inner catheter through a patient's vasculature and contacting a thrombus;

advancing the filter body through the aspiration catheter to a location proximal of the thrombus;

allowing the filter body to self-expand adjacent the thrombus, the filter body made from a nickel-titanium alloy and forming a mesh;

delivering a thrombolytic drug to the thrombus in the vasculature;

capturing the thrombus within the filter body;

collapsing the filter body;

retrieving the filter body and captured thrombus into the aspiration catheter while applying aspiration from the distal end of the aspiration catheter; and

withdrawing the thrombus removal device from the blood vessel.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the filter body has an open distal end and a closed proximal end.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the filter body comprises stiffened members for causing the open distal end to partially close when the filter body is collapsed.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the inner catheter is rotatable.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the thrombolytic drug is delivered before advancing the thrombus removal device.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the inner catheter is a guidewire.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the inner catheter agitates the thrombus at a location distal to the filter body.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the filter body comprises a plurality of elongate legs having proximal ends joined at a hub along the distal end of the elongate catheter.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the elongate legs of the filter body form the mesh.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein a control mechanism is manually operated by a clinician for causing the inner catheter to agitate the thrombus.

11. A method for mechanically capturing and removing a thrombus from a blood vessel, comprising:

providing a thrombus removal device comprising a tubular aspiration catheter having a central lumen, an elongate catheter slidably disposed within the lumen of the aspiration catheter, a self-expanding filter body fixed to a distal end of the elongate catheter, and an inner catheter;

advancing the inner catheter through a blood vessel and toward a thrombus;

contacting the thrombus with the inner catheter;

advancing the elongate catheter and filter body through the central lumen of the aspiration catheter;

allowing the filter body to self-expand into contact with an inner surface of the blood vessel at a location distal to a distal end of the aspiration catheter and adjacent the thrombus, the filter body having a proximal end attached to the distal end of the elongate catheter, the filter body extending distally from the distal end of the elongate catheter, the filter body having a proximal end portion with a tapered shape and an open distal end sized to conform to the inner surface of the blood vessel while in an expanded configuration;

capturing at least a portion of the thrombus within the filter body;

retrieving the filter body and captured thrombus into the central lumen of the aspiration catheter while applying negative pressure along a proximal end of the aspiration catheter; and

withdrawing the thrombus removal device from the blood vessel.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the lumen of the aspiration catheter has a substantially constant diameter.

13. The method of claim 11 , wherein a thrombolytic drug is delivered before capturing the thrombus within the filter body.

14. The method of claim 11 , wherein the inner catheter contacts the thrombus at a location distal to the filter body.

15. The method of claim 11 , wherein the filter body comprises a plurality of elongate legs having proximal ends joined at a hub along the distal end of the elongate catheter.

16. The method of claim 11 , wherein the inner catheter is a guidewire.

17. A method for mechanically capturing and removing a thrombus from a blood vessel, comprising:

advancing an inner catheter through a blood vessel;

contacting a thrombus with the inner catheter;

advancing a self-expanding body toward the thrombus, the self-expanding body made from nickel-titanium and fixed to a distal end of an elongate catheter;

allowing the self-expanding body to self-expand into contact with an inner surface of the blood vessel, the self-expanding body having a proximal end attached to the distal end of the elongate catheter, the self-expanding body extending distally from the distal end of the elongate catheter, the self-expanding body having a tapered proximal end portion and an open distal end while in an expanded configuration;

capturing at least a portion of the thrombus with the self-expanding body;

retrieving the self-expanding body and captured thrombus into a lumen of an aspiration catheter while applying negative pressure along a proximal end of the aspiration catheter; and

removing the aspiration catheter, self-expanding body and captured thrombus from the blood vessel, thereby improving bloodflow through the blood vessel.

18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the inner catheter penetrates the thrombus.

19. The method of claim 17 , wherein the self-expanding body is allowed to self-expand into contact with the inner surface of the blood vessel at a location between a distal end of the aspiration catheter and the thrombus.

20. The method of claim 17 , wherein a thrombolytic drug is delivered into the blood vessel before capturing the thrombus.