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;
a plurality of linkages;
each engaging member connected to an adjacent engaging member by a linkage, each of the plurality of engaging members having a radially expanded configuration and a radially compressed configuration;
at least one proximal structure connected to one of the plurality of engaging members;
each engaging member composed of struts, where some struts span only part of a length of the engaging member;
wherein the struts that span only part of the length of the engaging member terminate in a projection which is thicker than the struts;
wherein the projection is a radiopaque marker, further includes adhesive to bind the struts to the radiopaque marker; and wherein the adhesive forms rounded shapes at both ends of said radiopaque marker.
2. The obstruction removal device of claim 1 wherein the projection is a radiopaque marker coil.
3. The obstruction removal device of claim 1 wherein the struts that span only part of the length of the engaging member begin at a common region, branch away from each other, and merge at or before the projection.
4. The obstruction removal device of claim 1 wherein the struts defining the engaging member are slanted relative to the wall of a blood vessel.
5. The obstruction removal device of claim 1 wherein at least one engaging member is fixed and at least one engaging member is sliding.
6. An obstruction removal device comprising:
a plurality of engaging members;
a plurality of linkages;
each engaging member connected to an adjacent engaging member by a linkage, each of the plurality of engaging members having a radially expanded configuration and a radially compressed configuration;
at least one proximal structure connected to one of the plurality of engaging members;
each engaging member composed of struts, where some struts span only part of a length of the engaging member;
wherein the struts that span only part of the length of the engaging member terminate in a projection which is thicker than the struts;
wherein some of the plurality of engaging members are fixed and radially offset from each other.
7. An obstruction removal system comprising:
a plurality of engaging members configured to be transported through a sheath, the plurality of engaging members each adopting a collapsed shape within the sheath and an expanded shape outside of the sheath;
a plurality of linkages, each linkage connecting two of the plurality of engaging members;
at least one proximal structure connected to one of the plurality of engaging members;
each of the plurality of engaging members composed of struts, where some struts span only part of a length of the engaging member;
wherein the struts that span only part of the length of the engaging member terminate in a projection which is thicker than the struts;
wherein some of the plurality of engaging members are fixed and radially offset from each other.
8. The obstruction removal device of claim 7 wherein the projection is a radiopaque marker.
9. The obstruction removal device of claim 7 wherein the projection is a radiopaque marker coil.
10. The obstruction removal device of claim 7 wherein the struts that span only part of the length of the engaging member begin at a common region, branch away from each other, and merge at or before the projection.
11. The obstruction removal device of claim 7 wherein the struts defining the engaging member are slanted relative to the wall of a blood vessel.
12. The obstruction removal system of claim 7 wherein the struts which span only part of the length of the engaging member span only a proximal portion of said engaging member.
13. The obstruction removal system of claim 7 wherein the struts which span only part of the length of the engaging member span only a distal portion of said engaging member.
14. The obstruction removal device of claim 7 wherein at least one engaging member is fixed and at least one engaging member is sliding.