Expansible shearing catheters for thrombus and occlusive material removal

Abstract

Devices, methods, kits, and methods remove obstructive material from the vasculature and other body lumens. Expansible baskets may be used as cooperating radially expansible shearing members. Helically oriented struts of each basket may wind in a uniform circumferential direction. The struts can be independently flexible, allowing the shearing members to flex axially together. The inner basket may be rotatably driven and may use an axial pump extending proximally from the shearing members and/or a distal penetrator for advancing into an occlusion which inhibits guidewire access. The struts may slide substantially continuously across each other, and may be sufficiently aggressive for highly effective thrombectomy. A rotationally static and axially flexible outer basket may provide a safe, limited atherectomy treatment.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A component for use in a catheter device for removal of obstructive material from the lumen of a body conduit, said component comprising: 
 first and second end portions having a longitudinal axis therebetween;    a middle portion having at least one second cross sectional diameter and further comprising one or more flexible struts around the circumference of said longitudinal axis and extending between, but not along, said first end portion and said second end portion; and    wherein said middle portion and said end portions are formed from a continuous tube.    
     
     
         2 . The component of  claim 1 , wherein said struts comprise a helix about said longitudinal axis.  
     
     
         3 . The component of  claim 1 , wherein said struts are formed in a straight configuration along said longitudinal axis and between said first and second end portions.  
     
     
         4 . The component of  claim 1 , wherein the struts have a width and a radial thickness, wherein said width is greater than said thickness.  
     
     
         5 . The vascular obstruction removal catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the outer shearing member has a coating or covering which allows capture of embolic debris.  
     
     
         6 . The component of  claim 4 , wherein said width of said strut is varied along the length of said strut.  
     
     
         7 . The component  claim 6 , wherein said width is varied along the length of said strut so as to form at least one serration or pocket.  
     
     
         8 . The component of  claim 4 , wherein the thickness of said strut is varied along the length of said strut.  
     
     
         9 . The component of  claim 4 , wherein said thickness of said strut is varied along the length of said strut so as to form a cutting edge.  
     
     
         10 . The component of  claim 1 , wherein cross sections of said first and said second end portions is less than a cross section of said middle section.  
     
     
         11 . The component of  claim 1 , wherein said component is formed by laser cutting, by photoetching, by EDM, or by water jet abrasion.  
     
     
         12 . The component of  claim 1 , wherein said first and second end portions are formed in a zigzag configuration.  
     
     
         13 . The component of  claim 1 , wherein said first and second end portions have a longitudinal length that is less than that of said middle portion.  
     
     
         14 . The component of  claim 1 , wherein said component comprises a shape memory metal.  
     
     
         15 . The component of  claim 14 , wherein said shape memory metal comprises a nickel titanium alloy.  
     
     
         16 . The component of  claim 14 , wherein said shape memory metal comprises Elgiloy®.  
     
     
         17 . The component of  claim 1 , wherein said component comprises stainless steel.  
     
     
         18 . The component of  claim 1 , wherein said component comprises a formable polymer.  
     
     
         19 . The component of  claim 1 , wherein said component comprises a composite material.  
     
     
         20 . A component for use in a catheter device for removal of obstructive material from the lumen of a body conduit, said component comprising: 
 first and second end portions having a longitudinal axis there between;    a middle portion having a plurality of struts forming a helix around the circumference of said longitudinal axis and extending between but not including, said first end portion and said second end portion,    wherein said middle portion and said end portions are formed from a continuous tube.    
     
     
         21 . A component of  claim 20 , wherein said plurality of struts are axially connected to adjacent struts by an expandable connector element.  
     
     
         22 . A component of  claim 21 , wherein said expandable connector element has a serpentine configuration.  
     
     
         23 . A component of  claim 21 , wherein said expandable connector element has a zigzag configuration.