Methods for restoring blood flow within blocked vasculature

Abstract

The devices and methods described herein relate to clearing of blockages within body lumens, such as the vasculature, by addressing the frictional resistance on the obstruction prior to attempting to translate and/or mobilize the obstruction within the body lumen.

1 .- 108 . (canceled)  
     
     
         109 . A method for removing an obstruction from a blood vessel, the method comprising: 
 converting an obstruction removal device into a high friction mode, from a low friction mode over the obstruction, where the high friction mode increases frictional contact between the obstruction removal device and the obstruction; and    withdrawing the traversing device and obstruction from the blood vessel.    
     
     
         110 . The method of  claim 109 , further comprising positioning the obstruction removal device comprising at least a plurality of filaments over the obstruction in a low friction mode, where the low friction mode encounters low frictional forces over the obstruction.  
     
     
         111 . The method of  claim 109 , where translating the traversing device comprises translating the traversing device over the obstruction without dislocating or mobilizing the obstruction within the blood vessel.  
     
     
         112 . The method of  claim 109 , where converting the traversing device comprises rotating a first portion of the plurality of filaments relative to a second portion of the plurality of filaments to wrap the plurality of filaments around the obstruction.  
     
     
         113 . The method of  claim 109 , where the plurality of wires comprises a plurality of sets of filaments, and where rotation of the plurality of filaments comprises rotating one set relative to another set.  
     
     
         114 . The method of  claim 109 , where advancing the obstruction removal device comprises advancing the obstruction removal device through the obstruction.  
     
     
         115 . The method of  claim 109 , where advancing the obstruction removal device comprises advancing the obstruction removal device around the obstruction.  
     
     
         116 . The method of  claim 109 , where the plurality of filaments comprise a mesh of filaments.  
     
     
         117 . The method of  claim 109 , where the plurality of filaments each comprise a first and second end and where each end is attached to at least a near connector.  
     
     
         118 . The method of  claim 117 , where the connector comprises a shape selected from an arcuate shape, a partial circular shape, a loop, an oval, a square, a rectangle, a polygon, an overlapping loop, a pair of semi-circles, a flower shape, and a  FIG. 8 .  
     
     
         119 . The method of  claim 118 , where the connector has a 3-dimensional profile such that portions thereof lie in a plurality of planes.  
     
     
         120 . The method of  claim 118 , where the connector comprises a plurality of connector sections.  
     
     
         121 . The method of  claim 117 , where the connector is discontinuous.  
     
     
         122 . The method of  claim 117 , where the connector is adjustable in size.  
     
     
         123 . The method of  claim 117 , where second end is attached to at least a far connector.  
     
     
         124 . The method of  claim 117 , where the plurality of filaments comprises a plurality of sets of filaments such that the first set of filaments is connected to the near and far connector and where additional sets of filaments are each connected to at least two additional connectors.  
     
     
         125 . The method of  claim 109 , where the obstruction comprises a blood clot, plaque, cholesterol, thrombus, a naturally occurring foreign body, a non-naturally occurring foreign body, or combination thereof.  
     
     
         126 . The method of  claim 109 , where converting the obstruction removal device into the high friction mode comprises rotating a near portion of the obstruction removal device relative to a far portion of the obstruction removal device.  
     
     
         127 . The method of  claim 126 , comprises rotating the near connector while holding the far connector stationary.  
     
     
         128 . The method of  claim 126 , comprises rotating the far connector while holding the near connector stationary.  
     
     
         129 . The method of  claim 126 , comprises rotating the near connector and rotating the near connector in an opposite direction.  
     
     
         130 . The method of  claim 126 , further comprising a plurality of filaments extending from the near portion to the far portion of the obstruction removal device, where rotating the near portion causes the filaments adjacent to the near portion to twist and cross proximal to the obstruction causing a section of the filaments engaging the obstruction to apply a compressive force on the obstruction without twisting and crossing over one another over a length of the obstruction.  
     
     
         131 . The method of  claim 130 , where rotating the portions also causes the filaments adjacent to the far portion to twist and cross distally to the obstruction.  
     
     
         132 . The method of  claim 126 , further comprising a plurality of filaments extending from the near portion to the far portion of the obstruction removal device, where rotating the portions causes the filaments to twist over the obstruction causing a compressive force on the obstruction.  
     
     
         133 . The method of  claim 109 , further comprising expanding a balloon member adjacent to the obstruction to expand the vessel.  
     
     
         134 . The method of  claim 109 , further comprising expanding a coil member adjacent to the obstruction to expand the vessel.  
     
     
         135 .- 167 . (canceled)