Occlusion Remover and Method

Abstract

An occlusion may be removed from a graft or other body passageway using occlusion removing apparatus, comprising a catheter having a lumen through which an elongated occlusion engaging element can pass and a blocking mechanism at the open distal end thereof. The catheter is inserted into the body passageway with the blocking mechanism radially compressed during insertion. The blocking mechanism is radially expanded to near to the wall of the body passageway after insertion. After radially expanding the blocking mechanism, the occlusion engaging element is advanced into the occlusion. The expanded state of the blocking mechanism is used for blocking proximal passage of occlusion material around the outside of the catheter. Occlusion material may be moved proximally through the open end and into the lumen. The distal end of the occlusion engaging element may have an engagement mechanism, such as a balloon.

1 . In the method of removing an occlusion from a graft or other body passageway, the improvement comprising the steps of:
 inserting a catheter into a graft or other body passageway, the catheter having a lumen, an open distal end and a blocking mechanism at the distal end;   providing the blocking mechanism in a radially compressed state during the step of inserting;   radially expanding the blocking mechanism into a radially expanded state extending near to the wall of the graft or other body passageway after the step of inserting;   after the step of radially expanding the blocking mechanism, advancing a wire into the occlusion;   using the expanded state of the blocking mechanism for blocking proximal passage of occlusion material around the outside of the catheter; and   proximally moving occlusion material through the open end and into the lumen.   
   
   
       2 . A method of blocking occlusion material in a body passageway comprising:
 inserting a catheter into a body passageway, the catheter having a lumen, an open distal end and a blocking mechanism adjacent to the distal end such that the distal end of the catheter is positioned proximate to the occlusion material;   providing the blocking mechanism in a radially compressed state during the step of inserting the catheter;   after the step of inserting the catheter, radially expanding the blocking mechanism into a radially expanded state extending near to the wall of the body passageway for blocking proximal passage of occlusion material around the outside of the catheter; and   after the step of radially expanding the blocking mechanism, advancing a wire into the occlusion.   
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the wire has a distal end and an engagement mechanism supported on the wire distal end. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the engagement mechanism is a balloon. 
   
   
       5 . A method of removing an occlusion from a body passageway comprising:
 inserting a catheter into a body passageway, the catheter having a lumen, an open distal end and a blocking mechanism at the distal end such that the distal end of the catheter is positioned proximate to the occlusion material;   providing the blocking mechanism in a radially compressed state during the step of inserting the catheter;   after the step of inserting the catheter, radially expanding the blocking mechanism into a radially expanded state extending near to the wall of the body passageway for blocking proximal passage of occlusion material around the outside of the catheter;   after the step of radially expanding the blocking mechanism, advancing a wire into the occlusion; and   proximally moving occlusion material through the open end and into the lumen.   
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the wire has a distal end and an engagement mechanism supported on the wire distal end. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the engagement mechanism is a balloon. 
   
   
       8 . An apparatus for removing an occlusion, comprising:
 a catheter for insertion into a body passageway proximate an occlusion, the catheter having a distal open end and a lumen;   a blocking mechanism disposed on the catheter distal end, the blocking mechanism having a radially compressed state for insertion into the body passageway and a radially expanded state extending near to the wall of the passageway to block passage of material around the outside of the catheter distal end; and   a wire, having a distal end, insertable through the catheter lumen, such that the wire distal end does not extend into the occlusion until after the blocking mechanism is in the radially expanded state.   
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the blocking mechanism is a balloon. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , further comprising an occlusion engaging element supported on the wire distal end. 
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the engaging element is a balloon. 
   
   
       12 . An apparatus for removing an occlusion, comprising:
 a catheter for insertion into a body passageway proximate an occlusion, the catheter having a distal open end and a lumen;   a blocking mechanism disposed on the catheter distal end, the blocking mechanism having a radially compressed state for insertion into the body passageway and a radially expanded state extending near to the wall of the passageway to block passage of material around the outside of the catheter distal end; and   a tubular member, having a distal end, insertable through the catheter lumen, such that the tubular member distal end does not extend into the occlusion until after the blocking mechanism is in the radially expanded state.   
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the blocking mechanism is a balloon. 
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , further comprising an occlusion engaging element supported on the tubular member distal end. 
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the engaging element is a balloon.