Systems, methods and devices for removing obstructions from a blood vessel

Abstract

Devices and methods for removing an obstruction from a blood vessel are described. The devices are deployed in a collapsed condition and are then expanded within the body. The devices are then manipulated to engage and remove the obstruction.

1 - 12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . A method of removing an obstruction from a vascular location, comprising the steps of:
 providing a catheter and an obstruction engaging element, the catheter having a body, a lumen extending through the body, a proximal end, a distal end, and a flexible tube coupled to the body at the distal end, the flexible tube being movable between a first position and a second position, the flexible tube everting when moving from the first position to the second position, the tube extending distally from the distal end of the body in the second position;   advancing the element through a patient's vascular system to an obstruction;   engaging the obstruction with the element;   advancing the catheter to a location proximate to the obstruction, the flexible tube being in the first position; and   everting the flexible tube to the second position.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein:
 the everting step is carried out by retracting the catheter after the advancing step, the flexible tube everting upon retraction of the catheter.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein:
 the engaging step is carried out using an obstruction engaging element which extends through the lumen in the catheter.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the engaging step is carried out with the obstruction engaging element being a single wire extending to a free end.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein:
 the engaging step is carried out with the obstruction engaging element being naturally biased toward an expanded position.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein:
 the engaging step is carried out with the obstruction engaging element forming a coiled structure in the expanded position.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein:
 the providing step is carried out with the tube having a plurality of openings therein.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein:
 the everting step is carried out by withdrawing the catheter.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein:
 the engaging step is carried out by manipulating the element to extend through an opening in the tube.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein:
 the engaging step is carried out by rotating the element.   
     
     
         23 . A device for removing an obstruction from a vascular location, comprising:
 a catheter having a body, a lumen extending through the body, a proximal end, a distal end, and a flexible tube coupled to the body at the distal end, the flexible tube being movable between a first position and a second position, the flexible tube everting when moving from the first position to the second position, the tube extending distally from the distal end of the body in the second position; and   an obstruction engaging element adapted to engage and dislodge an obstruction, the element being slidably received within the lumen of the catheter, the element having an expanding part which is naturally biased to an expanded shape, the element having an expanding part which is movable from a first position contained within the lumen to a second position outside the lumen which permits the element to naturally expand toward the expanded position.   
     
     
         24 . The device of  claim 23 , wherein:
 the obstruction engaging element is a single wire extending to a free end.   
     
     
         25 . The device of  claim 24 , wherein:
 the obstruction engaging element is naturally biased toward an expanded position.   
     
     
         26 . The device of  claim 23 , wherein:
 the obstruction engaging element forms a coiled structure in the expanded position.   
     
     
         27 . The device of  claim 23 , wherein:
 the tube has at least one opening therein which is adapted to receive the element.   
     
     
         28 . The device of  claim 27 , wherein:
 the tube has a plurality of longitudinal slots which are adapted to receive the element.   
     
     
         29 . A method of removing an obstruction from a blood vessel, comprising the steps of:
 providing an obstruction engaging element and a catheter having an interlocking structure, the obstruction engaging element being movable from a position within the catheter to a position outside the catheter;   advancing the catheter into an obstruction;   withdrawing the catheter after the advancing step so that the interlocking structure remains within the obstruction; and   moving the element so that the element becomes entangled with the obstruction and the interlocking structure.   
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein:
 the providing step is carried out with the interlocking structure being a loose, flexible structure;   the withdrawing step being carried out with the loose, flexible interlocking structure being held by the obstruction so that the loose, flexible structure remains within the obstruction.   
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein:
 the advancing step is carried out with the interlocking structure being a loose, flexible structure which lies loosely against an outer wall of the catheter.   
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein:
 the providing step is carried out with the flexible structure including at least one filament.   
     
     
         33 - 80 . (canceled)