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 - 80 . (canceled) 
     
     
         81 . A method for removing an obstruction from a vascular lumen, comprising:
 inserting a capture assembly into the vascular lumen adjacent to the obstruction, the capture assembly comprising
 an engaging element, and 
 an inverting element having a first end, a second end, and a lumen extending therebetween, wherein the engaging element is movable relative to the inverting element; 
   physically engaging the obstruction with the engaging element;   moving the engaging element and the engaged obstruction relative to the first end of the inverting element, to thereby cause the second end of the inverting element to move with the engaging element into the inverting element lumen until the obstruction is entrapped by the inverting element,   the inverting element having a collapsed form and an expanded form, wherein the inverting element is biased to be in the collapsed form without application of any external force, such that, when the obstruction is withdrawn into the inverting element lumen, the inverting element contracts around the obstruction; and   removing the capture assembly and the obstruction captured therein from the vascular lumen.   
     
     
         82 . The method of  claim 81 , wherein the second end of the inverting element has a cross-sectional dimension that increases when the obstruction is withdrawn into the inverting element lumen. 
     
     
         83 . The method of  claim 81 , wherein moving the engaging element and the engaged obstruction relative to the first end of the inverting element applies a force to the inverting element. 
     
     
         84 . The method of  claim 83 , wherein the force is applied to the second end of the inverting element. 
     
     
         85 . The method of  claim 81 , wherein moving the engaging element and the engaged obstruction relative to the first end of the inverting element comprises one or both of
 withdrawing the engaging element and the engaged obstruction proximally relative to the first end of the inverting element, and   advancing the inverting element distally relative to the engaging element and the engaged obstruction.   
     
     
         86 . A method for removing an obstruction from a vascular lumen, comprising:
 inserting a capture assembly into the vascular lumen adjacent to the obstruction;   physically engaging the obstruction with an engaging element of the capture assembly;   moving the engaging element and the engaged obstruction relative to a first end of an inverting element of the capture assembly and causing a second end of the inverting element to move with the engaging element into a lumen of the inverting element to thereby invert the inverting element until the obstruction is entrapped by the inverting element,   the inverting element having a collapsed form and an expanded form, wherein the inverting element is biased to be in the collapsed form without application of any external force, such that, when the obstruction is withdrawn into the inverting element lumen, the inverting element contracts around the obstruction; and   removing the capture assembly and the obstruction captured therein from the vascular lumen.   
     
     
         87 . The method of  claim 86 , wherein the second end of the inverting element has a cross-sectional dimension that increases when the obstruction is withdrawn into the inverting element lumen. 
     
     
         88 . The method of  claim 86 , wherein moving the engaging element and the engaged obstruction relative to the first end of the inverting element applies a force to the inverting element. 
     
     
         89 . The method of  claim 88 , wherein the force is applied to the second end of the inverting element. 
     
     
         90 . The method of  claim 86 , wherein moving the engaging element and the engaged obstruction relative to the first end of the inverting element comprises one or both of
 withdrawing the engaging element and the engaged obstruction proximally relative to the first end of the inverting element, and   advancing the inverting element distally relative to the engaging element and the engaged obstruction.   
     
     
         91 . An obstruction capture device, comprising:
 an engaging element; and   an inverting element having a first end, a second end, and a lumen extending therebetween,   the inverting element having a collapsed form and an expanded form, wherein the inverting element is formed of a shape memory material and is biased to be in the collapsed form without application of any external force, such that, as an obstruction is withdrawn into the inverting element lumen, the inverting element contracts around the obstruction.   
     
     
         92 . The device of  claim 91 , wherein the engaging element extends through the inverting element. 
     
     
         93 . The device of  claim 91 , wherein the engaging element is movable relative to the inverting element. 
     
     
         94 . The device of  claim 93 , wherein the engaging element and the inverting element are configured such that moving the engaging element into the inverting element causes the second end of the inverting element to move into the inverting element lumen. 
     
     
         95 . The device of  claim 91 , wherein the inverting element comprises a structure selected from the group consisting of a braid, a weave, and a fabric. 
     
     
         96 . The device of  claim 91 , further comprising an elongate element extending through the inverting element lumen. 
     
     
         97 . The device of  claim 96 , further comprising a collar slidably connecting the second end of the inverting element to the elongate element. 
     
     
         98 . The device of  claim 97 , wherein a first end of the engaging element is coupled to the collar and a second end of the engaging element is coupled to a distal end of the elongate element, such that relative movement of the collar and the distal end of the elongate element toward each other expands the engaging element.