Methods and Devices for Removing Obstructing Material From the Human Body

Abstract

The present invention provides devices and methods for removal of obstructive matter from the patients that are located inside or outside of the patient's endovascular system using rotational energy. One or more therapeutic agents may be delivered to the treatment location to further facilitate the removal process

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device for removing obstructive material from a patient, the device comprising:
 an elongate rotational member having a distal end and a proximal end;   an internal irrigation catheter at least partially surrounding the rotational member; and   an aspiration catheter at least partially surrounding the rotational member and the irrigation catheter,   wherein the distal portion of the rotational member is configured to change compliance of the obstructive material and facilitate obstructive material aspiration outside the patient.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the rotational member is configured to move in at least one way selected from the group consisting of rotational motion along its longitudinal axis, angular motion, reciprocal motion and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the rotational member has a shape selected from the group consisting of continuous diameter along its length, tapered along its entire length, tapered along a distal portion in a distal direction and tapered along a distal portion in a proximal direction. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the rotational member comprises at least one longitudinal member selected from the group consisting of a single solid rod, multiple solid rods, a tube and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the rotational member has a shape selected from the group consisting of circular, oval, square and rectangular. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the rotational member comprises a material selected from the group consisting of metals, polymers, metal alloys and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a handle disposed on the aspiration catheter including an aperture in fluid communication with the lumen and configured to be covered with a finger of a user to regulate application of the vacuum. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a radiopaque marker positioned on at least one of a distal end of the aspiration catheter or the distal end of the rotational member. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a guidewire lumen. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the distal end of the rotational member has a shape selected from the group consisting of a ball shape, a flat circular end, a bent distal end, a coiled distal end, a flat deformation, a basket, and a sinusoidal shape. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein a distal portion of the rotational member includes at least one bend. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the distal end of the rotational member is housed in a location selected from the group consisting of inside the device, outside of the device, and moveable between inside and outside the device. 
     
     
         13 . A device for removing obstructive material from a human body, the device comprising:
 a rotational member having a proximal portion and a distal portion that tapers in a direction from proximal to distal and configured to rotate angularly in a distal direction;   an aspiration catheter disposed over the rotational member; and   means to deliver irrigation inside the aspiration catheter.   
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the distal portion of the rotational member further includes at least one bend. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the proximal portion of the rotational member is configured to rotate axially. 
     
     
         16 . A device for removing obstructing matter from a human body, the device comprising:
 a rotational member having a proximal portion and a distal portion that includes at least a primary bend at or near a distal end of the rotational member, wherein the rotational member is configured to rotate angularly in a distal direction; and   an aspiration catheter disposed over the rotational member.   
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the primary bend comprises an inwardly directed bend. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the primary bend comprises an outwardly directed bend. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 16 , further comprising at least one secondary bend on the distal portion of the rotational member. 
     
     
         20 . A device for removing obstructing matter from a human body, the device comprising:
 a rotational member connected to a converter that changes axial rotary motion into angular and reciprocating motion; and   an aspiration catheter;   wherein the rotational member changes compliance of the obstructive material to facilitate removal of the obstructive material outside the body.   
     
     
         21 . A device for removing obstructing matter from a human body, the device comprising:
 a rotational member;   an aspiration catheter; and   irrigation catheter,   wherein a distal end of the device has a smaller cross sectional dimension than an adjacent proximal portion part of the device.   
     
     
         22 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein a configuration of the device toward its distal end is selected from the group consisting of at least one step cross sectional area reduction and a continuous taper. 
     
     
         23 . The device of  claim 22 , further including a bend on the distal end of the device.