Device and method for treating vascular occlusion

Abstract

A system and method for managing an occlusion, such as a blood clot, within a lumen or passageway of a patient. More particularly, a system and method for rapidly restoring blood flow through an occlusion including a self-expanding, tubular member through which blood may flow when in an expanded state. The tubular member has a structure configured to engage the occlusive material, thereby allowing for extraction of at least a portion of the occlusive material. The system may further employ a material extraction member that is deployed distally of the tubular member.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An occlusion management system comprising:
 a catheter;   a pusher; and   a tubular member reversibly restrained in a compressed state within a lumen of the catheter and radially expanded from the compressed state upon retraction of the catheter relative to the pusher.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein a distal end of the pusher is attached to a proximal portion of the tubular member. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein a diameter of the member is largest at a distal portion of the tubular member. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein a distal portion of the tubular member is flared in a radially expanded state. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein a distal portion of the tubular member is bulbous in a radially expanded state. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising an extraction member attached to a distal portion of the member. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1  wherein a distal portion of the tubular member is everted toward a proximal portion of the member. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a sheath having a lumen through which the catheter is advanced. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a sheath having a lumen through which a proximal tubular member is advanced. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the catheter comprises an annular balloon near a distal end of the catheter. 
     
     
         11 . An occlusion management system comprising:
 a catheter;   a pusher;   a tubular member attached to a distal end of the pusher; and   an extraction member extending distally of a distal end of the cylindrical member having a diameter larger than a diameter of the cylindrical member.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11  wherein the extraction member is attached directly to the tubular member. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a sheath having a lumen through which the catheter is advanced. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a sheath having a lumen through which a proximal tubular member is advanced. 
     
     
         15 . A method for management of an occlusion in a lumen comprising the steps of:
 creating a passage for fluid flow through occlusive material in a lumen of a patient;   engaging a portion of the occlusive material with at least a portion of a tubular member; and   extracting a portion of the occlusive material from the lumen of the patient.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the step of creating a passage for fluid flow through occlusive material in a lumen of a patient comprises expanding the tubular member. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the step of engaging a portion of the occlusive material with at least a portion of the tubular member comprises retracting a catheter relative to the tubular member. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the step of engaging a portion of the occlusive material with at least a portion of a tubular member comprises expanding the tubular member. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the step of extracting a portion of the occlusive material from the lumen of the patient comprises expanding an extraction member distally of the tubular member. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the step of extracting a portion of the occlusive material from the lumen of the patient comprises retracting the tubular member in to a catheter.