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 . A method of treating deep vein thrombosis in a peripheral vasculature of a patient, the method comprising:
 percutaneously accessing a venous vessel of a patient;   positioning a thrombus extraction device in a lumen of a catheter proximate to a vascular thrombus in the venous vessel, wherein the thrombus extraction device comprises an expandable tubular mesh having first end and a second end, the first end defining a self-expanding mouth;   deploying the thrombus extraction device from the catheter;   affecting an orientation of the self-expanding mouth of the tubular mesh via manipulation of at least one tether coupled to the self-expanding mouth of the tubular mesh;   capturing thrombus within the expandable tubular mesh; and   retracting the expandable tubular mesh from the venous vessel.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the thrombus extraction device further comprises an elongate retraction member coupled to the at least one tether, and wherein manipulation of the retraction member manipulates the at least one tether. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the retraction member is at least partially positioned within the lumen of the catheter, and wherein manipulation of the retraction member comprises displacement of the retraction member within the lumen of the catheter with respect to the catheter. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the thrombus extraction device further comprises a connector member connected to the self-expanding mouth of the tubular mesh. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the connector member is connected to the self-expanding mouth of the tubular mesh around a perimeter of the self-expanding mouth of the tubular mesh. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the at least one tether comprises a plurality of tethers. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the plurality of tethers are coupled to the tubular mesh via the connector member. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein affecting the orientation of the self-expanding mouth comprises affecting the orientation of the connector member. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein affecting the orientation of the self-expanding mouth comprises everting the connector member and the self-expanding mouth of the tubular mesh. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein capturing thrombus within the expandable tubular mesh comprises retracting the expandable tubular mesh through the thrombus. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the connector member comprises a fenestrated scaffold. 
     
     
         12 . A thrombus extraction device comprising:
 a delivery catheter comprising an elongate member defining a lumen;   an expandable tubular mesh having first end defining a self-expanding mouth and a second end, the tubular mesh having an expanded configuration and a constrained configuration;   a plurality of tethers coupled to the self-expanding mouth, wherein the plurality of tethers are manipulable to affect an orientation of the self-expanding mouth of the tubular mesh.   
     
     
         13 . The thrombus extraction device of  claim 12 , further comprising an elongate retraction member coupled to the plurality of tethers. 
     
     
         14 . The thrombus extraction device of  claim 13 , wherein the retraction member is at least partially positioned within the lumen of the delivery catheter, and wherein the retraction member is displaceable within the lumen of the delivery catheter with respect to the delivery catheter to affect the orientation of the self-expanding mouth of the tubular mesh. 
     
     
         15 . The thrombus extraction device of  claim 14 , further comprising a connector member connected to the self-expanding mouth of the tubular mesh. 
     
     
         16 . The thrombus extraction device of  claim 15 , wherein the connector member is connected to the self-expanding mouth of the tubular mesh around a perimeter of the self-expanding mouth of the tubular mesh. 
     
     
         17 . The thrombus extraction device of  claim 16 , wherein the plurality of tethers are coupled to the tubular mesh via the connector member. 
     
     
         18 . The thrombus extraction device of  claim 17 , wherein the connector member comprises a fenestrated scaffold. 
     
     
         19 . The thrombus extraction device of  claim 16 , wherein affecting the orientation of the self-expanding mouth comprises affecting the orientation of the connector member. 
     
     
         20 . The thrombus extraction device of  claim 16 , wherein affecting the orientation of the self-expanding mouth comprises everting the connector member and the self-expanding mouth of the tubular mesh.