Systems and methods for manipulating medical devices

Abstract

A system for treating a patient having thrombus including an aspiration catheter having an aspiration lumen configured to be coupled to a vacuum source and configured for aspirating thrombus therethrough, an elongate member having a straight distal portion configured to extend from the aspiration lumen into a thrombus within the blood vessel, and a manipulation device selectively coupled to the elongate member, the manipulation device being configured to apply motive force to the elongate member, wherein the motive force comprises a combination of motive force components comprising an alternating clockwise motion and counter-clockwise motion.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for treating a patient having thrombus, comprising:
 an aspiration catheter having an aspiration lumen configured to be coupled to a vacuum source and configured for aspirating thrombus therethrough;   an elongate member having a straight distal portion configured to extend from the aspiration lumen into a thrombus within the blood vessel; and   a manipulation device selectively coupled to the elongate member, the manipulation device being configured to apply motive force to the elongate member, wherein the motive force comprises a combination of motive force components comprising an alternating clockwise motion and counter-clockwise motion.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the motive force comprises a combination of motive force components comprising a rotational motion and a cyclic longitudinal motion. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the motive force comprises a helical motion. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the motive force comprises a jackhammer motion. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the elongate member, when rotated, is configured to facilitate movement of at least some thrombus through the aspiration lumen of the aspiration catheter. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the motive force applied by the manipulation device follows a preprogrammed pattern. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the aspiration catheter further comprises a supply tube having an orifice configured to allow fluid injected into the aspiration lumen. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the elongate member further comprises a curved portion proximal to the straight distal portion, the curved portion being disposed proximal the orifice when the fluid is injected into the aspiration lumen. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the orifice is at an open distal end of the supply tube. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein a distal end of the supply tube is closed, and wherein the orifice is through a wall of the supply tube, adjacent to the closed distal end. 
     
     
         11 . A system for treating a patient having thrombus, comprising:
 an aspiration catheter having an aspiration lumen configured to be coupled to a vacuum source and configured for aspirating thrombus therethrough;   an elongate member having a straight distal portion configured to extend from the aspiration lumen into a thrombus within the blood vessel; and   a manipulation device selectively coupled to the elongate member, the manipulation device being configured to apply motive force to the elongate member, wherein the motive force comprises a combination of motive force components comprising a rotational motion and a cyclic longitudinal motion.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the manipulation device comprises:
 a housing;   a drive system disposed within the housing;   an engagement member coupled to the drive system and the elongate member; and   an activation member carried by the housing and configured to activate the drive system.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the manipulation device comprises a power indicator. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the motive force applied by the manipulation device follows a preprogrammed pattern. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the manipulation device comprises a memory to store the preprogrammed pattern. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the elongate member comprises an expandable device. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the elongate member comprises a catheter shaft. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the elongate member comprises a macerator. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the elongate member includes a first portion configured to reside within the aspiration lumen and to facilitate the movement of partially or completely macerated thrombus through the aspiration lumen while the elongate member is moved in relation to the aspiration catheter. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the first portion of the elongate member is configured to help center or stabilize the elongate member within the aspiration lumen.