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 a fluid supply lumen configured to be coupled to a fluid source, a distal orifice is in fluid communication with the fluid supply lumen to provide fluid from the fluid source to the aspiration lumen;   an elongate member having a straight distal portion configured to extend from the aspiration lumen into a thrombus within the blood vessel and a distal curved portion; and   a manipulation device selectively coupled to the elongate member, the manipulation device being configured to apply motive force to the elongate member.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , 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.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the activation member is a handle that is manually depressed to activate the drive system. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , further comprising a switch configured to control a gear ratio between the drive system and the elongate member. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the activation member is button to activate a motor of the drive system. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the engagement member comprise a roller. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the drive system comprises a linear actuator coupled to a pivotal fulcrum to impart axial movement to the engagement member. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the manipulation device further comprises a locking assembly configured to lock the manipulation device to the elongate member. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the locking assembly comprises a locking tube that is biased distally and moved proximally through operation of a trigger assembly carried by a housing. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the locking tube is biased to lock a wedged portion of the locking tube against the elongate member. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the locking tube comprises a gear portion configured to cooperate with a drive system of the manipulation device. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the locking assembly comprises a locking tube that is biased proximally and moved distally through operation of a trigger assembly carried by a housing. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the locking tube is biased to unlock a wedged portion of the locking tube from the elongate member. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the locking tube comprises a gear portion configured to cooperate with a drive system of the manipulation device. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the locking assembly comprises a chuck with a hub, the elongate member being selectively received through the hub. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the hub comprises includes a plurality of dimples configured to selectively impart axial motion to the chuck. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the plurality of dimples engage with a protrusion extending from a portion of a housing of the manipulation device. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the manipulation devices imparts to the elongate member at least one of no motive force, rotary motive force, axial motive force, or axial and rotary motive force. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 1 , 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.