Devices for restoring blood flow within blocked vasculature

Abstract

The devices and methods described herein relate to clearing of blockages within body lumens, such as the vasculature, by addressing the frictional resistance on the obstruction prior to attempting to translate and / or mobilize the obstruction within the body lumen.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a non-provisional of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 765,496 filed Feb. 03, 2006 which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The devices and methods described herein relate to clearing of blockages within body lumens, such as the vasculature, by addressing the frictional resistance on the obstruction prior to attempting to translate the obstruction within the body lumen. In one variation, the devices and methods described below may treat conditions of ischemic stroke by remove blockages within arteries leading to the brain. Accordingly, variations of such methods and devices must navigate tortuous anatomy and vasculature without causing unacceptable damage to the anatomy. Also, the devices and methods first secure and surround the obstruction (such as a clot) prior to significantly moving the clot within the anatomy. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Ischemic stroke occurs wh...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention relates to devices and methods for treating blockages in the body, particularly in the cerebral vasculature, that can cause ischemic strokes. The devices can be used to remove blockages that cause such strokes by engaging the obstruction and increasing friction to remove it without causing significant damage to the surrounding tissue. The devices can be expanded from a low profile to an expanded profile for ultimate removal of the blockage. The invention also includes a method for using a device to remove an obstruction by first surrounding it with a filament and then pulling it out, as well as a method for using a device that converts from a low profile to an expanded profile. The invention can provide a safer and more effective treatment for blockages in the body."

Problems solved by technology

It should be noted that although minimal axial movement of the obstruction may take place, the device surrounds the obstruction before such movement causes significant distortion to the geometry of the obstruction resulting in an increase in the static force required to remove the obstruction from the vessel.

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