Funnel suction catheter

Abstract

Example systems and methods of treatment are presented herein that generally involve positioning a funnel aspiration catheter within a blood vessel such that a funnel opening of the catheter approaches an obstruction; suction is carried out in the proximal direction until the obstructions are stuck in the funnel opening; and continuing aspiration while simultaneously twisting the guidewire or injecting the solution through the injection catheter, wherein the guidewire or injection catheter is positioned inside the lumen of the catheter. The use of either a guidewire or an injection catheter and simultaneous aspiration may assist in impregnating the obstructions while aspirating fragments of the obstructions through the catheter in a proximal direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention generally relates to devices and methods for removing acute blockages from blood vessels during endovascular medical treatment. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to clot retrieval devices including funnel aspiration catheters. Background Art

[0002] Clot retrieval aspiration catheters and devices are frequently used in mechanical thrombectomy for endovascular intervention in patients with conditions such as acute ischemic stroke (AIS), myocardial infarction (MI), and pulmonary embolism (PE). Accessing neurovascular beds using conventional techniques is particularly challenging because the target vessels are small in diameter, distal relative to the insertion site, and highly tortuous. Conventional devices are typically either too large in size, lack the deliverability and flexibility required to traverse particularly tortuous vessels, or are ineffective in removing clots when delivered to the target site.

[0003] Conventional clot retrieval catheters have many disadvantages. First, the diameter of the catheter itself must be small enough to avoid causing significant discomfort to the patient. The retrieval catheter must also be flexible enough to navigate the vasculature and withstand high strains, while also having axial stiffness to provide smooth advancement along the route. Once the target site is reached, the size of a typical object retrieved from the body is significantly larger than the catheter tip, making it more difficult to retrieve the object into the tip. For example, compact fibrin-rich clots are often difficult to extract because they may become aggregated at the tip of a conventional fixed-port catheter. In addition, this aggregation can result in shearing off softer portions from the more compact areas of the clot.

[0004] The small diameter and fixed tip size are also less effective at the aspiration required to remove blood and thrombotic material during guided surgery. The aspiration must be strong enough so that any fragmentation that may occur due to aspiration or the use of a mechanical thrombectomy device can remain stationary so that the fragments cannot migrate and occlude the distal vessel. However, when aspiration is performed with a fixed-port catheter, a large portion of the aspiration stream terminates the vascular fluid from the proximal side of the catheter tip, where there is no clot, because the diameter of the funnel catheter is smaller than the diameter of the vessel. This significantly reduces the efficiency of aspiration, thereby reducing the success rate of clot removal.

[0005] Additionally, conventional clot retrieval catheters are not always successful in completely taking up the clot. In such cases, the clot may "seal" or become stuck in the tip of the catheter, requiring the physician to remove the catheter from the target site in order to remove the clot from the patient. During catheter removal, portions of the clot that remain outside the catheter tip may break off, become "unhooked" during retraction, and may travel back downstream to re-occlude the vessel. Regaining access to the treatment site may then be challenging.

[0006] Any catheter design attempting to overcome these challenges will need to be able to completely ingest the clot at the treatment site and aspirate the clot through the catheter while ensuring that the clot or clot fragments do not "unhook" from the catheter tip.

[0007] The present invention is designed to provide an improved retrieval catheter that addresses the above-mentioned deficiencies. Summary of the invention

[0008] Example systems and methods of treatment are presented herein, which generally involve: positioning a funnel aspiration catheter within a blood vessel so that the funnel opening of the catheter is proximal to an obstruction (e.g., a clot); aspirating in a proximal direction until the obstruction is lodged in the funnel opening; and continuing aspiration while simultaneously twisting a guidewire or injecting a solution through an injection catheter, wherein the guidewire or injection catheter is positioned within the lumen of the catheter. The use of a guidewire or injection catheter can help macerate the obstruction while aspirating fragments of the obstruction in a proximal direction through the catheter.

[0009] An example system configured to remove an obstruction from a blood vessel may include a suction catheter and a guide wire. The suction catheter may include an elongated body including a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen, the size of which is set to receive at least a first portion of the obstruction in the lumen. The suction catheter may also include a funnel connected to the distal end of the elongated body, and the funnel includes a funnel mouth, the size of which is set to receive at least a second portion of the obstruction in the funnel mouth. The guide wire may be sized to slide through the lumen, and the guide wire may include one or more spiral fins disposed at the distal end of the guide wire. The guide wire may be configured to be twisted so that the spiral fins impregnate the obstruction into fragments while one or more fragments of the fragments of the obstruction are aspirated in a proximal direction by the suction catheter.

[0010] The elongated body of the suction catheter may have a single continuous structure and may have a first inner diameter. The funnel mouth may be perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and may have a second inner diameter. The first inner diameter of the elongated body may be smaller than the second inner diameter of the funnel mouth. Therefore, the second portion of the obstruction that can be received through the funnel mouth may be larger than the first portion of the obstruction that can be received through the elongated body.

[0011] The guidewire may be configured such that there is a distance between the distal end of the guidewire and the funnel of the aspiration catheter such that the guidewire does not extend beyond the distal end of the catheter.

[0012] Each of the spiral fins of the guidewire may have the same size. The size of the spiral fin may be set to have a minimum gap with the first inner diameter of the elongated body so as to displace the obstruction in the proximal direction together with the suction force. One or more fragments of the obstruction may be suctioned through the funnel and around the spiral fin in the proximal direction.

[0013] Another example system configured to remove an obstruction from a blood vessel may include an aspiration catheter and an injection catheter. The aspiration catheter may include an elongated body including a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen, the size of which is set to receive at least a first portion of the obstruction in the lumen. The aspiration catheter may also include a funnel connected to the distal end of the elongated body, and the funnel includes a funnel mouth, the size of which is set to receive at least a second portion of the obstruction in the funnel mouth. The injection catheter may be configured in the lumen of the elongated body, and the injection catheter may include an orifice positioned near the distal end of the injection catheter. The injection catheter may be configured to generate a jet passing through the orifice so that the jet impregnates the obstruction into fragments, while one or more fragments of the fragments of the obstruction are aspirated in a proximal direction around the injection catheter and through the aspiration catheter.

[0014] The elongated body of the suction catheter may have a single continuous structure and may have a first inner diameter. The funnel mouth may be perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and may have a second inner diameter. The first inner diameter of the elongated body may be smaller than the second inner diameter of the funnel mouth. Therefore, the second portion of the obstruction that can be received through the funnel mouth may be larger than the first portion of the obstruction that can be received through the elongated body.

[0015] The distal end of the injection catheter may be closed. The injection catheter may be configured such that there is a distance between the distal end of the injection catheter and the funnel of the aspiration catheter such that the injection catheter does not extend beyond the distal end of the catheter. The injection catheter may be integral with the elongated body or separate from the elongated body and sized to slide through the lumen of the elongated body.

[0016] An example method for removing an obstruction from a blood vessel may include one or more of the following steps performed by a technician in the relevant field. The example method may include positioning a suction catheter so that the funnel opening of a funnel disposed at the distal end of the suction catheter is close to the obstruction. Suction is performed through the lumen of the suction catheter until the proximal portion of the obstruction is stuck in the funnel opening, and a negative pressure area may be generated within the blood vessel. A clot impregnation device (such as a guide wire or an injection catheter) may be positioned inside the lumen of the suction catheter and may be actuated to impregnate the obstruction into fragments while aspirating one or more of the fragments of the obstruction in a proximal direction through the suction catheter.

[0017] The clot macerating device may be configured such that there is a distance between the distal end of the clot macerating device and the funnel opening of the aspiration catheter, and one or more fragments of the obstruction may be aspirated in a proximal direction around the clot macerating device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] The above aspects and additional aspects of the present invention will be further discussed with reference to the following description and in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like numbers indicate similar structural elements and features in the various figures. The accompanying drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, but instead, emphasis is placed on illustrating the principles of the present invention. The accompanying drawings depict one or more specific implementations of the present invention by way of example only and not by way of limitation.

[0019] Figure 1A is an illustration of an example system during an example clot aspiration procedure in accordance with aspects of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 1B is an illustration of an example system during an example clot aspiration procedure in accordance with aspects of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 1C is an illustration of an example system during an example clot aspiration procedure in accordance with aspects of the present invention.

[0022] FIG. 2A to FIG. 2E According to aspects of the present invention, Figures 1A to 1C Illustration of example treatment steps of example systems and example steps in .

[0023] Figure 3 is an illustration of another example system during another example clot aspiration procedure according to aspects of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 4 According to aspects of the present invention Figure 3 Cross-sectional view of the example system in .

[0025] Figure 5 is an illustration of another example system during another example clot aspiration procedure according to aspects of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 6 According to aspects of the present invention Figure 5 Cross-sectional view of the example system in .

[0027] 7A to 7C According to aspects of the present invention, Figure 3 Illustration of example treatment steps of example systems and example steps in .

[0028] Fig. 8A Yes Figure 1A and FIG. 2A to FIG. 2E A diagram of an example treatment method of an example system and example steps in FIG.

[0029] Figure 8B Yes Figure 1B or Figure 1C A diagram of an example treatment method of any of the example systems and example steps.

[0030] Fig. 9 Yes Figure 3 , Figure 4 and 7A to 7C or Figure 5 to Figure 6 A diagram of an example treatment method of any of the example systems and example steps.

[0031] Detailed Description

[0032] As used herein, the term "about" or "approximately" for any numerical value or range indicates a suitable dimensional tolerance that allows a collection of parts or components to achieve its intended purpose as described herein. More specifically, "about" or "approximately" can refer to a value range of ±20% of the recited value, for example, "about 90%" can refer to a value range of 71% to 99%.

[0033] The example systems and treatment methods described herein generally involve delivering an aspiration catheter and a clot impregnation device (such as a spiral or wire loop guidewire or an injection catheter) to a vascular obstruction (e.g., a clot). The clot can be aspirated by the aspiration catheter through the lumen of the aspiration catheter and around either the guidewire or the injection catheter in a proximal direction. The example systems and methods can completely ingest the clot at the treatment site and aspirate the clot through the catheter while ensuring that the clot or smaller fragments of the clot do not fall off or become unhooked from the catheter tip.

[0034] In some such examples including a guidewire, the guidewire may have one or more spiral fins disposed at the distal end of the guidewire. The guidewire may be twisted so that the clot may be impregnated, and the impregnated clot fragments may be transported in the proximal direction around the spiral fins and through the suction catheter. Simultaneous suction may also be performed through the suction catheter to further assist in aspirating the clot fragments in the proximal direction through the suction catheter.

[0035] In other such examples including a guidewire, the guidewire may have one or more wire loops disposed at the distal end of the guidewire. The guidewire may be twisted so that the clot may be impregnated, and the impregnated clot fragments may be transported via the wire loops in a proximal direction around and / or through the wire loops and through the aspiration catheter.

[0036] In other such examples including an injection catheter, the injection catheter may have an orifice at or near the distal end of the injection catheter so that a solution (e.g., saline) can be injected through the orifice to create a jet. The jet can help macerate the clot while simultaneously aspiration can help aspirate the macerated clot fragments in a proximal direction through the aspiration catheter.

[0037] Various example systems and methods are presented herein. The features of each example can be combined with other examples as understood by those skilled in the relevant art.

[0038] Figure 1A1 is an illustration of an example system 100 during an example clot aspiration procedure. The system 100 includes a device 102 configured to remove a clot 12 from a blood vessel 10. The device 102 includes an aspiration catheter 104 and a guidewire 112. The aspiration catheter 104 includes an elongated body 106 and a funnel 108. The elongated body 106 includes a proximal end 106a, a distal end 106b, and a lumen 106c sized to receive at least a first portion 12a of the clot 12. The funnel 108 is connected to the distal end 106b of the elongated body 106, and the funnel includes a funnel mouth 110 sized to receive at least a second portion 12b (e.g., a proximal portion) of the clot 12 therein. The guidewire 112 is sized to slide through the lumen 106 c of the elongated body 106 and includes one or more helical fins 114 disposed at a distal end 112 a of the guidewire 112 .

[0039] During the illustrated steps, negative pressure from the suction 16 creates a force on the clot 12 to draw the proximal portion 12b of the clot 12 into the funnel mouth 110 of the funnel 108. At the same time, the guidewire 112 is twisted 22 so that the helical fins 114 can macerate the clot 12 into fragments. The helical fins 114 of the guidewire 112 can transport the macerated fragments of the clot 12 in the proximal direction 18 through the suction catheter 104. The suction 16 can be used together with the twisting of the guidewire 112 to help support or supplement the transport of such macerated fragments.

[0040] like Figure 1A As shown, the elongated body 106 comprises a single continuous structure having an inner diameter D1. The distal end 106b of the elongated body 106 comprises a continuous or seamless connection with the funnel 108. The funnel mouth 110 of the funnel 108 may be perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 14 and have an inner diameter D2. As shown, the inner diameter D2 of the funnel mouth 110 is greater than the inner diameter D1 of the elongated body 106, so that the portion of the clot 12 (e.g., the proximal portion 12b) that the funnel mouth 110 can receive is greater than the portion of the clot (e.g., the first portion 12a) that the elongated body 106 can receive. That is, once the suction 16 has sucked the clot 12 into the funnel mouth 110, the guide wire 112 can be twisted so that the spiral fins 114 can impregnate the clot 12 and transport smaller fragments of the clot in the proximal direction 18 through the suction catheter 104.

[0041] The guidewire 112 is positioned in the lumen 106c of the elongated body 106 such that there is a distance L1 between the distal end 112a of the guidewire 112 and the funnel 110 of the aspiration catheter 104. The distance L1 helps ensure that the distal end 112a of the guidewire 112 does not inadvertently pierce or puncture the clot 12, such that a portion of the clot 12 may break from the clot 12 outside or distal to the funnel 110. Such a broken portion of the clot 12 may re-occlude the blood vessel 10 and pose a challenge to subsequent removal. Conversely, the distance L1 helps ensure that the clot 12 can be aspirated 16 in the proximal direction 18, such that the clot 12 is stuck or plugged in the funnel 110 before the spiral fins 114 begin to immerse the clot 12. In addition, this process helps ensure that the clot 12 is immersed inside the funnel 108.

[0042] The helical fins 114 of the guidewire 112 can each be of the same size and can be sized to provide a minimum clearance with the inner diameter D1 of the elongated body 106. Providing such a minimum clearance helps ensure that the helical fins 114 can independently transport clot fragments in the proximal direction 18 of the aspiration catheter 104, but can also be transported in conjunction with the aspiration force 16.

[0043] Figure 1B is an illustration of another example system 100 during an example clot aspiration procedure. Figure 1B Many of the features of the system 100 shown in FIG. Figure 1A 1 and described above. However, in some embodiments, instead of the guidewire 112 including one or more spiral fins 114 disposed at its distal end 112a, the guidewire 112 may have a wire loop 214 disposed at its distal end 112a. The wire loop 214 may be configured so that when the guidewire 112 is twisted, the wire loop 214 dips the clot 12 into clot fragments. That is, once the suction 16 has drawn the clot 12 into the funnel mouth 110, the guidewire 112 may be twisted so that the wire loop 214 may dip the clot 12, while at the same time the suction 16 may be around and / or through the wire loop 214 in the proximal direction 18 and convey smaller clot fragments through the suction catheter 104.

[0044] Figure 1C is an illustration of another example system 100 during an example clot aspiration procedure. Figure 1C Many features of the system 100 shown in FIG. Figure 1A and Figure 1BThe features of the guidewire 112 may be the same or similar to those shown in and described above. However, in some embodiments, the guidewire 112 may include a series of wire loops 214 at its distal end 214. Depending on the configuration (e.g., size) of the clot 12, the series of wire loops 214 may provide additional structure to macerate the clot 12 into fragments, while the suction 16 may convey smaller clot fragments around and / or through the series of wire loops 214 and through the suction catheter 104 in the proximal direction 18.

[0045] FIG. 2A to FIG. 2E Yes Figures 1A to 1C Illustration of example treatment steps of the example systems and example steps illustrated in .

[0046] Figure 2A The infundibulum 110 of the aspiration catheter 104 is illustrated positioned proximate to the clot 12 at the bifurcation of the blood vessel 10 and in the proximal direction 18 from the clot 12 .

[0047] Figure 2B The application of suction force 16 in a proximal direction 18 through the suction catheter 104 is illustrated until a proximal portion 12 b of the clot 12 becomes stuck or plugged in the funnel 110 of the suction catheter 104 .

[0048] Figure 2C The guide wire 112 is illustrated, which is positioned within the lumen 106c of the elongated body 106 of the aspiration catheter 104 and is positioned near and in the proximal direction 18 from the funnel 110 of the aspiration catheter 104. The guide wire 112 including the spiral fin 114 at the distal end 112a of the guide wire 112 is positioned such that there is a distance L1 ( Figure 1A ).

[0049] Figure 2D The torque 22 is illustrated as being applied to the guidewire 112 such that the helical fins 114 begin to rotate into and / or against the proximal portion 12b of the clot 12. Simultaneously, as clot fragments begin to separate from the clot 12, a suction force 16 is again applied in the proximal direction 18 by the aspiration catheter 104 to assist in aspirating the macerated clot in the proximal direction 18.

[0050] Figure 2E A clot fragment or first portion 12a of clot 12 is illustrated as being dipped by twisted helical fins 114 while being aspirated in proximal direction 18 through aspiration catheter 104. Throughout the above treatment methods, clot 12 may remain stuck or plugged in funnel 110 of aspiration catheter 104.

[0051] Figure 33 is an illustration of another illustrative system 300 during an example clot aspiration step. The system 300 includes a device 302 configured to remove a clot 12 from a blood vessel 10. The device 302 includes an aspiration catheter 304 and an injection catheter 312. The aspiration catheter 304 includes an elongated body 306 and a funnel 308. The elongated body 306 includes a proximal end 306a, a distal end 306b, and a lumen 306c sized to receive at least a first portion 12a of the clot 12. The funnel 308 is connected to the distal end 306b of the elongated body 306, and the funnel includes a funnel mouth 310 sized to receive at least a second portion 12b (e.g., a proximal portion) of the clot 12 therein. The injection catheter 312 is disposed within the lumen 306 c of the elongated body 306 and includes an orifice 314 positioned proximate a distal end 312 a of the injection catheter 312 .

[0052] During the illustrated steps, negative pressure from the suction 16 creates a force on the clot 12 to draw the proximal portion 12b of the clot 12 into the funnel mouth 310 of the funnel 308. At the same time, a solution (e.g., saline) is injected through the orifice 314 to create a jet 316 that macerates the clot 12 into fragments while one or more of the fragments of the clot 12 are drawn in the proximal direction 18 through the suction catheter 304.

[0053] like Figure 3 As shown, the distal end 312a of the injection catheter 312 is closed except for the orifice 314 located near the distal end 312a. The injection catheter 312 is disposed in the lumen 106c of the elongated body 106 so that there is a distance L2 between the distal end 312a of the injection catheter 312 and the funnel 110 of the aspiration catheter 104. The distance L2 helps ensure that a portion of the jet 316 clot 12 does not accidentally fall out of the outside of the funnel 310 or the distal side of the funnel 310. Instead, the distance L2 helps ensure that the clot 12 can be aspirated 16 in the proximal direction 18 so that the clot 12 is stuck or plugged in the funnel 310 before the jet 316 begins to impregnate the clot 12. In addition, this process helps ensure that the clot 12 is impregnated inside the funnel 308.

[0054] The injection conduit 312 can be configured to be integral with the elongated body 306, such as Figure 3 and Figure 4 As illustrated, the injection catheter 312 is either separate from the elongated body 306 and the injection catheter 312 is sized to slide through the lumen 306c, as described below with respect to Figure 5 and Figure 6 Further described.

[0055] like Figure 3As shown, the injection conduit 312 is integrally formed with the elongated body 306 such that it is connected to the inner wall of the elongated body 306. Figure 4 As shown, a cross-section of the device 302 is illustrated, and the injection catheter 312 can be connected to the inner wall of the slender body 306 or be integrated with the inner wall of the slender body 306, for example, by a sleeve S1, so that the suction catheter 304 and the injection catheter 312 can be constructed as a single device for simultaneous delivery to the patient's treatment site.

[0056] Alternatively, if Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the injection catheter 312 can be separated from the aspiration catheter 304. Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the injection catheter 312 can be positioned within the lumen 306c of the slender body 306, for example, to change the position of the jet 316 relative to the funnel mouth 310, the funnel 308, the clot 12, etc.

[0057] 7A to 7C Yes Figure 3 Illustration of example treatment steps of the example systems and example steps illustrated in .

[0058] Fig. 7A The infundibulum 310 of the aspiration catheter 304 is illustrated positioned proximate to the clot 12 at the bifurcation of the blood vessel 10 and in the proximal direction 18 from the clot 12. The injection catheter 312 is integral with the aspiration catheter 304.

[0059] Figure 7B The application of the suction force 16 in the proximal direction 18 through the suction catheter 304 is illustrated until the proximal portion 12 b of the clot 12 becomes stuck or plugged in the funnel 310 of the suction catheter 304 .

[0060] Figure 7C The solution is illustrated being injected through the injection catheter 312 and through the orifice 314 of the injection catheter 312 , thereby generating a jet 316 to begin impregnating the proximal portion 12b of the clot 12 , while the impregnated fragments or first portion 12a of the clot 12 are simultaneously aspirated in the proximal direction 18 through the aspiration catheter 304 .

[0061] Fig. 8A Yes Figure 1A and FIG. 2A to FIG. 2E FIG. 8 is a diagram of an example treatment method 800 illustrating an example system and example steps.

[0062] In block 802, an operator (eg, a physician) may position the aspiration catheter 104 in the patient's blood vessel 10 such that the funnel opening 110 of the funnel 108 is proximate to the clot 12 ( Figure 2A ).

[0063] In block 804, the operator may then begin suctioning 16 in the proximal direction 18 through the suction catheter 104 until the proximal portion 12b of the clot 12 becomes lodged in the infundibulum 110 ( Figure 2B ).

[0064] In block 806, the operator may position the guidewire 112 within the lumen 106c of the aspiration catheter 104. The guidewire 112 may include one or more spiral fins 114 ( Figure 2C ).

[0065] In block 808, the operator may twist the guidewire 112, thereby rotating or twisting the helical fins 114 so that they begin to immerse the clot 12 ( Figure 2D ). At the same time, the operator again performs suction 16 in the proximal direction 18 to aspirate the macerated clot fragments of the clot 12 around the spiral fin 114 and through the suction catheter 104 in the proximal direction 18 ( Figure 2E ).

[0066] Figure 8B Yes Figure 1B or Figure 1C 800a of an example treatment method 800a of an example system and example steps illustrated in FIG. The description of blocks 802a and 804a of method 800a may be the same or similar to the corresponding description of blocks 802 and 804 of method 800 and are therefore not repeated herein for the sake of brevity.

[0067] In block 806a, the operator may position the guidewire 112 within the lumen 106c of the aspiration catheter 104. The guidewire 112 may include one or more wire loops 214 disposed at the distal end 112a of the guidewire 112.

[0068] In block 808a, the operator may twist the guidewire 112, thereby rotating the one or more wire loops 214 so that the wire loops 214 begin to dip the clot 12. Simultaneously, the operator may apply suction 16 in the proximal direction 18 around and / or through the wire loops 214 and through the suction catheter 104.

[0069] Fig. 9 Yes Figure 3 , Figure 4 and 7A to 7C or Figure 5 to Figure 6 A diagram of an example treatment method 900 of example systems and example steps illustrated in any of the above.

[0070] In block 902, an operator (eg, a physician) may position the aspiration catheter 304 in the patient's blood vessel 10 such that the funnel opening 310 of the funnel 308 is proximate to the clot 12 ( Fig. 7AAs described above, the aspiration catheter 304 may include an integral injection catheter 312 ( Figure 3 , Figure 4 , 7A to 7C ), or an injection catheter 312 ( Figure 5 to Figure 6 ). If an aspiration catheter 304 with an integrated injection catheter 312 is used, the operator can deliver a single device 302 to the patient's treatment site. Alternatively, if an aspiration catheter 304 with a separate injection catheter 312 is used, the operator may need to deliver the aspiration catheter 304 and the injection catheter 312 to the treatment site separately. For example, the operator may first deliver the aspiration catheter 304 to the treatment site and then slide the injection catheter 312 into the aspiration catheter 304.

[0071] In block 904, the operator may begin suctioning 16 in the proximal direction 18 through the suction catheter 304 until the proximal portion 12b of the clot 12 becomes lodged in the funnel 310 ( Figure 7B ).

[0072] In block 906, the operator may inject the solution through the injection catheter 312, thereby generating a jet 316 through the orifice 314 of the injection catheter 312. The jet 316 may soak the clot 12 while the operator aspirates soaked clot fragments of the clot 12 in the proximal direction 18 through the aspiration catheter 304 ( Figure 7C ).

[0073] The descriptions contained herein are examples of embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention in any way. As described herein, the present invention contemplates many variations and modifications of structure and method, including alternative materials, alternative configurations of components, and alternative method steps. According to the teachings of the present disclosure, modifications and variations obvious to those skilled in the relevant art are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A device configured to remove an obstruction from a blood vessel, the device comprising: A suction catheter, the suction catheter comprising: an elongated body comprising a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen sized to receive at least a first portion of the obstruction therein; and a funnel connected to the distal end of the elongated body and including a funnel opening sized to receive at least a second portion of the obstruction therein; and a guidewire sized to slide through the lumen and comprising one or more helical fins disposed at a distal end of the guidewire; Wherein the guidewire is configured to be twisted so that the one or more helical fins macerate the obstruction into fragments while simultaneously aspirating one or more of the fragments of the obstruction in a proximal direction through the aspiration catheter.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the elongated body comprises a single continuous structure.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the funnel opening is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the second portion of the obstruction is larger than the first portion of the obstruction.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the elongated body comprises a first inner diameter and the funnel mouth comprises a second inner diameter, the first inner diameter being smaller than the second inner diameter.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein each of the one or more helical fins is sized to have a minimum clearance from the first inner diameter to displace the obstruction in the proximal direction in conjunction with a suction force.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein each of the one or more spiral fins has the same size.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the one or more fragments of the obstruction are configured to be drawn in the proximal direction around the one or more spiral fins.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the one or more fragments of the obstruction are configured to be aspirated through the funnel opening of the aspiration catheter.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the guidewire is configured such that there is a distance between the distal end of the guidewire and the infundibulum of the aspiration catheter.

11. A device configured to remove an obstruction from a blood vessel, the device comprising: A suction catheter, the suction catheter comprising: an elongated body comprising a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen sized to receive at least a first portion of the obstruction therein; and a funnel connected to the distal end of the elongated body and including a funnel opening sized to receive at least a second portion of the obstruction therein; and an injection catheter positioned within the lumen and including an orifice positioned proximate a distal end of the injection catheter; The injection catheter is configured to generate a jet through the orifice such that the jet macerates the obstruction into fragments while simultaneously aspirating one or more of the fragments of the obstruction in a proximal direction through the aspiration catheter.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein the elongated body comprises a single continuous structure.

13. The device of claim 11, wherein the funnel mouth is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

14. The device of claim 11, wherein the elongated body comprises a first inner diameter and the funnel mouth comprises a second inner diameter, the first inner diameter being smaller than the second inner diameter.

15. The device of claim 11, wherein the one or more fragments of the obstruction are configured to be aspirated in the proximal direction around the injection catheter.

16. The device of claim 11, wherein the distal end of the injection catheter is closed.

17. The device of claim 11, wherein the injection catheter is configured such that there is a distance between the distal end of the injection catheter and the funnel of the aspiration catheter.

18. The device of claim 11, wherein the injection catheter is configured as any of the following: integral with said elongate body; or Separate from the elongated body, the injection catheter is sized to slide through the lumen.

19. A method for removing an obstruction from a blood vessel, the method comprising: positioning the aspiration catheter so that a funnel opening of a funnel disposed at a distal end of the aspiration catheter is proximal to the obstruction; wherein the suction catheter comprises an elongated body; and wherein the funnel is connected to the distal end of the elongated body; applying suction in a proximal direction through the suction catheter until a proximal portion of the obstruction becomes lodged in the infundibulum; positioning a clot macerating device within the lumen of the aspiration catheter; as well as The clot maceration device is actuated to macerate the obstruction into fragments, while one or more of the fragments of the obstruction are simultaneously aspirated in a proximal direction through the aspiration catheter.

20. A method according to claim 19, wherein the clot impregnation device is configured such that there is a distance between the distal end of the clot impregnation device and the funnel opening of the aspiration catheter, and wherein the one or more fragments of the obstruction are configured to be aspirated in the proximal direction around the clot impregnation device.

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