Strain-relieving structural support

Abstract

A medical device incorporating structural support members (such as struts) has the structural support members designed in a manner that eliminates or reduces high strain areas of the medical device. The structural support members may be laser cut from a sheet of material such as Nitinol. One or more structural support members may be tapered along at least a portion of their length, e.g., narrowing toward segments of the medical device that may be subjected to high strain. The width or diameter of openings between pairs of such structural supports may be increased at or near such segments that may be subjected to high strain.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] (Related Applications) This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 488,355, entitled "Strain Relief Structural Support," filed March 3, 2023, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. [Background technology]

[0002] Various medical devices may incorporate struts or other structural support members constructed of various materials, such as Nitinol. Some such medical devices may be delivered in a collapsed, compressed, or reduced configuration and then expanded to an expanded configuration upon delivery. For example, such medical devices may include laser cutting devices, including occlusion devices, clot retrieval devices, stents, shunts, etc.

[0003] It has been found that such medical devices may contain high strain regions that can contribute to defects such as deformation, microcracks, and / or strut breakage, etc. It is desirable to manufacture such medical devices in a manner that reduces or eliminates such high strain regions, thereby reducing or eliminating such defects that arise during use of the medical device. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Disclosed herein are various embodiments of medical devices that incorporate struts or other structural support members designed in a manner that eliminates or reduces high strain areas.

[0005] In an exemplary embodiment, one or more structural support members of a laser ablated medical device may be tapered along its length.

[0006] In an exemplary embodiment, the radius of the opening separating a pair of structural support members of the laser ablated medical device may increase at or near the point of high strain.

[0007] In an exemplary embodiment, the one or more structural support members may be thinner near the point of high strain and thicker as the one or more structural support members extend away from the point of high strain.

[0008] In an exemplary embodiment, the radius of the openings separating the struts of the medical device at or near the point of high strain may increase, for example, from approximately 0.001 inches to approximately 0.002 inches.

[0009] In an exemplary embodiment, the joints between adjacent, substantially parallel struts of the medical device may separate the larger radius openings from the smaller radius openings.

[0010] In exemplary embodiments, high strain regions of a medical device in a fully expanded configuration can be substantially reduced using the methods and systems shown and / or described herein, e.g., strain can be reduced from about 10% to about 7%.

[0011] In exemplary embodiments, high strain regions of a medical device in a collapsed, compressed, or reduced configuration can be substantially reduced using the methods and systems shown and / or described herein, e.g., strain can be reduced from about 9% to about 5%. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] The following drawings are included to illustrate certain aspects of the present disclosure and should not be considered as exclusive embodiments. The disclosed subject matter is capable of considerable variation, modification, combination, and equivalents in form and function, provided one skilled in the art has the benefit of this disclosure. Reference is made to the accompanying drawings.

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a side view of a medical device having a strain relief structural support deployed by a pusher through a delivery device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0014] [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a side view of a medical device having strain relief structural support in an expanded configuration in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0015] [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a side view of multiple interconnected medical devices having strain relief structural supports in an expanded configuration according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0016] [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a side view of a medical device having strain relief structural supports in an expanded configuration and showing strain relief regions according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0017] [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a side view of a flattened medical device having strain relief structural support in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0018] [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a partial side view of a flattened medical device having strain relief structural support in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0019] [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a partial side view of a flattened medical device having strain relief structural support in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0020] [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a side view of a medical device having strain relief structural supports in a collapsed configuration in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0021] [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a medical device having strain relief structural supports in a collapsed configuration in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] Specific embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present disclosure can be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. The terminology used in the detailed description of the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings is not intended to limit the present disclosure. In the drawings, like numbers refer to like elements.

[0023] As used herein, when referring to a value, the terms "about," "approximately," or "generally" are understood to mean within ±5% of the stated value.

[0024] It should be understood that in the figures, "proximal," representing the direction toward the surgeon, is shown on the left hand side, and "distal," representing the direction away from the surgeon, toward the patient, is shown on the right hand side.

[0025] Disclosed herein are various embodiments of medical devices having strain-relieving structural supports that may be configured to reduce potential failures of the medical device, including deformation, microcracking, and breakage.

[0026] The medical device may be laser cut in some embodiments. For example, the medical device, or portions thereof, may be laser cut from a tube or panel to achieve a desired profile shape. At least a portion of the medical device may be constructed from nitinol or a similar shape memory material. The structural support may comprise various structural components that support the medical device in an expanded or collapsed configuration. For example, the structural support may comprise struts.

[0027] The systems and methods shown and / or described herein may be useful for various types of medical devices. For example, such medical devices may include occlusion devices, stents, shunts, tubular devices, engagement members, vascular devices, neurovascular devices, blood flow interrupters, blood flow resistors, clot retrieval devices, and the like. Such medical devices may be adjustable between multiple configurations, such as between a collapsed configuration for delivery / retrieval and an expanded configuration for deployment. It should be understood that the term "medical device," as used herein, may also refer to components of a medical device, such as an engagement member of a clot retrieval device.

[0028] Each of the medical devices (e.g., engaging members) may have a collapsed configuration when sheathed and / or constrained, such as in a delivery device, and an expanded configuration when unsheathed and / or unconstrained. The structural support may form the outer profile of the engaging members when expanded.

[0029] The structural supports may be substantially parallel to one another in at least one configuration of the medical device, such as the collapsed configuration. Each pair of structural supports may be separated by an opening, such as an elongated opening. The pairs of structural supports may be linked or interconnected by a linking member that forms a joint between the structural supports.

[0030] The medical device may include a first set of structural supports along a proximal portion or half thereof and a second set of structural supports along a distal portion or half thereof. The first set of structural supports may have a different configuration (e.g., shape, size, orientation, etc.) than the second set of structural supports. Each of the first set of structural supports may extend from a proximal end of the medical device to approximately its midpoint, and each of the second set of structural supports may extend from approximately its midpoint to the distal end of the medical device.

[0031] The first and second sets of structural supports may comprise pairs of structural supports. Each of the structural supports forming a pair of structural supports may be separated by an elongated opening. Further, each pair of structural supports may be separated from another pair of structural supports by an elongated opening.

[0032] The one or more structural supports may be tapered along at least a portion of their length. The one or more structural supports may be tapered toward a central or intermediate region of the proximal portion of the medical device such that the one or more structural supports decrease in diameter or width toward the central or intermediate region of the proximal portion of the medical device and increase in diameter or width away from the central or intermediate region of the medical device.

[0033] Some portions of such tapered structural supports may not be tapered and thus may have a uniform width or diameter. It should be understood, therefore, that a particular structural support may have both tapered segments and uniform diameter or width segments. Furthermore, in a medical device having multiple structural supports, some of the structural supports may have one or more tapered portions, and some of the structural supports may have a uniform width or diameter along their entire length.

[0034] A medical device may include multiple structural supports that are substantially parallel when the medical device is in a compressed, collapsed, or reduced configuration. The structural supports within such a medical device may be joined or connected at specific points by one or more joints.

[0035] The positioning and orientation of the structural supports may define openings between pairs of structural supports. The openings may comprise elongated openings when the medical device is in a compressed, collapsed, or reduced configuration. When the medical device expands to its expanded configuration, the openings similarly expand and may result in cells or pores formed within the expanded medical device. These cells or pores may serve a wide range of functions, such as allowing the flow of fluid (e.g., blood) through the expanded medical device.

[0036] The openings between adjacent structural supports may have a uniform diameter or width along their entire length, or one or more of the openings may have a variable diameter or width along at least a portion of their length. The width or diameter of one or more openings between adjacent structural supports may be tapered in one or both directions. A first opening between a pair of structural supports on a first side of the joint may have a smaller width or diameter than a second opening between the same pair of structural supports on a second side of the joint.

[0037] The medical device may include one or more radiopaque markers that may be positioned around at least a portion of one or more structural supports. The one or more structural supports may include one or more structural features or shapes that help hold the radiopaque marker in place, such as a "dogbone" strut shape that includes a central portion, a first protruding portion extending distally from the central portion, and a second protruding portion extending proximally from the central portion. Corners of the central portion may include bumps, nubs, or other protrusions that act as stops to prevent the radiopaque marker from slipping off the structural support. Pairs of adjacent structural supports may converge at such structural features or shapes.

[0038] Examples of specific embodiments are further described below. However, it should be understood that any feature of any embodiment can be combined with each other in any combination. Therefore, the present disclosure should not be limited to only these embodiments, but also applies to their broader combinations.

[0039] 1 is a side view of a medical device 100 having a strain relief structural support 110 deployed by a pusher 200 through a delivery device 300, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. It should be understood that the delivery method of the medical device 100 may vary in different examples and therefore should not be construed as limited in scope by the example shown in the figure.

[0040] 1, medical device 100 may be attached to the distal end of pusher 200. Pusher 200 may be advanced through a delivery device 300, such as a catheter or sheath. When positioned within delivery device 300, medical device 100 may collapse into a collapsed configuration, such as a substantially tubular or cylindrical configuration.

[0041] The medical device 100 may expand to the expanded configuration when deployed from the delivery device 300, such as by the pusher 200. The method of deployment may vary. For example, the pusher 200 may be utilized to advance the medical device 100 from the delivery device 300 and / or the delivery device 300 may be retracted to expose the medical device 100.

[0042] The manner in which the medical device 100 is attached to the pusher 200 may vary in different examples. In one example, the medical device 100 may be removably attached to the pusher 200. Various detachment mechanisms, such as thermal, electrical, mechanical, magnetic, etc., may be utilized to removably attach the medical device 100 to the pusher 200 and detach the medical device 100 therefrom after delivery to the target location within the patient's anatomy.

[0043] 2 is a side view of a medical device having strain-relieved structural supports in an expanded configuration in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. In particular, the figure shows an example of a medical device 100, such as an engagement member of a blood clot retrieval device, in an expanded configuration. In such a configuration, the structural supports 110, 110A may expand to bulge outward, thereby forming a substantially conical or teardrop shape. The shape of the medical device 100 in such an expanded configuration, which may be useful for retrieving blood clots or the like, may vary in different embodiments and therefore should not be construed as limited in scope by the example shown in the figure.

[0044] Although the degree of taper may not be readily discernible in Figure 2, it should be understood that the structural supports 110, 110A of Figure 2 may be tapered, as discussed below and shown in more detail, for example, in Figures 5-7. The medical device 100 may be constructed of a shape memory material and may be heat set so that it expands to the configuration shown in Figure 2 when unconstrained.

[0045] FIG. 3 is a side view of multiple interconnected medical devices 100 having strain relief structural supports 110 in an expanded configuration, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0046] 3 shows an example in which four medical devices 100 are interconnected, it should be understood that in different examples, more or fewer medical devices 100 may be interconnected. For example, different examples may utilize fewer than four medical devices 100 (e.g., three, two, or one). As another example, different examples may utilize more than four medical devices 100 (e.g., five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, or more).

[0047] The spacing between each medical device 100 may vary in different examples and should not be construed as limited by the example shown in FIG. 3 . For example, the spacing between the medical devices 100 may be wider or narrower than shown. Furthermore, the spacing between multiple medical devices 100 may vary and therefore may not be uniform as shown. Thus, the spacing between such multiple medical devices 100 may be variable (e.g., a first pair of medical devices 100 may be closer to each other than a second pair of medical devices 100). It should also be understood that at least some of the medical devices 100 may be grouped together and additional medical devices 100 may be offset relative to such grouping.

[0048] The manner in which medical devices 100 are interconnected may vary in different examples. Medical devices 100 may be directly attached to one another, either removably or fixedly. Medical devices 100 may be connected to one another by elongated members or the like. Medical devices 100 may be empty or may include an inner core, such as a core wire, that extends partially or entirely along the length of the medical device 100. Medical devices 100 may be movable (e.g., rotationally and / or axially) relative to one another and / or to a core wire or other structure.

[0049] 4 is a side view of a medical device having strain relief structural supports in an expanded configuration in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, illustrating strain relief regions 116. More specifically, FIG. 4 shows example test results comparing strain applied to a medical device without tapered struts and the exemplary medical device 100 shown in FIG.

[0050] The regions 116 in which strain relief was detected during testing are shaded and designated with the reference numeral 116 in Figure 4. However, it should be understood that the strain relief regions 116 depicted in Figure 4 are not intended to be limiting in scope, as the geometry of the medical device 100, the testing method, and other considerations may affect the regions 116 identified as having strain relief through use of the devices, systems, and / or methods shown and / or described herein.

[0051] FIG. 5 is a side view of a flattened medical device having strain-relieved structural support in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. More specifically, FIG. 5 shows an example of a medical device 100, such as an engaging member of a blood clot retrieval device, in a flattened, collapsed configuration. The medical device 100 may form such a configuration during or immediately after manufacturing, such as after laser cutting a sheet or plate. The example medical device 100 shown in FIG. 5 is in its collapsed configuration and laid flat. The medical device 100 may be formed or manufactured by a variety of methods, such as laser cutting from a panel or sheet.

[0052] The medical device 100 may comprise one or more structural supports 110 extending at least partially between the proximal end 101 and the distal end 102 of the medical device 100. The one or more structural supports 110 may comprise elongated members such as struts.

[0053] The one or more structural supports 110 may be constructed of a variety of materials, such as shape memory materials including Nitinol. The one or more structural supports 110 may be heat set so that they expand into a desired shape or configuration when uncovered or unconstrained, such as upon removal from a delivery device 300, such as a catheter.

[0054] 5, medical device 100 may comprise a proximal portion 101A and a distal portion 101B. Proximal portion 101A may comprise approximately 30-40% of the length of medical device 100, or may comprise less than 30% or more than 40% of the length of medical device 100.

[0055] The one or more structural supports 110 may comprise a first pair of structural supports 110A, 110B along the proximal portion 101A of the medical device 100 and one or more pairs of structural supports 110C, 110D along the distal portion 101B of the medical device 100. In the illustrated example, the distal pair of structural supports 110C, 110D are shown as having a greater length than the proximal pair of structural supports 110A, 110B, although other configurations may be utilized in different examples (e.g., an opposite configuration may be utilized where the proximal pair of structural supports 110A, 110B is longer than the distal pair of structural supports 110C, 110D, or a configuration where the proximal and distal pairs of structural supports 110A, 110B, 110C, 110D each have approximately the same length).

[0056] Each pair of structural supports 110A, 110B, 110C, 110D may be axially connected by a connecting structure 130, which may comprise a "dog-bone" configuration and / or an elongated member or link, examples of both of which are shown in Figure 5. The "dog-bone" connecting structure 130 may, in some examples, be utilized to retain a radiopaque marker.

[0057] The multiple structural supports 110 may be arranged in a substantially parallel orientation when the medical device 100 is in its contracted, collapsed, or compressed configuration. One or more of the structural supports 110 may have a uniform width or diameter. At least a portion 115 of one or more of the structural supports 110 may be tapered such that the width or diameter of such structural supports 110 decreases toward the central or intermediate region 103 of the proximal portion 101A of the medical device 100.

[0058] The positioning, length, and degree of taper of the tapered portion 115 of one or more structural supports 110 may vary in different embodiments and therefore should not be construed as limited in scope by the examples shown in the figures. In some examples, the entire length of one or more structural supports 110 may be tapered from a first diameter to a second diameter. In other examples, only a portion 115 of the length of one or more structural supports 110 may be tapered. In still other examples, the portion 115 of the length of one or more structural supports 110 may be tapered, while the portion 115 of the length of one or more structural supports 110 may not be tapered. Furthermore, the medical device 100 may be formed by a combination of structural supports 110 having tapered portions 115 and non-tapered structural supports 110, as shown in the figures.

[0059] The manner in which one or more structural supports 110 are reduced in width or diameter along one or more portions of their respective lengths may vary in different examples. In one example, electropolishing may be used to reduce the diameter or width along at least a portion of each of the one or more structural supports 110.

[0060] Various portions 115 along the length of one or more structural supports 110 may be narrower than the widest or thickest portion of the length of the one or more supports 110. In one example, one or more structural supports 110 may narrow toward the central or middle region 103 of the proximal portion 101A of the medical device 100. Conversely, one or more structural supports 110 may thicken or widen toward the distal and / or proximal portions 101A, 101B, in a direction away from the central or middle region 103 of the proximal portion 101A of the medical device 100. Thus, the narrowest segment of one or more structural supports 110 along the length of the one or more structural supports 110 and / or medical device 100 may be located at or near the central or middle region 103 of the proximal portion 110A.

[0061] Figure 6 is a partial side view of a flattened medical device having a strain relief structural support in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 7 is a partial side view of a flattened medical device having a strain relief structural support in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. More specifically, each of Figures 6-7 shows a proximal portion 101A of medical device 100.

[0062] The positioning and orientation of the structural supports 110 may define a plurality of openings 120A, 120B, 120C, 120D. Thus, each pair of adjacent structural supports 110A, 110B may be separated by an opening 120A, 120B, 120C, 120D. The openings 120A, 120B, 120C, 120D may comprise elongated openings extending at least a portion of the length of the medical device 100.

[0063] Structural support 110 may define a plurality of openings 120A, 120B, 120C, 120D that may be positioned radially around the circumference of medical device 100. When medical device 100 is in the expanded and unconstrained configuration as shown in Figures 1-4, the effective size of openings 120A, 120B, 120C, 120D may increase as structural support 110 moves apart to define a plurality of cells 140 of medical device 100.

[0064] In the collapsed configuration (e.g., FIGS. 8-9), the medical device 100 may include different openings 120A, 120B, 120C, 120D having different shapes, sizes, positions, and orientations. For example, adjacent structural supports 110A, 110B may define a first opening 120A. The first opening 120A may comprise an elongated opening extending along at least a portion of the length of the medical device 100. The first opening 120A may have a uniform diameter or may be slightly tapered in width or diameter.

[0065] Adjacent pairs of structural supports 110A, 110B may define second and third openings 120B, 120C, each linearly aligned along the same longitudinal axis and substantially parallel to the first opening 120A. These openings 120B, 120C may be tapered along at least a portion of their length to relieve strain in or around a particular portion or segment of the medical device 100 in the expanded configuration.

[0066] Adjacent pairs of structural supports 110A, 110B may be interconnected by joints 125. In an exemplary embodiment, a first pair of structural supports 110A, 110B may be interconnected with an adjacent second pair of structural supports 110A, 110B by one or more joints 125. It can be seen that each joint 125 may separate a second opening 120B and a third opening 120C, with both second and third openings 120B, 120C being defined between pairs of adjacent structural supports 110A, 110B.

[0067] The shapes, dimensions, and / or orientations of the second and third openings 120B, 120C may be different from one another. However, in some embodiments, the shapes, dimensions, and / or orientations of the second and third openings 120B, 120C may be substantially similar. Each of the second and third openings 120B, 120C may comprise an elongated opening. Either or both of the second and third openings 120B, 120C may have a uniform width or diameter along its length or may be tapered along one or more portions of its length.

[0068] As shown in FIGS. 5-7, second opening 120B may be wider at its first end than at its second end. A portion of its length may be tapered inward to narrow. For example, second opening 120B may be tapered inward over approximately 25%-50% of its length, with the remainder of its length having a uniform diameter toward its second end. Thus, the radius of curvature r1 of first terminal end 125A of second opening 120B may be greater than the radius of curvature r2 of second terminal end 125B of second opening 120B.

[0069] The third opening 120C may continuously taper along its length, narrowing from a first width or diameter to a second width or diameter, the second width or diameter being smaller than the first width. The widest portion of the third opening 120C may be positioned adjacent the junction 125 to relieve strain. Thus, the termination point of the second opening 120B adjacent the first side of the junction 125 may have a smaller diameter than the termination point of the third opening 120C adjacent the second side of the junction 125. Such a configuration may be desirable to relieve strain on the structural supports 110, 110A at or around those points.

[0070] The distal portion of the medical device 100 may include additional pairs of structural supports 110C, 110D, which may have a different structure than the pair of structural supports 110A, 110B in the proximal portion of the medical device 100. Each pair of such structural supports 110C, 110D may extend substantially parallel to one another and terminate near the distal end 102 of the medical device 100. As shown in FIG. 5 , an opening 120D may be defined between each pair of such structural supports 110C, 110D. The structural supports 110C, 110D may be tapered (e.g., have a reduced diameter or width) along at least a portion of their respective lengths, such that the opening 120D may bulge (e.g., become wider) along a portion of its length.

[0071] The medical device 100 may include one or more structural features 130 or shapes that help hold one or more radiopaque markers in place, such as a "dogbone" shape. Such structural features 130 may be located at various locations along the length and circumference of the medical device 100. The spacing, positioning, number, and orientation of such structural features 130 may vary to accommodate different types of medical devices 100 and thus should not be construed as limited in scope by the exemplary embodiment shown in the figures. As shown in FIGS. 1-3, in some embodiments, pairs of structural supports 110, 110A may converge at such structural features 130.

[0072] FIG. 8 is a side view of a medical device having a strain-relieved structural support in a collapsed configuration in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a medical device having a strain-relieved structural support in a collapsed configuration in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. In particular, FIGS. 8-9 show an exemplary embodiment of a medical device 100, such as an engaging member of a blood clot retrieval device, in a reduced, collapsed, or compressed configuration. In such a configuration, the medical device 100 may form a substantially cylindrical or tubular shape. The configuration shown in FIGS. 8-9 may be desirable for delivering the medical device 100 to a target anatomical structure while constrained within a delivery device, such as a catheter or other tubular device.

[0073] Preliminary Claims:

[0074] Clause 1. A medical device comprising a first structural support and a second structural support, the first structural support being substantially parallel to the second structural support, and a first width of the first structural support tapering along a portion of the length of the first structural support to relieve strain in a segment of the medical device.

[0075] Clause 2. The medical device of clause 1, wherein the second width of the second structural support is tapered to relieve strain in the segment of the medical device.

[0076] Clause 3. The medical device of clause 1, wherein the segment is positioned near an intermediate portion along the length of the medical device.

[0077] Clause 4. The medical device of clause 1, further comprising an elongated opening defined between the first structural support and the second structural support.

[0078] Clause 5. The medical device of clause 4, wherein the width of the elongated opening increases in a direction toward the segment of the medical device and decreases in a direction away from the segment of the medical device.

[0079] Clause 6. The medical device of clause 1, further comprising a joint interconnecting the first structural support and the second structural support.

[0080] Clause 7. The medical device of clause 6, further comprising a first opening defined between the first structural support and a second structural support on a first side of the joint, and a second opening defined between the first structural support and a second structural support on a second side of the joint.

[0081] Clause 8. The medical device of clause 7, wherein the diameter or width of the first opening adjacent the first side of the junction is smaller than the diameter or width of the second opening adjacent the second side of the junction.

[0082] Clause 9. The medical device of clause 1, wherein the first structural support and the second structural support each comprise a strut.

[0083] Clause 10. A blood clot retrieval device comprising one or more engaging members for retrieving a blood clot, each of the one or more engaging members comprising a first structural support and a second structural support, the first structural support being substantially parallel to the second structural support, and a first width of the first structural support being tapered to relieve strain on segments of the one or more engaging members.

[0084] Clause 11. A medical device comprising a first structural support and a second structural support extending substantially parallel to the first structural support to define an elongated opening, wherein a width or diameter of a first end of the elongated opening is smaller than a width or diameter of a second end of the elongated opening.

[0085] Clause 12. The medical device of clause 11, wherein at least a portion of said first structural support is tapered to decrease in width or diameter toward a middle segment of said medical device.

[0086] Clause 13. The medical device of clause 12, wherein at least a portion of said second structural support is tapered to decrease in width or diameter toward said intermediate segment of said medical device.

[0087] Clause 14. The medical device of clause 11, further comprising a third structural support extending substantially parallel to said second structural support.

[0088] Clause 15. The medical device of clause 14, further comprising a junction interconnecting the second structural support and the third structural support and defining a second elongated opening on a first side of the junction and a third elongated opening on a second side of the junction.

[0089] Clause 16. The medical device of clause 15, further comprising a first opening defined between the second structural support and a third structural support on the first side of the joint, and a second opening defined between the second structural support and a third structural support on the second side of the joint.

[0090] Clause 17. The medical device of clause 16, wherein the diameter or width of the first opening adjacent the first side of the junction is smaller than the diameter or width of the second opening adjacent the second side of the junction.

[0091] Clause 18. The medical device of clause 11, wherein the first and second structural supports are each laser cut from a sheet of material.

[0092] Clause 19. The medical device of clause 18, wherein said material comprises nitinol.

[0093] Clause 20. The medical device of clause 11, wherein the first structural support and the second structural support each comprise a strut.

[0094] Clause 21. A method of reducing strain in a medical device, the method comprising tapering one or more structural supports of said medical device.

[0095] Clause 22. The method of clause 21, wherein tapering one or more structural supports of the medical device comprises electropolishing one or more structural supports of the medical device.

[0096] While the present disclosure has been described with reference to particular embodiments and applications, those skilled in the art, in light of this teaching, may generate additional embodiments and modifications without departing from the spirit or beyond the scope of the claimed disclosure. Accordingly, it should be understood that the drawings and descriptions herein are presented by way of example to facilitate understanding of the disclosure and should not be construed as limiting its scope.

Claims

1. A medical device comprising: a first structural support; and a second structural support, the first structural support being substantially parallel to the second structural support; A medical device, wherein a first width of the first structural support is tapered along a portion of a length of the first structural support to relieve strain in a segment of the medical device.

2. The medical device of claim 1 , wherein the second width of the second structural support is tapered to relieve strain in the segment of the medical device.

3. The medical device of claim 1 , wherein the segment is positioned near a mid-portion along the length of the medical device.

4. The medical device of claim 1 , further comprising an elongated opening defined between the first structural support and the second structural support.

5. The medical device of claim 4 , wherein the elongated opening has a width that increases toward the segment of the medical device and decreases in width away from the segment of the medical device.

6. The medical device of claim 1 , further comprising a joint interconnecting the first structural support and the second structural support.

7. 7. The medical device of claim 6, further comprising a first opening defined between the first structural support and a second structural support on a first side of the joint, and a second opening defined between the first structural support and a second structural support on a second side of the joint.

8. 8. The medical device of claim 7, wherein the diameter or width of the first opening adjacent the first side of the junction is smaller than the diameter or width of the second opening adjacent the second side of the junction.

9. The medical device of claim 1 , wherein the first structural support and the second structural support are each comprised of a strut.

10. 1. A blood clot retrieval device comprising: one or more engagement members for retrieving a blood clot, each of the one or more engagement members comprising: a first structural support; and a second structural support, the first structural support being substantially parallel to the second structural support; A blood clot retrieval device, wherein the first width of the first structural support is tapered to relieve strain on a segment of the one or more engaging members.

11. A medical device comprising: a first structural support; and a second structural support extending substantially parallel to the first structural support to define an elongated opening; A medical device wherein a width or diameter of a first end of the elongated opening is smaller than a width or diameter of a second end of the elongated opening.

12. 12. The medical device of claim 11, wherein at least a portion of the first structural support is tapered to decrease in width or diameter toward a middle segment of the medical device.

13. 13. The medical device of claim 12, wherein at least a portion of the second structural support is tapered to decrease in width or diameter toward the intermediate segment of the medical device.

14. The medical device of claim 11 , further comprising a third structural support extending substantially parallel to the second structural support.

15. 15. The medical device of claim 14, further comprising a junction interconnecting the second structural support and the third structural support and defining a second elongated opening on a first side of the junction and a third elongated opening on a second side of the junction.

16. 16. The medical device of claim 15, further comprising a first opening defined between the second structural support and a third structural support on the first side of the joint, and a second opening defined between the second structural support and a third structural support on the second side of the joint.

17. 17. The medical device of claim 16, wherein the diameter or width of the first opening adjacent the first side of the joint is smaller than the diameter or width of the second opening adjacent the second side of the joint.

18. 12. The medical device of claim 11, wherein the first and second structural supports are each laser cut from a sheet of material.

19. 20. The medical device of claim 18, wherein the material is comprised of nitinol.

20. The medical device of claim 11 , wherein the first structural support and the second structural support are each comprised of a strut.

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