Devices and methods for mechanical thrombectomy

Abstract

The device includes a catheter extending longitudinally from a proximal end to a distal end and including a lumen and a grasper including a jaw connected for movement between an open configuration and a closed configuration, a control member connected to the grasper, where longitudinal movement of the member relative to the catheter moves the grasper between the configurations, and a proximal interface including a piston connected to the proximal end, where as the grasper moves toward the closed configuration the piston applies negative pressure through the catheter to draw a separated portion of the thrombus proximally through the catheter.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE The present disclosure relates to intravascular devices and related methods, and more particularly to surgical devices and related methods for mechanically removing thrombi. [Background technology]

[0002] Blood clots can interfere with normal blood flow to various parts of the body, leading to life-threatening conditions such as pulmonary embolism or acute stoke. During some current thrombectomy procedures (removal of a blood clot from within an artery or vein), a catheter can be guided through the blood vessel under image guidance until it is positioned adjacent to the clot. The clot can then be removed from the vessel via any of a variety of methods, including aspiration through the catheter or via a mechanical removal device, such as a stent retriever, that is pushed out of the catheter to capture the clot. However, devices that require continuous aspiration can sometimes result in excessive blood loss and / or negative pressure buildup, which can lead to vessel collapse and / or catheter blockage. In addition, some mechanical thrombectomy devices require expensive and time-consuming procedures involving multiple insertions and removals of the device to achieve complete removal of the clot. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The present disclosure relates to a device for performing thrombectomy, the device comprising: a catheter extending longitudinally from a proximal end to a distal end and including a lumen extending therethrough; and a grasper mountable over the distal end of the catheter, the grasper including first and second jaws connected to one another, the first and second jaws extending around opposing portions of the distal end of the catheter and separated from one another to receive a portion of the thrombus between the first and second jaws; and a grasper configured to move the first and second jaws toward one another to grasp a portion of the thrombus between the first and second jaws. a grasper movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration in which the grasped portion of the thrombus is pulled and separated from the remainder of the thrombus; a first control member connected to the grasper, wherein longitudinal movement of the first control member relative to the catheter moves the grasper between the open and closed configurations; and a proximal interface including a piston connected to a proximal end of the catheter, wherein when the grasper is moved toward the closed configuration, the piston applies negative pressure through the catheter to draw the separated portion of the thrombus proximally through the catheter.

[0004] In one embodiment, the device further includes a second control member connected to the grasper, wherein longitudinal movement of the second control member relative to the catheter moves the grasper between an open configuration and a closed configuration, the first control member connected to a first jaw of the grasper and the second control member connected to a second jaw of the grasper.

[0005] In one embodiment, each of the first jaw and the second jaw includes teeth extending therealong, the teeth configured to penetrate a portion of the thrombus grasped between the first jaw and the second jaw.

[0006] In one embodiment, the first and second jaws of the grasper are connected to one another via a hinge that biases the grasper toward a closed configuration, such that the first and second jaws are maintained in an open configuration over the outer surface of the catheter when the grasper is mounted on the catheter and return toward the closed configuration when the grasper is moved distally away from the catheter.

[0007] In one embodiment, the grasper includes a coating extending over a portion of each of the first and second jaws to define a substantially solid surface thereof, thereby preventing any portion of the thrombus grasped between the first and second jaws from escaping distally therefrom.

[0008] In one embodiment, the device further includes an outer shaft extending longitudinally along the outer surface of the catheter, the first control member extending through the outer shaft from the proximal interface to the grasper.

[0009] In one embodiment, the proximal interface further includes a cylindrical housing connected to the proximal end of the catheter, the piston being slidably movable within the cylindrical housing, and a crankshaft connected to the piston and to the proximal end of the first control member, whereby distal movement of the first control member relative to the catheter moves the gripper toward the closed configuration and moves the piston proximally within the cylindrical housing to generate negative pressure within the catheter, and proximal movement of the first control member relative to the catheter moves the gripper toward the open configuration and moves the piston distally within the cylindrical housing.

[0010] In one embodiment, the proximal interface further includes a rotatable handle connected to the crankshaft, whereby rotation of the rotatable handle moves the grasper between the open and closed configurations.

[0011] In one embodiment, the proximal interface further includes a clot collecting element connected to the cylindrical housing via a one-way valve, and the separated portion of the clot is moved into the clot collecting element as the grasper moves toward the open configuration.

[0012] Additionally, the present disclosure relates to a device for performing thrombectomy, the device comprising: a catheter extending longitudinally from a proximal end to a distal end and including a lumen extending therethrough; and a grasper mountable over the distal end of the catheter, the grasper including first and second jaws connected to one another, the first and second jaws extending around opposite portions of the distal end of the catheter and movable between an open configuration in which the first and second jaws are separated from one another to receive a portion of the thrombus between the first and second jaws, and a closed configuration in which the first and second jaws are moved toward one another to grasp a portion of the thrombus between the first and second jaws and separate the grasped portion of the thrombus from the remainder of the thrombus; and a proximal interface including a cylindrical housing connected to the proximal end of the catheter and a piston slidably housed within the cylindrical housing, wherein when the grasper is moved toward the closed configuration, the piston moves proximally within the cylindrical housing to apply negative pressure through the catheter and draw the separated portion of the thrombus proximally through the catheter.

[0013] In one embodiment, the proximal interface further includes a crankshaft connected to the piston and to the proximal ends of the first and second control members, whereby distal movement of the first and second control members relative to the catheter moves the graspers toward the closed configuration and moves the piston proximally within the cylindrical housing, and proximal movement of the first and second control members relative to the catheter moves the graspers toward the open configuration and moves the piston distally within the cylindrical housing.

[0014] In one embodiment, the proximal interface further includes a rotatable handle connected to the crankshaft, whereby rotation of the rotatable handle moves the grasper between the open and closed configurations.

[0015] In one embodiment, the proximal interface further includes a clot collecting element connected to the cylindrical housing via a one-way valve, and the separated portion of the clot is moved into the clot collecting element as the grasper moves toward the open configuration.

[0016] In one embodiment, each of the first and second jaws includes teeth extending therealong, with the teeth of the first jaw extending toward the teeth of the second jaw such that the teeth penetrate a portion of the thrombus grasped between the first and second jaws.

[0017] In one embodiment, the first and second jaws are biased toward a closed configuration, the first and second jaws are maintained in an open configuration via an outer surface of the catheter when the grasper is mounted on the catheter, and return toward the closed configuration when the grasper is moved distally away from the catheter.

[0018] Additionally, the present disclosure relates to a method for performing a thrombectomy. The method includes inserting a catheter through a blood vessel until a grasper mounted on a distal end of the catheter in an open configuration is adjacent to a target thrombus within the blood vessel, the grasper having first and second jaws extending in the open configuration over opposing portions of the catheter such that a first portion of the target thrombus is contained between the first and second jaws; moving the grasper distally away from the catheter and moving the first and second jaws toward each other to grasp a first portion of the thrombus contained between the jaws, thereby separating the first portion of the thrombus from the remainder of the thrombus, and applying negative pressure through the catheter as the grasper moves toward the closed configuration, thereby drawing the first portion of the thrombus proximally through the catheter; and moving the grasper toward the open configuration by drawing the grasper proximally onto the distal end of the catheter, wherein the first portion of the thrombus escapes into a thrombus collection bag as the grasper moves toward the open configuration.

[0019] In one embodiment, the method further includes moving the catheter distally within the blood vessel with the grasper mounted on the catheter in an open configuration so that a second portion of the thrombus is contained between the first and second jaws of the grasper; moving the grasper distally away from the catheter and moving the first and second jaws toward each other to grasp the second portion of the thrombus contained between the jaws, thereby separating the second portion of the thrombus from the remainder of the thrombus; and moving the grasper toward the open configuration by drawing the grasper proximally onto the distal end of the catheter, wherein the second portion of the thrombus escapes into the thrombus collection bag as the grasper is moved toward the open configuration.

[0020] In one embodiment, as the grasper moves toward the closed configuration, the teeth of the first and second jaws penetrate a first portion of the thrombus, separating the first portion of the thrombus from the remainder of the thrombus. In one embodiment, negative pressure is applied through the catheter via a piston that moves proximally within a cylindrical housing connected to the proximal end of the catheter, thereby drawing a first portion of the thrombus proximally into the cylindrical housing.

[0021] In one embodiment, a first portion of the thrombus is evacuated into a thrombus collection bag as the piston moves distally within the cylindrical housing. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of a distal portion of a device with a grasper of the device in an open configuration, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] 2 shows a perspective view of the distal portion of the device according to FIG. 1, with the graspers of the device in a closed configuration. [Figure 3] 2 shows a perspective view of a grasper according to the device of FIG. 1 in an open configuration. [Figure 4] 2 shows a perspective view of a grasper according to the device of FIG. 1 in a closed configuration. [Figure 5] 1. FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a grasper according to a further embodiment of the device of FIG. [Figure 6] 2 shows a partially transparent perspective view of the proximal portion of the device according to FIG. 1 when the device is in an open configuration. [Figure 7] 2 shows a partially transparent side view of the proximal portion of the device according to FIG. 1 when the device is in a closed configuration. [Figure 8] 2 is a side view of the distal portion of the device of FIG. 1 in an open configuration within a target vessel. [Figure 9] 2 shows a side view of the distal portion of the device of FIG. 1 grasping a portion of a target thrombus in a closed configuration. [Figure 10]FIG. 2 shows a side view of the distal portion of the device of FIG. 1, with the grasped portion of the thrombus separating from the remainder thereof. [Figure 11] 2 shows a side view of the proximal portion of the device of FIG. 1 with the separated portion of the thrombus contained within the cylindrical housing of the proximal portion of the device. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 shows a side view of the distal portion of the device of FIG. 1 with the graspers moved back toward the open configuration. [Figure 13] 2 shows a side view of the proximal portion of the device of FIG. 1 with a separated portion of the thrombus contained within a thrombus collection bag in the proximal portion of the device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] The present disclosure can be further understood with reference to the following description and the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are referred to with the same reference numerals. The present disclosure relates to a thrombectomy device, and more particularly, to a mechanical thrombectomy device configured to systematically grasp and remove portions of a thrombus while remaining in a target area of ​​a blood vessel until the entire thrombus is removed from the target area. An exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure describes a thrombectomy device that includes a grasper mounted on the distal end of a catheter insertable through a blood vessel to a target area within the blood vessel. The grasper is movable between an open configuration in which the jaws of the grasper are mounted on the distal end of the catheter and separated from one another to accommodate a portion of the thrombus within the jaws, and a closed configuration in which the jaws of the grasper are moved distally away from the catheter such that the jaws move toward one another to grasp a portion of the thrombus contained between the jaws and separate the grasped portion from the remainder of the thrombus.

[0024] A proximal interface connected to the proximal end of the catheter includes a piston that applies negative pressure within the catheter when the grasper is moved toward the closed configuration, thereby drawing the separated portion of the thrombus proximally through the catheter and into the cylindrical housing of the piston. Once the separated portion of the thrombus is drawn into the cylindrical housing, the grasper can be moved proximally back onto the distal end of the catheter to reopen the jaws of the grasper. As the grasper moves back toward the open configuration, the piston moves distally within the cylindrical housing, pushing the separated portion of the thrombus into a thrombus collection container connected to the cylindrical housing. The grasper may be moved between the open and closed configurations to grasp portions of the thrombus, separate them from the entire thrombus, and remove them from the blood vessel until the entire thrombus is removed from the target region of the blood vessel. Once the entire thrombus is collected in the collection container, the thrombectomy device may be removed from the target region of the blood vessel. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the terms proximal and distal, as used herein, are intended to refer to directions toward and away from a user of the device, respectively.

[0025] 1-13, an exemplary embodiment of a thrombectomy device 100 includes a grasper 102 mountable on a distal end 106 of a catheter 104 and configured to be inserted through a blood vessel to a target area to remove a thrombus in the target area. The grasper 102 is movable between an open configuration (shown in FIG. 1 ) in which the grasper 102 is mounted on the distal end 106 of the catheter 104 and the jaws 108 of the grasper 102 are separated from one another, and a closed configuration (shown in FIG. 2 ) in which the grasper 102 is moved distally away from the catheter 104, the grasper 102 returns toward the biased configuration, and the jaws 108 move toward one another to grasp and sever material (e.g., a portion of a thrombus) contained between the jaws 108.

[0026] The exemplary device 100 further comprises a proximal interface 110 connected to a proximal end 112 of the catheter 104 via a cylindrical housing 114 and to the grasper 102 via a control member 116. The grasper 102 is moved between an open configuration and a closed configuration via the control member 116. With the jaws 108 in the open configuration, the catheter 104 is advanced to a position adjacent the thrombus, and the jaws 108 are moved distally away from the catheter 104 to close over a portion of the thrombus. That is, as the grasper 102 moves toward the closed configuration, the jaws 108 grasp a portion of the thrombus between them and cut the grasped portion from the remainder of the thrombus, taking a "bite" of the thrombus. As the grasper 102 moves toward the closed configuration, the piston 118 slidably moves proximally within the cylindrical housing 114, creating negative pressure through the catheter 104, which draws the separated portion of the thrombus into and through the catheter 104 until this portion of the thrombus enters the cylindrical housing 114, so that the cut / separated portion of the thrombus may be "swallowed."

[0027] The grasper 102 may then be moved back to the open configuration by retracting the grasper 102 proximally onto the distal end 106 of the catheter 104 so that the catheter 104 moves the jaws 108 apart. As the grasper 102 moves to the open configuration, the piston 118 moves distally within the cylindrical housing 114, pushing the separated portions of the thrombus into a thrombus collection bag 120 connected to the cylindrical housing. The grasper 102 may repeatedly move between the open and closed configurations, i.e., grasp, separate, and collect portions of the thrombus with each iteration, until the entire thrombus is removed from the blood vessel and collected in the thrombus collection bag 120. That is, the grasper 102 systematically "bites" and "swallows" portions of the thrombus until the entire thrombus is removed.

[0028] The catheter 104 extends longitudinally from the distal end 106 to the proximal end 112 and includes a lumen 122 extending therethrough. The catheter 104 is sized, shaped, and configured for insertion through a target blood vessel. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the catheter 104 must be sufficiently flexible to be inserted through the target blood vessel to a target area therein without causing undue trauma to the blood vessel or surrounding tissue. While the distal end 106 of the catheter 104 is inserted into the target blood vessel, a proximal portion of the catheter 104, including the proximal end 112, remains external to the body accessible to a user (e.g., a surgeon) of the device 100. In the exemplary embodiment, the proximal portion of the catheter 104 also includes a port 124 in communication with the lumen 122, such that a tool or device, such as a dilator, can be inserted into the port 124 (if desired) and through the lumen 122 to reach the target area during a thrombectomy procedure.

[0029] As shown in FIGS. 3-4 , the grasper 102 includes a pair of jaws 108, each of which is connected to one another via a hinge 126. In one embodiment, each of the jaws 108 extends along a curve from a first end 128 to a second end 130, with a first of the hinges 126 connecting the first ends 128 of the jaws 108 to one another, while a second of the hinges 126 connecting the second ends 130 of the jaws 108 to one another. In an exemplary embodiment, the hinges 126 are spring-loaded to bias the jaws 108 toward a closed configuration ( FIG. 4 ) in which the jaws 108 move toward one another. Each of the jaws 108 in this embodiment includes teeth 132 or other structural features configured to pierce a portion of the thrombus and sever that portion from the remainder of the thrombus when the jaws 108 are drawn together.

[0030] In one embodiment, the teeth 132 of one jaw 108 contact the teeth 132 of the other jaw 108. In particular, in the closed configuration, the jaws 108 extend toward each other, thereby separating the portion of the thrombus grasped between the teeth 132 of each jaw 108 from the remainder of the thrombus for removal from the target vessel. When the grasper 102 is mounted on the distal end 106 of the catheter 104 in the open configuration, the jaws 108 are disposed on diametrically opposed portions of the outer surface 134 of the distal end 106, such that the outer surface 134 of the catheter 104 maintains the grasper 102 in the open configuration with the jaws 108 separated from each other ( FIG. 3 ).

[0031] Thus, when the grasper 102 is mounted on the distal end 106 of the catheter 104, the catheter 104 can be positioned relative to the thrombus such that as the grasper 102 moves distally away from the catheter 104, a portion of the thrombus is disposed between the closing jaws 108. As the grasper 102 moves distally away from the catheter 104, the grasper 102 is free to close due to the natural bias of the hinge 126. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the hinge 126 and / or jaws 108 of the grasper 102 may be formed from any of a variety of materials, so long as the hinge 126 biases the jaws 108 toward the closed configuration as described above, and the biasing force is strong enough to cause the teeth 132 to penetrate the thrombus. In one embodiment, a portion of the grasper 102 (e.g., the hinge 126) is formed from a shape memory alloy, such as Nitinol, to provide and / or add to the biasing force toward the closed configuration.

[0032] 5 , the grasper 102 includes a surface or coating 156 extending over portions of the jaws 108 that prevents the grasped portion of the thrombus from escaping distally through openings in the distal faces of the jaws 108 when the grasper 102 is in a closed configuration (i.e., the coating 156 substantially closes the distally-facing surfaces of the jaws 108 when the jaws 108 are closed). In this embodiment, the grasper 102 may be formed from an additional material, such as a polymer, that defines and / or coats portions of the jaws 108 to form a substantially solid surface or coating 156. Thus, upon grasping a portion of the thrombus, the grasped portion is separated from the remainder of the thrombus and prevented from escaping distally therefrom, thereby allowing the severed portion of the thrombus to be drawn into the catheter 104.

[0033] Thus, as described in further detail below, the separated portion of the thrombus is removed from the blood vessel and drawn into the catheter 104 via negative pressure applied through the lumen 122 of the catheter 104 as described above. Although the exemplary embodiment specifically describes the jaws 108 of the grasper 102 as being formed from nitinol and / or a polymer, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the grasper 102 may be formed from any of a variety of biocompatible materials, so long as the jaws 108 are configured to grasp a portion of the thrombus and separate it from the remainder of the thrombus for removal from the blood vessel.

[0034] According to an exemplary embodiment, device 100 includes a pair of control members 116, each extending along the length of catheter 104 from a proximal end 136 connected to a portion of proximal interface 110, described in further detail below, to a distal end 138 connected to a corresponding one of jaws 108. In the exemplary embodiment, control members 116 are formed as flexible strands, filaments, or coils, for example, made of metal or polymer. The distal end 138 of each control member 116 in this embodiment is attached to a corresponding one of jaws 108, such that longitudinal movement of control member 116 relative to catheter 104 correspondingly moves grasper 102 between an open configuration and a closed configuration.

[0035] Each control member 116 in this embodiment is movably housed within an outer shaft 140 that extends along the exterior length of the catheter 104 from a proximal end 142 adjacent the proximal interface 110 to a distal end 144. In the exemplary embodiment, the device 100 includes a pair of shafts 140 fixed along opposite longitudinal sides of the catheter 104 such that a corresponding one of the housed control members 116 is slidable longitudinally within the shaft as the control members 116 move proximally and distally relative to the catheter 104. The distal end 144 of the shaft 140 is positioned along the catheter 104 so that when the grasper 102 is mounted on the distal end 106 of the catheter 104 and moved distally away from the catheter 104 to grasp and cut a portion of the thrombus, the distal end 138 of the control member 116 extends distally past the distal end 144 of the outer shaft 140 and connects with the jaws 108 of the grasper.

[0036] According to an exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 6-7 , the proximal interface 110 includes an actuator, such as a rotary handle 146 connected to the proximal end 136 of the control member 116 and the piston 118 via a crankshaft 148. The rotary handle 146 is rotatable relative to a proximal housing 150 within which the crankshaft 148 is housed. As described above, the piston 118 is movably housed within a cylindrical housing 114 connected to the proximal end 112 of the catheter 104. The cylindrical housing 114 is in fluid communication with a lumen 122 of the catheter 104, such that negative pressure can be applied through the lumen 122 via movement of the piston 118 within the cylindrical housing 114 to grasp and remove separated portions of the thrombus from the blood vessel, as described below. The proximal interface 110 further includes a clot collection bag 120 connected to the cylindrical housing 114, such that the separated portions of the thrombus can be subsequently collected in the clot collection bag 120. The thrombus collection bag 120 may be connected to the cylindrical housing 114 via a one-way valve 152 so that once the separated portion of the thrombus is collected in the thrombus collection bag, the collected thrombus cannot re-enter the housing 114.

[0037] In particular, the one-way valve 154 connecting the clot collection bag 120 to the cylindrical housing 114 allows the separated portion 12 of the clot 10 to pass from the cylindrical housing 114 to the clot collection bag 120, but does not allow any portion of the clot to pass from the clot collection bag 120 to the cylindrical housing 114. Although the exemplary embodiment shows and describes the clot as being collected in the collection bag 120, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the clot may be collected in any container or reservoir connected to the cylindrical housing 114.

[0038] The rotary handle 146 is connected to the crankshaft 148 such that rotation of the handle 146 rotates the crankshaft 148. In the open configuration, the piston 118 is disposed at the distal end of the cylindrical housing 114, as shown in FIG. 6. The proximal end 136 of the control member 116 and the piston 118 are connected to the crankshaft 148, such that when the rotary handle 146 is rotated to move the control member 116 distally relative to the catheter 104, the piston 118 simultaneously moves proximally within the cylindrical housing 114, as shown in FIG. 7, applying a negative pressure within the lumen 122. Thus, as the grasper 102 is moved distally away from the distal end 106 of the catheter 104 and its natural bias moves it back from the open configuration toward the closed configuration, grasping and separating a portion of the thrombus from the remainder of the thrombus, the negative pressure applied within the catheter 104 draws the grasped and separated portion of the thrombus proximally through the catheter 104 and into the cylindrical housing 114.

[0039] Further rotation of the rotation handle 146 then rotates the crankshaft 148, which moves the control member 116 proximally relative to the catheter 104 and pulls the grasper 102 back onto the distal end 106 of the catheter 104 toward the open configuration. This same rotation of the rotation handle 146 also moves the piston 118 distally within the cylindrical housing 114, relieving the negative pressure applied within the lumen 122 and forcing the separated portion of the thrombus out of the cylindrical housing and into the thrombus collection bag 120.

[0040] The rotary handle 146 can be repeatedly and / or continuously rotated relative to the proximal housing 150, as described above, to systematically move the grasper 102 between open and closed configurations to grasp, separate, and remove portions of the target thrombus until the entire target thrombus is removed from the blood vessel.

[0041] 8-13 illustrate an exemplary method for performing a thrombectomy utilizing device 100. As shown in FIG. 8, grasper 102, mounted on distal end 106 of catheter 104 in an open configuration, is inserted through a blood vessel under image guidance to a target region within the vessel until grasper 102 is positioned adjacent and / or against target thrombus 10. Once grasper 102 is positioned adjacent target thrombus 10 as desired, rotatable handle 146 is rotated relative to proximal housing 150 to move control member 116 distally relative to catheter 104 and move grasper 102 distally, away from distal end 106 of catheter 104, thereby moving jaws 108 from the open configuration toward a closed configuration as shown in FIG. As the grasper 102 moves toward the closed configuration, the jaws 108 grasp the portion 12 of the target thrombus 10 disposed therebetween, causing the teeth 132 to penetrate the thrombus 10 and separate the grasped portion 12 from the remainder of the thrombus 10. As described above, while the control member 116 moves distally relative to the catheter 104, the piston 118 moves distally within the cylindrical housing 114, applying a negative pressure within the lumen 122. This negative pressure draws the separated portion 12 of the thrombus 10 proximally through the catheter 104, as shown in FIG. 10, and into the cylindrical housing 114, as shown in FIG. 11.

[0042] Once the separated portion 12 of the thrombus is contained within the cylindrical housing 114, the user further rotates the handle 146 relative to the proximal housing 150, correspondingly rotating the crankshaft 148, which causes the control member 116 to move proximally relative to the catheter 104 and pull the grasper 102 proximally onto the distal end 106 of the catheter 104 from the closed configuration to the open configuration, as shown in FIG. 12. While the control member 116 is moving proximally relative to the catheter 104, the piston 118 simultaneously moves distally within the cylindrical housing 114, relieving the negative pressure within the lumen 122 and pushing the separated portion 12 of the thrombus 10 out of the cylindrical housing 114 and into the thrombus collection bag 120 through the one-way valve 154, as shown in FIG.

[0043] The user may then move the device 100 distally through the target vessel, thereby leaving the remaining portion of the thrombus positioned adjacent the distal end 106 of the catheter 104 as desired, while continuing to move the grasper 102 between the open and closed configurations via rotation of the rotation handle 146 relative to the proximal housing 150.

[0044] The grasper 102 continues to grasp and separate portions of the target thrombus and collect these portions with each iteration (e.g., with each rotation of the rotating handle 146) until the entire target thrombus is removed from the vessel and collected in the thrombus collection bag 120. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the rotating handle 146 may be rotated in a continuous manner, with the catheter 104 simultaneously repositioned (if necessary) so that the grasper 102 systematically "bites" and "swallows" remaining portions of the thrombus until the entire thrombus is removed. The device 100 may be removed from the target vessel once the entire target thrombus has been removed.

[0045] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made in the present disclosure without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Furthermore, those skilled in the art will understand that features in any of the various embodiments may be combined in any manner not inconsistent with the description and / or functionality of the embodiments.

Claims

1. 1. A device for performing a thrombectomy, comprising: a catheter extending longitudinally from a proximal end to a distal end and including a lumen extending therethrough; a grasper mountable onto the distal end of the catheter, the grasper including a first jaw and a second jaw connected to one another, the first jaw and the second jaw extending around opposite portions of the distal end of the catheter and movable between an open configuration in which the first jaw and the second jaw are separated from one another to contain a portion of the thrombus between the first jaw and the second jaw, and a closed configuration in which the first jaw and the second jaw are moved toward one another to grasp a portion of the thrombus between the first jaw and the second jaw and separate the grasped portion of the thrombus from a remainder of the thrombus; a first control member connected to the grasper, wherein longitudinal movement of the first control member relative to the catheter moves the grasper between the open configuration and the closed configuration; a proximal interface including a piston connected to the proximal end of the catheter, wherein when the grasper is moved toward the closed configuration, the piston applies negative pressure through the catheter to draw a separated portion of the thrombus proximally through the catheter.

2. a second control member connected to the grasper, wherein longitudinal movement of the second control member relative to the catheter moves the grasper between the open configuration and the closed configuration, the first control member connected to the first jaw of the grasper and the second control member connected to the second jaw of the grasper; The device of claim 1 further comprising:

3. 3. The device of claim 1 or 2, wherein each of the first jaw and the second jaw includes teeth extending therealong, the teeth configured to penetrate a portion of the thrombus grasped between the first jaw and the second jaw.

4. 3. The device of claim 1, wherein the first and second jaws of the grasper are connected to one another via a hinge that biases the grasper toward the closed configuration, such that when the grasper is mounted on the catheter, the first and second jaws are maintained in the open configuration via an outer surface of the catheter and return toward the closed configuration when the grasper is moved distally away from the catheter.

5. 3. The device of claim 1, wherein the grasper includes a coating extending over a portion of each of the first jaw and the second jaw to define a substantially solid surface thereof, thereby preventing any portion of a thrombus grasped between the first jaw and the second jaw from escaping distally therefrom.

6. an outer shaft extending longitudinally along an exterior surface of the catheter, the first control member extending through the outer shaft from the proximal interface to the grasper; The device of claim 1 or 2, further comprising:

7. 3. The device of claim 1, wherein the proximal interface further includes a cylindrical housing connected to the proximal end of the catheter, the piston being slidably movable within the cylindrical housing, and a crankshaft connected to the piston and to a proximal end of the first control member, whereby distal movement of the first control member relative to the catheter moves the gripper toward the closed configuration and moves the piston proximally within the cylindrical housing to generate negative pressure within the catheter, and proximal movement of the first control member relative to the catheter moves the gripper toward the open configuration and moves the piston distally within the cylindrical housing.

8. 8. The device of claim 7, wherein the proximal interface further includes a rotatable handle connected to the crankshaft, whereby rotation of the rotatable handle moves the grasper between the open configuration and the closed configuration.

9. 8. The device of claim 7, wherein the proximal interface further comprises a clot collecting element connected to the cylindrical housing via a one-way valve, and wherein the separated portion of the clot is moved into the clot collecting element as the grasper moves toward the open configuration.

10. 1. A device for performing a thrombectomy, comprising: a catheter extending longitudinally from a proximal end to a distal end and including a lumen extending therethrough; a grasper mountable onto the distal end of the catheter, the grasper including a first jaw and a second jaw connected to one another, the first jaw and the second jaw extending around opposite portions of the distal end of the catheter and movable between an open configuration in which the first jaw and the second jaw are separated from one another to contain a portion of the thrombus between the first jaw and the second jaw, and a closed configuration in which the first jaw and the second jaw are moved toward one another to grasp a portion of the thrombus between the first jaw and the second jaw and separate the grasped portion of the thrombus from a remainder of the thrombus; first and second control members connected to the first and second jaws of the grasper, respectively, and extending from a distal end to a proximal end, the first and second control members configured such that longitudinal movement of the first and second control members relative to the catheter moves the grasper between the open configuration and the closed configuration; a proximal interface including a cylindrical housing connected to the proximal end of the catheter and a piston slidably housed within the cylindrical housing, wherein when the grasper is moved toward the closed configuration, the piston moves proximally within the cylindrical housing to apply negative pressure through the catheter and draw a separated portion of a thrombus proximally through the catheter.

11. 11. The device of claim 10, wherein the proximal interface further includes a crankshaft connected to the piston and to the proximal ends of the first and second control members, whereby distal movement of the first and second control members relative to the catheter moves the grasper toward the closed configuration and moves the piston proximally within the cylindrical housing, and proximal movement of the first and second control members relative to the catheter moves the grasper toward the open configuration and moves the piston distally within the cylindrical housing.

12. 12. The device of claim 11, wherein the proximal interface further includes a rotatable handle connected to the crankshaft, whereby rotation of the rotatable handle moves the grasper between the open and closed configurations.

13. 13. The device of claim 10, wherein the proximal interface further comprises a clot collecting element connected to the cylindrical housing via a one-way valve, and wherein the separated portion of the clot is moved into the clot collecting element as the grasper moves toward the open configuration.

14. 13. The device of claim 10, wherein each of the first jaw and the second jaw includes teeth extending therealong, the teeth of the first jaw extending toward the teeth of the second jaw such that the teeth penetrate a portion of a thrombus grasped between the first jaw and the second jaw.

15. 13. The device of claim 10, wherein the first jaw and the second jaw are biased toward the closed configuration, the first jaw and the second jaw are maintained in the open configuration via an outer surface of the catheter when the grasper is mounted on the catheter, and return toward the closed configuration when the grasper is moved distally away from the catheter.

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