Self-orienting rotating stent rover clamping cell

Abstract

To provide a clot removal device for removing a clot from a body vessel.SOLUTION: A clot removal device includes: an elongated member sized to traverse the vasculature and having a proximal end and a distal end, the elongated member comprising a longitudinal axis; and an engagement structure connected to the distal end of the elongated member, the engagement structure comprising a plurality of pinching cells connected to each other, the at least one pinching cell being configured to engage a clot in an expanded deployed configuration and to pinch the clot upon actuation to a clot pinching configuration, a first pinching cell of the plurality of pinching cells being connected to a second pinching cell of the plurality of pinching cells such that the second pinching cell is rotatable relative to the first pinching cell substantially about the longitudinal axis.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application generally relates to blood clot retrieval devices, and self-aligning clamping cells and stented retrievers including the same.

Background Art

[0002] The World Health Organization estimates that 15,000,000 blood clots occur each year. Blood clots may develop in the form of emboli and block blood vessels locally without being released, and this mechanism is common in the formation of coronary artery blockages. Acute obstacles can include blood clots, misplaced devices, displaced devices, large emboli, etc. Thromboembolism occurs when part or all of a blood clot detaches from the blood vessel wall. This blood clot is then carried in the direction of blood flow. Blood clots can have a wide range of forms and viscosities. Longer stringy and softer blood clot material may tend to clog at bifurcations or trifurcations, resulting in multiple blood vessels being blocked simultaneously over a significant length.

[0003] Of the 15,000,000 blood clots that occur each year, one-third of patients die and another one-third suffer physical disabilities. Currently, many mechanical recanalization devices are used clinically. First-generation devices include the Merci retriever device. Recent devices based on stent-like technologies, called "stent retrievers" or "stent lit retrievers," are replacing first-generation thromboectomy devices for recanalization in acute ischemic stroke.

[0004] There are significant challenges associated with the design of blood clot removal devices that can provide high levels of performance. There are also multiple access challenges that make device delivery difficult. For example, the vasculature within the area where blood clots may be clogged is often fragile and delicate, and neurovascular vessels are more fragile than similarly sized vessels in other parts of the body and are in a soft tissue bed. Excessive tensile forces applied to these blood vessels can result in perforation and bleeding. Pulmonary blood vessels are larger than those in the cerebrovascular system but are also inherently delicate, especially the more distal pulmonary blood vessels.

[0005] Stent-like clot retriever devices are increasingly being used to remove blood clots from cerebral blood vessels in acute stroke patients, but such devices are not without drawbacks. Stent-like clot retrievers rely on an outward radial force to grasp the clot. If the radial force is too small, the device loses its grip on the clot. If the radial force is too large, the device may damage the vessel wall and may require excessive force to retrieve the clot. Such devices with sufficient radial force to handle all clot types may cause vascular trauma and serious patient injury, while retrievers with appropriate radial force to maintain non-traumaticity may not be able to effectively handle all clot types. In this regard, retrievers can differ in physical properties such as size, shape, radial force, ease of deployment, friction, radiopaqueness, and interaction with the vessel wall, as described above. Loh Y, Jahan R, McArthur D. "As attempts at thrombectomy increase, the rate of recanalization decreases." See American Journal. May 2010;31(5):935-9, and Arai D, Ishii A, Chihara H, Ikeda H, Miyamoto S. "Histological examination of vascular injury caused by stent retriever thrombectomy devices," J Neurointerv Surg. 2016 Oct; 8(10):992-5. Some designs are also based on in vitro stroke models incorporating realistic clot analogs derived from animal blood representing extensive human blood clots recovered from stroke patients. See Eugene F, Gauvrit JY, Ferre J-C, Gentric JC, Besseghir A, Ronziere T, et al. See "One-year MR angiography and clinical follow-up after mechanical thrombectomy using stent retrievers," AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 2015 Jan;36(1):126-32(18). The full text is incorporated herein by reference. [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0006] While mechanical thrombectomy has a high success rate, there is still a certain percentage of patients for whom adequate reperfusion cannot be achieved because the blood clot is not recovered. Cell orientation is a major influencing factor for successful clamping with microcatheters and stent retrievers. The solutions of this disclosure address these and other problems of the technology. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The objective of this design is to provide an apparatus and method that meets the above-mentioned needs. The design may be for a blood clot recovery device that can remove blood clots using a rotating clamping cell.

[0008] In some embodiments, a declotting device is provided for removing blood clots from body blood vessels, the declotting device comprising: an elongated member having a proximal and distal end and a longitudinal axis, sized to traverse the vascular system; and an engaging structure connected to the distal end of the elongated member, comprising a plurality of clamping cells connected to one another.

[0009] In some embodiments, multiple clamping cells are configured to engage with a blood clot in an extended deployment configuration and to clamp the blood clot when activated into a blood clot clamping configuration.

[0010] In some embodiments, a first clamping cell among a plurality of clamping cells is connected to a second clamping cell among a plurality of clamping cells such that the second clamping cell can rotate substantially around the longitudinal axis of the first clamping cell.

[0011] In some embodiments, the engaging structure is non-tubular.

[0012] In some embodiments, at least one of the multiple clamping cells includes a double clamping cell.

[0013] In some embodiments, the second clamping cell is fully rotatable to the first clamping cell.

[0014] In some embodiments, the second clamping cell is rotatable over the first clamping cell by an angle of approximately 180 degrees.

[0015] In some embodiments, the second clamping cell is rotatable over the first clamping cell by an angle of approximately 90 degrees.

[0016] In some embodiments, the connection of the first clamping cell to the second clamping cell biases the rotational offset between the first and second clamping cells.

[0017] In some embodiments, the biased rotational offset between the first clamping cell and the second clamping cell is approximately 30 to approximately 150 degrees.

[0018] In some embodiments, the first clamping cell comprises a collar, and the second clamping cell comprises a mating connector configured to rotatably connect to the collar.

[0019] In some embodiments, the mating connector includes foldable finger portions for insertion into the collar.

[0020] In some embodiments, the clamping cells include alternating collar clamping cells and bonding clamping cells, the collar clamping cells having collars at first and second ends of the collar clamping cells, and the bonding clamping cells having mating connectors configured to rotatably connect to the collars at first and second ends of the bonding clamping cells.

[0021] In some embodiments, each of the multiple clamping cells comprises a mating connector at a first end and a collar at a second end, the mating connector being configured to rotatably connect to the collar.

[0022] In some embodiments, a third clamping cell among a plurality of clamping cells is connected to a second clamping cell such that the third clamping cell is rotatable with respect to the second clamping cell respectively.

[0023] In some embodiments, the respective rotation degrees of the third clamping cells are smaller than the rotation degree of the second clamping cell with respect to the first clamping cell of the second clamping cell.

[0024] In some embodiments, the respective rotation degrees of the third clamping cells are larger than the rotation degree of the second clamping cell with respect to the first clamping cell of the second clamping cell.

[0025] In some embodiments, the first clamping cell is connected to the distal end of the elongated member, and as a result, the first clamping cell is rotatable with respect to the elongated member respectively.

[0026] In some embodiments, the plurality of clamping cells have three or fewer clamping cells in the chain of clamping cells.

[0027] In some embodiments, the plurality of clamping cells have two or fewer clamping cells in the chain within the clamping cells.

[0028] In some embodiments, a blood clot removal device for removing blood clots from a body blood vessel is provided. The blood clot removal device is sized to traverse a vascular system and is an elongated member having a proximal end and a distal end, defining a longitudinal axis. The elongated member is provided with an engagement structure connected to the distal end of the elongated member. The engagement structure includes a clamping cell configured to engage with a blood clot in an expanded deployment configuration and clamp the blood clot when actuated to a blood clot clamping configuration.

[0029] In some embodiments, the clamping cell is connected to the elongated member such that the clamping cell is rotatable with respect to the elongated member substantially about the longitudinal axis.

[0030] In some embodiments, a method is provided for manufacturing a blood clot removal device, the method comprising: forming a plurality of clamping cells, each of which has connecting means for rotatably connecting to at least one other clamping cell of the plurality of clamping cells; connecting a first clamping cell of the plurality of clamping cells to an elongated member sized to traverse a vascular system and defining a longitudinal axis; and connecting a second clamping cell of the plurality of clamping cells to the first clamping cell via the connecting means of the first and second clamping cells, respectively.

[0031] In some embodiments, a method is provided for recovering a blood clot, the method comprising unfolding the clamping portion of a blood clot recovery device from a folded state within a blood vessel to an expanded state to approach the blood clot, the blood clot recovery device comprising an elongated member having a distal end and defining a longitudinal axis, and a clamping portion positioned close to the distal end and comprising a plurality of clamping cells, the plurality of clamping cells comprising a first clamping cell positioned close to the distal end and a second clamping cell rotatably connected substantially to the first clamping cell about a longitudinal axis, the clamping portion being operable to clamp the blood clot when transitioning from an expanded deployed configuration to a clamping configuration.

[0032] In some embodiments, the method further includes advancing the lumen of a microcatheter so that at least one of a plurality of clamping cells is at least partially folded into the lumen of the microcatheter, and clamping the clamping portion that is in contact with the portion of the blood clot when acting to the clamping configuration until the portion of the blood clot is compressed between the clamping portion and the microcatheter. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0033] This specification concludes with claims that specifically point to and expressly assert the rights thereto to the subject matter described herein, which is considered to be better understood from the following description of specific embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which similar reference numerals identify the same elements. [Figure 1]This figure shows a stent retriever and a microcatheter according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 2A] This figure shows an exemplary clamping cell according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 2B] This figure shows an exemplary clamping cell according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 2C] This figure shows an exemplary clamping cell according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 3A] This figure shows an exemplary clamping cell according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 3B] This figure shows an exemplary clamping cell according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 4A] This figure shows an exemplary clamping cell connection configuration according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 4B] This figure shows an exemplary clamping cell connection configuration according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 4C] This figure shows an exemplary clamping cell connection configuration according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 4D] This figure shows an exemplary clamping cell connection configuration according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 4E] This figure shows an exemplary clamping cell connection configuration according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 4F] This figure shows an exemplary clamping cell connection configuration according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 5A] This figure shows an exemplary clamping cell connection configuration according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 5B] This figure shows an exemplary clamping cell connection configuration according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 5C] This figure shows an exemplary clamping cell connection configuration according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 6A] This figure shows a chain of exemplary clamping cells according to an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 6B] This figure shows a chain of exemplary clamping cells according to an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 6C] This figure shows a chain of exemplary clamping cells according to an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 6D]This figure shows a chain of exemplary clamping cells according to an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 6E] This figure shows a chain of exemplary clamping cells according to an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 7A] This figure shows the operation of a microcatheter and a stent retriever according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 7B] This figure shows the operation of a microcatheter and a stent retriever according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] This figure shows a stent retriever and a microcatheter according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 9A] This figure shows the operation of a microcatheter and a stent retriever according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 9B] This figure shows the operation of a microcatheter and a stent retriever according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 10A] This figure shows the connection of adjacent cells according to an aspect of this disclosure. [Figure 10B] This figure shows the connection of adjacent cells according to an aspect of this disclosure. [Figure 11] This is a flowchart of the manufacturing of a stent rever according to one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 12] This is a flowchart of a treatment incorporating an exemplary blood clot removal device according to the embodiments of this disclosure. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0034] While exemplary embodiments of the disclosed technology are described in detail herein, it should be understood that other embodiments are contemplated. Therefore, the scope of the disclosed technology is not intended to be limited to the structural and arrangement details of the components described or shown in the drawings. Other embodiments of the disclosed technology are possible and can be implemented or performed in various ways.

[0035] It should also be noted that in this specification and the appended claims, the singular “a,” “an,” and “the” also include plural references unless the context explicitly indicates otherwise. “Comprising,” “containing,” or “including” means that at least the compound, element, particle, or process step mentioned is present in the composition or article or method, but does not exclude the presence of other compounds, materials, particles, or process steps, even if those other compounds, materials, particles, or process steps have the same function as those mentioned.

[0036] In the description of exemplary embodiments, technical terms are used for clarity. Each term is intended to have its broadest meaning as understood by those skilled in the art and is intended to include all technical equivalents that operate similarly to achieve similar purposes. It should also be understood that reference to one or more steps of a method does not preclude the existence of additional method steps or method steps intervening between those explicitly identified steps. The steps of a method may be performed in an order different from that described herein without departing from the scope of the disclosed art. Similarly, reference to one or more components in a device or system should also be understood that does not preclude the existence of additional components or components intervening between those explicitly identified components.

[0037] Where used herein, the terms “about” or “approximately” for any number or range of numbers indicate a suitable dimensional tolerance that enables a part or set of components to function in accordance with its intended purpose as described herein. More specifically, “about” or “approximately” may refer to a range of values ​​within ±20% of the listed values; for example, “about 90%” may refer to a range of values ​​between 71% and 99%.

[0038] As discussed herein, the vascular system of a “subject” or “patient” may be that of a human or any animal. It should be understood that the animal may be any applicable type, including, but not limited to, mammals, veterinary animals, domestic animals, or pet animals. For example, the animal may be an experimental animal specifically selected to have certain characteristics similar to those of a human (e.g., rats, dogs, pigs, monkeys, etc.). It should be understood that the subject may be, for example, any applicable human patient.

[0039] Where used herein, “operator” may include a physician, surgeon, or any other individual or delivery device involved in the delivery of the blood clot regeneration device to the vascular system of a subject.

[0040] Where used herein, “thrombus” can be understood as a blood clot in the circulatory system that remains in a site of the vascular system that obstructs or otherwise occludes blood flow within a blood vessel. Terms such as “blood clot,” “thrombus,” “obstruction,” “vascular occlusion,” and “occlusion” may be used interchangeably throughout this disclosure and are often used interchangeably.

[0041] The delivery of the “vascular regeneration device” is typically achieved via the delivery of one or more catheters into the femoral artery and / or radial artery and guided into the artery of the brain, vascular bypass, angioplasty, and / or similar. The “vascular regeneration device” may include, but is not limited to, one or more stents, stent retrievers, vascular clot removal devices, vascular clot regeneration devices, suction systems, one or more combinations thereof, and / or similar, each of which is often used interchangeably throughout this disclosure.

[0042] Figure 1 shows a stent retriever and a microcatheter 100 (e.g., a blood clot removal device 100) according to an aspect of the present disclosure. The blood clot removal device 100 may include a microcatheter 102 and a stent retriever 110. The microcatheter 102 has a proximal end 105 and a distal end 107 that are positioned opposite each other. The microcatheter 120 includes a lumen 109 extending from the proximal end 105 to the distal end 107.

[0043] The stent rever 110 may include an engagement structure 140 and an elongated member 111 (e.g., a structural screw 111) defining a longitudinal axis LL. The engagement structure 140 may include at least first and second clamping cells 150. For example, the engagement structure 140 may include a chain of clamping cells 150 connected to the distal end 112 of a structural screw 144. In a delivery configuration, the engagement structure 140 may be disposed within the lumen 109 in the microcatheter 102. Once delivered, the engagement structure 140 can be extended from the microcatheter 102 (e.g., manually or via a push-pull mechanism). At least one of the clamping cells 150 may be configured to rotate independently of adjacent cells 150 and / or structural screws 111, for example. For example, when the support columns of the clamping cell 150 expand into the blood clot, the clamping cell 150 deflects and rotates the cage it forms, improving the integration of the blood clot into the clamping cell 150. This can increase the likelihood of successful clamping of the blood clot by the clamping cell 150.

[0044] Figures 2A to 2C show exemplary clamping cells 250 according to embodiments of the present disclosure. Referring to Figure 2A, the clamping cell 250 may have first ends 204 and second ends 208 positioned opposite each other, and a substantially cylindrical capture section 255 positioned thereon. The capture section 255 may include a plurality of arms 212a to 212d (e.g., struts) that form a cage between them. The arms 212a to 212d may have a substantially arcuate shape configured to capture blood clots within the cage. The first ends 204 and second ends 208 may be configured to connect to one or more adjacent clamping cells and / or structural screws 111.

[0045] Referring to Figure 2B, the clamping cell 250' may have first ends 204' and second ends 208' positioned opposite each other, and a substantially flat capturing section 255' positioned thereon. The capturing section 255' may include a plurality of arms 212a'~212c' (e.g., supports), between which a cage may be formed. The arms 212a'~212c' may optionally have a wavy shape that can improve the capturing characteristics.

[0046] Referring to Figure 2C, the clamping cell 250'' may have a first end 204' and a second end 208' positioned opposite each other, and a substantially cylindrical capture section 255'' positioned thereon. The capture section 255'' may include a plurality of cells 212a''~212c'' (e.g., supports), creating a plurality of cage spaces between them. Each of the cells 212a''~212c'' is substantially oval-shaped and may be connected to the first end 204' and the second end 208' via arms.

[0047] Figures 3A and 3B show exemplary clamping cells 350 according to embodiments of the present disclosure. Referring to Figure 3A, the clamping cell 250 may have first ends 304 and second ends 308 positioned opposite each other, and a substantially hexagonal capture section 355 positioned thereon. The capture section 355 may include a plurality of arms 312a to 312c (e.g., struts) that form a cage between them. The arms 312a to 312c may have substantially straight edges configured to capture blood clots within the cage.

[0048] Referring to Figure 3B, the clamping cell 350' may have a first end 304' and a second end 308' positioned opposite each other, and a capture section 355' positioned thereon. The capture section 355' may include a plurality of arms 312a' to 312c' (e.g., supports), with a cage formed between them. The arms 312a' to 312c' may have substantially straight edges with one or more recesses formed close to the middle portion of the capture section 355'.

[0049] While specific connector types have been described above with reference to Figures 2A to 3B, those skilled in the art will recognize that the clamping cells can be replaced with similar or alternative clamping cells without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

[0050] Figures 4A to 5C show exemplary clamping cell connection configurations for clamping cells 450 and 550 according to embodiments of the present disclosure. Referring to Figure 4A, the clamping cell 450 may include a t-type connector 452 at each end (e.g., a joint clamping cell). The t-type connector 452 (Figure 4B) may be configured to allow rotation of about 90 degrees relative to the connection structure (e.g., a connecting clamping cell and / or screw 111). The t-type connector 452 may have two finger portions extending from a central portion. Referring to Figure 4C, the clamping cell 450' may include a hook-type connector 452' at each end (e.g., a joint clamping cell). The hook-type connector 452' (Figure 4D) may be configured to allow rotation of about 180 degrees relative to the connection structure (e.g., a connecting clamping cell and / or screw 111). The hook-type connector 452' may have a single finger portion extending from a central portion. Referring to Figure 4E, the clamping cell 450'' may include hook-type connectors 452'' at each end (e.g., joint clamping cell). The ball joint connector 452'' (Figure 4F) may be configured to allow substantially free rotation (e.g., 360 degrees) relative to the connecting structure (e.g., connecting clamping cell and / or screw 111). The ball joint connector 452'' may have a ball joint formed at the end of the central portion.

[0051] Referring to Figure 5A, a clamping cell 550 may include a collar connector 556 (e.g., a collar) at each end (e.g., a collar clamping cell 550). The collar connector 556 may be configured to connect to, for example, a T-type connector 452, a hook-type connector 452', and / or a ball-joint connector 452'' of a connecting structure (e.g., a connecting clamping cell and / or screw 111). The collar connector 556 may be adaptable to allow different relative rotations based on the type of connector it is connected to. Referring to Figure 5B, a clamping cell 550' may include a collar connector 556' at one end and a T-type connector 552 at the other end. The collar connector 556' may be configured to connect to a mating connector of an adjacent clamping cell and / or screw 111. The T-type connector 552 may be configured to connect to a collar connector of an adjacent clamping cell and / or screw 111. In this way, a single type of cell can be manufactured and connected to a chain of clamping cells. Referring to Figure 5C, the clamping cell 550'' may include a t-type connector 552 at one end and a ball-type connector 552'' at the other end (e.g., a joint clamping cell). In this way, the clamping cell 550'' may be configured to have different relative rotational characteristics with respect to adjacent cells and / or screws 111 on the opposite side of the clamping cell 550''.

[0052] In some cases, the connector may bias a specific rotational offset between adjacent cells 150. For example, in some cases, the rotational offset biased between the first clamping cell and the second clamping cell may be about 30 to about 150 degrees or about 150 to 210 degrees. While specific connector types have been described above with reference to Figures 4A to 5C, those skilled in the art will recognize that these connector types can be replaced with similar or alternative connectors without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

[0053] Figures 6A–6E show exemplary clamping cell chains according to exemplary embodiments. Referring to Figure 6A, a clamping cell chain 640 may have two clamping cells 650 that are rotatable relative to each other around a connector 660. Depending on the type of connector, the cells 650 may be rotatable relative to each other by about 90 degrees, about 180 degrees, or about 360 degrees, but these are merely examples. Referring to Figure 6B, a clamping cell chain 640' may have three clamping cells 650' attached via a connector 660'. Depending on the type of connector, the cells 650' may be rotatable relative to adjacent cells by about 90 degrees, about 180 degrees, or about 360 degrees, but these are merely examples. In some cases, different adjacent cells 650' may have different rotational characteristics. For example, the first and second cells 650' may be rotatable relative to each other by only 180 degrees, while the second and third cells may be rotatable relative to each other by only 90 degrees, or may be fixed to be substantially rotatable. In Figure 6B, adjacent cells may be biased with a rotational offset of, for example, 150 to 210 degrees. Referring to Figure 6C, the chain of clamping cells 640'' may have four or more clamping cells 650 attached via connectors 660''. Depending on the type of connector, cells 650'' may be rotatable relative to adjacent cells by about 90 degrees, about 180 degrees, or about 360 degrees, but these are merely examples. In some cases, different adjacent cells 650'' may have different rotational characteristics.

[0054] Referring to Figure 6D, a chain of clamping cells 640'' may have two double-cell clamping cells 650'' connected via connectors 660''. Depending on the type of connector, cells 650'' may be rotatable relative to adjacent cells by about 90 degrees, about 180 degrees, or about 360 degrees, but these are merely examples. Referring to Figure 6E, a chain of clamping cells 640'''' may have two double-cell clamping cells 650'''' attached via connectors 660''''. Within the double-cell structure 650'', individual clamping cells 655 may also be rotatable relative to adjacent cells by about 90 degrees, about 180 degrees, or about 360 degrees, depending on the type of connector, but these are merely examples. The use of double-cell clamping cells can be considered a non-tubular engagement structure.

[0055] Figures 7A and 7B illustrate the operation of the microcatheter 102 and stent retriever 110 according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The microcatheter 102 and stent retriever 110 can be moved within the blood vessel 1 to the blood clot 2. The engagement structure 140 can be positioned within the microcatheter 102, for example, in a folded configuration. When properly positioned, the engagement structure 140 can extend from the microcatheter 102. The engagement structure 140 can interfere with the blood clot 2. The engagement structure 140 can then be partially retracted into the microcatheter 102, for example, as shown in Figure 7B. Thus, the engagement structure 140 can press against the microcatheter 102 and grasp the blood clot 2 (for example, in a clamping configuration).

[0056] Figure 8 shows a stent rever and microcatheter 800 (e.g., a blood clot removal device 800) according to an aspect of the present disclosure. The blood clot removal device 800 may include a microcatheter 102 and a stent rever 110. The stent rever 110 may include an engagement structure 840 comprising a single chain of clamping cells 150. The chain of clamping cells 150 is connected to the distal end 112 of a structural screw 144. In a delivery configuration, the engagement structure 840 may be placed inside the microcatheter 102. Once delivered, the engagement structure 840 can be extended from the microcatheter 102 (e.g., manually or via a push-pull mechanism). At least one of the clamping cells 150 may be configured to rotate independently of, for example, adjacent cells 150 and / or structural screws 111 via a connector 860. For example, when the support of the clamping cell 150 expands into the blood clot, the clamping cell 150 deflects and rotates its cage, improving the integration of the blood clot into the clamping cell 150. This can increase the likelihood of successful clamping of the blood clot by the clamping cell 150 compared to a relatively fixed clamping cell.

[0057] Figures 9A and 9B illustrate the operation of the microcatheter 102 and stent rever 110 according to an aspect of the present disclosure. The microcatheter 102 and stent rever 110 can be moved within the blood vessel 1 to the blood clot 2. The engagement structure 840 can be positioned within the microcatheter 102, for example, in a folded configuration. Once properly positioned, the engagement structure 840 can extend from the microcatheter 102. The engagement structure 840 can interfere with the blood clot 2, for example, by the rotation of the cell 150, increasing the interference. The engagement structure 840 can then be partially retracted into the microcatheter 102, for example, as shown in Figure 7B. Thus, the engagement structure 840 can press against the microcatheter 102 and grasp the blood clot 2 (for example, in a clamping configuration).

[0058] Figures 10A and 10B illustrate the connection of adjacent cells according to an aspect of the present disclosure. A cell having a color connector 1056 and a cell having a t-type connector 1052 are provided (Figure 10A). The t-type connector 1052 is inserted into the color connector. Once the first and second cells are combined, the fingers 1054 (e.g., foldable fingers) of the t-type connector 1052 deform and expand (Figure 10B). The t-type connector may then have certain rotational degrees of freedom (e.g., more than 90 degrees) so that the first and second cells rotate independently. While t-type and color connectors are discussed, those skilled in the art will recognize that a variety of different or alternative cell connectors and connection mechanisms can be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0059] Figure 11 is a flowchart 1100 of the manufacture of a stent rever according to one aspect of the present disclosure. The method may include forming a plurality of clamping cells (e.g., clamping cells 150). Each of the plurality of clamping cells is provided with connecting means for rotatably connecting to at least one other clamping cell of the plurality of clamping cells. A first clamping cell of the plurality of clamping cells may be connected to an elongated member (e.g., a screw 111) sized to traverse a vascular system. A second clamping cell of the plurality of clamping cells (e.g., cell 150) may then be connected to the first clamping cell via the connecting means of the first and second clamping cells, respectively. Additional cells 150 may be connected to 130 until a chain of a desired length is formed.

[0060] Figure 12 is a flowchart 1200 of a treatment incorporating an exemplary blood clot removal device (e.g., a combination of a stent reverber and a microcatheter 100 or 800) according to an aspect of the present disclosure. The method involves unfolding the clamping portion 140 of the blood clot removal device from a folded state to an expanded state within a blood vessel 1, the clamping portion comprising a first clamping cell, and a second clamping cell rotatably connected to the first clamping cell. The blood clot removal device may be a microcatheter and a stent reverber (e.g., 100 or 800), and may include a microcatheter (e.g., 102) and a stent reverber (e.g., 110). The lumen 109 of the microcatheter may be advanced on the clamping portion 140 such that at least one of a plurality of clamping cells is at least partially folded into the lumen 109 of the microcatheter 102 1220.

[0061] The clamping portion 140 can come into contact with and clamp a portion of the blood clot 2 when moving from the deployed configuration to the clamping configuration until a portion of the blood clot 2 is compressed between the clamping portion 140 and the microcatheter 102 1230. The blood clot removal device can then be withdrawn from the blood vessel 1 together with the blood clot 2.

[0062] The descriptions contained herein are examples of embodiments of the present invention and do not limit the scope of the invention in any way. As described herein, the present invention envisions many variations and modifications of catheter 100, as well as methods for manufacturing and using them. Additional modifications will be obvious to those skilled in the art to whom the present invention relates and are intended to fall within the scope of the following claims.

[0063] [Implementation Method] (1) A blood clot removal device for removing blood clots from blood vessels of the body, wherein the blood clot removal device is An elongated member sized to traverse the vascular system, having a proximal end and a distal end, and having a longitudinal axis, An engagement structure connected to the distal end of the elongated member, comprising a plurality of clamping cells connected to each other, Equipped with, The plurality of clamping cells are configured to engage with the blood clot in the expanded deployment configuration and to clamp the blood clot when activated to the blood clot clamping configuration. A blood clot removal device in which a first clamping cell among the plurality of clamping cells is connected to a second clamping cell among the plurality of clamping cells, thereby allowing the second clamping cell to rotate substantially with respect to the first clamping cell about the longitudinal axis. (2) The blood clot removal device according to Embodiment 1, wherein the engaging structure is non-tubular. (3) The blood clot removal device according to Embodiment 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of clamping cells includes a double clamping cell. (4) The blood clot removal device according to Embodiment 1, wherein the second clamping cell is fully rotatable relative to the first clamping cell. (5) The blood clot removal device according to Embodiment 1, wherein the second clamping cell is rotatable at an angle of approximately 180 degrees relative to the first clamping cell.

[0064] (6) The blood clot removal device according to Embodiment 1, wherein the second clamping cell is rotatable at an angle of about 90 degrees relative to the first clamping cell. (7) The blood clot removal device according to Embodiment 1, wherein the connection portion of the first clamping cell to the second clamping cell biases the rotational offset between the first clamping cell and the second clamping cell. (8) The blood clot removal device according to Embodiment 7, wherein the biased rotational offset between the first clamping cell and the second clamping cell is approximately 30 to approximately 150 degrees. (9) The blood clot removal device according to Embodiment 1, wherein the first clamping cell comprises a collar, and the second clamping cell comprises a mating connector configured to be rotatably connected to the collar. (10) The blood clot removal device according to embodiment 9, wherein the mating connector has a foldable finger portion for insertion into the collar.

[0065] (11) The blood clot removal device according to Embodiment 1, wherein the plurality of clamping cells alternately comprise collar clamping cells and bonding clamping cells, the collar clamping cells are provided with collars at a first end and a second end thereof, and the bonding clamping cells are provided with mating connectors configured to be rotatably connected to the collars at the first end and the second end thereof. (12) The blood clot removal device according to Embodiment 1, wherein each of the plurality of clamping cells comprises a mating connector at a first end and a collar at a second end, and the mating connector is configured to be rotatably connected to the collar. (13) The blood clot removal device according to Embodiment 1, wherein a third clamping cell among the plurality of clamping cells is connected to the second clamping cell such that the third clamping cell is rotatable relative to the second clamping cell. (14) The blood clot removal device according to Embodiment 13, wherein the degree of rotation of the third clamping cell relative to the second clamping cell is smaller than the degree of rotation of the second clamping cell relative to the first clamping cell. (15) The blood clot removal device according to Embodiment 13, wherein the degree of rotation of the third clamping cell relative to the second clamping cell is greater than the degree of rotation of the second clamping cell relative to the first clamping cell.

[0066] (16) The blood clot removal device according to Embodiment 1, wherein the first clamping cell is connected to the distal end of the elongated member such that the first clamping cell is rotatable with respect to the elongated member. (17) The blood clot removal device according to Embodiment 1, wherein the plurality of clamping cells have three or fewer clamping cells in a chain of clamping cells. (18) The blood clot removal device according to embodiment 17, wherein the plurality of clamping cells have two or fewer clamping cells in a chain of clamping cells. (19) A blood clot removal device for removing blood clots from body blood vessels, wherein the blood clot removal device is A slender member sized to traverse the vascular system, having a proximal end and a distal end, defining a longitudinal axis, An engagement structure connected to the distal end of the elongated member, comprising a clamping cell configured to engage with the blood clot in an extended deployment configuration and to clamp the blood clot when operated to a blood clot clamping configuration, Equipped with, A blood clot removal device in which the clamping cell is connected to the elongated member such that the clamping cell is substantially rotatable relative to the elongated member about the longitudinal axis. (20) A method for manufacturing a blood clot removal device, Forming a plurality of clamping cells, wherein each of the plurality of clamping cells is provided with connecting means for rotatably connecting to at least one other clamping cell among the plurality of clamping cells, The first clamping cell among the plurality of clamping cells is connected to an elongated member sized to traverse the vascular system, wherein the elongated member defines a longitudinal axis, and the connection is made. Connecting the second clamping cell among the plurality of clamping cells to the first clamping cell via the respective connecting means of the first clamping cell and the second clamping cell, Methods that include...

Claims

1. A blood clot removal device for removing blood clots from body blood vessels, wherein the blood clot removal device is An elongated member sized to traverse the vascular system, having a proximal end and a distal end, and having a longitudinal axis, An engagement structure connected to the distal end of the elongated member, comprising a plurality of clamping cells connected to each other, Equipped with, At least one of the plurality of clamping cells is configured to engage with the blood clot in the extended deployment configuration and to clamp the blood clot when activated to the blood clot clamping configuration. In the blood clot clamping configuration, the engaging structure is partially retracted into the microcatheter, thereby pressing the blood clot against the microcatheter and clamping it. The first clamping cell among the plurality of clamping cells is connected to the second clamping cell among the plurality of clamping cells, thereby allowing the second clamping cell to rotate relative to the first clamping cell about the longitudinal axis. A blood clot removal device wherein the connection portion of the first clamping cell to the second clamping cell biases the rotational offset between the first clamping cell and the second clamping cell.

2. A blood clot removal device for removing blood clots from blood vessels of the body, wherein the blood clot removal device is A slender member sized to traverse the vascular system, having a proximal end and a distal end, and having a longitudinal axis, An engagement structure connected to the distal end of the elongated member, comprising a plurality of clamping cells connected to each other, Equipped with, At least one of the plurality of clamping cells is configured to engage with the blood clot in the extended deployment configuration and to clamp the blood clot when activated to the blood clot clamping configuration. In the blood clot clamping configuration, the engaging structure is partially retracted into the microcatheter, thereby pressing the blood clot against the microcatheter and clamping it. The first clamping cell among the plurality of clamping cells is connected to the second clamping cell among the plurality of clamping cells, thereby allowing the second clamping cell to rotate relative to the first clamping cell about the longitudinal axis. At least one of the plurality of clamping cells includes a double clamping cell, The double clamping cell has a first end and a second end positioned on opposite sides of each other, and two substantially cylindrical capturing portions positioned between the first end and the second end, in a blood clot removal device.

3. The blood clot removal device according to claim 1, wherein the second clamping cell is rotatable at an angle of approximately 180 degrees relative to the first clamping cell.

4. The blood clot removal device according to claim 1, wherein the second clamping cell is rotatable at an angle of approximately 90 degrees relative to the first clamping cell.

5. The blood clot removal device according to claim 1, wherein the biased rotational offset between the first clamping cell and the second clamping cell is about 30 to about 150 degrees.

6. The blood clot removal device according to claim 1, wherein the first clamping cell comprises a collar, and the second clamping cell comprises a mating connector configured to be rotatably connected to the collar.

7. The blood clot removal device according to claim 6, wherein the mating connector comprises a foldable finger portion for insertion into the collar.

8. The blood clot removal device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of clamping cells alternately comprise collar clamping cells and bonding clamping cells, the collar clamping cells are provided with collars at a first end and a second end, and the bonding clamping cells are provided with mating connectors configured to be rotatably connected to the collars at the first end and the second end of the bonding clamping cell.

9. The blood clot removal device according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of clamping cells comprises a mating connector at a first end and a collar at a second end, and the mating connector is configured to be rotatably connected to the collar of an adjacent clamping cell.

10. The blood clot removal device according to claim 1, wherein a third clamping cell among the plurality of clamping cells is connected to the second clamping cell such that the third clamping cell is rotatable relative to the second clamping cell.

11. The blood clot removal device according to claim 10, wherein the relative rotatable angle of the third clamping cell with respect to the second clamping cell is smaller than the relative rotatable angle of the second clamping cell with respect to the first clamping cell.

12. The blood clot removal device according to claim 10, wherein the relative rotational angle of the third clamping cell with respect to the second clamping cell is greater than the relative rotatable angle of the second clamping cell with respect to the first clamping cell.

13. The blood clot removal device according to claim 1, wherein the first clamping cell is connected to the distal end of the elongated member such that the first clamping cell is rotatable with respect to the elongated member.

14. The blood clot removal device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of clamping cells have three or fewer clamping cells in a chain of clamping cells.

15. The blood clot removal device according to claim 14, wherein the plurality of clamping cells have two or fewer clamping cells in a chain of clamping cells.

16. A blood clot removal device for removing blood clots from body blood vessels, wherein the blood clot removal device is A slender member sized to traverse the vascular system, having a proximal end and a distal end, defining a longitudinal axis, An engagement structure connected to the distal end of the elongated member, comprising a clamping cell configured to engage with the blood clot in an extended deployment configuration and to clamp the blood clot when operated to a blood clot clamping configuration, Equipped with, In the blood clot clamping configuration, the engaging structure is partially retracted into the microcatheter, thereby pressing the blood clot against the microcatheter and clamping it. The clamping cell is connected to the elongated member such that the clamping cell is rotatable with respect to the elongated member about the longitudinal axis. A blood clot removal device wherein the connection portion of the first clamping cell to the second clamping cell biases the rotational offset between the first clamping cell and the second clamping cell.

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