Device for clot retrieval and distal protection

#This invention relates to a device for retrieving clot and other foreign material from blood vessels and protecting the distal vasculature during invasive procedures.

#Distal protection of the vasculature during invasive procedures as well as retrieval of clot debris and other matter therefrom has heretofore been accomplished. These interventional therapies can be performed either individually or concomitantly and are appropriate for the coronary, peripheral and cerebral vasculature. Various devices and methods have been utilized heretofore, however, they have all been plagued with deficiencies. Specifically, the relatively small size of the distal coronary vessels as well as the smaller size and tortuosity of the cerebral vasculature has made traversing and navigating the same during therapeutic intervention often traumatic and/or impossible. There is, therefore, a need for a device and method for protecting the distal vasculature during invasive procedures in the human body as well as percutaneously retrieving embolic or other clot material therefrom which overcomes the deficiencies of prior art devices and methods.

#In general, it is an object of the present invention to provide a device for retrieving clot material and protecting distal vasculature during interventional procedures which is sized and structured in order to facilely navigate small and tortuous blood vessels in the human body.

#FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view of a clot retrieval and distal protection device of the present invention having the expansile member in the radially contracted configuration.

#FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the device of FIG. 1 with the expansile member in the radially expanded configuration.

#FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the distal end of the device of FIG. 2

#In general, the device of the present invention is used for retrieval of clot material and other matter and distal protection within a blood vessel having a wall defining a lumen in the body. The clot retrieval and distal protection device comprises an elongated tubular member having proximal and distal extremities and having a longitudinal axis. An expansile member having proximal and distal extremities is carried by the distal extremity of the elongated tubular member and is movable between radially contracted and expanded configurations. A deformable membrane at least partially covers the expansile member in the radially expanded configuration. A guide member is coupled to the distal extremity of the expansile member and has proximal and distal ends. A handle assembly is carried by the proximal extremity of the elongated tubular member for moving said expansile member between radially contracted and expanded configurations. The handle assembly is detachable from the proximal extremity of the elongated tubular member.

#More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 1-2, the expansile device 21 of the present invention comprises a first elongate tubular member 22, preferably a flexible elongate tubular member 22, formed of a suitable plastic material, preferably a cast thermoset material such as polyimide. The inner and/or outer surfaces of the polyimide material may be coated with a lubricious material such as Teflon™. Alternatively, the thermoset material may be a polyimide-Teflon™ composite in order to provide the desired lubricious inner and outer surfaces. The first flexible elongate tubular member 22 has proximal and distal extremities 23 and 24 with a longitudinal axis extending from the proximal 23 to the distal extremity 24 and is provided with a first lumen 26 which is circular in cross-section and which, as shown, may be centrally disposed, extending from the proximal extremity 23 to the distal extremity 24.

#Flexible elongate tubular member 22 is of a suitable size, as for example having an outer diameter ranging approximately 0.005-0.040 inches, preferably approximately 0.001″, and a suitable length, as for example, ranging from 2 to 60 centimeters, preferably being approximately 40 centimeters ±1 centimeter. First lumen 26 may have an inside diameter of approximately 0.004-012″, preferably approximately 0.008″.