US 2011/0034863 A1 · FLEXIBLE MEDICAL DEVICE FOR CLOT REMOVAL FROM SMALL VESSELS

Abstract

A medical device and method of applying said medical device to deliver drugs and to remove thrombus or soft tissue clots from vascular or other lumens in a patient is presented. The medical device generally comprises an elongated tubular delivery member having a proximal portion and a distal portion that differ in rigidity and a leak-free connector that is in contact with the proximal portion of the delivery member and is compatible for use with fibrinolytic agents and application of a vacuum. The delivery member includes a metal core made out of multiple shaped-wire strands and a polymer overlay disposed about the core. The wire strands, which have both an A-side and a B-side, are helically wound to form a polygonal shaped lumen whose inner diameter is defined by the A-side of the strands.

Claims21

Dependent claims

A medical device for clot removal from small vessels by fibrinolytic infusion or vacuum retrieval, the device comprising:

an elongated tubular delivery member having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the delivery member comprising a metal core of multiple shaped-wire strands having an A-side and a B-side, the wire strands helically wound to form a lumen with an inner diameter defined by the A-side of the strands and a polymer overlay disposed about the metal core;
the proximal portion and distal portion being different in their predetermined degree of rigidity;
and
a leak-free connector in contact with the proximal portion of the delivery member;
the connector being compatible for use with fibrinolytic infusion and vacuum retrieval;
wherein the helically wound wire strands form a first polygon defined by the B-side of the strands and a second polygon defined by the A-side of the strands;
the second polygon defining the shape of the lumen.

4 more elements

A method for clot removal from small vessels by fibrinolytic infusion or vacuum retrieval, the method comprising the steps of:

introducing a sheath having a lumen into a blood vessel;
inserting a guide wire through the lumen of the sheath;
deploying the elongated tubular delivery member of a medical device having distal and proximal portions with a common lumen over the guide wire into the blood vessel;
positioning the distal end of the delivery member proximate to a clot;
removing the guide wire;
injecting a fibrinolytic agent into the blood vessel through the delivery member until the clot is dissolved;
and
removing the delivery member of the medical device from the blood vessel;
wherein the delivery member of the medical device has a metal core comprising multiple shaped-wire strands having an A-side and a B-side, the wire strands helically wound to form a lumen with its inner diameter being defined by the A-side of the strands and a polymer overlay disposed about the B-side of the metal core;
said helically wound wire strands further forming a first polygon defined by the B-side of the strands and a second polygon defined by the A-side of the strands;
the second polygon defining the shape of the lumen.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Flexible medical device for clot removal from small vessels

Life of this patent

Flexible medical device for clot removal from small vessels

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims21