A clot retrieval system for removing occlusive clot from a blood vessel

A clot capture catheter comprising an elongate tubular shaft having a proximal end, a distal end and an inflatable expansile member at the distal end, the expansile member being inflatable from a collapsed delivery configuration to an expanded configuration,

• wherein, in the expanded configuration, the expansile member extends:
• distally beyond the distalmost tip of the shaft and to at least the distalmost tip of the shaft;
• and
• radially outwardly from the shaft at the distalmost tip of the shaft to define a mouth.

A clot capture procedure, comprising:

• advancing a clot capture catheter towards a clot, the clot capture catheter comprising an inflatable member at the distalmost tip of the clot capture catheter and an inflatable member in a collapsed configuration;
• inflating the inflatable member at the distal tip of the clot capture catheter so that the inflatable member extends outwardly from the distalmost tip of the clot capture catheter to the vessel wall;
• drawing the clot into the clot capture catheter;
• deflating the inflatable member;
• and
• withdrawing the clot capture catheter.

A clot capture procedure, comprising:

• advancing a clot capture catheter through the vasculature to a position proximal of the target clot in a vessel, the clot capture catheter comprising an inflatable member at the distalmost tip of the catheter and an inflatable member in a collapsed configuration;
• crossing the clot with a microcatheter;
• advancing a clot capture device through the microcatheter to the site of the clot;
• retracting the microcatheter to deploy the clot capture device at least partially beneath the clot;
• inflating the expansile member of the clot capture catheter to slow or stop flow in the vessel;
• retracting the clot capture device proximally towards the clot capture catheter;
• connecting a syringe or pump to the proximal end of catheter and aspirating to reverse blood flow in the vessel;
• retracting the clot capture device and captured clot under aspiration into the mouth of the clot capture catheter;
• continuing to retract the clot capture device under aspiration through and out of the clot capture catheter;
• and
• discontinuing aspiration and deflating the expansile member in order to restore blood flow to vessel.