Systems and methods for removing undesirable material within a circulatory system

A method for removing an undesirable material from within a vessel, the method comprising:

• maneuvering a first cannula having a pathway extending therethrough, an expandable distal end, and an opposing proximal end to a site of interest within a vessel in a patient, such that the distal end of the first cannula is positioned adjacent the undesirable material;
• expanding the distal end of the first cannula to a diameter measurably larger than that of the pathway so that such a size difference allows a vortex flow to be generated through the distal end;
• positioning a second cannula, in fluid communication with the first cannula, such that its distal end is situated in spaced relation to the distal end of the first cannula;
• while the first cannula and second cannula are in fluid communication, providing a suction force to generate a vortex flow, through the expanded distal end of the first cannula, to the site of interest, to remove the undesirable material en bloc from the site of interest through the distal end of the first cannula;
• and
• reinfusing, through the distal end of the second cannula, any fluid removed along with the undesirable material to a location in spaced relation from the distal end of the first cannula.

A method for removing an undesirable material from within a vessel, the method comprising:

• identifying in a patient a site of interest within a vessel having an undesirable material to be removed therefrom;
• maneuvering to the site of interest a pathway along which the undesirable material can be directed away from the site of interest;
• expanding a distal end of the pathway to a diameter measurably larger than that of the pathway so that such a size difference allows a vortex flow to be generated through the distal end;
• applying a suction force through the expanded distal end of the pathway to the site of interest, such that a vortex flow is generated into the pathway and that the undesirable material is pulled into the pathway by the vortex flow and away from the site of interest;
• entrapping the undesirable material after it has exited the pathway, so as to remove the material from the fluid flow;
• and
• while suctioning fluid into the pathway, continuously introducing the fluid flow back into the patient at a location in spaced relation to the site of interest, so as to minimize fluid loss in the patient.

An apparatus for removing an undesirable material from within a vessel, the apparatus comprising:

• an elongated tube having a distal end through which an undesirable material can be captured, a pathway extending along the tube to provide a passage for transporting the undesirable material from the distal end, and a proximal end in opposing relations to the distal end through which the undesirable material can exit;
• a funnel situated at the distal end of the tube, and designed for deployment between a collapsed closed position and an flared open position, so as to better engage and capture the undesirable material, the funnel when in the flared position has a diameter measurably larger than that of the pathway, such that a size difference between the funnel and the pathway provides a ratio sufficient to allow a vortex flow to be generated through the funnel to permit en bloc removal of the undesirable material through the funnel;
• a balloon positioned circumferentially about the tube at a location proximal to the funnel;
• and
• an attachment mechanism attached at one end to the funnel and at an opposite end to the balloon, so that upon expansion of the balloon, the mechanism can pull on the funnel to deploy it into a flared open position.

An apparatus for removing an undesirable material from within a vessel, the apparatus comprising:

• an elongated tube having a distal end through which an undesirable material can be captured, a pathway extending along the tube to provide a passage for transporting the undesirable material from the distal end, and a proximal end in opposing relations to the distal end through which the undesirable material can exit;
• a funnel situated at the distal end of the tube, and designed for deployment between a collapsed closed position and an flared open position, so as to better engage and capture the undesirable material;
• a balloon positioned circumferentially about a distal portion of the tube at a location proximal to the funnel;
• and
• a jacket provided circumferentially about the distal end of the tube, and extending from the funnel to the balloon, so that upon expansion of the balloon, the jacket can pull on the funnel to deploy it into a flared open position.

An apparatus for removing an undesirable material from within a vessel, the apparatus comprising:

• an elongated tube having a distal end through which an undesirable material can be captured, a pathway extending along the tube to provide a passage for transporting the undesirable material from the distal end, and a proximal end in opposing relations to the distal end through which the undesirable material can exit;
• a funnel situated at the distal end of the tube, and designed for deployment between a collapsed closed position and an flared open position, so as to better engage and capture the undesirable material;
• a balloon positioned circumferentially about the tube at a location proximal to the funnel;
• and
• an attachment mechanism attached at one end to the funnel and at an opposite end to the balloon, so that upon expansion of the balloon, the mechanism can pull on the funnel to deploy it into a flared open position;
• wherein the mechanism includes a sheath designed to slide toward and away from the distal end of the tube.

A system for removing an undesirable material from within a vessel, the system comprising:

• a first cannula having a pathway extending therethrough, an expandable distal end, and an opposing proximal end, the first cannula designed for maneuvering within a vessel to a site of interest, such that when expanded a size difference between the distal end and the pathway provides a ratio sufficient to allow a vortex flow to be generated through the distal end, so that the undesirable material can be captured substantially en bloc through the distal end and removed along the first cannula away from the site;
• a second cannula in fluid communication with the first cannula and having its distal end situated in spaced relation to the distal end of the first cannula, such that fluid removed from the site of interest by the first cannula can be directed along the second cannula and reinfused through the distal end of the second cannula;
• and
• a pump, in fluid communication with the proximal end of the first cannula, to provide a sufficient suction force for generating a vortex flow through the expanded distal end to permit removing the undesirable material from the site of interest, while in fluid communication with the second cannula, to provide a sufficient continuous reinfusion force so as to reintroduce the fluid flow removed from the site of interest.

A method for removing an undesirable material from within a vessel, the method comprising:

• maneuvering a first cannula having a pathway extending therethrough, an expandable distal end, and an opposing proximal end to a site of interest within a vessel in a patient, such that the distal end of the first cannula is positioned adjacent the undesirable material;
• expanding the distal end of the first cannula to a diameter measurably larger than that of the pathway so that such a size difference allows a vortex flow to be generated through the distal end;
• positioning a second cannula, in fluid communication with the first cannula, such that its distal end is situated in spaced relation to the distal end of the first cannula;
• providing a suction force to generate a vortex flow, through the expanded distal end of the first cannula, to the site of interest, so as to remove the undesirable material en bloc from the site of interest through the distal end of the first cannula;
• and
• while providing the suction force to the first cannula, continuously imparting a reinfusion force, through the distal end of the second cannula, so that any fluid removed along with the undesirable material by the first cannula can be reintroduced by the second cannula to a location in spaced relation from the distal end of the first cannula.