Device and method for clot capture

A clot removal device configured for deployment from a proximal side of a clot location, the device comprising:

• an expandable clot engaging element configured for deployment to the clot location from the proximal side of the clot location, wherein the clot engaging element, in an expanded state, is configured to avoid a central region of a clot during deployment from the proximal side of the clot location and to engage the clot about a periphery thereof;
• and
• a braided tubular clot capture element having a proximal end and a distal end constructed of a plurality of wires, each wire being exposed at the distal end such that the distal end of the clot capture element, prior to engagement with the clot, defines an opening in the tubular clot capture element, the opening being circumscribed by the exposed wires, with the exposed wires being configured to move over the clot during a clot capture procedure, and wherein the clot capture element is further configured to radially contract upon retraction, such that when the clot capture element surrounds the clot and is retracted in a longitudinal direction of a blood vessel, the clot capture element is configured to exert a radially inward compression force on the clot sufficient to hold the clot within the tubular clot capture element during retraction;
• wherein the clot engaging element includes a helix;
• and
• wherein, when the clot engaging element is in the expanded state, the helix has:
• an open distal end configured to encircle the clot when deployed from the proximal side of the clot location;
• and
• a terminal end that is located substantially at the open distal end of the helix and aligned in the longitudinal direction of a blood vessel with a circumference of the helix, to define a substantially unobstructed channel for encircling the clot.