Device for the Removal of Thrombi

Abstract

The invention relates to a device provided with one or several distal elements ( 27 ), with the distal element ( 27 ) comprising at least two core wires ( 14 ) which are twisted around each other and between which fibers ( 6 ) are arranged transversely to the extension of the core wires ( 14 ), with said fibers ( 6 ) being twisted together with the core wires ( 14 ) so that the fibers ( 6 ) project radially outward from the distal element ( 27 ).

1 . Device for the removal of foreign objects and thrombi from body cavities and blood vessels comprising a guide wire ( 18 ) provided with one or several distal elements ( 27 ), characterized in that the distal element ( 27 ) consists of at least two core wires ( 14 ) which are twisted around each other and between which fibers ( 6 ) are arranged transversely to the extension of the core wires ( 14 ), with said fibers ( 6 ) being twisted together with the core wires ( 14 ) so that the fibers ( 6 ) project radially outward from the distal element ( 27 ). 
   
   
       2 . Device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the core wires ( 14 ) are connected with each other at the distal end in such a way that they form a loop ( 16 ). 
   
   
       3 . Device according to  claims 1  or  2 , characterized in that the core wires ( 14 ) are connected at their proximal end via a coil ( 17 ) with other, proximally arranged components of the device. 
   
   
       4 . Device according any one of  claims 1  to  3 , characterized in that the core wires ( 14 ) are made of platinum or a platinum alloy, platinum-iridium, a nickel-titanium alloy, tungsten, a tungsten alloy, stainless steel or a combination thereof. 
   
   
       5 . Device according to any one of the  claims 1  to  4 , characterized in that the twisted core wires ( 14 ) extend in a straight line. 
   
   
       6 . Device according to any one of the  claims 1  to  4 , characterized in that the twisted core wires ( 14 ) form a secondary structure. 
   
   
       7 . Device according to  claim 6 , characterized in that an elongation preventing filament extends through the inner space of the secondary structure or external to the secondary structure. 
   
   
       8 . Device according to  claim 7 , characterized in that the elongation preventing filament is designed in the form of a straight, wave-like or helical wire. 
   
   
       9 . Device according to  claim 7 , characterized in that the elongation preventing filament consists of a polymer material. 
   
   
       10 . Device according to any one of the  claims 6  to  9 , characterized in that the twisted core wires ( 14 ) have a wave-like configuration. 
   
   
       11 . Device according to any one of the  claims 6  to  9 , characterized in that the twisted core wires ( 14 ) are designed in the form of a helix. 
   
   
       12 . Device according to  claim 11 , characterized in that the diameter of the helix increases from distal to proximal or from proximal to distal. 
   
   
       13 . Device according to any one of the  claims 1  to  12 , characterized by several distal elements ( 27 ) from which fibers ( 6 ) protrude radially outward. 
   
   
       14 . Device according to  claim 13 , characterized in that the distal elements ( 27 ) are connected with each other by articulated joints ( 20 ). 
   
   
       15 . Device according to  claim 13 , characterized in that the distal elements ( 27 ) are arranged side by side viewed in a cross-sectional representation. 
   
   
       16 . Device according to  claim 15 , characterized in that the distal elements ( 27 ) are twisted around each other to form a helix. 
   
   
       17 . Device according to any one of the  claims 1  to  16 , characterized in that the distal elements ( 27 ) are provided with braces ( 21 ) starting out from the distal end of the distal element ( 27 ), extend radially outward and again converge centrally at the proximal end of the distal element ( 27 ). 
   
   
       18 . Device according to  claim 17 , characterized in that the braces ( 21 ) span over several distal elements ( 27 ). 
   
   
       19 . Device according to  claim 17  or  18 , characterized in that additional intermediate braces ( 22 ) are arranged between braces ( 21 ) and the centrally extending core wires ( 14 ) of the distal element ( 27 ). 
   
   
       20 . Device according to any one of the  claims 1  to  19 , characterized in that the radial extension of the fibers ( 6 ) of the distal element ( 27 ) increases from proximal to distal. 
   
   
       21 . Device according to any one of the  claims 1  to  20 , characterized in that the fibers ( 6 ) in the proximal area of the distal element ( 27 ) are harder than in the distal area of the distal element ( 27 ). 
   
   
       22 . Device according to any one of the  claims 1  to  20 , characterized in that the fibers ( 6 ) in the middle area of the distal element ( 27 ) are softer than in the proximal and distal area of the distal element ( 27 ). 
   
   
       23 . Device according to any one of the  claims 1  to  22 , characterized in that the density of the fiber coverage in the middle area of the distal element ( 27 ) is lower than in the proximal and distal area of the distal element ( 27 ). 
   
   
       24 . Device according to any one of the  claims 1  to  23 , characterized in that the fibers ( 6 ) are secured or attached to the core wires ( 14 ) by clamping, bonding, knotting and/or fusing. 
   
   
       25 . Device according to any one of the  claims 1  to  24 , characterized in that the ends of the fibers ( 6 ) located radially outward are provided with slubs or nubs. 
   
   
       26 . Device according to any one of the  claims 1  to  25 , characterized in that the ends of the fibers ( 6 ) located radially outward are at least in part connected with each other by means of loops. 
   
   
       27 . Device according to any one of the  claims 1  to  26 , characterized in that the fibers ( 6 ), at least partially, protrude differently far radially outward at both sides of the distal element ( 27 ). 
   
   
       28 . Device according to any one of the  claims 1  to  27 , characterized in that the core wires ( 14 ) in the cross sectional area of the distal element ( 27 ) are arranged and extend eccentrically. 
   
   
       29 . Device according to any one of the  claims 1  to  28 , characterized in that the brush structure formed by one or several distal elements is suitable to be flatly collapsible under the external strain exerted by a micro-catheter and transported inside the micro-catheter and unfolds to its full brush structure when said external strain caused by the micro-catheter is omitted. 
   
   
       30 . Device according to any one of the  claims 1  to  29 , characterized in that the distal elements ( 27 ) are designed so as to be detachable from the guide wire ( 18 ). 
   
   
       31 . Device according to any one of the  claims 1  to  30 , characterized in that the device additionally is provided with an elongated cage structure which is suitable to be flatly collapsible under the external strain exerted by a micro-catheter and transported inside the micro-catheter and unfolds to its full cage structure when said external strain caused by the micro-catheter is omitted. 
   
   
       32 . Device according to any one of the  claims 1  to  31 , characterized in that the fibers ( 6 ) form an angle with longitudinal axis of the device that ranges between 70° and 110°, preferably between 80° and 90°. 
   
   
       33 . Device according to any one of the  claims 1  to  32 , characterized in that the fibers ( 6 ) have been provided with a coating. 
   
   
       34 . Device according to any one of the  claims 1  to  31 , characterized by one or several radiopaque markers ( 9 ). 
   
   
       35 . Device according to any one of the  claims 1  to  34  in combination with a guide catheter and/or micro-catheter. 
   
   
       36 . Device according to  claim 35 , characterized in that the guide or micro-catheter is designed as aspiration catheter. 
   
   
       37 . Method for the manufacture of a distal element ( 27 ) forming part of a device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that at least two core wires ( 14 ) are arranged parallel to each other, between which fibers ( 6 ) are arranged transversely to the extension of the core wires ( 14 ), with said core wires ( 14 ) being twisted around each other. 
   
   
       38 . Device for the removal of foreign objects and thrombi from body cavities and blood vessels comprising a guide wire ( 18 ) provided with one or several distal elements ( 27 ), with the distal element ( 27 ) being provided with fibers ( 6 ) projecting radially outward, characterized in that the distal element ( 27 ) has a tapered shape. 
   
   
       39 . Device according to  claim 38 , characterized in that the diameter of the distal element ( 27 ) increases from proximal to distal. 
   
   
       40 . Device according to  claim 38 , characterized in that the diameter of the distal element ( 27 ) increases from distal to proximal.