Clot capture systems and associated methods

Abstract

A clot capture system for disengaging a clot 2001 from a vessel wall 2002 and removing the clot 2001 from the vessel 202 , comprises a clot capture device 2140 for placement on a distal side of a clot 2001 . The clot capture device 2140 has a retracted delivery configuration and an expanded deployed configuration. The clot removal device has a proximal support frame 2012 , and a distal fibre net 2130 . The support frame 2012 has a retracted delivery configuration and an expanded deployed configuration. The proximal support frame 2012 in the expanded configuration defines a proximal inlet mouth for engaging a clot 2001 and a net 2130 for confining the clot 2001 . An elongate member facilitates capture and/or withdrawal of a clot 2001 from a vessel 2002 . The system also comprises a clot debonding device 2091 for placement on a proximal side of a clot 2001 . The clot debonding device 2091 has a retracted delivery configuration and an expanded deployed configuration and comprises a clot engagement element 2112 which defines a distal abutment in the deployed configuration for urging a clot 2001 into the clot capture device 2140.

1 - 45 . (canceled) 
     
     
         46 . A clot removal device for restoring blood flow to a vessel occluded by an obstructive clot, the device having an expanded deployed configuration, and a retracted delivery configuration, the device comprising:
 an expandable clot retrieval portion configured for deployment on a distal side of the clot, the clot retrieval portion having a plurality of struts forming at least one hoop;   an expandable portion configured for deployment on a proximal side of the clot, the expandable portion having a plurality of struts and a proximally tapering portion at a proximal end of the expandable portion, and the expandable portion being connected to the clot retrieval portion by a plurality of connecting elements;   a clot receiving space between the clot retrieval portion and the expandable portion; and   a longitudinally-extending tubular member extending through the clot receiving space and coupled to the clot retrieval portion, wherein a central axis of the longitudinally-extending tubular member is located along a central axis of both the clot retrieval portion and the expandable portion.   
     
     
         47 . The clot removal device of  claim 46 , wherein the longitudinally-extending tubular member extends proximal the clot retrieval portion. 
     
     
         48 . The clot removal device of  claim 46 , wherein the longitudinally-extending tubular member terminates adjacent a distal end portion of the clot retrieval portion. 
     
     
         49 . The clot removal device of  claim 46 , wherein the distal end portion of the clot retrieval portion tapers distally. 
     
     
         50 . The clot removal device of  claim 46 , wherein the expandable portion includes a plurality of struts formed by a distal end portion of a tubular element, the plurality of struts defining openings through the expandable portion between the plurality of struts. 
     
     
         51 . The clot removal device of  claim 46 , wherein the expandable portion is connected to the clot retrieval portion by two connecting elements. 
     
     
         52 . The clot removal device of  claim 46 , wherein the plurality of connecting elements are connected to a proximal-most portion of the clot retrieval portion. 
     
     
         53 . The clot removal device of  claim 52 , wherein the expandable portion includes a circumferential zig zag structure, and the plurality of connecting elements are coupled at a base of the zig zag structure. 
     
     
         54 . A clot removal device for restoring blood flow to a vessel occluded by an obstructive clot, the device having an expanded deployed configuration, and a retracted delivery configuration, the device comprising:
 an expandable clot retrieval portion configured for deployment on a distal side of the clot, the clot retrieval portion having a plurality of struts forming at least one hoop;   an expandable portion configured for deployment on a proximal side of the clot, the expandable portion having a plurality of struts and a proximally tapering portion at a proximal end of the expandable portion, and the expandable portion being connected to the clot retrieval portion by a plurality of connecting elements;   a clot receiving space between the clot retrieval portion and the expandable portion; and   a longitudinally-extending tubular member extending from proximal the clot retrieval portion, through the clot receiving space, and terminating adjacent a distal end portion of the clot retrieval portion, wherein a central axis of the longitudinally-extending tubular member is located along a central axis of both the clot retrieval portion and the expandable portion.   
     
     
         55 . The clot removal device of  claim 54 , wherein the distal end portion of the clot retrieval portion tapers distally. 
     
     
         56 . The clot removal device of  claim 54 , wherein the expandable portion includes a plurality of struts formed by a distal end portion of a tubular element, the plurality of struts defining openings through the expandable portion between the plurality of struts. 
     
     
         57 . The clot removal device of  claim 54 , wherein the expandable portion is connected to the clot retrieval portion by two connecting elements. 
     
     
         58 . The clot removal device of  claim 54 , wherein the plurality of connecting elements are connected to a proximal-most portion of the clot retrieval portion. 
     
     
         59 . The clot removal device of  claim 58 , wherein the expandable portion includes a circumferential zig zag structure, and the plurality of connecting elements are coupled at a base of the zig zag structure.