Embolus Removal Device with Blood Flow Restriction and Related Methods

Abstract

A clot removal device has an expandable treatment member having a distal tip and a proximal end, a delivery wire having a distal end coupled to the proximal end of the expandable treatment member, and a flow restrictor carried along the delivery wire at a location that is separate and proximal from the expandable treatment member. The flow restrictor has a body with a distal section and a proximal section, the distal section being covered and the proximal section being uncovered. The expandable treatment member is moveable relative to the flow restrictor, and can be retracted into the distal section.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for removing a clot or embolus from a blood vessel, comprising:
 providing a clot removal device, comprising:
 an expandable treatment member having a distal tip and a proximal end; 
 a delivery wire having a distal end coupled to the proximal end of the expandable treatment member; 
 a flow restrictor carried along the delivery wire at a location that is separate and proximal from the expandable treatment member, the flow restrictor having a body with a distal section and a proximal section, the distal section being covered and the proximal section being uncovered; 
   delivering an access catheter to a location proximal to a location of a clot or embolus in a blood vessel;   delivering the clot removal device through a lumen in the access catheter to the location of the clot or embolus in the blood vessel;   expanding the expandable treatment member at a location that is at or distal to the location of the clot or embolus;   catching or engaging the clot or embolus in or with the expandable treatment member;   positioning the access catheter with respect to the flow restrictor such that the uncovered proximal section is completely covered by the distal end of the access catheter and the covered distal section forms a seal with the distal end of the access catheter; and   applying aspiration through the access catheter and through the uncovered proximal section to remove the clot or embolus from the blood vessel.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further including the step of withdrawing the expandable treatment member into the distal section of the flow restrictor. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , further including the step of withdrawing the expandable treatment member and the flow restrictor from the blood vessel. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the uncovered proximal section has a smaller diameter than the covered distal section. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the uncovered proximal section is tapered and the covered distal section is cylindrical. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the covered distal section is covered by a biocompatible polymer covering. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the expandable treatment member is configured to define a catch basket. 
     
     
         8 . A method for removing a clot or embolus from a blood vessel, comprising:
 providing a clot removal device, comprising:
 an expandable treatment member having a distal tip and a proximal end; 
 a delivery wire having a distal end coupled to the proximal end of the expandable treatment member; 
 a flow restrictor carried along the delivery wire at a location that is separate and proximal from the expandable treatment member, the flow restrictor having a body that defines a receiving section; 
   delivering the clot removal device to a location of a clot or embolus in a blood vessel;   expanding the expandable treatment member at a location that is at or distal to the location of the clot or embolus;   catching or engaging the clot or embolus in or with the expandable treatment member;   withdrawing the expandable treatment member into the receiving section of the flow restrictor; and   withdrawing the expandable treatment member and the flow restrictor from the blood vessel.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the step of withdrawing the expandable treatment member into the receiving section of the flow restrictor is performed with the flow restrictor held stationary with respect to the expandable treatment member. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , further including applying aspiration through the flow restrictor to remove the clot or embolus from the blood vessel. 
     
     
         11 . A clot removal device, comprising:
 an expandable treatment member having a distal tip and a proximal end;   a delivery wire having a distal end coupled to the proximal end of the expandable treatment member; and   a flow restrictor carried along the delivery wire at a location that is separate and proximal from the expandable treatment member, the flow restrictor having a body with a distal section and a proximal section, the distal section being covered and the proximal section being uncovered.   
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the uncovered proximal section has a smaller diameter than the covered distal section. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the uncovered proximal section is tapered and the covered distal section is cylindrical. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the covered distal section is covered by a biocompatible polymer covering. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the expandable treatment member is configured to define a catch basket. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the expandable treatment member is moveable relative to the flow restrictor. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the expandable treatment member is retractable into the distal section of the flow restrictor.