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:
 a push wire having a distal end; 
 a flow restrictor having a body with a distal section and a proximal section, the proximal section coupled to the distal end of the push wire, 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 a location proximal to the clot or embolus in the blood vessel;   expanding the flow restrictor at a location that is proximal to the location of the clot or embolus;   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 flow restrictor from the blood vessel. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the uncovered proximal section has a smaller diameter than the covered distal section. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the uncovered proximal section is tapered and the covered distal section is cylindrical. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the covered distal section is covered by a biocompatible polymer covering. 
     
     
         6 . A clot removal device, comprising:
 a push wire having a distal end; and   a flow restrictor having a body with a distal section and a proximal section, the proximal section coupled to the distal end of the push wire, the distal section being covered and the proximal section being uncovered.   
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the uncovered proximal section has a smaller diameter than the covered distal section. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the uncovered proximal section is tapered and the covered distal section is cylindrical. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the covered distal section is covered by a biocompatible polymer covering.