Stent retrieval system

Abstract

A braided stent having a plurality of retrieval and/or repositioning levers includes a stent body formed of a plurality of wires interbraided in a braided pattern. The repositioning and/or retrieval levers have a loop portion extending radially away from the stent body and first and second legs extending along the stent body. The levers are configured to be actuated radially inward toward the central longitudinal axis of the stent by a radially inwardly directed force to radially collapse the stent.

1 . A stent comprising:
 a tubular body formed of a plurality of interwoven wires, the tubular body having a first open end and an opposing second open end, each of the first and second open ends defined by a series of closed loops, the tubular body defining an outer surface extending between the first and second open ends; and   a plurality of repositioning and/or retrieval levers attached to the tubular body at one or both of the first and second open ends, each of the plurality of repositioning and/or retrieval levers made of a material having a greater stiffness than a material forming the plurality of interwoven wires forming the tubular body, each of the plurality of repositioning and/or retrieval levers having a loop portion extending radially outward of the outer surface of the tubular body and extending axially away from the series of closed loops at the first and/or second open ends of the tubular body.   
     
     
         2 . The stent of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of repositioning and/or retrieval levers has first and second legs extending from the loop portion, wherein each of the first and second legs extends along a different wire portion of the plurality of interwoven wires of the tubular body. 
     
     
         3 . The stent of  claim 2 , wherein the first and second legs extend helically along the plurality of interwoven wires of the tubular body. 
     
     
         4 . The stent of  claim 3 , wherein the first leg extends in a first helical direction and the second leg extends in a second helical direction opposite the first helical direction. 
     
     
         5 . The stent of  claim 2 , wherein the first and second legs of the plurality of repositioning and/or retrieval levers follow a woven or braided pattern of the tubular body. 
     
     
         6 . The stent of  claim 5 , wherein the first and second legs extend along 25% or more of a length of the tubular body between the first and second open ends. 
     
     
         7 . The stent of  claim 1 , wherein the loop portion of each of the plurality of repositioning and/or retrieval levers extends radially outward from a longitudinal axis of the tubular body at an angle of between 20 and 90 degrees. 
     
     
         8 . The stent of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of interwoven wires forming the tubular body have weld joints joining wire ends at only the first open end of the tubular body, wherein the plurality of repositioning and/or retrieval levers are attached at the second open end of the tubular body. 
     
     
         9 . The stent of  claim 1 , further comprising a covering extending over the tubular body, wherein the plurality of repositioning and/or retrieval levers are uncovered. 
     
     
         10 . The stent of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second open ends includes a flared region, wherein the plurality of repositioning and/or retrieval levers are attached to the flared region. 
     
     
         11 . A stent comprising:
 a tubular body formed of a plurality of interwoven wires, the tubular body having a first open end and an opposing second open end; and   a plurality of repositioning and/or retrieval levers attached to the tubular body at one or both of the first and second open ends, each of the plurality of repositioning and/or retrieval levers made of a material having a greater stiffness than a material forming the plurality of interwoven wires forming the tubular body, each of the plurality of repositioning and/or retrieval levers having a loop portion and first and second legs extending from the loop portion, wherein each of the first and second legs extends along a different wire portion of the plurality of interwoven wires of the tubular body.   
     
     
         12 . The stent of  claim 11 , wherein the first and second legs extend helically along the plurality of interwoven wires of the tubular body. 
     
     
         13 . The stent of  claim 12 , wherein the first leg extends in a first helical direction and the second leg extends in a second helical direction opposite the first helical direction, each of the first and second legs following a woven or braided pattern of the tubular body. 
     
     
         14 . The stent of  claim 11 , wherein the first and second legs extend along 25% or more of a length of the tubular body between the first and second open ends. 
     
     
         15 . The stent of  claim 11 , wherein the loop portion of each of the plurality of repositioning and/or retrieval levers extends radially outward from a longitudinal axis of the tubular body at an angle of between 20 and 90 degrees. 
     
     
         16 . The stent of  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of interwoven wires forming the tubular body have weld joints joining wire ends at only the first open end of the tubular body, wherein the plurality of repositioning and/or retrieval levers are attached at the second open end of the tubular body. 
     
     
         17 . The stent of  claim 11 , further comprising a covering extending over the tubular body, wherein the plurality of repositioning and/or retrieval levers are uncovered. 
     
     
         18 . The stent of  claim 11 , wherein at least one of the first and second open ends includes a flared region, wherein the plurality of repositioning and/or retrieval levers are attached to the flared region. 
     
     
         19 . A stent comprising:
 a tubular body formed of a plurality of interwoven wires, the tubular body having a first open end and an opposing second open end; and   a plurality of repositioning and/or retrieval levers attached to the tubular body at the first open end, each of the plurality of repositioning and/or retrieval levers made of a material having a greater stiffness than a material forming the plurality of interwoven wires forming the tubular body, wherein each of the plurality of repositioning and/or retrieval levers has a loop portion extending axially away from the first open end and first and second legs extending from the loop portion towards the second open end, the first leg extending in a first helical direction and the second leg extending in a second helical direction opposite the first helical direction.   
     
     
         20 . The stent of  claim 19 , wherein the first and second legs of the plurality of repositioning and/or retrieval levers follow a woven or braided pattern of the tubular body along 25% or more of a length of the tubular body between the first and second open ends.