Biopsy methods

Abstract

Methods and apparatuses for mechanically removing objects from a body. In particular, described herein are thrombectomy methods and mechanical thrombectomy apparatuses for removal of blood clots from within a lumen of a blood vessel.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A method of removing material from a body, the method comprising:
 positioning a distal end of a biopsy apparatus within a body, wherein the biopsy apparatus comprises a first catheter that is slideably disposed within a second catheter, and wherein an inverting sleeve is coupled at a first end to a distal end region of the first catheter and at a second end to a distal end region of the second catheter;   advancing the first catheter distally relative to the second catheter to invert the inverting sleeve so that the inverting sleeve extends distally out of the second catheter and against a wall of the body; and   capturing a biopsy sample from the body with the inverted inverting sleeve.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising withdrawing the first catheter proximally to draw the inverting sleeve back into the second catheter with the captured biopsy sample. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising removing the biopsy apparatus from the body after withdrawing the inverting sleeve into the second catheter. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising pushing the first and second catheters distally to move the inverting sleeve distally and against the wall of the body. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the inverting sleeve comprises one or more of: a woven material, a mesh braided material, a knitted material, or a film material with multiple openings therethrough. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the inverting sleeve comprises a knitted material. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the inverting sleeve has a length of greater than 5 cm. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the inverting sleeve is configured to expand to greater than 1.5 times an inner diameter of the second catheter when the inverting sleeve is outside of the second catheter. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising advancing the biopsy apparatus out of a third catheter before advancing the first catheter distally. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the biopsy comprises tumor tissue. 
     
     
         12 . A method of removing sample material from a body, the method comprising:
 positioning a distal end of a biopsy apparatus within the body, wherein the biopsy apparatus comprises a first catheter slideably disposed within a second catheter, and wherein an inverting sleeve is coupled at a first end to a distal end region of the first catheter and at a second end to a distal end region of the second catheter;   advancing the first catheter distally to invert the inverting sleeve so that the inverted inverting sleeve extends distally out of the second catheter and laterally against a wall of the body;   capturing a biopsy sample from the body with the inverted inverting sleeve; and   removing the biopsy apparatus from the body with the captured biopsy sample.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising withdrawing the first catheter proximally to draw the inverting sleeve back into the second catheter with the captured biopsy sample. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising pushing the first and second catheters distally to move the inverting sleeve distally and against the wall of the body. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the inverting sleeve comprises one or more of: a woven material, a mesh braided material, a knitted material, or a film material with multiple openings therethrough. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the inverting sleeve comprises a knitted material. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the inverting sleeve has a length of greater than 5 cm. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the inverting sleeve is configured to expand to greater than 1.5 times an inner diameter of the second catheter when the inverting sleeve is outside of the second catheter. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising advancing the biopsy apparatus out of a third catheter before advancing the first catheter distally. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the biopsy comprises tumor tissue. 
     
     
         21 . A method of performing a biopsy to remove sample material from a body, the method comprising:
 positioning a distal end of a biopsy apparatus within a body, wherein the biopsy apparatus comprises a first catheter slideably disposed within a second catheter, and wherein an inverting sleeve comprises a flexible woven tube coupled at a first end to a distal end region of the first catheter and at a second end to a distal end region of the second catheter;   advancing the first catheter distally to invert the inverting sleeve and advance the inverting sleeve distally out of the second catheter, wherein the inverting sleeve expands laterally against a wall of the body;   capturing a biopsy sample from the body with the inverted inverting sleeve;   withdrawing the first catheter proximally to pull the inverting sleeve and the captured biopsy sample back into the second catheter; and   removing the biopsy apparatus from the body.