Clot retrieval device for removing occlusive clot from a blood vessel

Abstract

A clot retrieval device for removing an occlusive clot from a blood vessel. The device includes a clot engagement section having a constrained delivery configuration and an expanded deployed configuration, wherein in the expanded deployed configuration. The clot engagement section can include a plurality of peak sections configured to vary contact pressure between the clot and the device along a length of the device; and a plurality of troughs between respective peak sections comprising a clot reception space. Each peak is configured to exert a relatively high compressive force on the clot whereas each trough is configured to exert little or no compressive force on the clot.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A clot retrieval device for removing an occlusive clot from a blood vessel, comprising:
 a clot engagement section having a constrained delivery configuration and an unconstrained deployed configuration, wherein in the unconstrained deployed configuration, the clot engagement section has a cross-sectional shape along a perpendicular axis of the device of a sinusoidal wave-like form, and comprises:
 a plurality of curved sections formed by a plurality of cells, the plurality of curved sections forming the sinusoidal wave-like form and configured to exert a relatively high compressive force on the clot by interaction of the clot with a side of the sinusoidal wave-like form facing the clot and to provide a flow lumen formed by a side of the sinusoidal wave-like form that does not face the clot, 
   wherein in the unconstrained deployed configuration, the plurality of curved sections are laterally spaced-apart so as to allow the clot to at least partially fill the side of the sinusoidal wave-like form facing the clot and when being withdrawn into a catheter, are configured to pinch the occlusive clot from the blood vessel between sides of the plurality of curved sections in the clot engagement section.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the clot engagement section further comprises undulating or curved edges. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein a wave pattern of the wave-like form has an amplitude of from 2.0 mm to 6.0 mm. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein a wave pattern of the wave-like form has a pitch of from 3.0 mm to 8.0 mm. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein in the expanded deployed configuration, the clot engagement section comprises the sinusoidal wave form of generally s-shape. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising a distal fragment protection section. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device has at least two wave patterns. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the wave patterns are superimposed on one another. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the clot engagement section has a cross-sectional shape along a longitudinal axis of the device of a sinusoidal wave-like form. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the clot engagement section comprises a plurality of patterns, including a first pattern comprising a wavelength and an amplitude and a second pattern comprising a wavelength and an amplitude larger than those of the first pattern. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising an activator for modifying a wave shape of the device. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the activator comprises at least one push wire and/or at least one pull wire. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein, in the constrained configuration, the clot engagement section is substantially flat. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein arms of the plurality of curved sections comprise curved or profiled edges. 
     
     
         15 . A clot retrieval device for removing an occlusive clot from a blood vessel, comprising:
 a shaft;   a clot engagement section connected to a distal end of the shaft and having a constrained delivery configuration and an expanded deployed configuration, wherein in the expanded deployed configuration the clot engagement section has a cross-sectional shape along a perpendicular axis of the device of a sinusoidal wave-like form, and comprises:
 a plurality of curved sections formed by a plurality of cells, the plurality of curved sections forming the sinusoidal wave-like form and configured to exert a relatively high compressive force on the clot by interaction of the clot with a side of the sinusoidal wave-like form facing the clot and to provide a flow lumen formed by a side of the sinusoidal wave-like form that does not face the clot; and 
   a proximal section movable relative to the clot engagement section,   wherein in the unconstrained deployed configuration, the plurality of curved sections are laterally spaced-apart so as to allow the clot to at least partially fill the side of the sinusoidal wave-like form facing the clot and when being withdrawn into a catheter, are configured to pinch the occlusive clot from the blood vessel between sides of the plurality of curved sections in the clot engagement section.   
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein the proximal section comprises a collar and proximal struts extending from the collar slidably movable relative to the shaft. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein at least some of the struts of the proximal section extend in a distal direction for at least partial capture of clot between the clot engagement section and the proximal struts on proximal movement of the collar relative to the proximal shaft. 
     
     
         18 . A method from removing an occlusive clot from a blood vessel, comprising:
 delivering a clot retrieval device to the occlusive clot in the blood vessel, the device comprising a clot engagement section having a constrained delivery configuration and an expanded deployed configuration, wherein in the expanded deployed configuration, the clot engagement section has a cross-sectional shape along a proximal axis of the device of a sinusoidal wave-like form, and comprises:
 a plurality of curved sections formed by a plurality of cells, the plurality of curved sections forming the sinusoidal wave-like form and configured to exert a relatively high compressive force on the clot by interaction of the clot with a side of the sinusoidal wave-like form facing the clot and to provide a flow lumen formed by a side of the sinusoidal wave-like form that does not face the clot; 
   deploying the device to the expanded deployed configuration thereby causing sides of the plurality of curved sections of the device to interact with the clot such that the clot at least partially fills the side of the sinusoidal wave-like form facing the clot;   exerting a relatively high compressive force, by the sides of the plurality of curved sections, on the clot while providing the flow lumen formed by the side of the sinusoidal wave-like form that does not face the clot; and   retrieving at least a portion of the device and the captured clot into a retrieval catheter,   wherein in the expanded deployed configuration, the curved sections are laterally spaced-apart and when being withdrawn into the retrieval catheter, are configured to pinch the occlusive clot from the blood vessel between the sides of the curved sections in the clot engaging section.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising: creating a mechanical grip between peaks of the device and the clot at regions of higher compression of the peaks. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising minimizing linear compression of the clot during and/or elongating the clot during dislodgement by reducing the friction between the clot and the vessel wall by pinching the clot between peaks of the device.