Inverting thrombectomy apparatuses and methods of use

Abstract

Described herein are methods using mechanical inverting tube apparatuses to remove clot (e.g., thrombectomy), the apparatuses including an inversion support catheter having an expandable funnel-shaped distal end, and a flexible tube that can be continuously rolled over the funnel-shaped distal end and invert into the inner lumen of the inversion support catheter.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system, the system comprising:
 an inversion support catheter having an elongate body, the inversion support catheter having an expandable funnel at a distal end of the elongate body, the expandable funnel including a plurality of longitudinal tines extending from the distal end of the elongate body, and a filament radially connecting the plurality of longitudinal tines; and   a flexible tube having a first end region within the inversion support catheter and a second end region extending over an outer surface of the elongate and flexible body, wherein the flexible tube inverts over a distal end of the expandable funnel, further wherein the flexible tube is configure to be pulled proximally into the inversion support catheter by pulling the first end region proximally so that the second end region rolls and inverts over the distal end of the expandable funnel as it is pulled into the inversion support catheter.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of longitudinal tines include distal ends, and the filament radially connects the plurality of longitudinal tines at or adjacent the distal ends of the plurality of longitudinal tines. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of longitudinal tines include distal ends, and the plurality of longitudinal tines are folded back on themselves to define the distal ends, and each incudes a main tine portion and a folded back portion on each of the plurality of longitudinal tines. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the distal ends of the plurality of longitudinal tines are blunted or rounded. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the filament radially connecting the plurality of longitudinal tines extends between the main tine portion and the folded back portion on each of the plurality of longitudinal tines. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the filament radially connecting the plurality of longitudinal tines is crimped between the main tine portion and the folded back portion on each of the plurality of longitudinal tines. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of longitudinal tines include portions that are folded back on themselves to define a main tine portion and a folded back portion on each of the plurality of longitudinal tines, and the filament radially connecting the plurality of longitudinal tines extends between the main tine portion and the folded back portion on each of the plurality of longitudinal tines. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the expandable funnel has a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , further including a puller within a lumen of the inversion support catheter, and the first end region of the flexible tube is attached to the puller within the inversion support catheter, wherein the flexible tube is configured to be pulled proximally into the inversion support catheter by pulling the puller proximally. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein a base region of the expandable funnel adjacent to the distal end of the elongate body is porous. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of longitudinal tines are continuous with the elongate body. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the elongate body is a metallic hypotube that includes cuts to define the plurality of longitudinal tines. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible tube is knitted. 
     
     
         14 . A system, the system comprising:
 an inversion support catheter having an elongate body, the inversion support catheter having an expandable funnel at a distal end of the elongate body, the expandable funnel including a plurality of longitudinal tines extending from the distal end of the elongate body, the plurality of longitudinal tines each include portions that are folded back on themselves to define a main tine portion and a folded back portion on each of the plurality of longitudinal tines, and a filament radially connecting the plurality of longitudinal tines extends between the main tine portion and the folded back portion on each of the plurality of longitudinal tines; and   a flexible tube having a first end region within the inversion support catheter and a second end region extending over an outer surface of the elongate and flexible body, wherein the flexible tube inverts over a distal end of the expandable funnel.   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the filament radially connecting the plurality of longitudinal tines is crimped between the main tine portion and the folded back portion on each of the plurality of longitudinal tines. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 14 , further including a puller within a lumen of the inversion support catheter, and the first end region of the flexible tube is attached to the puller within the inversion support catheter, wherein the flexible tube is configured to be pulled proximally into the inversion support catheter by pulling the puller proximally. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the plurality of longitudinal tines are continuous with the elongate body. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the elongate body is a metallic hypotube that includes cuts to define the plurality of longitudinal tines. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the plurality of longitudinal tines each define distal ends that are blunted or rounded. 
     
     
         20 . A system, the system comprising:
 an inversion support catheter having an elongate body, the inversion support catheter having an expandable funnel at a distal end of the elongate body, the expandable funnel having a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration, the expandable funnel including a plurality of longitudinal tines extending from the distal end of the elongate body, each of the plurality of longitudinal tines including portions that are folded back on themselves to define a main tine portion and a folded back portion, and a filament radially connecting the plurality of longitudinal tines extending between the main tine portion and the folded back portion on each of the plurality of longitudinal tines and being connected to each of the tines; and   a flexible tube having a first end region within the inversion support catheter and a second end region extending over an outer surface of the elongate and flexible body, wherein the flexible tube inverts over a distal end of the expandable funnel, further wherein the flexible tube is configure to be pulled proximally into the inversion support catheter by pulling the first end region proximally so that the second end region rolls and inverts over the distal end of the expandable funnel as it is pulled into the inversion support catheter and   a puller within a lumen of the inversion support catheter, and the first end region of the flexible tube is attached to the puller within the inversion support catheter, wherein the flexible tube is configured to be pulled proximally into the inversion support catheter by pulling the puller proximally.