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Publication Number
US-8998946-B2
Publication Date
2015-04-07
Expiration Date
Abstract
A blood clot removal device (1), comprising a capture member (2) having a tubular body (3) of prevailing longitudinal extension and provided with a lumen (10) extending longitudinally in said tubular body (3), at least one proximal portion (4), at least one distal portion (5), an apical end (6) of said distal portion (5), and a tip (7); said at least one distal portion (5) of said capture member (2) having at least one helical length (8) provided, with coils (16) wrapped in a helical manner forming a pitch (p) therebetween in the longitudinal direction and adapted to the capture of blood clots (9); an inner cable (11) received in said longitudinal lumen (10) of said tubular body (3) so as to remain within said tubular body (3) helical length (8), said inner cable (11) comprising a proximal length (12) having a proximal maneuvering end (13) and a distal length (14) provided with a tip (15); wherein said tip (15) of said inner cable (11) is secured to said apical end (6) of said capture member (2) tubular body (3), said tip (15) being firmly secured to said apical end (6) so that, when said inner cable (11) is subjected to a relative movement relative to the capture member (2) in the proximal direction, said inner cable (11) brings the tubular body (3) apical end (6) closer to the proximal portion thereof, shortening the pitch (p) of said coils (16) of the helical length (8) of the blood clot (9) capture member (2).
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a blood clot removal device having a capture member with a tubular body of prevailing longitudinal extension. The tubular body is provided with a longitudinal lumen, and includes at least one proximal portion and at least one distal portion with an apical end of the distal portion and a tip. The distal portion takes at least one helical length when in a relaxed condition.
The helical length includes coils wrapped in an helical manner forming a pitch (p) one relative to the other in the longitudinal direction. An inner cable is received in the longitudinal lumen of the tubular body so as to extend through an entirety of the helical length, where the inner cable comprises a proximal length having a proximal manoeuvring end and a distal length provided with a tip. At least one securing portion of the distal length is firmly secured to the apical end of the tubular body.
With the securing portion firmly secured to the apical end, a relative movement of the inner cable relative to the capture member in the proximal direction brings the apical end of the tubular body closer to the proximal portion. This shortens the pitch (p) of the coils of the helical length and transitions the device from an extended/tensioned state to a shortened state, avoiding coil packing/contact during traction.
The document further describes that the capture member can be deployed such that the helical length is unfolded into an essentially rectilinear configuration by using a micro-catheter with a micro-catheter lumen. The disclosure also provides multiple structural and geometrical variants, including shape memory elastic material and Nitinol, conical/frusto-conical and spherical-cap helical shapes, decreasing coil diameter along the helical length, different numbers of coils, and eccentric coil arrangements.
Claims Coverage
The document contains one independent claim (clm-00001) for the blood clot removal device, with multiple dependent claims refining structural and connection features and including an optional micro-catheter unfolding configuration. The primary claim is centered on how an inner cable secured to the capture member apical end shortens the helical coil pitch (p) by proximal relative movement.
Pitch shortening via proximal relative movement of an inner cable secured to an apical end
A capture member with at least one helical length having coils wrapped in an helical manner forming a pitch (p), where the inner cable extends through an entirety of the helical length and has a securing portion of its distal length firmly secured to the apical end of the tubular body, so that relative movement of the inner cable in the proximal direction brings the apical end closer to the proximal portion and shortens the pitch (p) of the coils.
Helical coil length in relaxed condition of a tubular capture member
A capture member with a tubular body having at least one distal portion whose distal portion takes the at least one helical length when in a relaxed condition, with coils wrapped in an helical manner forming a pitch (p) one relative to the other in the longitudinal direction.
Inner cable extending through the entirety of the helical length within a longitudinal lumen
An inner cable received in the longitudinal lumen of the tubular body so as to extend through an entirety of the helical length of the tubular body, the inner cable comprising a proximal length having a proximal manoeuvring end and a distal length provided with a tip.
Micro-catheter unfolding into an essentially rectilinear configuration
A micro-catheter with a lumen receives a capture member, and when fully received, unfolds a helical length into an essentially rectilinear configuration.
Overall coverage centers on a tubular capture member with a helical coil segment whose pitch (p) is shortened by proximal relative movement of an inner cable whose distal securing portion is firmly secured to the apical end. Dependent refinements cover structural geometry/material options and include a micro-catheter-based unfolding into an essentially rectilinear configuration.
Stated Advantages
Avoiding coil packing/contact during traction.
Documented Applications
Blood clot removal in the context described for small cerebral vessels.
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