| abstract |
A clot extraction catheter comprises a tubular mesh, a rim attached to the tubular mesh proximal end, control wires, an inner sheath, a clot macerator advancable from the inner sheath, and an outer sheath advancable over the guidewire channel and inner sheath. To extract a clot, the catheter is advanced through the clot. The inner sheath is retracted, allowing the rim and the tubular mesh to expand as well as exposing the clot macerator. The tubular mesh is retracted to capture the clot, constrained proximally by the distal portion of the inner sheath, and retracted with the inner sheath into the outer sheath. The clot macerator breaks apart large clots as the clot is captured, and the tubular mesh is retracted over the clot macerator. The control wires may be manipulated to control the angle of the rim, thereby facilitating clot capture and retraction of the tubular mesh. |