Importance

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Abstract

A novel intravascular occlusion material removal device for removing vascular occlusion material in a vascular lumen comprises a prime mover and an expandable material removal element insertable intravascularly into the vascular lumen. A hollow drive shaft operatively connects the prime mover to the expandable material removal element for rotating the expandable material removal element intravascularly. A guidewire is insertable through the distal end of the expandable material removal element and the hollow drive shaft, and is shiftable within the drive shaft and the expandable material removal element. The expandable material removal element is expandable responsive to shifting of the guidewire. A material removal element movement control mechanism is operatively connected to the guidewire for positively incrementally shifting the guidewire, and a guidewire lock mechanism is operatively connected between the guidewire and the material removal element movement control mechanism for fixing the guidewire with respect to the material removal element movement control mechanism. A number of novel methods for removing vascular occlusion material are also provided. One such method comprises the steps of: providing a vascular occlusion material removal device having an expandable occlusion material removal element, the material removal element comprising a braid having a hollow interior; providing a guidewire; intravascularly navigating the guidewire to the occlusion material; inserting the guidewire into the hollow interior; intravascularly navigating the braid to the occlusion material over the guidewire; shifting the guidewire with respect to the braid to expand the braid; expanding the braid such that the braid bites into occlusion material thereby allowing occlusion material to pass into the hollow interior; and shifting the guidewire with respect to the braid to contract the braid and to capture occlusion material within the hollow interior. The expanded braid can also be rotated intravascularly to remove occlusion material.

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First Claim