Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

An intraluminal retrieval device includes an outer catheter insertable by its distal end region into an artery or other body lumen that contains an unwanted object. The catheter supports two spaced apart expandable balloons, and is alignable to position the balloons on opposite sides of the object, whereupon the balloons when inflated secure the catheter and isolate a segment of the artery containing the object. The outer catheter includes at least one window between the balloons. An inner catheter is contained within the outer catheter and is movable relative to the outer catheter to alternatively open and close each window. With the outer catheter fixed in the artery and with the window open, a snare, vacuum or positive irrigation flow is used to retrieve the object by conveying it through the window into a retrieval chamber formed by the outer catheter either alone or in cooperation with the inner catheter. Outer catheters with several windows enable selective alignment of the catheters to choose a window nearest the object, or to choose from among windows of different sizes and shapes for closer correspondence to the object requiring retrieval. A smaller version of the device employs a single catheter with a retrieval opening between two microballoons for intracranial retrieval applications.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim