Importance

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Abstract

A device for the removal of a blockage in a passageway such as a dialysis graft or in a body passageway includes a catheter for reception and aspiration of the blockage and an occlusion engaging element distal of the distal end of the catheter which occlusion engaging element is supported on a wire that extends through the catheter. At the distal end of the catheter, there is a device such as a multi-wing malecot expansion device that is expanded after the catheter is placed in position so as to block the occlusion from passing around the outside of the catheter. The support wire can be a movable core guide wire which has a braided device on its distal end. When the core is as distal as possible of the distal end of the shell, the braid is in a collapsed minim diameter state for insertion through the catheter and through the occlusion. Proximal movement of the core causes the braid to expand to the wall of the graft. Subsequent proximal movement of the entire support wire causes the braid to contact the occlusion forcing the occlusion into the catheter for aspiration and removal.

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First Claim