Rotational thrombectomy wire

Abstract

An assembly insertable into a lumen of a patient including a motor housing having a motor contained therein, a motor shaft extending from the motor, a first coupler positioned at the motor shaft having a first magnet positioned therein adjacent a distal end, a rotational wire, and a second coupler positioned at a proximal portion of the thrombectomy wire. The second coupler has a second magnet positioned therein adjacent a proximal end. The second coupler is engageable with the first coupler to operably connect the rotational wire to the motor shaft, the first and second magnets providing an attractive force between the first and second couplers to maintain a connection of the first and second couplers so rotation of the first coupler rotates the second coupler.

Description

[0001]This application is a continuation in part of application Ser. No. 13 / 456,555, filed Apr. 26, 2012, which claims priority from provisional application Ser. No. 61 / 486,425, filed May 16, 2011, and is a continuation in part of Ser. No. 13 / 303,339, filed Nov. 23, 2011, which claims priority from provisional application Ser. No. 61 / 431,169, filed Jan. 10, 2011, and is a continuation in part of Ser. No. 13 / 095,329, filed Apr. 27, 2011, which claims priority from provisional application Ser. No. 61 / 334,412, filed May 13, 2010. The entire contents of each of these applications are incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUNDTechnical Field[0002]This application relates to a rotational thrombectomy wire for clearing thrombus from native vessels and grafts.Background of Related Art[0003]There have been various attempts to break up clots and other obstructing material in grafts or native vessels. One approach is through injection of thrombolytic agents such as urokinase or streptokinase....

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This patent describes an assembly for breaking up blockages in blood vessels caused by blood clots. The assembly includes a motor, shaft, and two magnets positioned at opposite ends of the assembly. A cover is also included to keep the magnets in place. The assembly can be inserted into a patient's blood vessel to remove the blockage. The technical effect of this invention is an effective and safe way to remove blockages in blood vessels that can cause serious health issues.

Problems solved by technology

These agents, however, are expensive, require lengthier hospital procedures and create risks of drug toxicity and bleeding complications as the clots are broken.

This multiple wire device is expensive and can be traumatic to the graft, possibly causing damage, since as the basket rotates, the graft is contacted multiple times by the spinning wires.

Other risks associated with the basket include the possibility of catching onto the graft itself and tearing the graft as well as catching and tearing the suture at the anastomotic site.

Additionally, the basket can become filled with a clot which would then require time consuming withdrawal of the basket, cleaning the basket and reinserting it into the lumen.

This device could be traumatic if used in the vessel, could denude endothelium, create vessel spasms and has the potential for basket and drive shaft fracture.

Although the sinuous wire of the '316 patent is effective in proper clinical use to macerate thrombus in dialysis grafts, it is not best suited for use in native vessels.

Clots formed in these cerebral arteries can cause stroke and in certain instances death of the patient.

Due to the size and curves of the vessels en route to the cerebral arteries from the femoral artery, as well as the size and structure of cerebral arteries themselves, access is difficult.

If the thrombectomy device is too large then navigation through the small vessels, which can be as small as 1 mm, would be difficult.

Also, if the device is too stiff, then it can damage the vessel walls during insertion.

On the other hand, if the device is too flexible, it will lack sufficient rigidity to be advanced around the vessel curves and can be caught in the vessel.

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