Disclosed herein are devices for mechanically removing clot and/or other material from implants implanted in the vasculature of a patient, and associated systems and methods. In some embodiments, a system for removing clot material from an implant—such as a stent—includes a clot treatment device configured to be deployed within the stent, a handle, and a first elongate member and a second elongate member coupling the clot treatment device to the handle. The first elongate member couples a first end portion of the clot treatment device to the handle, and the second elongate member couples a second end portion of the clot treatment device to an actuator of the handle. Actuation of the actuator is configured to move the second elongate member relative to the first elongate member to move the first and second end portions toward one another to radially expand the clot treatment device.

Disclosed herein are devices for mechanically removing clot and/or other material from implants implanted in the vasculature of a patient, and associated systems and methods. In some embodiments, a system for removing clot material from an implant—such as a stent—includes a clot treatment device configured to be deployed within the stent, a handle, and a first elongate member and a second elongate member coupling the clot treatment device to the handle. The first elongate member couples a first end portion of the clot treatment device to the handle, and the second elongate member couples a second end portion of the clot treatment device to an actuator of the handle. Actuation of the actuator is configured to move the second elongate member relative to the first elongate member to move the first and second end portions toward one another to radially expand the clot treatment device.

Example systems and methods of treatment are presented herein which generally involve expanding a bracing frame within a blood vessel between a clot and an aspiration catheter, aspirating the clot through a passageway of the bracing frame, and supporting the blood vessel by the bracing frame as negative pressure is created by the aspiration. The bracing frame can thereby reduce likelihood of blood vessel collapse compared to a similar procedure which does not include the bracing frame. The bracing frame can be removed from the blood vessel during treatment. In some examples, the bracing frame can further function to expand a mouth of the catheter. In some examples, the system can include a stentriever.

Example systems and methods of treatment are presented herein which generally involve expanding a bracing frame within a blood vessel between a clot and an aspiration catheter, aspirating the clot through a passageway of the bracing frame, and supporting the blood vessel by the bracing frame as negative pressure is created by the aspiration. The bracing frame can thereby reduce likelihood of blood vessel collapse compared to a similar procedure which does not include the bracing frame. The bracing frame can be removed from the blood vessel during treatment. In some examples, the bracing frame can further function to expand a mouth of the catheter. In some examples, the system can include a stentriever.

A device suitable for use in a body lumen and comprises an elongated control member having a distal and a proximal end, and a radially expansible member disposed at or near the distal end and adapted for collection and/or shearing of matter (i.e. thrombus) from a wall of the body lumen (i.e. a vein or an artery). The radially expansible member has a proximal end and a distal end and is adjustable between a contracted orientation and an expanded orientation. The elongated control member comprising a proximal arm connected at or adjacent to the proximal end of the radially expansible member and a distal arm connected at or adjacent to the distal end of the radially expansible member such that movement of one arm relative to the other arm effects adjustment of the diameter or radial strength of the radially expansible member. The device comprises a control mechanism operatively connected to both arms and adapted to provide resistance to the movement of one arm relative to the other. The control mechanism may be a biasing means, a brake means, or both.

A device suitable for use in a body lumen and comprises an elongated control member having a distal and a proximal end, and a radially expansible member disposed at or near the distal end and adapted for collection and/or shearing of matter (i.e. thrombus) from a wall of the body lumen (i.e. a vein or an artery). The radially expansible member has a proximal end and a distal end and is adjustable between a contracted orientation and an expanded orientation. The elongated control member comprising a proximal arm connected at or adjacent to the proximal end of the radially expansible member and a distal arm connected at or adjacent to the distal end of the radially expansible member such that movement of one arm relative to the other arm effects adjustment of the diameter or radial strength of the radially expansible member. The device comprises a control mechanism operatively connected to both arms and adapted to provide resistance to the movement of one arm relative to the other. The control mechanism may be a biasing means, a brake means, or both.

A method is described for performing a percutaneous operation on a patient to remove an object from a cavity within the patient. The method includes advancing a first alignment sensor into the cavity through a patient lumen. The first alignment sensor provides its position and orientation in free space in real time. The alignment sensor is manipulated until it is located in proximity to the object. A percutaneous opening is made in the patient with a surgical tool, where the surgical tool includes a second alignment sensor that provides the position and orientation of the surgical tool in free space in real time. The surgical tool is directed towards the object using data provided by both the first and the second alignment sensors.

A device (10) for capturing a guide wire (50) comprises a snaring device (20, 30) and an auxiliary catheter (40). The auxiliary catheter (40) is configured to slidingly accommodate the guide wire to be caught so as to extend a distal end (47) thereof beyond the distal end of the guide wire in order to be caught by the snaring device (20, 30) while the guide wire (50) is in a retracted position in the auxiliary catheter (40). The auxiliary catheter preferably comprises a portion which is at least partially echo-transparent and/or radio-transparent and an end portion (44) which is radio-opaque and/or echo-opaque.

A clot retrieval device for removing clot from a blood vessel including a plurality of ring elements comprising a plurality of struts forming one or more closed cells having one or more crown elements and attached together by connecting tethers at connection points, a plurality of openings through which clot may pass and enter the device, each opening being disposed between respective ring elements. Each ring element can be self-expandable from a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration wherein a radial force biases the ring elements toward the expanded configuration. At least one of the crown element terminates in an apex away from a center axis of the device.

A clot retrieval device for removing clot from a blood vessel including a plurality of ring elements comprising a plurality of struts forming one or more closed cells having one or more crown elements and attached together by connecting tethers at connection points, a plurality of openings through which clot may pass and enter the device, each opening being disposed between respective ring elements. Each ring element can be self-expandable from a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration wherein a radial force biases the ring elements toward the expanded configuration. At least one of the crown element terminates in an apex away from a center axis of the device.