An intravascular device and methods for using the same are provided. The intravascular device includes an expandable portion with struts operable between a first position and a second position where the struts are moved outward from the first position. An incising element is provided at, and extends outward from, at least one of the struts. An embolic protection device covers at least a portion of the expandable portion.

Methods and systems for separating an object, such as a lead, from formed tissue are provided. Specifically, a tissue slitting device is configured to engage patient formed tissue at a slitting engagement point. While the object is subjected to a first traction force, the tissue slitting device is caused to move further into the engaged tissue and slit the tissue past the point of engagement. The slitting device causes the tissue to separate along an axial direction of the length of the formed tissue and releases at least some of the force containing the object. The methods and systems are well suited for use in cardiac pacing or defibrillator lead explant procedures.

An obstruction removal device is described having a retrieval component used to engage an obstruction within the vasculature and a sheath component that is capable of inverting to fold over the obstruction and the retrieval component. The sheath component helps contain the obstruction and minimizes trauma to the blood vessel during the removal process.

Methods and apparatuses for removing material (e.g., clot) from within a body, including inverting thrombectomy apparatuses. These methods and apparatuses may include methods and apparatuses for reusing portion of the devices, method and apparatuses for loading and reloading the inverting thrombectomy apparatuses, and methods and apparatuses for improving and enhancing the ability of the inverting thrombectomy apparatuses to remove clot. In particular, described herein are expandable scraper devices that may be used in conjunction with the inverting thrombectomy apparatuses descried herein, or on their own.

A thrombectomy device for removing thrombus from a body lumen comprises an elongated catheter member (2) having a distal part and a proximal part, a thrombus blocking body (5) disposed on the distal part of the catheter member and radially expansible between a contracted orientation and an expanded, thrombus-blocking, orientation, a thrombus capture body (3) disposed on the distal part of the catheter member in an axially spaced-apart relationship to the thrombus blocking body, and radially expansible between a contracted orientation and an expanded, thrombus-capture, orientation, deployment means actuable to deploy and retract the thrombus capture body and thrombus blocking body; and an elongated control arm operably connected to the thrombus capture body. The thrombus capture body is a cage having an inwardly tapering leading end, the elongated control arm is operably connected to the leading end of the cage, and a thrombus extractor or macerator mechanism is disposed within the cage.

The present technology is directed generally to devices, systems, and methods for capturing and cutting fibrous and trabeculated structures (such as synechiae) in vessel lumens. In one embodiment, the present technology includes an intraluminal tissue modifying system configured to capture the fibrous structures, put the fibrous structures in tension, and controllably cut through the fibrous structures without applying appreciable additional force to the vessel wall. The system may include an expandable capture device and a cutting device.

Mechanical thrombectomy apparatuses that may be configured to prevent or reduce jamming (e.g., “anti-jamming” thrombectomy devices), grab clot, and/or macerate the thrombus, e.g., clot, being removed. These mechanical thrombectomy apparatuses may include a tractor comprising a flexible tube of material that inverts as it rolls over itself while being drawn into a catheter in a conveyor-like motion. In particular, described herein are mechanical thrombectomy apparatuses having tractors selectably extendable projections that may aid in grabbing and/or macerating a clot. Also described herein are seesawing tractors for mechanical thrombectomy apparatuses.

A surgical atherectomy apparatus for removing particles such as plaque from an interior of a vessel having a motor housing slidable axially between a proximal position and a distal position. An axially fixed sheath extends from the outer housing and a catheter is connected to the motor housing and is positioned within the sheath. A rotatable shaft is positioned within the lumen of the catheter and is operatively connected to the motor for rotational movement, the rotatable shaft and catheter movable by movement of the motor housing between the proximal and distal positions. The rotatable shaft has an atherectomy bit extending therefrom for dislodgement of particles when rotated by the motor and dislodged particles are aspirated in the lumen of the catheter.

The various embodiments disclosed herein relate to catheters for advancing past a vascular stenosis. Each of these catheters has at least one friction-reducing feature to reduce the friction between the catheter and the stenosis as the catheter is urged therethrough.

A method of removing material from a blood flow lumen includes providing a device having a cutting element and an opening, the cutting element being movable relative to the opening. The method then includes advancing the device through a patient's vascular system to the blood flow lumen. Finally, the method involves moving the cutting element and the opening relative to the blood flow lumen so that a continuous piece of material is severed by the cutting element and directed into the opening as the cutting element and opening move through the blood flow lumen, the continuous piece of severed material being directed into the device for removal from the patient. The method may include providing a device having a rotatable cutter that, in some embodiments, is not parallel to the longitudinal axis of the device, is movable, has retracted and deployed positions, or any combination thereof. The method may further include forcing the opening toward the wall of the vascular site after the advancing step and before the moving step.