Patent ID: 11872359
Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
Field: Medical technology (Instruments)
Classification: CPC A | IPC A

Claim 16:
17. A method of aspirating a clot, comprising:
distally advancing a catheter within a vasculature of a patient toward the clot, wherein the catheter comprises an expandable member comprising a flexible membrane and an expandable ring or partial ring, the expandable member defining a distal section and a proximal section between the elongated body and the distal section;
closing an electrical switch to apply electrical energy via an electrical conductor to the expandable ring or partial ring to cause the expandable member to expand radially outward wherein the proximal section of the expandable member is not configured to resistively heat in response to the electrical energy delivered from the electrical conductor;
actuating a suction force to aspirate the clot;
opening the electrical switch to cause the expandable member to contract radially inward; and
proximally withdrawing the catheter from the vasculature of the patient.