Patent ID: 7806906
Filing Date: 2010-10-05
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
1. A method for treating a patient having an obstruction on a wall of a first blood vessel through which blood normally flows in a given direction, at a location downstream of a branch point where the first blood vessel and a second blood vessel branch off from a main blood vessel, said method comprising: blocking blood flow in the main blood vessel at a point upstream of the branch point, with respect to the antegrade direction of blood flow; inserting into the second blood vessel a first filter adapted to pass blood while trapping debris resulting from removal of the obstruction; inserting an obstruction removal assembly into the first blood vessel and operating the assembly to at least partially break up the obstruction and produce debris; after operating the obstruction removal assembly, withdrawing the obstruction removal assembly from the patient's body and then inserting into the first blood vessel a second filter adapted to pass blood while trapping debris that results from removal of the obstruction; after inserting the first and second filters, restoring blood flow in the main blood vessel; and withdrawing the first and second filters from the patient's body together with trapped debris.