Patent ID: 7618434
Filing Date: 2009-11-17
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A method for removal of thrombus material from an intracranial blood vessel of a human subject, using a device having a balloon-activated compartment, said method comprising: (a) inserting the device into the intracranial blood vessel of the subject, wherein the device comprises a rod, an elastomeric sheath that ensheaths at least a segment of the rod, and an expandable balloon for expanding the elastomeric sheath, wherein the expandable balloon, upon initiation of expansion, provides radial pressure to a portion of the elastomeric sheath, causing an adjacent segment of the elastomeric sheath to be displaced outwardly away from the rod segment, thereby forming the compartment beneath the displaced elastomeric sheath segment, wherein the displaced elastomeric sheath segment comprises a plurality of slits that expand upon expansion of the balloon, and wherein the compartment has a volume that is larger than the space occupied by the expanded balloon; (b) expanding the balloon; (c) capturing the thrombus material within the compartment, wherein said capturing of the thrombus material includes: (d) at least partially collapsing the balloon, thereby collapsing the compartment; and (e) withdrawing the device from the blood vessel.