Patent ID: 7771445

Claim:
A method of removing thrombus material from a thrombectomy site, the method comprising: providing a rotational medical device comprising: an elongate flexible tubular body having a proximal end, a distal end, and an elongate central lumen; a rotational operating tip disposed at the distal end of the tubular body and operably connected to a motor; and a vacuum system coupled to said elongate flexible tubular body, said vacuum system comprising: a vacuum manifold having a first outlet and a second outlet, said vacuum manifold being connected to a vacuum source at said first outlet and the motor at said second outlet; a vacuum sensor; and a lock-out mechanism configured to control the motor based on a sensed vacuum level, the lock-out mechanism configured to prevent rotation of the operating tip when the sensed vacuum level is below a predetermined threshold; placing said distal end of said elongate flexible tubular body in proximity to a thrombus at said thrombectomy site; and activating said vacuum system such that a portion of said thrombus is drawn into said elongate central lumen.