Patent ID: 8252010

Claim:
A method of removing a clot comprising the steps of: (a) placing a catheter assembly partially in a patients vessel having a clot, where said catheter assembly has a distal and proximal ends, said catheter assembly further comprising a first catheter having proximal and distal ends and carrying a remotely expandable occlusion device near said first catheter distal end and a second catheter having proximal and distal ends and carrying a remotely expandable means for mechanically moving a clot near said second catheter distal end, said first catheter slidable with respect to said second catheter; (b) placing a balloon collar sheath partially within said patient's vessel containing a clot where said balloon collar sheath comprises a collar sheath having proximal and distal ends, said balloon collar sheath having an exterior and an open interior, and a sealing valve disposed in said open interior and an inflatable collar balloon disposed on the exterior of said collar sheath; (c) placing a suction sheath partially in said patient's vessel having a clot, said suction sheath having proximal and distal ends, said distal end of said suction sheath attachable to a suction means, said suction sheath having proximal and distal ends, whereby said occlusion device and said collar balloon are positioned on opposite sides of a clot in a patient's vessel; (d) inflating said collar balloon to substantially occlude blood flow around said inflated collar balloon; (e) expanding said occlusion device to substantially occlude blood flow around said expanded occlusion device; (f) positioning said means for mechanically moving a clot near a portion of said clot; (g) operating said means for mechanically moving a clot; (h) applying suction to said suction sheath.