Patent ID: 8105333

Claim:
A method of removing an obstruction from a blood vessel, comprising the steps of: providing an obstruction removing device having a first obstruction removing element and a second obstruction removing element, the first and second obstruction removing elements both being movable from a collapsed position to an expanded position, the first and second obstruction removing elements being independently movable, the second obstruction removing element being a wire element; positioning the obstruction removing device in at least one catheter with the first and second obstruction removing elements in the collapsed position; advancing the catheter through the obstruction; moving the first obstruction removing element out of the catheter after the advancing step so that the obstruction removing element moves toward the expanded position; expanding the second obstruction removing element on a proximal side of the obstruction so that the obstruction is positioned between the first obstruction removing element and the expanded wire element of the second obstruction removing element; and engaging the obstruction by moving at least one of the first and second obstruction removing elements.