Patent ID: 7833239

Claim:
A system for removing occlusive material from an occluded blood vessel portion of a living being's vascular system, comprising: an elongated flexible tubular body member having a free end adapted to be delivered intravascularly to the occluded blood vessel portion and deliver a jet of infusate liquid into said vessel to dislodge particles of said occlusive material; an infusate pump for delivering said infusate liquid to said occluded blood vessel portion at an infusate flow rate; and an aspiration pump for aspirating infusate liquid, blood and dislodged particles from the occluded blood vessel portion at an aspiration flow rate; wherein said aspiration flow rate is greater than said infusate flow rate and said infusate and aspiration pumps are simultaneously operable to create a differential flow rate in said occluded blood vessel portion and thereby prevent particles of occlusive material from flowing into any upstream blood vessel or downstream blood vessel in said living being's vascular system.