Patent ID: 8864792

Claim:
A clot removal device, comprising: a tubular clot capture element having a first internal diameter; and a clot engaging element including a helix having an open end on a distal side thereof configured, in an expanded state, to encircle a clot from a proximal side of a clot location, with a terminal end of the clot engaging element being located substantially at the expanded open end of the helix and aligned with a circumference of the helix, to define a substantially unobstructed channel for encircling the clot, wherein the helix has a second external diameter in the expanded state, and wherein the first internal diameter and the second external diameter are selected to permit the clot engaging element to be rotated within the tubular clot capture element; wherein the first internal diameter and the second external diameter are selected to permit the clot engaging element to longitudinally move within the clot capture element; and further comprising a first shaft that extends from a proximal end of the clot capture element, and a second shaft that extends from a proximal end of the clot engaging element, and wherein the second shaft is configured to rotate within the first shaft.