Patent ID: 6926726

Claim:
A method for breaking apart and removing thrombus or other tissue or other material from an occluded or obstructed biological or synthetic body vessel or cavity comprising the steps of: a. introduction of a device for removing thrombus or other material comprising a tubular member with a first passage and a second passage and one or more fluid jets which emanate from orifices in the distal portion of said first passage and at least one of said fluid jets is directed towards said second passage, and bringing said tubular member to the location of the thrombus or other material; b. providing at least one isolation balloon; c. using the at least one isolation balloon to provide a degree of isolation of a portion of the body vessel or cavity while using the at least one fluid jet to break up thrombus or other material; d. providing pressurized fluid to supply said at least one or more fluid jets emanating from said tubular member via said first passage therein; e. using said at least one or more fluid jets emanating from said tubular member to break up the thrombus or other material; and, f. removing some of the thrombus or other material from the vessel by passage along said second passage of said tubular member.