Patent ID: 7534252

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 first obstruction removing element being an elongate element which extends to a free end and is naturally biased toward the expanded shape; 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 automatically expands toward the expanded position when positioned outside the catheter; expanding the second obstruction removing element on an opposite side of the obstruction from the first obstruction engaging element so that the obstruction is positioned between the first and second obstruction removing elements; and engaging the obstruction by moving at least one of the first and second obstruction removing elements.