EMBOLECTOMY CATHETERS FOR TREATING STROKE AND OTHER SMALL VESSEL THROMBOEMBOLIC DISORDERS

摘要

This invention is embolectomy catheters (11), rapid exchange micro-catheters (265), systems, and methods for removing obstructive matter (e.g., thrombus, thromboemboli, embolic fragments of atherosclerotic plaque, forein objects, etc.) from blood vessels. This system is particularly useable for percutaneous removal of thromboemboli or other obstructive matter from small blood vessels of the brain, during an evolving stroke or period of cerebral ischemia. In some embodiments, the embolectomy catheters are advanced over a guide wire (GW) which has been pre-inserted through or around the obstructive matter. These catheters include obstructive matter capturing receptacles (14) which are deployed after the catheter has been advanced at least partially through the obstructive matter. The receptacles may include at least one proximal strut (20), which is designed to be retractable through a blood clot and a distal matter-receiving portion (16) which is designed to prevent a blood clot from passing therethrough.