INTERNATIONAL PATENT APPLICATION

CLOT RETRIEVAL SYSTEM

BACKGROUND

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a deployable system for removing a blood clot or other object from a lumen of an animal as well as to methods of manufacturing catheter-delivered medical devices from a tube of a memory metal.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Acute ischemic strokes develop when a blood clot (thrombus) blocks an artery supplying blood to the brain. Needless to say, when a blood clot creates such a blockage, time in removing the clot is critical.

[0003] The removal of intracranial obstructions is limited by several factors, such as the distance of the intracranial obstruction from the femoral access site, the tortuosity (twists and turns in the artery as it enters the base of the skull) of the cervical and proximal intracranial vasculature, the small size of the vessels and the extremely thin walls of intracranial vessels, which lack a significant muscular layer. These limitations require a device to be small and flexible enough to navigate through tortuous vessels within a guide catheter and microcatheter, expand after delivery at the site of occlusion and be retrievable into the microcatheter and yet be strong enough to dislodge strongly adherent thrombus from the vessel wall. In addition, the device should distally entrap or encase the thrombus to prevent embolization to other vessels and to completely remove the occlusion. The device should be retrievable without the need for proximal occlusion of the vessel, which carries risk of further ischemia and risk of vessel injury. The device should be simple to use and be capable of multi-use within the same patient treatment. The device should not be abrasive and should not have sharp comers exposed to the endothelial layer of the vessel wall.

[0004] Currently available intravascular thrombus and foreign body removal devices lack several of these features. Currently available devices include the MERCI™ RETRIEVER clot retriever device marketed by Concentric Medical, Inc. (Mountainview, CA), the PENUMBRA™ system marketed by Penumbra Inc. (Alameda, CA) to retrieve clots, and the newer stent retrieval devices TREVO™ (Stryker, Kalamazoo, MI) and SOLITAIRE™ (eV3 Endovascular Inc., Plymouth, MA, which is a subsidiary of Covidien). All the devices are ineffectual at removing organized hard thrombus that embolize to the brain from the heart and from atherosclerotic proximal vessels. These“hard” thrombi constitute the majority of strokes which are refractory to medical treatment and are therefore referred for removal by mechanical means through an endovascular approach. The MERCI retrieval system is comprised of coiled spring-like metal and associated suture material. The method of use is deployment distal to the thrombus and by withdrawing the device through the thrombus, the thrombus becomes entangled in the coil and mesh and then is retrieved. The MERCI system requires occlusion of the proximal vessel with a balloon catheter and simultaneous aspiration of blood while the thrombus is being removed. Most of the time, the device fails to dislodge the thrombus from the wall of the vessel and often, even when successfully dislodging the thrombus, the thrombus embolizes into another or the same vessel due to the open ended nature of the device.

[0005] The next attempt at a thrombus removal system was the PENUMBRA. The PENUMBRA is a suction catheter with a separator that macerates the thrombus which is then removed by suction. The device is ineffective at removing hard, organized thrombus which has embolized from the heart, cholesterol plaque from proximal feeding arteries and other foreign bodies.

[0006] The SOLITAIRE and TREVO systems are self-expanding non-detachable stents. The devices are delivered across the thrombus which is then supposed to become entwined in the mesh of the stent and which is then removed in a manner similar to the MERCI system. Again, these devices are ineffectual at treating hard thrombus. In fact, the thrombus is often compressed against the vessel wall by the stent which temporarily opens the vessel by outwardly pressing the clot against the vessel wall. Upon retrieval of the devices, the clot remains or is broken up into several pieces which embolize to vessels further along the vessel.

[0007] Thus, there is a need for new, easy-to-use, easy-to-manufacture, safe surgical devices for removing obstructions, such as blood clots, from internal lumens of humans and other animals in a timely manner.

[0008] In addition, it may be desirable to make memory-metal based mechanical thrombectomy devices, also referred to in the art as stent retrievers, from a single tube of the memory-metal (e.g., nitinol), and in the process, laser cut and shape set the middle portion to form the capture portion (e.g., the basket) and leave the proximal and distal ends at least partially intact. To provide design flexibility to the designer of the basket (so that he/she may include complicated structure in the middle portion), it is desirable that the single tube have a relatively large diameter. However, it is also desirable to allow the devices to fit into a small catheter (called a microcatheter), which creates issues if the proximal and distal ends remain on the device. Thus, there is a need for processes of making devices that have the advantages of being cut from a larger diameter tube but are also able to fit inside a small catheter.

BRIEF SUMMARY

[0009] The present disclosure provides several systems for removing obstructions and other objects within a blood vessel or other lumen of an animal. The system may be deployed in the lumen from a distal end of a catheter and, in some embodiments, includes a pull wire having a proximal end and a distal end; a distal body attached to the pull wire, the distal body comprising an interior, an exterior, a proximal end, a distal end, a plurality of proximal memory metal strips located at the proximal end, a proximal hub/junction located in the distal body interior, and a distal hub/junction located distal relative to the proximal hub/junction. The distal body has a relaxed state wherein the distal body has a first height and width and a collapsed state wherein the distal body has a second height and width, the second height less than said first height, the second width less than the first width. The system further includes a catheter having an interior, a proximal end leading to the interior and a distal end leading to the interior, the catheter comprised of a biocompatible material and configured to envelope the distal body when the distal body is in the collapsed state. Each of the proximal memory metal strips has a proximal end and a distal end and preferably, in the relaxed state, each of the proximal ends of the proximal memory metal strips is located proximal relative to the proximal hub/junction. Preferably, in the relaxed state, the proximal ends of the proximal memory metal strips are configured to move towards each other and towards the pull wire when an operator moves the proximal hub/junction distally and closer to the stationary distal hub/junction (i.e., when the operator decreases the distance between the hubs/junctions). Preferably, in the relaxed state, the proximal ends of the proximal memory metal strips are configured to move away from each other and away from the pull wire by moving the proximal hub/junction proximally away from the stationary distal hub/junction (i.e., when the operator increases the distance between the hubs/junctions). [0010] Optionally, the system further includes a plurality of memory metal connector strips, the plurality of memory metal connector strips each having a proximal end attached to a proximal memory metal strip and a distal end attached to the proximal hub/junction. Optionally, the connector strips are integral with the proximal hub/junction (i.e., optionally, the connector strips and the proximal hub/junction are formed from the same piece of memory metal). Optionally, the proximal hub/junction is a tube having an aperture and the pull wire passes through the aperture. Optionally, in the relaxed state, the proximal hub/junction is slideable along the pull wire (i.e., at least a segment of the pull wire). Optionally, in the relaxed state, the proximal memory metal strips are distributed substantially evenly about a perimeter of the distal body. Optionally, the distal hub/junction is a tube having an aperture. Optionally, the distal hub/junction is attached to the pull wire such that the distal hub/junction is not slideable along the pull wire. Optionally, the distal body further comprises a lead wire extending distally from the distal hub/junction. Optionally, the distal body comprises a basket comprised of a plurality of memory metal strips distal relative to the proximal memory metal strips. Optionally, the distal hub/junction, the proximal hub/junction, and the distal basket are comprised of a nitinol having the same material composition. Optionally, the distal body further comprises an x-ray marker. Optionally, the proximal memory metal strips form a claw, the claw having a closeable proximal end formed by the proximal ends of the proximal memory metal strips. Optionally, between 2 and 4 proximal memory metal strips form the claw. Optionally, the distal body, in the relaxed state, has a tapered shape in which the distal body height and width decrease from the proximal end to the distal end. Optionally, the distal body, in the relaxed state, has a bullet shape. Optionally, the proximal hub/junction and the distal hub/junction are generally cylindrical in shape and each has an outer diameter and an inner diameter that forms the apertures of the proximal and distal hub/junctions, the outer diameters of the proximal and distal hub/junctions are substantially the same size, and the inner diameters of the proximal and distal hubs/junctions are substantially the same size. Optionally, the outer diameters of the proximal and distal hubs/junctions are from about 0.011 inches to about 0.054 inches, and the inner diameters of the proximal and distal hubs are from about 0.008 inches to about 0.051 inches. Optionally, the pull wire is generally cylindrical and the diameter of the pull wire is between about 0.008 inches and about 0.051 inches. Optionally, the proximal memory metal strips have a length of between about 10 and about 60 millimeters. Optionally, the first height and first width of the distal body are between about 2 millimeters (mm) and about 6 millimeters. Optionally, the proximal memory metal strips are configured to a separate a clot from a blood vessel wall.

[0011] The present invention also provides a method of removing an object from an interior lumen of an animal, the lumen having an interior wall forming the lumen. In some embodiments, the method includes:

a) providing a system comprising: i) a pull wire having a proximal end and a distal end; ii) a distal body attached to the pull wire, the distal body comprising a proximal end, a distal end, and a claw, the claw comprised of a plurality of memory metal strips, the distal body having a relaxed state wherein the distal body has a first height and width and a collapsed state wherein the distal body has a second height and width, the second height less than said first height, the second width less than said first width; and iii) a catheter having an interior, a proximal end leading to the interior and a distal end leading to the interior, the catheter comprised of a biocompatible material and configured to envelope the distal body when said distal body is in said collapsed state;

b) positioning the system in the lumen;

c) deploying the distal body from the distal end of the catheter;

d) allowing the height and width of said distal body to increase; and

e) moving the memory metal strips towards each other and the pull wire so as to capture the obstruction. Optionally, the claw and the memory metal strips are located at the proximal end of said distal body and the distal body is deployed distal to said object. Optionally, the proximal memory metal strips have a proximal end forming the proximal end of the claw and a distal end, and the method includes moving the proximal ends of the memory metal strips towards each other and the pull wire so as to capture the obstruction. Optionally, the distal body further comprises a proximal hub/junction located in the distal body interior, and a distal hub/junction located distal relative to the proximal hub/junction, each of the memory metal strips has a proximal end and a distal end, each of the proximal ends of the memory metal strips is located proximal relative to the proximal hub/junction, and the proximal ends of the memory metal strips are configured to move towards each other and towards the pull wire by moving the proximal hub/junction distally and closer to the distal hub/junction, and the proximal ends of the memory metal strips are configured to move away from each other and away from the pull wire by moving the proximal hub/junction proximally and away from the distal hub/junction, and the method further comprises moving the proximal hub/junction distally and closer to the distal hub/junction so as to capture the obstruction in the claw. Optionally, the interior lumen is an intracranial artery and the obstruction is a blood clot. Optionally, the method further comprises using the clot to move the proximal hub/junction toward the distal hub/junction and exert tension on the proximal memory metal strips. Optionally, the method further comprises using a tube to move the proximal hub/junction toward the distal hub/junction and exert tension on the proximal memory metal strips.

[0012] The present invention also provides a method of manufacturing a system for removing objects within an interior lumen of an animal. In some embodiments, the method includes: a) providing a single tube comprised of a memory metal, the single tube having an exterior, a hollow interior, a wall separating the exterior from the hollow interior, a proximal portion comprising an aperture leading to the hollow interior, a distal portion comprising an aperture leading to the hollow interior, and a middle portion between the proximal portion and the distal portion;

b) cutting the wall of the middle portion with a laser;

c) removing the pieces of the middle portion cut by the laser to form a proximal tube, a middle portion comprising a plurality of memory metal strips attached to the proximal tube and a distal tube;

d) altering the shape of the middle portion;

e) allowing the middle portion to expand relative to the distal tube and the proximal tube;

f) cutting the memory metal strips to form a first segment comprising the proximal tube and a proximal segment of the memory metal strips, and a second segment comprising the distal tube and a distal segment of the memory metal strips; and

g) joining the proximal segments to the distal segments such that the distal segments form the proximal end of a distal body, such that the proximal tube is located inside an interior of said distal body, and such that the proximal tube is located distal relative to the proximal end.

[0013] Optionally, the method further includes placing a pull wire through the proximal tube such that the proximal tube is slideable along at least a segment of the pull wire. Optionally, the method further includes attaching the pull wire to the distal tube. Optionally, the step of joining the proximal segments to the distal segments comprises welding or soldering the proximal segments to the distal segments. Optionally, after the step of joining the proximal segments to the distal segments, the proximal end forms a claw comprised of between 2 and 4 memory metal strips, the claw memory metal strips configured to move towards each by moving said proximal tube distally and closer to the distal tube, and the claw memory metal strips configured to move away from each other by moving the proximal tube proximally and away from said distal tube. Optionally, the method further includes not altering the shape of the proximal and distal portions while altering the shape of the middle portion. Optionally, the method further includes cooling the proximal portion, the middle portion, and the distal portion after step D) and, after cooling, the proximal and distal portions have substantially the same size as the proximal and distal portions had prior to step A). Optionally, the method of allowing said middle portion to expand comprises heating the middle portion. Optionally, the method of altering the shape of the middle portion comprises using a mandrel. Optionally, the mandrel is tapered. Optionally, the proximal portion and the distal portion are not cut by the laser. Optionally, prior to cutting the memory metal tube, the memory metal tube has an outer diameter that is from about 0.011 inches to about 0.054 inches and an inner diameter that is from about 0.008 inches to about 0.051 inches.

[0014] In an alternate embodiment, the present disclosure provides a system for removing objects from an interior lumen of an animal that includes:

a pull wire having a proximal end and a distal end;

a distal body attached to the pull wire, the distal body comprising an interior, a proximal end, a distal end, a distal body length extending from the proximal end to the distal end, a proximal hub/junction (preferably in the form of a tube) forming the proximal end of the distal body, a basket comprised of a plurality of cells formed by a plurality of basket strips, a plurality of proximal strips, and, optionally a distal hub/junction (preferably in the form of a tube) forming a distal end of the basket, the basket comprising a basket interior, each proximal strip having a proximal end attached to the proximal hub/junction, and a distal end attached to a cell, the distal body having a relaxed state wherein the distal body has a first height and a first width, and a collapsed state wherein the distal body has a second height and a second width, the second height less than the first height, the second width less than the first width; and

a catheter having an interior, a proximal end leading to the interior and a distal end leading to the interior, the catheter comprised of a biocompatible material and configured to envelope the distal body when the distal body is in the collapsed state, wherein, in the relaxed state, the basket comprises a first pair of distal crowns not attached to another cell of the basket and pointing generally in the distal direction, the first pair of distal crowns located approximately the same distance from the proximal hub/junction and approximately 180 degrees relative to each other (e.g., between about 150 degrees and about 180 degrees relative to each other), and further wherein the basket further comprises a second pair of distal crowns not attached to another cell of the basket and pointing generally in the distal direction, the second pair of distal crowns located distally relative to, and approximately 90 degrees relative to, the first pair of distal crowns (e.g., each distal crown of the second pair of distal crowns is located approximately 60 degrees to 90 degrees relative to a distal crown of the first pair of distal crowns), the distal crowns in the second pair of distal crowns located approximately the same distance from the proximal hub/junction and further wherein each of the distal crowns in the first and second pair of distal crowns comprises an x-ray marker, the x-ray maker more visible under x-ray as compared to the basket strips when the distal body is located in a cranial blood vessel inside the body of a human and the x-ray is taken from outside the human’s body. When it is said that the first pair of distal crowns are located approximately the same distance from the proximal hub/junction, it will be understood that if one of the first pair of distal crowns is located X distance from the proximal hub/junction, the other of the first pair of distal crowns is located X distance plus or minus (+/-) 3 mm from the proximal hub/junction, more preferably X distance plus or minus (+/-) 0.5 mm from the proximal hub/junction. Similarly, when it is said that the second pair of distal crowns are located approximately the same distance from the proximal hub/junction, it will be understood that if one of the second pair of distal crowns is located Y distance from the proximal hub/junction, the other of the first pair of distal crowns is located Y distance plus or minus (+/-) 3 mm from the proximal hub/junction, more preferably Y distance plus or minus (+/-) 0.5 mm from the proximal hub/junction. Optionally, instead of a distal hub/junction, the basket includes an open distal end.

[0015] Optionally, the x-ray markers are comprised of a material different than the material forming the basket strips. Optionally, in the relaxed state, the basket interior is substantially hollow. Optionally, in the relaxed state, the distal body does not have another x-ray marker that is located approximately the same distance from the proximal hub/junction as the first pair of x-ray markers and the distal body does not have another x-ray marker that is located approximately the same distance from the proximal hub/junction as the second pair of x-ray markers. In other words, the first and second pair of x-ray markers are the only markers their respective distances from the proximal hub/junction. Optionally, each distal crown in the first and second pair of distal crowns forms part of an enlarged cell and further wherein the surface area of each enlarged cell in the relaxed state is greater than the surface area of each of the other individual cells of the basket and further wherein the enlarged cells are configured to allow a thrombus to pass therethrough and into the basket interior. Optionally, in the relaxed state, the distal body does not have another free distal-pointing crown that is located approximately the same distance from the proximal hub/junction as the first pair of distal crowns and the distal body does not have another free distal-pointing crown that is located approximately the same distance from the proximal hub/junction as the second pair of distal crowns. Optionally, the basket strips are comprised of a memory metal. Optionally, each of the distal crowns in the first pair and second pair of distal crowns curve radially inward toward the basket interior in the relaxed state, wherein the distal crowns of the first pair of distal crowns are configured to contact each other when an exterior, external compressive force (such as a thrombus) is exerted on a distal crown of the first pair of distal crowns when the distal body is in the relaxed state, and further wherein the distal crowns of the second pair of distal crowns are configured to contact each other when an exterior, external compressive force (such as a thrombus) is exerted on a distal crown of the second pair of distal crowns when the distal body is in the relaxed state. Optionally, the proximal hub/junction is located approximately in the center of the first height and first width in the relaxed state. For example, preferably the proximal hub/junction is located within 0.5 mm of the center of first width and the first height. Optionally, the catheter is comprised of a polymeric material (i.e., one or more polymeric materials such as silicone, PVC, latex rubber or braided nylon). Optionally, the pull wire is comprised of a biocompatible metallic material (e.g., a biocompatible metal or a biocompatible metal alloy). Optionally, the proximal end of a first proximal strip is located at least about 65 degrees (e.g., between about 65 and about 180 degrees) relative to the distal end of the first proximal strip, wherein the proximal end of a second proximal strip is located at least about 65 degrees (e.g., between about 65 and about 180 degrees) relative to the distal end of the second proximal strip, and further wherein the first and second proximal strips intersect adjacent and distal to the proximal hub/junction (e.g., within about 0 and about 4 mm of the proximal hub/junction). Optionally, each distal crown forms part of a cell that further comprises a proximal crown pointing generally in the proximal direction and connected to a memory metal strip (e.g., a proximal strip comprised of a memory metal or a basket strip comprised of a memory metal). In other words, the proximal crowns are not free. Optionally, the basket, the proximal hub/junction and the proximal strips are comprised of a memory metal, wherein the proximal hub/junction comprises a proximal end and a distal end, and further wherein the proximal strips are integral with the distal end of the proximal hub/junction. Optionally, the length of the distal body from the proximal hub/junction to the distal hub/junction (not including any lead wire) is from about 20 mm to about 65 mm. Optionally, the system is used in a method of removing a blood clot from a blood vessel of an animal the method comprising the steps of:

a) providing the system;

b) positioning the system in the lumen;

c) deploying the distal body from the distal end of the catheter;

d) allowing the height and width of the distal body to increase;

e) irradiating the distal body with x-rays;

f) moving the clot into the distal basket interior; and

g) moving the distal body proximally out of the blood vessel.

[0016] Optionally, the method further comprises irradiating the distal body with x-rays at at least two different angles. Optionally, at least one x-ray marker attached to the distal crowns is distal to the clot when the distal body is deployed from the distal end of the catheter. Optionally, the method further comprises applying contrast dye proximally and distally to the clot. Optionally, the method further comprises providing a suction catheter having a proximal end and a distal end, and attaching the distal end of the suction catheter to the clot by applying suction to the suction catheter. Optionally, the method further comprises aspirating by hand a pre-determined volume of fluid from the suction catheter using a syringe and then locking the syringe at the pre-determined volume. Optionally, the method further comprises delivering the suction catheter adjacent to the clot by advancing the catheter over the pull wire.

[0017] In yet another embodiment, the system includes:

a pull wire having a proximal end and a distal end;

a distal body attached to the pull wire, the distal body comprising an interior, a proximal end, a distal end, a distal body length extending from the proximal end to the distal end, a proximal hub/junction (preferably in the form of a tube) forming the proximal end of the distal body, a basket comprised of a plurality of cells formed by a plurality of basket strips, a plurality of proximal strips, and optionally a distal hub/junction (preferably in the form of a tube) forming a distal end of the basket, the basket comprising a basket interior, each proximal strip having a proximal end attached to the proximal hub/junction, and a distal end attached to a cell, the distal body having a relaxed state wherein the distal body has a first height and a first width, and a collapsed state wherein the distal body has a second height and a second width, the second height less than the first height, the second width less than the first width; and

a catheter having an interior, a proximal end leading to the interior and a distal end leading to the interior, the catheter comprised of a biocompatible material and configured to envelope the distal body when the distal body is in the collapsed state,

wherein, in the relaxed state, the basket comprises a first pair of distal crowns not attached to another cell of the basket and pointing generally in the distal direction, the first pair of distal crowns located approximately the same distance from the proximal hub/junction and approximately 180 degrees relative to each other (e.g., between about 150 degrees and about 180 degrees relative to each other), and further wherein the basket further comprises a second pair of distal crowns not attached to another cell of the basket and pointing generally in the distal direction, the second pair of distal crowns located distally relative to, and approximately 90 degrees relative to, the first pair of distal crowns (e.g., each distal crown of the second pair of distal crowns is located approximately 60 degrees to 90 degrees relative to a distal crown of the first pair of distal crowns), the distal crowns in the second pair of distal crowns located approximately the same distance from the proximal hub/junction, wherein each distal crown of the first and second pair of distal crowns form a cell, each cell further comprising a proximal crown pointing generally in the proximal direction and connected to a memory metal strip, wherein each of the distal crowns in the first pair and second pair of distal crowns curve radially inward toward the basket interior in the relaxed state, wherein the distal crowns of the first pair of distal crowns are configured to contact each other when an exterior, external compressive force (e.g., a thrombus) is exerted on a distal crown of the first pair of distal crowns when the distal body is in the relaxed state, and further wherein the distal crowns of the second pair of distal crowns are configured to contact each other when an exterior, external compressive force (e.g., a thrombus) is exerted on a distal crown of the second pair of distal crowns when the distal body is in the relaxed state. When it is said that a proximal crown pointing generally in the proximal direction and is connected to a memory metal strip, it is meant that the proximal crown is either connected to a basket strip or a proximal strip comprised of a memory metal (e.g., nitinol). When it is said that the first pair of distal crowns are located approximately the same distance from the proximal hub/junction, it will be understood that if one of the first pair of distal crowns is located X distance from the proximal hub/junction, the other of the first pair of distal crowns is located X distance plus or minus (+/-) 3 mm, more preferably +/- 0.5 mm, from the proximal hub/junction. Similarly, when it is said that the second pair of distal crowns are located approximately the same distance from the proximal hub/junction, it will be understood that if one of the second pair of distal crowns is located Y distance from the proximal hub/junction, the other of the first pair of distal crowns is located Y distance plus or minus (+/-) 3 mm, more preferably +/- 0.5 mm, from the proximal hub/junction. Optionally, instead of a distal hub/junction, the basket includes an open distal end.

[0018] Optionally, the proximal hub/junction is located approximately in the center of the first height and first width in the relaxed state. For example, preferably the proximal hub/junction is located within 0.5 mm of the center of first width and the first height. Optionally, the catheter is comprised of a polymeric material (i.e., one or more polymeric materials such as silicone, PVC, latex rubber or braided nylon). Optionally, the pull wire is comprised of a biocompatible metallic material (e.g., a biocompatible metal or a biocompatible metal alloy). Optionally, in the relaxed state, the basket interior is substantially hollow. Optionally, the proximal end of a first proximal strip is located at least about 65 degrees (e.g., between about 65 and about 180 degrees) relative to the distal end of the first proximal strip, wherein the proximal end of a second proximal strip is located at least about 65 degrees (e.g., between about 65 and about 180 degrees) relative to the distal end of the second proximal strip, and further wherein the first and second proximal strips intersect adjacent and distal to the proximal hub/junction (e.g., within about 0 mm and about 4 mm of the proximal hub/junction). Optionally, each distal crown in the first and second pair of distal crowns forms part of an enlarged cell and further wherein the surface area of each enlarged cell in the relaxed state is at least twice as large as the surface area of each other individual cell of the basket and further wherein the enlarged cells are configured to allow a thrombus to pass therethrough and into the basket interior. Optionally, the pull wire is attached to the proximal hub/junction. Optionally, the basket, the proximal hub/junction and the proximal strips are comprised of a memory metal, wherein the proximal hub/junction comprises a proximal end and a distal end, and further wherein the proximal strips are integral with the distal end of the proximal hub/junction. Optionally, the distal body further comprises a lead wire extending distally from the distal hub/junction, the lead wire having a length of from about 3 mm to about 10 mm. Optionally, the distal hub/junction, the proximal hub/junction, and the basket are comprised of a nitinol having the same material composition and further wherein the proximal and the distal hubs/junctions are tubular and generally cylindrical in shape and each has an outer diameter and an inner diameter, the inner diameter forming apertures of the proximal and distal hubs/junctions and further wherein the outer diameters of the proximal and distal hubs/junctions are substantially the same size and further wherein the inner diameters of the proximal and distal hubs/junctions are substantially the same size. Optionally, the length of the distal body from the proximal hub/junction to the distal hub/junction (not including any lead wire) is from about 20 mm to about 65 mm.

[0019] Optionally, the system is used in a method of removing a blood clot from a blood vessel of an animal the method comprising the steps of:

a) providing the system;

b) positioning the system in the lumen;

c) deploying the distal body from the distal end of the catheter;

d) allowing the height and width of the distal body to increase;

e) irradiating the distal body with x-rays;

f) moving the clot into the distal basket interior; and

g) moving the distal body proximally out of the blood vessel.

[0020] Optionally, the method further comprises irradiating the distal body with x-rays at at least two different angles.

[0021] In still further embodiments, the present disclosure provides a system for removing a blood clot from a human blood vessel. The system may include a pull wire having a pull wire proximal end, a pull wire distal end and a pull wire length extending from the pull wire proximal end to the pull wire distal end. The system may further include a proximal body free floating over a fixed distance of the pull wire and comprising a proximal body interior, a proximal body perimeter, a proximal body proximal end that may include a proximal body proximal junction/tube that has an interior allowing the pull wire to pass through, a proximal body open distal end, a proximal body length extending from the proximal body proximal end to the proximal body distal end, and a proximal body height and width perpendicular to the proximal body length. The proximal body may be comprised of a framework comprised of a plurality of cells formed by a plurality of memory metal strips. The system may further include a distal body comprising a distal body interior, a distal body perimeter, a distal body proximal end that may comprise a distal body proximal junction connected to the pull wire, a distal body distal end, a distal body length extending from the distal body proximal end to the distal body distal end, and a distal body height and width perpendicular to the distal body length. The distal body may be comprised of a framework comprised of a plurality of cells formed by a plurality of memory metal strips. Optionally, the proximal body has a relaxed state wherein the proximal body has a first height and a first width, and a collapsed state wherein the proximal body has a second height and a second width, the second height of the proximal body less than the first height of the proximal body, the second width of the proximal body less than the first width of the proximal body. Optionally, the distal body has a relaxed state wherein the distal body has a first height and a first width, and a collapsed state wherein the distal body has a second height and a second width, the second height of the distal body less than the first height of the distal body, the second width of the distal body less than the first width of the distal body. Optionally, the distal body is configured to move between a deployed configuration in which the distal body proximal end is located a first distance distal relative to the proximal body proximal end and a retracted configuration in which the distal body proximal end is located a second distance distal relative to the proximal body proximal end, the second distance less than the first distance. Optionally, the pull wire distal end and the distal body are configured to move proximally a fixed distance toward the proximal body proximal end when the distal body moves from the deployed configuration to the retracted configuration. Optionally, pulling the pull wire proximally is configured to move the distal body from the deployed configuration to the retracted. Optionally, the proximal body interior is substantially hollow. Optionally, the distal body interior is substantially hollow. Optionally, the proximal body, in the relaxed state, comprises a plurality of free distal crowns located at the distal end of the proximal body on the proximal body perimeter and pointing generally in the distal direction, the plurality of free distal crowns forming the proximal body open distal end. Optionally, at least some of the plurality of free distal crowns located at the distal end of the proximal body comprise an x-ray marker. Optionally, the proximal junction of the proximal body and the proximal junction of the distal body each are in the form of a tube. Optionally, in the relaxed state, the proximal body and the distal body do not have any free proximal crowns pointing generally in the proximal direction. Optionally, some cells of the framework of the distal body are larger than other cells of the framework of the distal body and are configured to allow a blood clot to pass therethrough into the distal body interior. Optionally, the distal body distal end comprises a distal body distal junction, wherein at least some of the memory metal strips are located at a distal end of the framework of the distal body, each of the memory metal strips located at the distal end of the framework of the distal body have a distal end, and each of the distal ends of the memory metal strips located at the distal end of the framework of the distal body converge at, and are attached to, the distal body distal junction. Optionally, the distal body, in the relaxed state, comprises a tapered region in which the distal body height and the distal body width decrease as the distal ends of the memory metal strips located at the distal end of the framework of the distal body approach the distal body distal junction. Optionally, the system further comprises a lead wire extending distally from the distal body distal junction. Optionally, the distal body further comprises a plurality of proximal strips, each distal body proximal strip having a distal end attached to a proximal crown of a cell of the distal body and a proximal end, the proximal ends of the proximal strips of the distal body converging at the distal body proximal junction, the proximal body further comprises a plurality of proximal strips, each proximal body proximal strip having a distal end attached to a proximal crown of a cell of the proximal body and a proximal end, the proximal ends of the proximal strips of the proximal body converging at a proximal body proximal junction located at the proximal body proximal end, and the pull wire passes through the proximal body proximal junction. Optionally, in the relaxed state, the framework of the distal body comprises a plurality of free distal crowns pointing generally in the distal direction and does not have any free proximal crowns pointing generally in the proximal direction. Optionally, the plurality of cells of the framework of the distal body are spaced about the distal body perimeter and the plurality of cells of the framework of the proximal body are spaced about the proximal body perimeter. Optionally, the system further comprises a catheter having an interior, a proximal end leading to the interior and a distal end leading to the interior, the catheter comprised of a biocompatible material and configured to envelop the distal body and the proximal body when the distal body and the proximal body are in the collapsed state.

Optionally, in the relaxed state, the framework of the distal body comprises a first pair of distal crowns not attached to another cell of the framework and pointing generally in the distal direction, the distal crowns in the first pair of distal crowns located approximately the same distance from the distal body proximal end and located between 150 degrees and 180 degrees relative to each other, wherein each distal crown in the first pair of distal crowns forms part of a different enlarged cell, each enlarged cell having a center, the centers of the enlarged cells of the first pair of distal crowns are between 150 degrees and 180 degrees relative to each other, and the enlarged cells are configured to allow a thrombus to pass therethrough and into the distal body interior. Optionally, the proximal body proximal end comprises a proximal body proximal junction in the form of a tube comprising a tube interior, the pull wire comprises a proximal bumper proximal to the proximal body proximal junction, the pull wire comprises a thin segment distal to the proximal bumper, the pull wire comprises a distal bumper distal to the thin segment, the thin segment passes through the tube interior of the proximal body proximal junction but the proximal and distal bumpers are not configured to pass through the tube interior of the proximal body proximal junction. Optionally, the distal bumper forms part of the distal body proximal junction. Optionally, the proximal bumper and distal bumper each comprise x-ray markers. Optionally, the proximal body is free floating when the thin segment passes through the tube interior, pushing the proximal bumper against the proximal body proximal junction is configured to move the proximal body distally, pulling the distal bumper against the proximal body proximal junction is configured to move the proximal body proximally, pushing the pull wire distally is configured to move the distal body proximal junction distally and pulling the pull wire proximally is configured to move the distal body proximal junction proximally. Optionally, the system is used in a method of removing a blood clot from a blood vessel of an animal the method comprising the steps of: a) providing the system; b) pushing the proximal bumper against the proximal body proximal junction so that the system is positioned in the blood vessel with the proximal body proximal junction proximal to the blood clot and the distal body distal end distal to the blood clot; c) allowing the height and width of the proximal body and distal body to increase; d)p ulling the pull wire proximally so that the thin segment of the pull wire moves proximally within the tube interior and the distal body moves from the deployed configuration to the retracted configuration; and e) pulling the pull wire proximally so that the distal bumper of the pull wire moves against the proximal body proximal junction so that the proximal body, the blood clot and the distal body move proximally out of the blood vessel. Optionally, the proximal body proximal end comprises a proximal body proximal junction, the system further comprises a tube surrounding a segment of the pull wire, the tube comprising an interior comprising the segment of the pull wire, a tube proximal end, and a tube distal end attached to the proximal body proximal junction, the distal body and the distal end of the pull wire are configured to move proximally toward the proximal body proximal end and the tube when the distal body moves from the deployed configuration to the retracted configuration. Optionally, the pull wire and the tube are each attached to a handle, the handle further comprising a moveable slide, and moving the moveable slide proximally is configured to move the distal body from the deployed configuration to the retracted configuration. Optionally, the handle further comprises a slot, moving the moveable slide proximally by a distance within the slot is configured to move the distal body the same distance toward the proximal body proximal junction. In still further embodiments, the present disclosure provides a method of removing a blood clot from a blood vessel of an animal the method comprising the steps of: a) providing the system; b) positioning the system in the blood vessel so that the proximal body proximal junction is proximal to the blood clot and the distal body distal end is distal to the blood clot; c) allowing the height and width of the proximal body and distal body to increase; d) moving the moveable slide proximally to move the distal body from the deployed configuration to the retracted configuration; e) moving the proximal body, the blood clot and the distal body proximally out of the blood vessel. In still further embodiments, the present disclosure provides a method of removing a blood clot from a blood vessel of an animal the method comprising the steps of: a) providing the system; b) positioning the system in the blood vessel so that the proximal body proximal end is proximal to the blood clot and the distal body distal end is distal to the blood clot; c) allowing the height and width of the proximal body and distal body to increase; d) moving the distal body from the deployed configuration to the retracted configuration; e) moving the proximal body, the blood clot and the distal body proximally out of the blood vessel.

Optionally, the proximal body proximal end comprises a proximal body proximal junction, and further wherein the proximal body proximal junction is in the form of a tube comprising an interior and further wherein the proximal body proximal junction passes through the tube interior. Optionally, in the relaxed state, the proximal body proximal junction is located approximately in the center of the proximal body height and width and the distal body proximal junction is located approximately in the center of the distal body height and width. Optionally, the proximal body height, the proximal body width and the distal body height and the distal body width in the relaxed state are substantially the same. [0022] In still further embodiments, the system for removing a blood clot from a human blood vessel includes a pull wire having a pull wire proximal end, a pull wire distal end and a pull wire length extending from the pull wire proximal end to the pull wire distal end; a distal body comprising a distal body interior, a distal body perimeter, a distal body proximal end comprising a distal body proximal junction connected to the pull wire, a distal body distal end, a distal body length extending from the distal body proximal end to the distal body distal end, and a distal body height and width perpendicular to the distal body length, the distal body comprising a framework comprised of a plurality of cells formed by a plurality of memory metal strips, wherein the distal body has a relaxed state wherein the distal body has a first height and a first width, and a collapsed state wherein the distal body has a second height and a second width, the second height of the distal body less than the first height of the distal body, the second width of the distal body less than the first width of the distal body, a proximal body comprising a proximal body interior, a proximal body perimeter, a proximal body proximal end, a proximal body open distal end proximal to the distal body proximal end, a proximal body length extending from the proximal body proximal end to the proximal body distal end, and a proximal body height and width perpendicular to the proximal body length, the proximal body comprising a framework comprised of a plurality of cells formed by a plurality of memory metal strips, the proximal body having a relaxed state wherein the proximal body has a first height and a first width, and a collapsed state wherein the proximal body has a second height and a second width, the second height of the proximal body less than the first height of the proximal body, the second width of the proximal body less than the first width of the proximal body, an inner tube located proximal to the distal body proximal end (and the proximal body proximal end) and enveloping the pull wire and comprising an inner tube proximal end, an inner tube distal end attached to the proximal body proximal end and proximal to the pull wire distal end, and an inner tube length extending from the inner tube proximal end to the inner tube distal end, wherein, the inner tube and proximal body proximal end are freely moveable as a unit over the pull wire toward and away from the distal body proximal junction; and an outer tube configured to envelop the inner tube (i.e., the outer tube height and width are greater than the inner tube height and width) and comprising a proximal end, a distal end, and an outer tube length extending from the outer tube proximal end to the outer tube distal end, the outer tube not attached to the distal body, not attached to the proximal body and freely moveable toward and away from the proximal body proximal end and the distal body proximal junction. Optionally, the proximal body open distal end is proximal to the distal body proximal end. Optionally, movement of the outer tube over the proximal body is configured to move the proximal body from the relaxed state to the collapsed state. Optionally, at least when the distal body and proximal body are separated by a distance, pulling the pull wire proximally automatically moves the distal body but not the proximal body proximally. Optionally, pushing the pull wire distally automatically moves the distal body but not the proximal body distally. Optionally, pulling the inner tube proximally automatically moves the proximal body but not the distal body proximally.

Optionally, at least when the distal body and proximal body are separated by a distance, pushing the inner tube distally automatically moves the proximal body but not the distal body distally. Optionally, the inner tube and outer tube are flexible. Optionally, the inner tube has a length of at least about 50 centimeters (e.g., 50 to 300 centimeters).

[0023] Optionally, in the relaxed state, the proximal body has a minimum height and width at the proximal body proximal end. Optionally, in the relaxed state, the distal body has a minimum height and width at the distal body proximal junction. Optionally, the proximal body proximal end comprises a proximal body proximal junction and the inner tube is attached to the proximal body proximal junction. Optionally, the proximal body proximal junction is in the form of a tube enveloping the pull wire. Optionally, in the relaxed state, the proximal body comprises a tapered proximal end in which the proximal body height and proximal body width decrease in size at the proximal body proximal junction. Optionally, in the relaxed state, the proximal body has a maximum height and width at the proximal body open distal end and the proximal body has a minimum height and width at the proximal body proximal end. Optionally, in the relaxed state, the proximal body has a maximum height and width that are at least 0.5 millimeters larger than the distal body maximum height and width. Optionally, in the relaxed state, the proximal body length is between about 1/3 and about 2/3 of the distal body length. Optionally, the proximal body further comprises a film attached to the memory metal strips of the proximal body. Optionally, the film is impermeable to human red blood cells. Optionally, the proximal body, in the relaxed state, comprises a plurality of free distal crowns located at the distal end of the proximal body on the proximal body perimeter and pointing generally in the distal direction, the plurality of free distal crowns forming the proximal body open distal end. Optionally, at least some of the plurality of free distal crowns located at the distal end of the proximal body comprise an x-ray marker. Optionally, the inner tube has an inner diameter of from about 0.14 to about 0.30 inches and an outer diameter of between about 0.18 and about 0.40 inches. Optionally, the inner tube distal end is permanently atached to the proximal body proximal end. Optionally, the combined length of the proximal body and the inner tube is greater than the outer tube length. Optionally, the length of the pull wire is greater than the combined length of the proximal body and the inner tube. Optionally, the proximal body interior is substantially hollow. Optionally, the distal body interior is substantially hollow. Optionally, the proximal junction of the distal body is in the form of a tube. Optionally, in the relaxed state, the proximal body and the distal body do not have any free proximal crowns pointing generally in the proximal direction. Optionally, the distal body distal end comprises a distal body distal junction, wherein at least some of the memory metal strips are located at a distal end of the framework of the distal body, wherein each of the memory metal strips located at the distal end of the framework of the distal body have a distal end, and wherein each of the distal ends of the memory metal strips located at the distal end of the framework of the distal body converge at, and are atached to, the distal body distal junction, and further wherein the distal body, in the relaxed state, comprises a tapered region in which the distal body height and the distal body width decrease as the distal ends of the memory metal strips located at the distal end of the framework of the distal body approach the distal body distal junction. Optionally, the system further comprises a lead wire extending distally from the distal body distal junction.

Optionally, the distal body further comprises a plurality of proximal strips, each distal body proximal strip having a distal end atached to a proximal crown of a cell of the distal body and a proximal end, the proximal ends of the proximal strips of the distal body converging at the distal body proximal junction, wherein the proximal body further comprises a plurality of proximal strips, each proximal body proximal strip having a distal end atached to a proximal crown of a cell of the proximal body and a proximal end, the proximal ends of the proximal strips of the proximal body converging at a proximal body proximal junction located at the proximal body proximal end, and further wherein the pull wire passes through the proximal body proximal junction. Optionally, in the relaxed state, the framework of the distal body comprises a plurality of free distal crowns pointing generally in the distal direction and does not have any free proximal crowns pointing generally in the proximal direction. Optionally, the plurality of cells of the framework of the distal body are spaced about the distal body perimeter and the plurality of cells of the framework of the proximal body are spaced about the proximal body perimeter. Optionally, the system further comprises a catheter having an interior, a proximal end leading to the interior and a distal end leading to the interior, the catheter comprised of a biocompatible material and configured to envelop the outer tube, the inner tube and the proximal body. Optionally, in the relaxed state, the framework of the distal body comprises a first pair of distal crowns not attached to another cell of the framework and pointing generally in the distal direction, the distal crowns in the first pair of distal crowns located approximately the same distance from the distal body proximal end and located between 150 degrees and 180 degrees relative to each other, wherein each distal crown in the first pair of distal crowns forms part of a different enlarged cell, each enlarged cell having a center. Optionally, the centers of the enlarged cells of the first pair of distal crowns are between 150 degrees and 180 degrees relative to each other, and further wherein the enlarged cells are configured to allow a thrombus to pass therethrough and into the distal body interior. Optionally, the pull wire proximal end is located outside the human’s body, the pull wire distal end and the distal body are located in a lumen in the human’s body (e.g., an intracranial blood vessel), the proximal body and the inner tube distal end are located at a location proximal to the distal body in a lumen in the human’s body, the outer tube proximal end is located in a lumen in the human’s body, and the outer tube proximal end and the inner tube proximal end are located outside the human’s body.

[0024] In still further embodiments, the present disclosure provides a method of removing a blood clot from a blood vessel of an animal the method comprising the steps of: a) providing a catheter having a proximal end and a distal end, the catheter enveloping a pull wire having a pull wire proximal end, a pull wire distal end and a pull wire length extending from the pull wire proximal end to the pull wire distal end; and a distal body comprising a distal body interior, a distal body perimeter, a distal body proximal end comprising a distal body proximal junction connected to the pull wire, a distal body distal end, a distal body length extending from the distal body proximal end to the distal body distal end, and a distal body height and width perpendicular to the distal body length, the distal body comprising a framework comprised of a plurality of cells formed by a plurality of memory metal strips, wherein the distal body has a relaxed state wherein the distal body has a first height and a first width, and a collapsed state wherein the distal body has a second height and a second width, the second height of the distal body less than the first height of the distal body, the second width of the distal body less than the first width of the distal body; b) deploying the distal body from the catheter distal end so the distal body moves from the collapsed state to the relaxed state; c) providing a proximal system comprising a proximal body comprising: i) a proximal body interior, a proximal body perimeter, a proximal body proximal end, a proximal body open distal end proximal to the distal body proximal end, a proximal body length extending from the proximal body proximal end to the proximal body distal end, and a proximal body height and width perpendicular to the proximal body length, the proximal body comprising a framework comprised of a plurality of cells formed by a plurality of memory metal strips, the proximal body having a relaxed state wherein the proximal body has a first height and a first width, and a collapsed state wherein the proximal body has a second height and a second width, the second height of the proximal body less than the first height of the proximal body, the second width of the proximal body less than the first width of the proximal body, ii) an inner tube located proximal to the proximal body proximal end and the distal body proximal end and enveloping the pull wire and comprising an inner tube proximal end, an inner tube distal end attached to the proximal body proximal end and proximal to the pull wire distal end, an inner tube interior receiving the pull wire and an inner tube length extending from the inner tube proximal end to the inner tube distal end, wherein the inner tube and proximal body proximal end are freely moveable as a unit over the pull wire toward and away from the distal body proximal junction; and iii) an outer tube enveloping the inner tube and proximal body and comprising a proximal end a distal end, an outer tube interior configured to receive the inner tube and an outer tube length extending from the outer tube proximal end to the outer tube distal end, the outer tube not attached to the distal body, not attached to the proximal body and freely moveable toward and away from the proximal body proximal end and the distal body proximal junction; d) moving the proximal system as a single unit distally over the pull wire toward the distal body (e.g., through the catheter proximal end, through the catheter interior and out the catheter distal end); e) deploying the inner tube and proximal body from the outer tube distal end at a location proximal to the distal body so that the proximal body moves from the collapsed state to the relaxed state; f) trapping the blood clot between the distal body and the proximal body; and g) moving the distal body proximally towards the proximal body without moving the proximal body by moving the pull wire proximally; and h) moving the pull wire, distal body, proximal body, inner tube and blood clot proximally out of the animal. Optionally, step g) comprises moving the distal body proximally towards the proximal body without moving the proximal body by grasping a segment of the pull wire outside of the human’s body and moving the pull wire proximally while holding a segment of the inner tube outside of the human’s body stationary. Optionally, movement of the outer tube over the proximal body is configured to move the proximal body from the relaxed state to the collapsed state.

Optionally, at least when the distal body and proximal body are separated by a distance, pulling the pull wire proximally automatically moves the distal body but not the proximal body proximally. Optionally, pushing the pull wire distally automatically moves the distal body but not the proximal body distally. Optionally, pulling the inner tube proximally automatically moves the proximal body but not the distal body proximally. Optionally, at least when the distal body and proximal body are separated by a distance, pushing the inner tube distally automatically moves the proximal body but not the distal body distally.

Optionally, the inner tube and outer tube are flexible. Optionally, the inner tube has a length of at least about 50 centimeters. In addition, the proximal body, pull wire and distal body may include one or more additional features described in the paragraph directly above.

[0025] In still further embodiments, the present disclosure provides a system for removing a blood clot from a human blood vessel, the system comprising: a pull wire having a pull wire proximal end, a pull wire distal end and a pull wire length extending from the pull wire proximal end to the pull wire distal end; a proximal body free floating over a fixed distance of the pull wire and comprising a proximal body interior, a proximal body perimeter, a proximal body proximal end, a proximal body open distal end, a proximal body length extending from the proximal body proximal end to the proximal body distal end, and a proximal body height and width perpendicular to the proximal body length, the proximal body comprising a framework comprised of a plurality of cells formed by a plurality of memory metal strips; a distal body comprising a distal body interior, a distal body perimeter, a distal body proximal end comprising a distal body proximal junction connected to the pull wire, a distal body distal end, a distal body length extending from the distal body proximal end to the distal body distal end, and a distal body height and width perpendicular to the distal body length, the distal body comprising a framework comprised of a plurality of cells formed by a plurality of memory metal strips; wherein the proximal body has a relaxed state wherein the proximal body has a first height and a first width, and a collapsed state wherein the proximal body has a second height and a second width, the second height of the proximal body less than the first height of the proximal body, the second width of the proximal body less than the first width of the proximal body, wherein the distal body has a relaxed state wherein the distal body has a first height and a first width, and a collapsed state wherein the distal body has a second height and a second width, the second height of the distal body less than the first height of the distal body, the second width of the distal body less than the first width of the distal body, wherein the distal body is configured to move between a deployed configuration in which the distal body proximal end is located a first distance distal relative to the proximal body proximal end and a retracted configuration in which the distal body proximal end is located a second distance distal relative to the proximal body proximal end, the second distance less than the first distance, wherein the pull wire distal end and the distal body are configured to move proximally a fixed distance toward the proximal body proximal end when the distal body moves from the deployed configuration to the retracted

configuration, wherein the proximal body proximal end comprises a proximal body proximal junction in the form of a tube comprising a tube interior, wherein the pull wire comprises a proximal bumper proximal to the proximal body proximal junction, wherein the pull wire comprises a thin segment distal to the proximal bumper, wherein the pull wire comprises a distal bumper distal to the thin segment, wherein the thin segment passes through the tube interior of the proximal body proximal junction but the proximal and distal bumpers are not configured to pass through the tube interior of the proximal body proximal junction, wherein the proximal bumper is configured to abut and push the proximal body proximal junction proximally, further wherein the distal bumper is a fixed segment of the pull wire.

Optionally, pulling the pull wire proximally automatically moves the distal body proximally. Optionally, the proximal body interior is substantially hollow. Optionally, the distal body interior is substantially hollow. Optionally, the proximal body, in the relaxed state, comprises a plurality of free distal crowns located at the distal end of the proximal body on the proximal body perimeter and pointing generally in the distal direction, the plurality of free distal crowns forming the proximal body open distal end. Optionally, at least some of the plurality of free distal crowns located at the distal end of the proximal body comprise an x-ray marker. Optionally, in the relaxed state, the proximal body and the distal body do not have any free proximal crowns pointing generally in the proximal direction. Optionally, some cells of the framework of the distal body are larger than other cells of the framework of the distal body and are configured to allow a blood clot to pass therethrough into the distal body interior. Optionally, the distal body distal end comprises a distal body distal junction, wherein at least some of the memory metal strips are located at a distal end of the framework of the distal body, wherein each of the memory metal strips located at the distal end of the framework of the distal body have a distal end, and wherein each of the distal ends of the memory metal strips located at the distal end of the framework of the distal body converge at, and are attached to, the distal body distal junction. Optionally, the distal body, in the relaxed state, comprises a tapered region in which the distal body height and the distal body width decrease as the distal ends of the memory metal strips located at the distal end of the framework of the distal body approach the distal body distal junction. Optionally, the system further comprises a lead wire extending distally from the distal body distal junction. Optionally, the distal body further comprises a plurality of proximal strips, each distal body proximal strip having a distal end attached to a proximal crown of a cell of the distal body and a proximal end, the proximal ends of the proximal strips of the distal body converging at the distal body proximal junction, wherein the proximal body further comprises a plurality of proximal strips, each proximal body proximal strip having a distal end attached to a proximal crown of a cell of the proximal body and a proximal end, the proximal ends of the proximal strips of the proximal body converging at the proximal body proximal junction. Optionally, in the relaxed state, the framework of the distal body comprises a plurality of free distal crowns pointing generally in the distal direction and does not have any free proximal crowns pointing generally in the proximal direction. Optionally, the plurality of cells of the framework of the distal body are spaced about the distal body perimeter and the plurality of cells of the framework of the proximal body are spaced about the proximal body perimeter. Optionally, the system further comprises a catheter having an interior, a proximal end leading to the interior and a distal end leading to the interior, the catheter comprised of a biocompatible material and configured to envelop the distal body and the proximal body when the distal body and the proximal body are in the collapsed state. Optionally, in the relaxed state, the framework of the distal body comprises a first pair of distal crowns not attached to another cell of the framework and pointing generally in the distal direction, the distal crowns in the first pair of distal crowns located approximately the same distance from the distal body proximal end and located between 150 degrees and 180 degrees relative to each other, wherein each distal crown in the first pair of distal crowns forms part of a different enlarged cell, each enlarged cell having a center, wherein the centers of the enlarged cells of the first pair of distal crowns are between 150 degrees and 180 degrees relative to each other, and further wherein the enlarged cells are configured to allow a thrombus to pass therethrough and into the distal body interior. Optionally, the distal bumper also forms part of the distal body proximal junction. Optionally, the proximal bumper and distal bumper each comprise x-ray markers. Optionally, the proximal body is free floating when the thin segment passes through the tube interior, wherein pushing the proximal bumper against the proximal body proximal junction automatically moves the proximal body distally, wherein pulling the distal bumper against the proximal body proximal junction automatically moves the proximal body proximally, wherein pushing the pull wire distally automatically moves the distal body proximal junction distally and further wherein pulling the pull wire proximally automatically moves the distal body proximal junction proximally. Optionally, the system is used in a method of removing a blood clot from a blood vessel of an animal the method comprising the steps of: a) providing the system; b) pushing the proximal bumper against the proximal body proximal junction so that the system is positioned in the blood vessel with the proximal body proximal junction proximal to the blood clot and the distal body distal end distal to the blood clot; c) allowing the height and width of the proximal body and distal body to increase; d) pulling the pull wire proximally so that the thin segment of the pull wire moves proximally within the tube interior and the distal body moves from the deployed configuration to the retracted configuration; and e) pulling the pull wire proximally so that the distal bumper of the pull wire moves against the proximal body proximal junction so that the proximal body, the blood clot and the distal body move proximally out of the blood vessel. Optionally, the proximal body height, the proximal body width and the distal body height and the distal body width in the relaxed state are substantially the same.

[0026] In still further embodiments, the present disclosure provides a system for removing a blood clot from a human blood vessel, the system comprising: a pull wire having a pull wire proximal end, a pull wire distal end and a pull wire length extending from the pull wire proximal end to the pull wire distal end; a proximal body free floating over a fixed distance of the pull wire and comprising a proximal body interior, a proximal body perimeter, a proximal body proximal end, a proximal body open distal end, a proximal body length extending from the proximal body proximal end to the proximal body distal end, and a proximal body height and width perpendicular to the proximal body length, the proximal body comprising a framework comprised of a plurality of cells formed by a plurality of memory metal strips; a distal body comprising a distal body interior, a distal body perimeter, a distal body proximal end comprising a distal body proximal junction connected to the pull wire, a distal body distal end, a distal body length extending from the distal body proximal end to the distal body distal end, and a distal body height and width perpendicular to the distal body length, the distal body comprising a framework comprised of a plurality of cells formed by a plurality of memory metal strips; wherein the proximal body has a relaxed state wherein the proximal body has a first height and a first width, and a collapsed state wherein the proximal body has a second height and a second width, the second height of the proximal body less than the first height of the proximal body, the second width of the proximal body less than the first width of the proximal body, wherein the distal body has a relaxed state wherein the distal body has a first height and a first width, and a collapsed state wherein the distal body has a second height and a second width, the second height of the distal body less than the first height of the distal body, the second width of the distal body less than the first width of the distal body, wherein the distal body is configured to move between a deployed configuration in which the distal body proximal end is located a first distance distal relative to the proximal body proximal end and a retracted configuration in which the distal body proximal end is located a second distance distal relative to the proximal body proximal end, the second distance less than the first distance, wherein the pull wire distal end and the distal body are configured to move proximally a fixed distance toward the proximal body proximal end when the distal body moves from the deployed configuration to the retracted

configuration, wherein the proximal body proximal end comprises a proximal body proximal junction, wherein the system further comprises a tube surrounding a segment of the pull wire, the tube comprising an interior comprising the segment of the pull wire, a tube proximal end, and a tube distal end attached to the proximal body proximal junction, wherein the distal body and the distal end of the pull wire are configured to move proximally toward the proximal body proximal end and the tube distal end when the distal body moves from the deployed configuration to the retracted configuration, wherein the distal body further comprises a plurality of proximal strips, each distal body proximal strip having a distal end attached to a proximal crown of a cell of the distal body and a proximal end, the proximal ends of the proximal strips of the distal body converging at the distal body proximal junction, and further wherein the pull wire proximal end and the tube proximal end are each attached to a handle, the handle further comprising a moveable slide, and further wherein moving the moveable slide proximally is configured to move the distal body from the deployed configuration to the retracted configuration as the pull wire moves within the tube interior. Optionally, moving the handle proximally is configured to automatically move the pull wire, the tube, the proximal body and the distal body proximally. Optionally, the handle further comprises a slot, wherein moving the moveable slide proximally by a distance within the slot is configured to move the distal body the same distance toward the proximal body proximal junction. Optionally, the system is used in a method of removing a blood clot from a blood vessel of an animal the method comprising the steps of: a) providing the system of claim 23; b) positioning the system in the blood vessel so that the proximal body proximal junction is proximal to the blood clot and the distal body distal end is distal to the blood clot; c) allowing the height and width of the proximal body and distal body to increase; d) moving the moveable slide proximally to move the distal body from the deployed configuration to the retracted configuration; e) moving the proximal body, the blood clot and the distal body proximally out of the blood vessel by moving the handle proximally. Optionally, the tube length is at least 50 centimeters. Optionally, the proximal body height, the proximal body width and the distal body height and the distal body width in the relaxed state are substantially the same. Optionally, pulling the pull wire proximally automatically moves the distal body proximally. Optionally, the proximal body interior and the distal body interior are substantially hollow and further wherein the system further comprises a catheter having an interior, a proximal end leading to the interior and a distal end leading to the interior, the catheter comprised of a biocompatible material and configured to envelop the distal body and the proximal body when the distal body and the proximal body are in the collapsed state. Optionally, the proximal body, in the relaxed state, comprises a plurality of free distal crowns located at the distal end of the proximal body on the proximal body perimeter and pointing generally in the distal direction, the plurality of free distal crowns forming the proximal body open distal end and further wherein at least some of the plurality of free distal crowns located at the distal end of the proximal body comprise an x-ray marker and further wherein, in the relaxed state, the proximal body and the distal body do not have any free proximal crowns pointing generally in the proximal direction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] FIG. 1 A illustrates a side, elevation view of a memory metal tube prior to being cut by a laser. [0028] FIG. 1B illustrates a side, elevation view of the memory metal tube of FIG. 1A being cut by a laser.

[0029] FIG. 2A illustrates a side, elevation view of the memory metal tube of FIG. 1B after being cut by a laser; in FIG. 2A, the tube is shown as though it were flat for purposes of illustrating the cut patern only.

[0030] FIG. 2B illustrates a side, perspective view of the memory metal tube of FIG. 1B after being cut by a laser.

[0031] FIG. 2C illustrates another side, perspective view of the memory metal tube of FIG. 1B after being cut by a laser; in FIG. 2C, the tube is rotated as compared to FIG. 2B.

[0032] FIGs. 3A-3H illustrate a method of manufacturing a distal body of one embodiment of the present invention using the laser cut memory metal tube of FIGs. 1 and 2; in FIGs. 3A-3H, the basket portion of the distal body is not shown for simplicity of illustration.

[0033] FIGs. 4A-4D illustrate the welding steps of the method of manufacturing shown in FIG. 3; in FIGs. 4A-4D, the basket portion of the distal body is not shown for simplicity of illustration.

[0034] FIGs. 5 and 6 illustrate different locations that connector strips may be welded to the proximal memory metal strips.

[0035] FIG. 7 illustrates a side, elevation view of a catheter and the distal body of FIG. 6.

[0036] FIG. 8 illustrates a side, elevation view of a deployable system of one embodiment of the present invention being used to capture a blood clot; in FIG. 8, the basket portion of the distal body is not shown for simplicity of illustration.

[0037] FIG. 9, which has subparts (A)-(F), illustrates a side, elevation view of a claw of one embodiment of the present invention being closed by a claw actuator tube; in FIG. 9, the basket portion of the distal body is not shown for simplicity of illustration.

[0038] FIG. 10, which has subparts (A)-(G), illustrates a side, elevation view of a deployable system of one embodiment of the present invention being used to capture a blood clot; in FIG. 10, the basket portion of the distal body is not shown for simplicity of illustration.

[0039] FIG. 11 illustrates a first, perspective view of a distal body of an alternate embodiment of the present invention; the distal body is in what is referred to herein as“Orientation 1”.

[0040] FIG. 12A illustrates a second, perspective view of the distal body of FIG. 11; the distal body is in what is referred to herein as“Orientation 2”. [0041] FIG. 12B illustrates a proximal, elevation view of the proximal strips of the distal body of FIG. 11.

[0042] FIG. 13 illustrates a close-up, perspective view of two unattached distal-pointing crowns of the distal body of FIG. 11.

[0043] FIG. 14A illustrates a native memory metal tube used to manufacture the distal body of FIG. 11; the native tube has been rolled out flat and the lines in the tube indicate where the tube has been cut by a laser.

[0044] FIG. 14B illustrates a first, perspective view of the distal body manufactured from the native tube of FIG. 14A; the distal body is in Orientation 1.

[0045] FIG. 14C illustrates a second, perspective view of the distal body manufactured from the native tube of FIG. 14A; the distal body is in Orientation 2.

[0046] FIGs. 15A-G illustrate stepwise use of the distal body of FIG. 11 in retrieving a soft clot; the distal body is in Orientation 1.

[0047] FIGs. 16A-H illustrate stepwise use of the distal body of FIG. 11 in retrieving a hard clot; the distal body is in Orientation 1.

[0048] FIGs. 17A-G illustrate stepwise use of the distal body of FIG. 11 in retrieving a soft clot; the distal body is in Orientation 2.

[0049] FIGs. 18A-G illustrate stepwise use of the distal body of FIG. 11 in retrieving a hard clot; the distal body is in Orientation 2.

[0050] FIGs. 19A-N illustrate stepwise use of the distal body of FIG. 11 in retrieving a deformable, cohesive adherent clot; the distal body is in Orientation 2.

[0051] FIG. 20A illustrates a view of a native memory metal tube used to manufacture a distal body of yet another embodiment of the present invention; the native tube has been rolled out flat, the lines in the tube indicate where the tube has been cut by a laser, and the distal body of FIGs. 20A-20C is slightly shorter than the distal body of FIGs. 11-19 and is meant for use in tortuous blood vessels.

[0052] FIG. 20B illustrates a first, perspective view of the distal body manufactured from the native tube of FIG. 20A; the distal body is in Orientation 1.

[0053] FIG. 20C illustrates a second, perspective view of the distal body manufactured from the native tube of FIG. 20A; the distal body is in Orientation 2.

[0054] FIG. 21 shows a perspective view of a clot retrieval system that includes the distal body of FIGs. 20B-C being delivered in a blood vessel using a delivery catheter. [0055] FIG. 22 shows a perspective view of the distal body of FIG. 21, after deployment of the distal body and retraction of the delivery catheter, in a blood vessel.

[0056] FIG. 23 shows a perspective view of the distal body of FIG. 21; as compared to FIG. 22, the distal body has been moved proximally and tension has been exerted on the pull wire.

[0057] FIG. 24 shows a perspective view of a suction catheter that is being delivered over the pull wire of the system of FIG. 21.

[0058] FIG. 25 shows a perspective view of the distal end of the suction catheter of FIG. 24 being pushed into a clot; a syringe is sucking the clot to the suction catheter because the user has pulled back on the lever of the syringe.

[0059] FIG. 26 shows a perspective view of the distal end of the suction catheter of FIG. 24 being pushed into a clot; in FIG. 26, the user has locked the syringe lever at the desired volume.

[0060] FIG. 27 shows a perspective view of the system of FIG. 24; in FIG. 27, the suction catheter has partially sucked the distal body and clot into the suction catheter.

[0061] FIG. 28 shows a perspective view of the system of FIG. 24; in FIG. 28, the suction catheter has completely sucked the distal body and clot into the suction catheter.

[0062] FIG. 29 shows a perspective view of the system of FIG. 24; the system, and captured clot, is being removed proximally from the vessel.

[0063] FIG. 30 illustrates a right side perspective view of a mandrel used to prepare unattached distal-pointing crowns that curve radially toward the basket interior.

[0064] FIG. 31 illustrates a right side elevation view of the mandrel of FIG. 30.

[0065] FIG. 32 illustrates an alternate embodiment of a distal body; in the distal body of FIG. 32, the proximal strips converge and are soldered or welded at the proximal hub/junction and the basket strips located at the distal end of the basket converge and are soldered or welded at the distal hub/junction.

[0066] FIG. 33 illustrates a side perspective view of an embodiment of a pull wire for use with a clot retrieval system of another embodiment of the present invention that includes a proximal bumper, a thin segment, and a distal bumper.

[0067] FIG. 34 illustrates a side perspective view of the pull wire of FIG. 33 in use with a clot retrieval system of the present invention that includes a proximal body that is free-floating a fixed distance on the pull wire and a distal body that is not free-floating on the pull wire; in FIG. 34, the distal body is in the deployed configuration and the distal body and proximal body are in the relaxed state. [0068] FIG. 35 illustrates a side perspective view of the clot retrieval system of FIG. 34 with the distal body in the retracted configuration and the proximal body and the distal body are relaxed state.

[0069] FIG. 36 illustrates a side perspective“x-ray” view of the clot retrieval system of FIG. 34 with the proximal body and the distal body located in a catheter, which is located in a human blood vessel, as visible on x-ray; in FIG. 36, the clot is shown for reference even though it may not be visible on x-ray, the distal body and the proximal body are in the collapsed state, and the proximal bumper, the proximal body proximal junction, the distal bumper, the distal body proximal junction, and the lead wire are most visible on the x-ray.

[0070] FIG. 37 illustrates a side perspective view of the clot retrieval system of FIG. 36 with the distal body and proximal body deployed from the catheter so that the clot is located between the proximal body and the distal body; in FIG. 37, the distal body is in the deployed configuration and the proximal body and the distal body are in the relaxed state.

[0071] FIG. 38 illustrates a side perspective view of the clot retrieval system of FIG. 37 with the distal body in the retracted position, capturing the clot in the distal body and proximal body interiors and the proximal body and the distal body are in the relaxed state.

[0072] FIG. 39 illustrates a side perspective view of the clot retrieval system of FIG. 38 with the distal body in the retracted position; in FIG. 39, the system has been pulled proximally to remove the system from the human’s body and the proximal body and the distal body are in the relaxed state.

[0073] FIG. 40 illustrates a side perspective view of a clot retrieval system of another embodiment of the present invention that includes a pull wire connected to a moveable slide of a handle, a tube surrounding the pull wire, a proximal body that is free-floating a fixed distance on the pull wire but is not free-floating on the tube, and a distal body that is not free-floating on the pull wire; in FIG. 40, the distal body is in the deployed configuration and the proximal body and the distal body are in the relaxed state.

[0074] FIG. 41 illustrates a side perspective view of the clot retrieval system of FIG. 40 with the moveable slide actuated/moved proximally by the human user to move the distal body to the retracted configuration and the proximal body and the distal body are in the relaxed state.

[0075] FIG. 42 illustrates an exploded side perspective view of a clot retrieval system of another embodiment of the present invention that includes a proximal body that will be free- floating a fixed distance on the pull wire and a distal body that will not be free-floating on the pull wire; in FIG. 42, the proximal body and the distal body are in the relaxed state.

[0076] FIG. 43 A illustrates a side perspective view of the clot retrieval system of FIG. 42 with the distal body deployed from the catheter; in FIG. 43A, the distal body is in the relaxed state.

[0077] FIG. 43B illustrates a side perspective view of the clot retrieval system of FIG. 43A after an outer tube has been moved proximally over the pull wire.

[0078] FIG. 43C illustrates a side perspective view of the clot retrieval system of FIG. 43B after the proximal body and inner tube have been deployed from the outer tube.

[0079] FIG. 43D illustrates a side perspective view of the clot retrieval system of FIG. 43C after the distal body has been moved proximally toward the proximal body.

[0080] FIG. 44 illustrates a side perspective view of in vivo use of the clot retrieval system of FIG. 42.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0081] With reference to FIGs. 1-10, the present disclosure provides a deployable system, generally designated by the numeral 10, for removing an obstruction such as a blood clot 12 or other object from a blood vessel 14 or other interior lumen of an animal. In addition to a blood clot 12, the obstruction may be, for example, extruded coils during aneurysm treatment, intravascular embolic material such as onyx or other obstructions requiring mechanical intravascular removal from small distal vessels. In the drawings, not all reference numbers are included in each drawing for the sake of clarity.

[0082] Referring further to FIGs. 1-10, the deployable system 10 includes a pull wire 16 that has a proximal end (not shown) and a distal end 20. Optionally, the diameter of the pull wire is between about 0.008 inches and about 0.051 inches. Preferably, the pull wire 16 is comprised of a biocompatible metallic material.

[0083] The system 10 further includes a distal body 22, which is attached to the pull wire 16. The distal body 22 has a proximal end 24, a distal end 26, an interior 28, and an exterior 30. The distal body 22 has a collapsed state, wherein the distal body 22 has a first height and width and is configured to fit into a catheter 50 (see subpart (A) of FIG. 10), and a relaxed state wherein the distal body 22 has a different height 32 and width and is configured to expand to about the height and width of a human blood vessel 14 when the distal body 22 is deployed from the catheter 50 (see subparts (B)-(G) of FIG. 10). The distal body 22 further includes a proximal hub/junction 74 and a distal hub/junction 76 that is located distal relative to the proximal hub/junction 74. In some embodiments, the distal body 22 includes a plurality of strips 40 comprised of a memory metal (e.g., a memory metal alloy such as nitinol) that form the proximal end 24 of the distal body 22. Optionally, the proximal memory metal strips 40 each have a distal end 44 and a proximal end 42 that forms an openable and closeable claw 46. Optionally, the proximal memory metal strips 40 are attached to the proximal hub/junction 74 through connector memory metal strips 48. In such embodiments, the proximal hub/junction 74 may be slideable along at least a segment of the pull wire 16, in contrast to the distal hub/junction 76, which is optionally fixed to the pull wire 16 and not slideable along the pull wire 16. Moving the proximal hub/junction 74 distally and closer to the distal hub/junction 76 (i.e., shortening the distance 88 between the proximal hub/junction 74 and distal hub/junction 76 by moving the proximal hub/junction 74 distally while keeping the distal hub/junction 76 stationary) exerts tension on the connector memory metal strips 48 and, in turn, the proximal memory metal strips 40. This tension, in turn, causes the proximal ends 42 of the proximal memory metal strips 40 to move radially toward each other and the pull wire 16. As the proximal ends 42 of the proximal memory metal strips 40 move radially toward each other and the pull wire 16, the claw 46 (formed by the proximal memory metal strips 40) is brought from the open position to at least a partially closed position, which in turn, separates the obstruction 12 from the wall of the human lumen 14 and captures the obstruction 12. See FIG. 3H, FIG. 8, subpart (F) of FIG. 9, and subparts (F) and (G) of FIG. 10. Conversely, preferably, movement of the proximal hub/junction 74 proximally and away from the distal hub/junction 76 (i.e., increasing the distance 88 between the hubs/junctions 74 and 76) releases the tension in the proximal memory metal strips 40, which in turn, causes the proximal ends 42 of the proximal memory metal strips 40 to move away from each other and the pull wire 16, opening the claw 46. The claw 46 and proximal hub/junction 74 form several functions. First, as described, closing of the claw 46 captures the obstruction 12. Second, closing the claw 46 retracts the claw 46 from the wall of the lumen 14 so that the claw 46 does not scrape against (and damage) the lumen wall while capturing the obstruction 12. Third, closing the claw 46 reduces the height and width of the distal body 22, which allows the distal body 22 to be re sheathed in the catheter 50, which may be desired, for example, if the operator seeks to re deploy the distal body 22 in another location in the body (which may be the case if the operator originally deploys the distal body 22 in the wrong location in the lumen 14). For purposes of the present invention,“closing the claw” embraces both partially closing the claw 46 (where the proximal ends 42 of the proximal memory metal strips 40 do not contact the pull wire 16) and fully closing the claw 46 (where the proximal ends 42 contact the pull wire 16).

[0084] The claw 46 may be comprised of any number of proximal memory metal strips 40. Preferably, however, between 2 and 4 proximal memory metal strips 40 comprise the claw 46 (it being understood that the connector strips 48, if present, merely serve to tether the claw 46 to the proximal hub/junction 74). Preferably, the proximal memory metal strips 40 have a length of between about 10 and about 60 millimeters. The proximal memory metal strips 40 can be thought of as arms of the claw 46.

[0085] In some embodiments, the connector strips 48 are integral with the proximal hub/junction 74 (i.e., formed from the same piece of memory metal). In other embodiments, the proximal hub/junction 74 may be welded or soldered to the connector strips 48. Optionally, in the relaxed state, the proximal memory metal strips 42 are distributed substantially evenly about a perimeter of the distal body 22.

[0086] Optionally, the distal body 22 includes a lead wire 52 extending distally from the distal body 22. Optionally, the lead wire 52 extends distally from the distal hub/junction 76. If present, the lead wire 52 may be used to facilitate movement of the system 10 in the lumen 14.

[0087] Optionally, the distal body 22 includes a basket 54 distal to the proximal memory metal strips 40, the basket 54 comprised of a plurality of memory metal strips 56 distal relative to the proximal memory metal strips 40. The distal memory metal strips 56 may, for example, form a basket 54 with a plurality of mesh openings 58. Optionally, the size of the mesh openings 58 in the basket 54 when the distal body 22 is in its relaxed state is less (preferably significantly less) than the diameter of an average-sized ischemic blood clot 12 so that the blood clot 12 does not escape from the distal basket 54 after being captured by the distal body 22. Optionally, the basket 54 has an open proximal end 60 and a substantially closed distal end 62, which is formed by distal tube 76. Optionally, the distal and proximal hubs/junctions 74 and 76 and the distal basket 54 are comprised of a nitinol having the same material composition. Optionally, the size of the mesh openings 58 decreases from the proximal end 60 of the basket 54 to the distal end 62. The distal basket 54 is best seen in FIG. 2 and can be comprised of a different number of cell patterns. The distal basket 54 is not shown in FIGs. 3-10 for ease of illustrating the other components in the system 10.

[0088] Optionally, the proximal hub/junction 74 and the distal hub/junction 76 are cylindrical tubes comprising substantially circular apertures that span the length of the hubs/junctions 74 and 76 and the hubs/junctions 74 and 76 have approximately the same inner diameter 72 and the same outer diameter 70. Preferably, the inner diameter 72 is at least slightly larger than the diameter of the pull wire 16 so that the pull wire 16 can slide through the proximal hub/junction 74. In some embodiments, the outer diameters 70 of the proximal and distal hubs/junctions 74 and 76 may be from about 0.011 inches to about 0.054 inches and the inner diameters 72 of the proximal and distal hubs/junctions 74 and 76 may be from about 0.008 inches to about 0.051 inches.

[0089] Optionally, the distal body 22 further comprises an x-ray marker 64 that is more visible under x-ray as compared to the proximal memory metal strips 40 when the distal body 22 is located in a cranial blood vessel inside the body of a human and the x-ray is taken from outside the human’s body. If the connector strips 48 are welded or soldered to the proximal memory metal strips 40, the x-ray markers 64 may be, for example, located at the welding or soldering site. In some cases, the increased thickness at the welding or soldering site may in of itself comprise the x-ray marker 64. Preferably, the x-ray marker 64 is comprised of a radiopaque material. Some examples of radiopaque materials can include, but are not limited to, gold, platinum, palladium, tantalum, tungsten alloy, polymer material loaded with radiopaque filler, and the like. Preferably, the proximal memory metal strips 40 are comprised of nitinol and the x-ray marker 64 is comprised of a material having a density greater than the nitinol.

[0090] A catheter 50 with an open proximal end (not shown) and an open distal end 66 initially envelopes the system 10. As used herein, the term“catheter” generally refers to any suitable tube through which the system 10 can be deployed. Preferably, the catheter 50 is sterile and comprised of a biocompatible material (i.e., a material that does not irritate the human body during the course of a 45 minute operation that involves using the system 10 to remove a clot 12 from an intracranial blood vessel 14). The catheter 50 can be any suitable shape, including but not limited to generally cylindrical. Preferably, the catheter 50 is a microcatheter. For purposes of the present invention, when it is said that the catheter 50 envelopes the system 10, it will be understood that the catheter 50 envelopes at least one component of the system 10 (preferably, the distal body 22, the lead wire 52, and the pull wire 16). In some embodiments, the catheter 50 is about 2.5 French in diameter. Optionally, the catheter 50 is delivered to the region of the lumen 14 that has the obstruction 12 as follows: a guide wire is delivered to the obstruction region past the obstruction 12; the catheter 50 is delivered over the guide wire; the guide wire is removed; and the system 10 is delivered with its pull wire 16 and lead wire 52 through the catheter 50. Optionally, the pull wire 16 is used to push the system 10 through the catheter 50 as well as to retrieve the distal body 22 after capturing the obstruction 14 as described below. The system 10 may utilize a plurality of catheters 50, such as, for example, a wider catheter that travels to the brain and a very flexible, smaller diameter microcatheter that is delivered from the first catheter and travels through the small arteries of the brain. Preferably, the catheter 50 is comprised of a biocompatible, polymeric material (i.e., one or more polymeric materials such as silicone, PVC, latex rubber or braided nylon).

[0091] Optionally, in the relaxed, opened-claw state, the distal body 22 or optionally just the distal basket 54 has a tapered shape (e.g., substantially conical or bullet in shape) so that the distal body 22 or just the distal basket 54 tapers from the distal body 22 or the distal basket’s 54 proximal end to the distal end.

[0092] The proximal end of the system 10 is shown at the left end of FIGs. 1 and 3-10 and the distal end of the system 10 is shown at the right end of FIGs. 1 and 3-10 because a principal use of the system 10 is to remove a blood clot 12 from a human intracranial artery 14, in which case the system 10 generally will enter the artery 14 at its proximal end by the surgeon entering the patient’s body near the groin and pushing the catheter 50 towards the brain. The diameter of human arteries 14 generally decrease from their proximal end to their distal end. However, when used in other types of lumens, the distal body 22 may be located proximally relative to the catheter 50 as the term proximally and distally are used in that lumen.

[0093] The surgeon may deploy the distal body 22 by, for example, moving the catheter 50 proximally so as to unsheathe the distal body 22 or by pushing the distal body 22 out of the catheter 50.

[0094] Use of the system 10 will now be described to remove a blood clot 12 from an intracranial artery 14 of a human ischemic stroke patient, however, it will be appreciated that the system 10 may be used to remove other objects from other interior lumens.

[0095] A catheter 50, which contains the collapsed distal body 22 is positioned in the lumen 14 distal to the clot 12. See subpart (A) of FIG. 10.

[0096] The distal body 22 is deployed from the catheter 50 and the height and width of the distal body 22 expand to about the height and width of the blood vessel 14. See subpart (B) of FIG. 10.

[0097] The catheter 50 is pulled proximally and a claw-actuator tube 90 is deployed into the blood vessel 14. See subpart (C) of FIG. 10. [0098] The distal body 22 is moved proximally so that the clot 12 is located in the interior 28 of the distal body 22. See subparts (D) and (E) of FIG. 10.

[0099] The claw-actuator tube 90 is moved distally, which pushes the proximal hub/junction 74 distally so that the distance 88 between the proximal hub/junction 74 and the distal hub/junction 76 (which is fixed to the pull wire 16 and kept stationary) decreases. Distal movement of the proximal hub/junction 74 exerts tension on the connector and proximal memory metal strips 40 and 48, which in turn, closes the claw 46. See subpart (F) of FIG. 10. (The claw actuator tube 90 should float on the pull wire 16 - i.e., have an aperture extending the tube’s length that has a diameter larger than the diameter of the pull wire 16 - and the aperture of the claw actuator tube 90 should be smaller than the diameter of the proximal hub/junction 74 so that the claw actuator tube 90 pushes the proximal hub/junction 74).

[00100] The system 10 is withdrawn proximally and removed from the body. See subpart (G) of FIG. 10.

[00101] To test the efficacy of the system 10, a distal body 22 with a distal basket 54, proximal and distal hubs/junctions 74 and 76, and a claw 46 comprised of three proximal memory metal strips 42 was tested in a flow model that included a tube and a moist cotton ball located in the tube. The cotton ball was used to simulate a blood clot. The system 10 was deployed distal to the cotton ball. The claw 46 was closed by moving the proximal hub/junction 74 distally to capture the cotton ball. The system 10 and cotton ball were withdrawn proximally in the tube.

[00102] In some embodiments, the distal body 22 is prepared by a process that includes one or more of the following steps, as illustrated in FIGs. 1-4

a) providing a single tube 68 comprised of a memory metal such as nitinol, the single tube 68 having an exterior, a substantially hollow interior, a wall separating the exterior from the substantially hollow interior, an open proximal end 74, an open distal end 76, a middle portion 78 between the open proximal end 74 and the open distal end 76 (see FIG. 1 A);

b) cutting the wall of the middle portion 78 with a laser 80 (see FIG. 1B);

c) removing the pieces of the middle portion 78 cut by the laser 80 to form a proximal tube 74, a distal tube 76 and a middle portion 78 comprising a plurality of memory metal strips 82 attached to the proximal tube 74; d) altering the shape of the middle portion 78 using a mandrel and allowing the middle portion 78 to expand relative to the distal tube 76 and proximal tube 74 to form the distal basket

54;

e) quenching the middle portion 78 at room temperature;

f) removing the mandrel from the middle portion 78 (see FIGs. 2 and 3A);

g) mechanically or chemically electropolishing the middle portion 78 to remove oxides; h) cutting the memory metal strips 82 to form a first segment 84 comprising the proximal tube 74 and a proximal segment of the memory metal strips 82 and a second segment 86 comprising the distal tube 76 and a distal segment of the memory metal strips 82 (see FIG. 3B); and

i) joining the proximal segments to the distal segments such that the distal segments form the proximal end 24 of the distal body 22, such that the proximal tube 74 is located inside the interior 28 of the distal body 22, and such the proximal tube 74 is located distal relative to the distal body proximal end 24 (see FIGs. 3C-3E).

[00103] In some embodiments, the method further includes placing the pull wire 16 through the proximal tube 74 so that the proximal tube 74 is slideable along at least a segment of the pull wire 16.

[00104] In some embodiments, the method further includes attaching the pull wire 16 to the distal tube 76 so that the distal tube 76 is not slideable along the pull wire 16 but instead the distal tube 76 moves with the pull wire 16.

[00105] In some embodiments, after step i, the proximal end 24 of the distal body 22 forms a claw 46 comprised of between 2 to 4 proximal memory metal strips 40, the claw proximal memory metal strips 40 configured to move towards each other and the pull wire 16 by moving the proximal tube 74 distally and toward the distal tube 76 (i.e., decreasing the distance 88 between the tubes 74 and 76) and the claw memory metal strips 40 configured to move away from each other and away from the pull wire (i.e., increasing the distance 88 between the tubes 74 and 76) by moving the proximal tube 76 proximally and away from the distal tube 76 (as described previously).

[00106] In some embodiments, the middle portion 78 is expanded by heating the mandrel and the middle portion 78 by, for example, placing the mandrel and the middle portion 78 in a fluidized sand bath at about 500°C for about 3 to about 7 minutes. As the middle portion 78 is heated, the heating causes the crystalline structure of the memory metal tube 68 to realign. Preferably, the mandrel is tapered (e.g., substantially conical or bullet in shape) so that the distal basket 54 formed from the middle portion 78 tapers from the proximal end 60 to the distal end 62. Preferably, the proximal and distal ends of the tube 74 and 76 are not shape set by the mandrel and are not cut by the laser 80 so that the proximal and distal ends 74 and 76 do not change in shape and only slightly expand in size under heating and return to the size of the native tube 68 after the heat is removed. Preferably, the laser cuts are programmed via a computer. To ensure that the laser cuts only one surface of the tube wall at the time (and not the surface directly opposite the desired cutting surface), the laser 80 is preferably focused between the inner and outer diameter of the desired cutting surface and a coolant is passed through the memory metal tube 68 so that the laser 80 cools before reaching the surface directly opposite the desired cutting surface.

[00107] The portions of the wall not cut by the laser 80 create the distal basket 53, proximal and distal tubes 74 and 76, and memory metal strips 40, 48 and 56, as described.

[00108] Preferably, the memory metal selected for the native tube 68 has a heat of transformation below average human body temperature (37°C) so that the distal body 22 has sufficient spring and flexibility after deployment from the catheter 50 in the human blood vessel 14.

[00109] In some embodiments, the native tube 68 (and hence the distal and proximal tubes 74 and 76) have an outer diameter of less than about 4 French, e.g., a diameter of about 1 to about 4 French. In some embodiments, the diameter of the pull wire 16 is between about 0.008 inches and about 0.051, as noted above, and in such embodiments, the diameter of the pull wire 16 may be approximately equal to the inner diameter 72 of the native nitinol tube 68.

[00110] Without being bound by any particular theory, it is believed that manufacturing the distal body 22 from a single memory metal tube 68 provides ease of manufacturing and safety from mechanical failure and provides tensile strength necessary for the system 10 to remove hard thrombus 12 and other obstructions.

[00111] The embodiments of Figures 11-29

[00112] Figures 11-29 illustrate an alternate embodiment 200 that includes one or more of the following additional features, as described below: twisting proximal strips/tethers 252, unattached/free distal-pointing crowns 258 that optionally curve inward and have x-ray markers 244, and enlarged openings/drop zones 262 in the basket 246 immediately distal to the unattached, distal-pointing crowns 258 that allow the obstruction or other object 270 to enter the distal basket interior 222.

[00113] More specifically, as shown in FIGs. 11-29, the system 200 may include a pull wire 202 having a proximal end 204 and a distal end 206, as described above, a distal body 216 attached to the pull wire 202, the distal body 216 comprising an interior 222, a proximal end 218, a distal end 220, a distal body length 226 extending from the proximal end 218 to the distal end 220, a distal body height 224, a proximal hub/junction 228 (preferably in the form of a tube and which has a proximal end 230 and a distal end 232) forming the proximal end 218 of the distal body 216, a basket 246 comprised of a plurality of cells/openings 248 formed by a plurality of basket strips 291 that preferably are comprised of a memory metal, optionally a distal hub/junction 236 that forms the distal end 220 of the basket 246 (preferably in the form of a tube that has a proximal end 238 and a distal end 240), and a plurality of proximal strips 252 (preferably the proximal strips 252 are comprised of a memory metal), each proximal strip 252 having a proximal end 254 attached to the proximal hub/junction/tube 228, and a distal end 256 attached to a cell 248 (more specifically a proximal-pointing crown of a cell 248 located at the proximal end of the basket 246), the basket comprising a basket interior 292, the distal body 216 having a relaxed state wherein the distal body 216 has a first height and width, a collapsed state wherein the distal body 216 has a second height and width, the second height less than the first height, the second width less than the first width; and a delivery catheter 208 for delivering the distal body 216, as described above, having an interior 210, a proximal end 212 leading to the interior 210 and a distal end 214 leading to the interior 210, the delivery catheter 208 comprised of a biocompatible (preferably polymeric) material and configured to envelope the distal body 216 when the distal body 216 is in the collapsed state. Optionally, the basket interior 292 is substantially hollow - i.e., unlike U.S. Patent Publication No. 2013/0345739, the basket interior 292 does not contain an inner elongate body. Optionally, instead of a distal hub/junction 236, the basket 246 includes an open distal end. Optionally, at least two cells 250 of the basket 246 comprise a proximal crown 260 pointing generally in the proximal direction and a distal crown 258 pointing generally in the distal direction, and the distal crowns 258 of the at least two cells 250 are not attached to another cell 248 of the basket 246. In other words, the distal crowns 258 of at least two cells 250 are free floating and are not attached to any strip except for the strips forming part of the at least two cells 250; such distal crowns 258 are referred to below as unattached, distal-pointing crowns 258. Preferably, the distal tips of the unattached, distal-pointing crowns 258 terminate at an x-ray marker 244. (Cells labeled with the numerals 250, 250A, 250B, 250C, and 250D refer to the at least two cells that include a proximal crown 260 pointing generally in the proximal direction and an unattached, distal-pointing crown 258, cells labeled with the numerals 262, 262A, 262B, 262C, and 262D refer to the enlarged cells/drop zones adjacent to (preferably immediately distal to) an unattached, distal-pointing crown 258, and cells designated with numeral 248 refer to generally the cells of the basket 246). (When it is said that the enlarged cells/drop zones 262 are preferably immediately distal to an unattached, distal-pointing crown 258, it will be understood that at least a portion of an enlarged cell/drop zone 262 is immediately distal to an unattached, distal-pointing crown 258, and that a portion of the enlarged cell/drop zone 262 may be proximal to an unattached, distal-pointing crown 258, as shown in FIGs. 11-12 due to the shape of the enlarged cells/drop zones 262). It will be understood that part number 250 refers generally to one or more of the at least two cells, whereas part numbers 250A, 250B, 250C, and 250D refer to a specific one of the at least two cells. Similarly, it will be understood that part number 262 refers generally to one or more of the enlarged cells/drop zones, whereas part numbers 262A, 262B, 262C, and 262D refer to a specific one of the enlarged cells/drop zones. Similarly, it will be understood that part number 258 refers generally to one or more of the unattached, distal-pointing crowns, whereas part numbers 258A, 258B, 258C, and 258D refer to a specific one of the unattached, distal-pointing crowns.

[00114] Optionally, at least two of the unattached, distal-pointing crowns 258 are located approximately 180 degrees (e.g., about 150 to about 180 degrees) relative to each other and approximately the same distance from the proximal hub/junction/tube 228, as best seen in FIG. 12A. Optionally, the basket 246 comprises a first pair of unattached, distal-pointing crowns 258A and 258B, each of the first pair of unattached, distal-pointing crowns 258A and 258B is located approximately the same distance from the proximal hub/junction/tube 228 and approximately 180 degrees relative to each other, and the basket 246 further comprises a second pair of unattached, distal-pointing crowns 258C and 258D located distally relative to, and approximately 90 degrees (e.g., between about 60 and about 90 degrees) relative to, the first pair of unattached, distal-pointing crowns 258A and 258B. Optionally, the second pair of unattached, distal -pointing crowns 258C and 258D form cells 250C and 250D that are adjacent to, but offset from, the cells 250A and 250B formed by the first pair of unattached, distal- pointing crowns 258A and 258B. (In other words, optionally, the center of cell 250A is about 90 degrees relative to the centers of cells 250C and 250D and optionally the center of cell 250B is also about 90 degrees relative to the centers of cells 250C and 250D). Optionally, at least one of (and preferably all) the unattached, distal-pointing crowns 258A, 258B, 258C or 258D comprise an x-ray marker 244 that is more visible under x-ray as compared to the basket strips 291 when the distal body 216 is located in a cranial blood vessel 266 inside the body of a human and the x-ray is taken from outside the human’s body. Preferably, the x-ray marker 244 is a radiopaque material. Some examples of radiopaque materials can include, but are not limited to, gold, platinum, palladium, tantalum, tungsten alloy, polymer material loaded with radiopaque filler, and the like. Preferably, the basket strips 291 are comprised of nitinol and the x-ray marker 244 is comprised of a material having a density greater than the nitinol. In some embodiments, the x-ray markers 244 comprise a heavy metal welded or soldered to the unattached, distal-pointing crowns 258. Optionally, the unattached, distal-pointing crowns 258 curve subtly towards the interior 222 of the distal basket 246, which decreases the likelihood that the unattached, distal-pointing crowns 258 will rub against and damage the vessel wall 268. Optionally, the basket 246 comprises at least two cells proximal to the at least two cells 250 that include the unattached, distal-pointing crowns 258. Optionally, the unattached, distal- pointing distal crowns 258 are located about at least 5 mm (e.g., about 5 to about 30 mm) from the proximal hub/junction/tube 228. Optionally, the unattached, distal-pointing crowns 258 are located at least about 5 mm from the distal hub/junction/tube 236. Optionally, the unattached, distal-pointing crowns 258 of the at least two cells 250 also each form part (namely a portion of the proximal boundary) of an enlarged cell 262 (which is the entry point of hard thrombus 270B into the basket interior 222) and further wherein the surface area of the enlarged cells 262 in the relaxed state is greater than the surface area of the other cells of the basket 246 in the relaxed state. Optionally, the unattached, distal-pointing crowns 258 serve several functions: 1) they form flex points of the basket 246, which makes it easier for the system 200 to navigate the curves of the blood vessels 266 of the brains; 2) through the use of x-ray markers 244 on the unattached, distal-pointing crowns 258, they allow the operator to locate the enlarged cells 262 of the basket 246 that form the point at which hard thrombuses 270B enter the basket 246; and 3) they allow the operator to ratchet or force the object 270 into the basket 246 by moving the unattached, distal-pointing crowns 258 proximally and distally relative to the object 270. (As explained below, the numeral 270 refers to clots/thrombuses and other objects generally, and 270A refers to a soft clot, 270B refers to a hard clot and 270C refers to a deformable, cohesive, adherent clot). Optionally, the proximal end 254 of a proximal strip 252 is located about 65-180 degrees (preferably approximately 180 degrees) relative to the distal end 256 of the same proximal strip 252, as best seen in FIG. 12B. In other words, preferably the proximal end 254 of a first proximal strip 252 is attached to the 12 o’clock position on the proximal tube 228 and the distal end 256 of the first proximal strip 252 (which terminates at a proximal cell 248 of the basket 246) is located at the 6 o’clock position (i.e., 180 degrees from the start position), and the proximal end 254 of a second proximal strip 252 is attached to the 6 o’clock position on the proximal tube 228 and the distal end 254 (which terminates at a cell 248 of the basket 246) of the second proximal strip 252 is located at the 12 o’clock position (i.e., 180 degrees from the start position). This twisting feature serves two functions: 1) it allows the proximal strips 252 to surround the object 270; and 2) it allows the manufacturer to insert a mandrel into the basket 246 during the shape-setting procedure. Optionally, the pull wire 202 is attached to the proximal tube 228 (e.g., by gluing, welding, soldering or the like). Preferably, the pull wire 202 does not extend through the distal basket interior 222. Optionally, the proximal strips 252 are integral with the distal end 232 of the proximal tube 228 and the entire distal body 216 is created from a single tube 264 of a memory metal. Optionally, the proximal crowns 260 of the at least two cells 250 that include the unattached, distal pointing-crowns 258 are each attached to another cell 248 of the basket 246. In other words, preferably the basket 246 does not have any free-floating proximal-pointing crowns, as free-floating proximal-pointing crowns could damage the vessel 266 when the distal body 216 is pulled proximally. Optionally, the system 200 further comprises a lead wire 286 extending distally from the distal tube 236, the lead wire 286 having a length of from about 3 mm to about 10 mm. Optionally, the distal hub/junction/tube 236, the proximal hub/junction/tube 228, and the basket 246 are comprised of a nitinol having the same material composition. In other words, as with the prior embodiment of FIGs. 1-10, optionally the entire distal body 216 is manufactured from a single tube of nitinol 264. Optionally, the proximal and distal hubs/junctions/tubes 228 and 236 comprise an x-ray marker 244 that is more visible under x-ray as compared to the basket strips 291 when the distal body 216 is located in a cranial blood vessel 266 inside the body of a human and the x-ray is taken from outside the human’s body. Preferably, the x-ray marker 244 is a radiopaque material. Some examples of radiopaque materials can include, but are not limited to, gold, platinum, palladium, tantalum, tungsten alloy, polymer material loaded with radiopaque filler, and the like. Preferably, the basket strips 291 are comprised of nitinol and the x-ray marker 244 is comprised of a material having a density greater than the nitinol. In some embodiments, the proximal and distal hubs/junctions/tube interiors 234 and 242 may comprise tantalum welded or otherwise attached to the interior 234 and 242 of the proximal and distal hubs/junctions/tubes 228 and 236. Optionally, the proximal and the distal tubes 228 and 236 are generally cylindrical in shape and each has an outer diameter and an inner diameter, the inner diameter forming apertures of the proximal and distal tubes 228 and 236 and further wherein the outer diameters of the proximal and distal tubes 228 and 236 are substantially the same size and further wherein the inner diameters of the proximal and distal tubes 228 and 236 are substantially the same size. Optionally, the outer diameters of the proximal and distal tubes 228 and 236 are from about 0.011 inches to about 0.054 inches, and further wherein the inner diameters of the proximal and distal tubes 228 and 236 are from about 0.008 inches to about 0.051 inches. Optionally, the pull wire 202 is generally cylindrical and further wherein the diameter of the pull wire 202 is between about 0.008 inches and about 0.051 inches. Optionally, the distal body 216 has a length of between about 10 and about 60 millimeters. Optionally, the first height 224 and first width 226 of the distal body 216 are between about 2 millimeters and about 6 millimeters.

[00115] The present disclosure also provides a method of removing a clot or other obj ect 270 from an interior lumen 266 of an animal, the method comprising the steps of:

a) providing the system 200 of Figures 11 -29, wherein at least two cells 250 of the basket 246 comprise a proximal crown 260 pointing generally in the proximal direction and a distal crown 258 pointing generally in the distal direction, and the distal crowns 258 of the at least two cells 250 are not attached to another cell 248 of the basket 246 (i.e., free-floating), and further wherein at least one of the unattached, distal-pointing crowns 258 comprises an x- ray marker 244;

b) positioning the system 200 in the lumen 266;

c) deploying the distal body 216 from the distal end 214 of the delivery catheter

208;

d) allowing the height and width 224 and 226 of the distal body 216 to increase; e) irradiating the x-ray marker 244 with x-ray radiation and

f) moving the object 270 into the distal basket interior 222.

[00116] Optionally, the object 270 enters the distal basket interior 222 adjacent to (preferably adjacent and immediately distal to) at least one of the unattached, distal-pointing crowns 258 - i.e., in the enlarged cells/drop zones 262. In some embodiments, the distal body 216 is deployed so that at least one (e.g., preferably the two proximal 258A and 258B) of the unattached, distal-pointing crowns 258 is distal to the object 270. As explained below, the x- ray markers 244 of the unattached, distal-pointing crowns 258 are used to locate the distal body 216 relative to the clot or other object 270. It will be appreciated that clots 270 can generally be located in blood vessels 266 by injecting a contrast dye, for example, into the blood vessel 266 proximal and distal to the believed area of obstruction and viewing on an x-ray where the fluid stops moving in the blood vessel 266. It will also appreciated that if the object 270 is not a blood clot but is a radio-opaque object, the object 270 may be viewed on an x-ray.

[00117] FIGs. 11 and 14B illustrate a first, perspective view of one embodiment of a distal body 216 with twisting proximal strips 252, unattached distal-pointing crowns 258 that subtly curve inward and have x-ray markers 244, and enlarged openings/drop zones 262 in the basket 246 that allow the obstruction or other object 270 to enter. In FIGs. 11 and 14B, the distal body 216 is in Orientation 1. (To prepare a basket 246 with unattached distal-pointing crowns 258 that curve inward toward the basket interior 292, a mandrel 900 such as that illustrated in FIGs. 30 and 31 may be used. The mandrel 900 includes a generally cylindrical body 901 with tapered proximal and distal ends 902 and 903 that slope like the ends of a pencil. The cylindrical body 901 includes two grooves 904 that extend around the circumference of the cylindrical body 901. The grooves 904 include tapered portions 905 that slope towards the distal end 903, which are designed to shape the unattached distal-pointing crowns 258. The grooves 904 are generally in the shape of a truncated cone, as shown in FIGs. 63-64). The two proximal, unattached distal-pointing crowns 258A and 258B are located approximately the same distance from the proximal hub/junction/tube 228 and are oriented approximately 180 degrees relative to each other. The two distal, unattached distal-pointing crowns 258C and 258D are located approximately the same distance from the proximal hub/junction/tube 228 as each other (and distal to the two proximal, unattached distal-pointing crowns 258A and 258B) and are oriented approximately 180 degrees relative to each other and approximately 90 degrees to the proximal, unattached distal-pointing crowns 258A and 258B. The two proximal enlarged openings/drop zones 262A and 262B distal to the proximal, unattached distal pointing crowns 258A and 258B are located approximately the same distance from the proximal hub/junction/tube 228 and the centers of the two proximal enlarged openings/drop zones 262A and 262B are oriented approximately 180 degrees relative to each other. (As noted above, preferably, the proximal, unattached distal-pointing crowns 258A and 258B form part of the proximal boundary of the proximal, enlarged cells/drop zones 262A and 262B, and the distal, unattached distal-pointing crowns 258C and 258C form part of the proximal boundary of the distal, enlarged cells/drop zones 262C and 262D). The two distal, enlarged openings/drop zones 262C and 262D distal to the distal, unattached distal pointing crowns 258C and 258D are located approximately the same distance from the proximal hub/junction/tube 228 and the centers of the distal, enlarged openings/drop zones 262C and 262D are oriented approximately 180 degrees relative to each other and approximately 90 degrees relative to the proximal enlarged openings/drop zones 262A and 262B. FIGs. 12A and 14C illustrate a second view of the distal body 216 of FIG. 11 (Orientation 2). FIG. 13 is a close-up view of two unattached, distal-pointing crowns 262. The lines in FIG. 14 show how a nitinol tube 264 is cut with a laser to create the distal body 216 shown in FIG. 14B and FIG. 14C. It will be appreciated that FIG. 14B is a simplified view of the distal body 216 and orientation shown in FIG. 11 and FIG. 14C is a simplified view of the distal body 216 and orientation shown in FIG. 12A.

[00118] As described below, FIGs. 15-19 describe how the distal body 216 is used to retrieve, soft clots 270A, hard clots 270B, and deformable, cohesive adhesive clots 270C in a human intracranial artery 266. (In FIGs. 15-19, the center of the artery 266 is denominated by the dashed line). As explained below, the distal body 216 has four rows of x-ray markers namely, 1) a first row of one x-ray marker, which is located inside the proximal tube denominated by the numeral 228, 244; 2) a second row of two x-ray markers, which are located at the two proximal, unattached distal-pointing crowns (the two markers are oriented 180 degrees relative to each other) denominated by the numerals 258A, 244 and 258B, 244; 3) a third row of two x-ray markers, which are located at the two distal, unattached distal-pointing crowns (these two markers are oriented 180 degrees relative to each other and 90 degrees relative to the two proximal, unattached distal-pointing crowns) denominated by the numerals 258C, 244 and 258D, 244; and 4) a fourth row of one x-ray marker, which is located inside the distal tube denominated by the numeral 236, 244. (It will be appreciated that the first number in the sequence describes the position of the x-ray marker and the second number, 244, represents the fact that the item is an x-ray marker). As explained below, upon deploying the distal body 216 so that the two proximal, unattached distal-pointing crowns 258A, 244 and 258B, 244 are immediately distal to the clot 270, the surgeon interventionalist (i.e., operator of the distal body 216) detects the four rows of x-ray markers using x-ray radiation from a first vantage point and from a second vantage point that is offset from the first vantage point (e.g. 90 degrees). Next, the surgeon moves the distal body 216 proximally relative to the clot 270 and takes additional x-rays from the first and second vantage points. As explained in greater detail below, the surgeon uses the x-ray markers of the proximal and distal, unattached distal- pointing crowns, namely 258A, 244; 258B, 244; 258C, 244; and 258D, 244 (more specifically, the convergence or lack thereof of the proximal and distal, unattached distal-pointing crowns 258A, 244; 258B, 244; 258C, 244; and 258D, 244 as shown on the x-ray) to determine whether the clot 270 is located inside the distal body interior 222 or whether the clot 270 is collapsing the distal body 216.

[00119] More specifically, FIGs. 15A-G illustrate stepwise use of the distal body 216 in retrieving a soft clot 270A in a human intracranial artery 266. (The distal body 216 in FIGS. 15A-15G is in Orientation 1). First, as always, the surgeon determines the location of the clot 270A in the vessel 266 using, for example, a contrast dye injected proximal and distal to the clot 270A. Next, the delivery catheter 208, which is enveloping the distal body 216, is positioned in the blood vessel 266 so that the two proximal, unattached distal-pointing crowns 258A and 258B are immediately distal to the clot 270A. See FIG. 15B. The distal body 216 is then deployed from the delivery catheter 208 by moving the catheter 208 proximally. The soft clot 270A, which is unable to collapse the distal body 216, then enters the distal body interior 222. See FIG. 15C. However, at this time, the surgeon is unaware that the clot 270A has entered into the distal body interior 222. Thus, without moving the distal body 216, the surgeon irradiates the four rows of x-ray markers at a first vantage point (i.e., from the front of the distal body 216 in the orientation shown in FIGs. 15A-G; i.e., into the page). As shown in FIG. 15D, the first vantage point shows four rows of x-ray markers. The first row is a single point, which represents the x-ray marker located in the proximal tube 228, 244; the proximal tube x-ray marker 228, 244 always appears as a single point. The second row is a single point, which represents the x-ray marker located at the front, proximal, unattached distal-pointing crown 258B, 244; the reason that this second row of markers is a single point is that the rear x- ray marker of the second row 258A, 244 is hidden from view because it is directly behind the front x-ray marker of the second row 258B, 244. The third row has two points, which represents the two x-ray markers located at the distal, unattached distal-pointing crowns 258C, 244 and 258D, 244; the reason that this third row of markers has two points is that neither marker in the third row 258C, 244 and 258D, 244 is hidden from view on the x-ray at this angle - rather, one marker 258C, 244 is located above the other marker 258D, 244 - and as shown in FIG. 15C, the distal body 216 is not collapsed at the distal, unattached distal-pointing crowns 258C, 244 and 258D, 244. The fourth row is a single point, which represents the x-ray marker located in the distal tube 236, 244; the distal tube x-ray marker 236, 244 always appears as a single point. Without moving the distal body 216, the surgeon then irradiates the four rows of x-ray markers from a second vantage point 90 degrees offset from the first vantage point (i.e., from the bottom of the distal body 216 in the orientation shown in FIG. 15A). As shown, the first row is, as always, a single point, which represents the x-ray marker located in the proximal tube 228, 244. The second row has two points, which represents the two x-ray markers located at the proximal, unattached distal-pointing crown 258A, 244 and 258B, 244; the reason that this second row of markers shows up as two points is that neither marker 258A, 244 and 258B, 244 in the second row is hidden from view on the x-ray at this offset angle - rather, one marker 258B, 244 is located above the other marker 258A, 244 - and the distal body 216 is not collapsed at the proximal, unattached distal-pointing crowns 258A, 244 and 258B, 244. The third row is a single point, which represents the x-ray marker located at the bottom, distal, unattached distal-pointing crown 258D, 244; the reason that this third row of markers is a single point is that the top x-ray marker of the third row 258C, 244 is directly behind the bottom x- ray marker of the third row 258D, 244, and thus, hidden from view. The fourth row is, as always, a single point, which represents the x-ray marker located in the distal tube 236, 244. The surgeon, thus, concludes that neither the x-ray markers at the second row 258A, 244 and 258B, 244 nor the x-ray markers at the third row 258C, 244 and 258D, 244 (i.e., the x-ray markers at both the proximal and distal unattached distal pointing-crowns) have converged. As shown in FIG. 15E, the surgeon then moves the distal body 216 proximally relative to the soft clot 270A so that the distal, unattached distal-pointing crowns 258C, 244 and 258D, 244 are immediately distal to the clot 270A and then the surgeon irradiates the four rows of x-ray markers again from the first vantage point and the second vantage point. As shown in FIG. 15F, the results are the same as FIG. 15D. With the results from FIGs. 15D and 15F, the surgeon concludes that neither x-ray markers at the second row 258A, 244 and 258B, 244 nor the x-ray markers at the third row 258C, 244 and 258D, 244 (i.e., the x-ray markers at both the proximal and distal unattached distal pointing-crowns) converged at either the original position of the distal body 216 (FIGs. 15C and 15D) or the position after moving the distal body 216 proximally (FIGs. 15E and 15F), and, thus, the distal body 216 was expanded in the vessel 266 in both positions. Thus, the surgeon concludes that the clot is a soft clot 270A that has entered into the distal body interior 222 and the surgeon removes the distal body 216 and the soft clot 270A, captured by the distal body 216, by moving the distal body 216 proximally out of the vessel 266, as shown in FIG. 15G.

[00120] FIGs. 16A-H illustrate stepwise use of the distal body 216 in retrieving a hard clot 270B in a human intracranial artery 266. (In FIGs. 16A-H, the distal body 216 is in Orientation 1). First, as always, the surgeon determines the location of the clot 270B in the vessel 266 using, for example, a contrast dye injected proximal and distal to the clot 270B. Next, the delivery catheter 208, which is enveloping the distal body 216, is positioned in the blood vessel 266 so that the two proximal, unattached distal-pointing crowns 258A and 258B are immediately distal to the clot 270B. See FIG. 16B. The distal body 216 is then deployed from the delivery catheter 208 by moving the catheter 208 proximally. The hard clot 270B, which is located above the distal body 216, collapses the distal body 216, as shown in FIG. 16C. However, at this time, the surgeon is unaware that the clot 270B has collapsed the distal body 216. Thus, without moving the distal body 216, the surgeon irradiates the x-ray markers at a first vantage point (i.e., from the front of the distal body 216; i.e., into the page). As shown in FIG. 16D, the first vantage point shows four rows of x-ray markers. The first row is, as always, a single point, representing the x-ray marker located in the proximal tube - i.e., 228, 244. The second row is a single point, which represents the x-ray marker located at the front, proximal, unattached distal-pointing crown 258B, 244; the reason that this second row of markers is a single point is that the rear x-ray marker of the second row 258A, 244 is hidden from view because it is directly behind the front x-ray marker of the second row 258B, 244. The third row has two points, which represents the two x-ray markers located at the distal, unattached distal-pointing crowns 258C, 244 and 258D, 244; the reason that this third row of markers has two points is that neither marker in the third row is hidden from view on the x-ray at this angle - rather, one marker 258C, 244 is located above the other marker 258D, 244 - and as shown in FIG. 16C, the distal body 216 is not collapsed at the distal, unattached distal- pointing crowns 258C, 244 and 258D, 244. The fourth row is, as always, a single point, representing the x-ray marker located in the distal tube 236, 244. Without moving the distal body 216, the surgeon then irradiates the markers from a second vantage point 90 degrees offset from the first vantage point (i.e., from the bottom of the distal body 216). As shown, the first row is, as always, a single point, which represents the x-ray marker located in the proximal tube 228, 244. The second row has two points, which represents the two x-ray markers located at the proximal, unattached distal-pointing crowns 258A, 244 and 258B, 244; the reason that this second row of markers shows up as two points is that neither marker in the second row is hidden from view on the x-ray at this offset angle - rather, one marker 258B, 244 is located above the other marker 258A, 244 - and although the distal body 216 is collapsed at the proximal, unattached distal-pointing crowns as shown in FIG. 16C, the second row of x-ray markers have not converged because the clot 270B is on top of the second row of x-ray markers. The third row is a single point, which represents the x-ray marker located at the bottom, distal, unattached distal-pointing crown 258D, 244; the reason that this third row of markers is a single point is that the top x-ray marker of the third row 258C, 244 is directly behind the bohom x- ray marker of the third row 258D, 244, and thus, hidden from view. The fourth row is, as always, a single point, which represents the x-ray marker located in the distal tube 236, 244. The surgeon, thus, concludes that neither the second row 258A, 244 and 258B, 244 nor the third row 258C, 244 and 258D, 244 of x-ray markers (i.e., the x-ray markers at both the proximal and distal unattached distal pointing-crowns) has converged. As shown in FIG. 16E, the surgeon then moves the distal body 216 proximally so that the distal, unattached distal- pointing crowns 258C, 244 and 258D, 244 are immediately distal to the clot 270B and the surgeon then irradiates the x-markers again from the first vantage point. As shown in FIG. 16F, the first row is, as always, a single point, representing the x-ray marker located in the proximal tube 228, 244. The second row is a single point, which represents the x-ray marker located at the front, proximal, unattached distal-pointing crown 258B, 244; the reason that this second row of markers is a single point is that the rear x-ray marker of the second row 258A, 244 is hidden from view because it is directly behind the front x-ray marker of the second row 258B, 244. The third row has only one point because the clot 270B, which is on top of the third row of x-ray markers 258C, 244 and 258D, 244 (i.e., the markers at the distal, unattached distal-pointing crowns), has pushed the third row of x-ray markers 258C, 244 and 258D, 244 together. The fourth row is, as always, a single point, representing the x-ray marker located in the distal tube 236, 244. Without moving the distal body 216, the surgeon then irradiates the markers from a second vantage point 90 degrees offset from the first vantage point (i.e., from the bohom of the distal body). As shown, the first row is, as always, a single point, which represents the x-ray marker located in the proximal tube 228, 244. The second row has two points, which represents the two x-ray markers located at the proximal, unattached distal- pointing crown 258A, 244 and 258B, 244; the reason that this second row of markers shows up as two points is that neither marker in the second row is hidden from view on the x-ray at this offset angle and the distal body 216 is not collapsed at the proximal, unattached distal- pointing crowns 258A, 244 and 258B, 244. The third row is a single point, which represents the x-ray marker located at the bottom, distal, unattached distal-pointing crown 258D, 244; the reason that this third row of markers is a single point is that the bottom x-ray marker of the third row 258D, 244 is directly in front of the top x-ray marker of the third row 258C, 244, and thus, the top x-ray marker of the third row 258C, 244 is hidden from view. The fourth row is, as always, a single point, which represents the x-ray marker located in the distal tube 236, 244. Knowing that the distal, unattached distal-pointing crowns 258C, 244 and 258D, 244 have converged as shown in FIG. 16F, the surgeon moves the distal body 216 proximally and the hard clot 270B falls into the distal body interior 222 in the enlarged cell/drop zone 262C immediately distal to the top, distal, unattached distal-pointing crown 258C. See FIG. 16G. To confirm that the hard clot 270B has entered the distal body interior 222, the surgeon takes x-rays from the first and second vantage points. The results are shown in FIG. 16H. As compared to 16F, the front x-ray view of FIG. 16H shows that the distal, unattached distal- pointing crowns 258C, 244 and 258D, 244 are not converged, and, thus, the surgeon concludes that the hard clot 270B has entered the distal body interior 222. The surgeon then removes the distal body 216 and the hard clot 270B, captured by the distal body 216, by moving the distal body 216 proximally out of the vessel 266.

[00121] FIGs. 17A-G illustrate stepwise use of the distal body 216 in retrieving a soft clot 270A in a human intracranial artery 266. (In FIGs. 17A-G, the distal body 216 is in Orientation 2). First, as always, the surgeon determines the location of the clot 270A in the vessel 266 using, for example, a contrast dye injected proximal and distal to the clot 270A. Next, the delivery catheter 208, which is enveloping the distal body 216, is positioned in the blood vessel 266 so that the two proximal, unattached distal-pointing crowns 258A and 258B are immediately distal to the clot 270A. See FIG. 17B. The distal body 216 is then deployed from the catheter 208 by moving the catheter 208 proximally. The soft clot 270A, which is unable to collapse the distal body 216, then enters the distal body interior 222. See FIG. 17C. However, at this time, the surgeon is unaware that the clot 270A has entered into the distal body interior 222. Thus, without moving the distal body 216, the surgeon irradiates the x-ray markers at a first vantage point (i.e., from the front of the distal body; into the page). As shown in FIG. 17D, the first vantage point shows four rows of x-ray markers. The first row is, as always, a single point, representing the x-ray marker located in the proximal tube 228, 244. The second row has two points, which represents the two x-ray markers located at the proximal, unattached distal-pointing crowns 258A, 244 and 258B, 244; the reason that this second row of markers has two points is that neither marker in the second row is hidden from view on the x-ray at this angle - rather, one marker 258A, 244 is located above the other marker 258B, 244 - and as shown in FIG. 17C, the distal body 216 is not collapsed at the proximal, unattached distal-pointing crowns 258A, 244 and 258B, 244. The third row has a single point, which represents the x-ray marker located at the front (in Orientation 2), distal, unattached distal- pointing crown 258C, 244; the reason that this third row of markers is a single point is that the rear (in Orientation 2) x-ray marker 258D, 244 of the third row is hidden from view because it is directly behind the front x-ray marker 258C, 244 of the third row. The fourth row is, as always, a single point, representing the x-ray marker located in the distal tube 236, 244. Without moving the distal body, the surgeon then irradiates the markers from a second vantage point 90 degrees offset from the first vantage point (i.e., from the bottom of the distal body, as shown in this view). As shown, the first row is, as always, a single point, which represents the x-ray marker located in the proximal tube 228, 244. The second row is a single point, which represents the x-ray marker located at the bottom (in Orientation 2), proximal, unattached distal-pointing crown 258B, 244; the reason that this second row of markers is a single point is that the top (in Orientation 2) x-ray marker of the second row 258A, 244 is directly behind the bottom x-ray marker of the second row 258B, 244, and thus, hidden from view. The third row has two points, which represents the two x-ray markers located at the distal, unattached distal- pointing crowns 258C, 244 and 258D, 244; the reason that this third row of markers shows up as two points is that neither marker in the third row is hidden from view on the x-ray at this offset angle and the distal body 216 is not collapsed at the distal, unattached distal-pointing crowns 258C, 244 and 258D, 244. The fourth row is, as always, a single point, which represents the x-ray marker located in the distal tube 236, 244. The surgeon, thus, concludes that neither the second row 258A, 244 and 258B, 244 nor the third row of x-ray markers 258C, 244 and 258D, 244 (i.e., the x-ray markers at both the proximal and distal unattached distal pointing-crowns) has converged. As shown in FIG. 17E, the surgeon then moves the distal body 216 proximally relative to the clot 270A so that the distal, unattached distal-pointing crowns 258C, 244 and 258D, 244 are immediately distal to the clot 270A and then the surgeon irradiates the x-markers again from the first vantage point and the second vantage point. As shown in FIG. 17F, the results are the same as FIG. 17D. With the results from FIGs. 17D and 17F, the surgeon concludes that neither the second row 258A, 244 and 258B, 244 nor the third row of x-ray markers 258C, 244 and 258D, 244 (i.e., the x-ray markers at both the proximal and distal unattached distal pointing-crowns) were converged at either the original position of the distal body 216 (FIG. 17C and 17D) or the position after moving the distal body 216 proximally (FIG. 17E and 17F), and, thus, the distal body 216 was expanded in the vessel 266 in both positions. Thus, the surgeon concludes that the clot 270A is a soft clot 270A that has entered into the distal body interior 222 and the surgeon removes the distal body 216 and the soft clot 270A, captured by the distal body 216, by moving the distal body 216 proximally out of the vessel 266, as shown in FIG. 17G.

[00122] FIGs. 18A-G illustrate stepwise use of the distal body 216 in retrieving a hard clot 270B in a human intracranial artery 266. (In FIGS. 18A-G, the distal body 216 is in Orientation 2). (As described below, the primary differences between FIGs 18A-G and FIGs. 16A-G is that the clot 270B enters the distal body interior 222 in an enlarged cell/drop zone 262A immediately distal to one of the proximal, unattached distal-pointing crowns 258A in FIGs. 18A-G, as compared to FIGs. 16A-G where the clot 270B enters the distal body interior 222 in an enlarged cell/drop zone 262C immediately distal to one of the distal, unattached distal-pointing crowns 258C). First, as always, the surgeon determines the location of the clot 270B in the vessel 266 using, for example, a contrast dye injected proximal and distal to the clot 270B. Next, the delivery catheter 208, which is enveloping the distal body 216, is positioned in the blood vessel 266 so that the two proximal, unattached distal-pointing crowns 258A and 258B are immediately distal to the clot 270B. See FIG. 18B. The distal body 216 is then deployed from the catheter 208 by moving the catheter 208 proximally. The hard clot 270B, which is located above the distal body 216, collapses the distal body 216, as shown in FIG. 18C. However, at this time, the surgeon is unaware that the clot 270B has collapsed the distal body 216. Thus, without moving the distal body 216, the surgeon irradiates the x-ray markers at a first vantage point (i.e., from the front of the distal body in Orientation 2; into the page). As shown in FIG. 18D, the first vantage point shows four rows of x-ray markers. The first row is, as always, a single point, representing the x-ray marker located in the proximal tube 228, 244. The second row has only one point because the clot 270B, which is on top of the second row of x-ray markers 258A, 244 and 258B, 244 (i.e., the markers at the proximal, unattached distal-pointing crowns), has pushed them together. The third row has only one point, which represents the x-ray marker located at the front (in Orientation 2), proximal, unattached distal-pointing crown 258C, 244; the reason that this third row of markers is a single point is that the rear (in this view) x-ray marker of the third row 258D, 244 is hidden from view because it is directly behind the front x-ray marker of the third row 258C, 244. The fourth row is, as always, a single point, representing the x-ray marker located in the distal tube 236, 244. Without moving the distal body, the surgeon then irradiates the markers from a second vantage point 90 degrees offset from the first vantage point (i.e., from the bottom of the distal body 216). As shown, the first row is, as always, a single point, which represents the x-ray marker located in the proximal tube 228, 244. The second row has a single point because the top (in Orientation 2) x-ray marker of the second row 258A, 244 is located behind the bottom (in Orientation 2) x-ray marker 258B, 244 and thus, the top x-ray marker of the second row 258A, 244 is hidden from view. The third row has two points, which represents the x-ray markers located at the distal, unattached distal-pointing crowns 258C, 244 and 258D, 244; in this x-ray view neither of the x-ray markers of the third row is hidden from view. The fourth row is, as always, a single point, which represents the x-ray marker located in the distal tube 236, 244. The surgeon, thus, concludes that the second row of x-ray markers 258A, 244 and 258B, 244 (i.e., the x-ray markers at the proximal, unattached distal pointing-crowns) has converged. As shown in FIG. 18E, the surgeon then moves the distal body 216 proximally so that the distal, unattached distal-pointing crowns 258C, 244 and 258D, 244 are immediately distal to the clot 270B. Unbeknownst to the surgeon, the clot 270B enters the distal body interior 222 immediately distal to the top (in Orientation 2), proximal unattached distal-pointing crown 258A and the distal body 216 is no longer collapsed. The surgeon then irradiates the x-markers again from the first vantage point. As shown in FIG. 18F, the first row is, as always, a single point, representing the x-ray marker located in the proximal tube 228, 244. The second row has two x-ray markers because the distal body 216 is not collapsed and neither the top (in Orientation 2) 258A, 244 nor the bottom 258B, 244 (in Orientation 2) x-ray marker of the second row (i.e., the marker at the proximal, unattached distal-pointing crowns) is hidden from view. The third row has only one point because the rear (in Orientation 2), distal unattached distal-pointing crown 258D, 244 is hidden behind the front (in Orientation 2), distal, unattached distal pointing-crown 258C, 244. The fourth row is, as always, a single point, representing the x-ray marker located in the distal tube 236, 244. Without moving the distal body 216, the surgeon then irradiates the markers from a second vantage point 90 degrees offset from the first vantage point (i.e., from the bottom of the distal body 216). As shown, the first row is, as always, a single point, which represents the x-ray marker located in the proximal tube 228, 244. The second row has a single point because the x-ray marker at the top (in Orientation 2), proximal, unattached distal-pointing crown 258A, 244 is hidden behind the bottom (in Orientation 2), proximal, unattached-distal pointing crown 258B, 244. The third row has two points because neither the front nor the rear x-ray markers at the distal, unattached, distal- pointing crowns 258C, 244 and 258D, 244 is hidden from view. The fourth row is, as always, a single point, which represents the x-ray marker located in the distal tube 236, 244. Based on the information from FIGs. 18D and 18F, the surgeon concludes that the clot 270B has entered into the distal body interior 222. The surgeon then removes the distal body 216 and the hard clot 270B, captured by the distal body 216, by moving the distal body 216 proximally out of the vessel 266, as shown in FIG. 18G. Upon comparing FIGs. 16A-G and FIGs. 18A-G it will be appreciated that the orientation of the enlarged cells/drop zone 262A-D relative to the orientation of a hard clot 270B determine which enlarged cell/drop zone 262A, 262B, 262C, or 262D, the hard clot 270 enters the distal body interior 222 through. For example, in FIG. 16C, the hard clot 270B is located above the distal body 216, and thus, the hard clot 270B must enter through the enlarged cell/drop zone located at the top of the distal body, which in the orientation of the distal body shown in FIGs. 16A-G, is the enlarged cell/drop zone 262C immediately distal to the top, distal, unattached, distal -pointing crown 258C. In FIG. 18C, the hard clot 270B is again located above the distal body and, thus, the hard clot 270B must enter through the enlarged cell/drop zone located at the top of the distal body. However, in FIG. 18C, the enlarged cell/drop zone located at the top of the distal body 216, in the orientation of the distal body 216 shown in FIGs. 18A-G, is the enlarged cell/drop zone 262A immediately distal to the top, proximal, unattached, distal-pointing crown 258A.

[00123] FIGs. 19A-N illustrate stepwise use of the distal body 216 in retrieving a deformable cohesive, adherent clot 270C- i.e., a clot that is difficult to break up and is tightly adhered to the vessel wall 268 - in a human intracranial artery 266. (In FIGS . 19A-N, the distal body 216 is in Orientation 2). First, as always, the surgeon determines the location of the clot 270C in the vessel 266 using, for example, a contrast dye injected proximal and distal to the clot 270C. Next, the delivery catheter 208, which is enveloping the distal body 216, is positioned in the blood vessel 266 so that the two proximal, unattached distal-pointing crowns 258A and 258B are immediately distal to the clot 270C. See FIG. 19B. The distal body 216 is then deployed from the catheter 208 by moving the catheter 208 proximally. The deformable, cohesive adherent clot 270C, which is located above the distal body 216, collapses the distal body 216, as shown in FIG. 19C. However, at this time, the surgeon is unaware that the clot 270C has collapsed the distal body 216. Thus, without moving the distal body 216, the surgeon irradiates the x-ray markers at a first vantage point (i.e., from the front of the distal body; i.e., into the page). As shown in FIG. 19D, the first vantage point shows four rows of x- ray markers. The first row is, as always, a single point, representing the x-ray marker located in the proximal tube 228, 244. The second row has a single point, corresponding to the top (in Orientation 2) and bottom (in Orientation 2), proximal, unattached distal-pointing crowns 258A, 244 and 258B, 244, which have converged because the clot 270C is collapsing the distal body 216. The third row has a single point, which represents the x-ray marker located at the front (in Orientation 2), distal, unattached distal-pointing crown 258C, 244; the x-ray marker located at the rear, distal, unattached distal-pointing crown 258D, 244 is hidden from view. The fourth row is, as always, a single point, representing the x-ray marker located in the distal tube 236, 244. Without moving the distal body 216, the surgeon then irradiates the markers from a second vantage point 90 degrees offset from the first vantage point (i.e., from the bottom of the distal body). As shown, the first row is, as always, a single point, which represents the x-ray marker located in the proximal tube 228, 244. The second row has a single point, which corresponds to the bottom (in Orientation 2), proximal, unattached distal-pointing crown 258B, 244; the top (in Orientation 2), proximal, unattached distal-pointing crown 258A, 244 is located behind the bottom, proximal, unattached distal-pointing crown 258B, 244 and hidden from view. The third row has two points, which correspond to the front (in Orientation 2) 258C, 244 and rear 258D, 244 (in Orientation 2), distal, unattached distal-pointing crowns, neither of which is blocked in this view. The fourth row is, as always, a single point, which represents the x-ray marker located in the distal tube 236, 244. As shown in FIG. 19E, the surgeon then moves the distal body 216 proximally (i.e., slightly withdraws the distal body 216). The surgeon then irradiates the x-markers again from the first and second vantage points. As shown in FIG. 19F, the results are exactly the same as in FIG. 19D. Based on the observation that the proximal, unattached distal-pointing crowns 258A, 244 and 258B, 244 have converged at both the original position (FIGs. 19C and 19D in which the proximal, unattached distal-pointing crowns 258A, 244 and 258B, 244 are immediately distal to the clot 270C) and the second position (FIGs. 19E and 19F), the surgeon concludes that the clot 270C is a deformable cohesive, adherent clot 270C. The surgeon then oscillates the distal body 216 proximally and distally a small distance (e.g., about lmm to about 2 mm) in the vessel 266, and the clot 270C begins to enter the distal body 216, as shown in FIG. 19G. The surgeon then irradiates the x- markers again from the first and second vantage points. As shown in FIG. 19H, the results are exactly the same as in FIG. 19D and FIG. 19F except that the second row of markers 258A, 244 and 258B, 244 (at the proximal, unattached distal-pointing crowns) are beginning to move apart. The surgeon then moves the distal body 216 proximally again, as shown in FIG. 191. The surgeon then irradiates the x-markers again from the first and second vantage points. As shown in FIG. 19J, the results are exactly the same as in FIGs. 19D and 19F, as the clot 270C has caused the second row of markers 258A, 244 and 258B, 244 to re-converge. The surgeon then oscillates the distal body 216 proximally and distally a small distance (e.g., about lmm to about 2 mm) in the vessel 266, and the clot 270C begins to further enter the distal body interior 222, as shown in FIG. 19K. The surgeon then irradiates the x-markers again from the first and second vantage points. As shown in FIG. 19L, the results are the same as in FIG. 19H. The surgeon then moves the distal body 216 again proximally, and, instead of collapsing the second row of markers 258A, 244 and 258B, 244, the clot 270C fully enters the distal body interior 222, as shown in FIG. 19M. The surgeon then irradiates the x-markers again from the first and second vantage points. As shown in FIG. 19N, the results show that the second row of markers 258A, 244 and 258B, 244 (at the proximal, unattached distal-pointing crowns) have moved apart. Satisfied that the x-ray markers in the second row 258A, 244 and 258B, 244 (at the proximal, unattached distal-pointing crowns) are sufficiently far apart and that the x-ray markers in the third row (at the distal, unattached distal-pointing crowns) 258C, 244 and 258D, 244 have stayed far apart, the surgeon concludes that the deformable cohesive, adherent clot 270C has been sufficiently captured by the distal body 216 and the surgeon then removes the distal body 216 and the clot 270C, captured by the distal body 216, by moving the distal body 216 proximally out of the vessel 266.

[00124] Several observations can be made from FIGs. 15-19, as indicated above. For example, the x-ray markers at the proximal and distal, unattached distal-pointing crowns 258A- D, 244 provide the surgeon feedback concerning the interaction between the distal body 216 and the clot 270 in the blood vessel 266. In addition, the guiding principle of a soft clot 270A is that the soft clot 270A does not collapse the distal body 216, and thus, x-ray markers at the proximal and distal, unattached distal-pointing crowns 258A-D, 244 always appear as two points except when a marker is hidden behind another marker (due to the view). When it comes to a hard clot 270B, the hard clot 270B is generally able to enter the distal body interior 222 without needing to oscillate the distal body 216 proximally and distally (unlike a deformable cohesive, adherent clot 270C). However, to capture the hard clot 270B, the hard clot 270B must be oriented properly relative to the enlarged cell/drop zones 262A, 262B, 262C, or 262D. (This is the reason that the distal body 216 has four enlarged cells/drop zones: one enlarged cells/drop zone at 0 degrees 262B, one enlarged cells/drop zone at 90 degrees 262C, one enlarged cells/drop zone at 180 degrees 262A and one enlarged cells/drop zone at 270 degrees 262D). As a guiding principle, an enlarged cell/drop zone 262A, 262B, 262C, or 262D is properly oriented to the clot 270B when the x-ray markers at the proximal, unattached distal- pointing crowns 258A, 244 and 258B, 244 or the distal, unattached distal pointing crowns 258C, 244 and 258D, 244 are together at both a first x-ray view and a second x-ray view 90 degrees relative to the first x-ray view, and the hard clot 270B can enter the enlarged cell/drop zone 262A, 262B, 262C, or 262D by moving the distal body 216 proximally. See FIG. 16F and 18D. Finally, the guiding principal of retrieval of deformable cohesive, adherent clots 270C is that oscillation of the distal body 216 causes the deformable cohesive, adherent clots 270C to gradually enter the distal basket interior 222 over time.

[00125] FIGs. 20A, 20B and 20C show a distal body 216 that is similar to the distal body 216 of FIGs. 14A, 14B and 14C except that the distal body 216 of FIGs. 20A, 20B and 20C is slightly shorter and its unattached, distal-pointing crowns 258A, 258B, 258C, and 258D are closer to the proximal tube 228. The shortened distal body 216 of FIGs. 20A, 20B and 20C is particularly adapted for tortuous blood vessels 266. FIG. 21-29 show stepwise deployment of the distal body 216 of FIGs. 20A, 20B and 20C in use with a manual (i.e., hand-operated), volume-dependent (i.e. volume locked) suction catheter 272 that is locked at between about 10 to about 60 cubic centimeters (cc). Optionally, the suction catheter 272 has an outer diameter of between about 0.05 inches and about 0.09 inches and its outer diameter is substantially larger than the outer diameter of the delivery catheter 208. The clot 270 is located in the vessel 266 through the use of, for example, contrast dye injected proximal and distal to the clot 270. As shown in FIG. 21, a delivery catheter 208 containing the distal body 216 of FIGs. 20 A, 20B and 20C is positioned in the tortuous vessel 266 distal to the clot 270. The delivery catheter 208 is withdrawn, deploying the distal body 216. See FIG. 22. The distal body 216 is moved proximally relative to the clot 270 and tension is exerted on pull wire 202. See FIG. 23. While maintaining tension on the pull wire 202, a suction catheter 272 having a proximal end 274 and a distal end 276 is delivered over the pull wire 202 that is attached to the distal body 216. See FIG. 24. (The reason for exerting tension on the pull wire 202 is that the pull wire 202 serves as the guide/track for the movement of the suction catheter 272 and without tension, the suction catheter 272 and pull wire 202 could end up in the ophthalmic artery 288). The distal end 276 of the suction catheter 272 is positioned against the clot 270. A syringe 278 is attached to the suction catheter 272 using a rotating hemostatic valve 290, which allows the surgeon to aspirate while a pull wire 202 is in the system. The surgeon aspirates the syringe 278 by pulling back on the lever 280 to a mark on the base 282 corresponding to between about 10 and about 60 cubic centimeters of fluid. The surgeon then locks the lever 280 (and attached plunger) into place, leaving the suction catheter 272 under suction. The surgeon captures the clot 270 in the distal body 216 using the techniques described in FIGs. 15-19. The distal body 216 and clot 270 become captured by the suction catheter 272. See FIGs. 27 and 28. The surgeon then removes the suction catheter 272 and the distal body 216 and the clot 270, captured by the suction catheter 272, by moving the suction catheter 272 proximally out of the vessel 266. See FIG. 29. It is believed that the suction catheter 272 would be helpful in the event that a small portion of the clot 270 breaks off when retrieving the clot 270 using the distal body 216.

[00126] To examine effectiveness of the systems 200, the systems 200 of FIGs. 11-20, without the use of a suction catheter 272, were used to retrieve soft and hard clots 270A and 270B induced in a pig weighing between 30 to 50 kg. The weight of the pig was chosen so that the size of its vessels 266 would be approximate to the size of a human vessel. The pig was anesthetized. Several hard clots 270B were prepared by mixing pig blood and barium and incubating the mixture for 2 hours. Several soft clots 270A were prepared by mixing pig blood, thrombin and barium and incubating the mixture for 1 hour. The clots 270A and 270B, each of which had a width of 4 to 6 mm and a length of 10 to 40 mm, were then inserted into a vessel 266 having a diameter of 2 to 4 mm. (Only one clot 270A and 270B was located in the vessel 266 at a time). Angiograms were then performed to confirm occlusion. After waiting ten minutes after confirming occlusion, the distal bodies 216 of FIGs. 11-20 were then delivered distal to the clots 270A and 270B as described above and were used to retrieve the clots 270A and 270B as described in FIGs. 11-19. In each case, the distal bodies 216 were successful in retrieving the clots 270A and 270B. As shown, the distal body height in the relaxed state tapers/decreases as the proximal strips 252 approach the proximal hub/junction/tube 228 and also tapers/decreases as the basket strips 291 located at the distal end 220 of the basket 246 converge at the distal hub/junction/tube 236.

[00127] The alternate embodiment of FIG. 32

[00128] FIG. 32 shows a distal body 216 in which the proximal strips proximal ends 254 converge and are soldered or welded at the proximal hub/junction 228 and the basket strips 291 located at the distal end 220 of the basket 246 converge and are soldered or welded at the distal hub/junction 236. To create such an embodiment, the distal body 216 may be prepared from a single tube, as described above, and the proximal and distal tubes may be clipped and the proximal ends 254 of the proximal strips 252 soldered or welded together (and optionally to the pull wire 202) and the basket strips 291 located at the distal end 220 of the basket 246 may also be welded or soldered or welded together. Optionally, the proximal and distal hubs/junctions 228 and 236 may include x-ray markers 244 as described above.

[00129] The Embodiments of FIGs. 33-41

[00130] With reference to FIGs. 33-41, in yet a further embodiment, the present disclosure provides a system 1250 for removing a blood clot 1330 from a human blood vessel

1252

[00131] Preferably, the system 1250 is deployed from a catheter, which although not shown, may have any of the characteristics described above with respect to FIGs. 1-32. In some embodiment, the system 1250 of FIGs. 33-41, includes a pull wire 1254 having a pull wire proximal end 1256, a pull wire distal end 1258 and a pull wire length 1260 extending from the pull wire proximal end 1256 to the pull wire distal end 1258. The pull wire 1254 may be similar to the pull wire of the previous embodiments of FIGs. 1-32.

[00132] The system 1250 of FIGs. 33-41 may further include a proximal body 1262 designed to trap a blood clot 1330 proximally. The proximal body 1262 may include a proximal body interior 1266, a proximal body perimeter 1268, a proximal body proximal end 1270 comprising a proximal body proximal junction 1272 that may be connected to the pull wire 1254, a proximal body distal end 1274 that is preferably open, a proximal body length 1276 extending from the proximal body proximal end 1270 to the proximal body distal end 1274, and a proximal body height 1278 and width (not shown) perpendicular to the proximal body length 1276. When it is said that the proximal body proximal junction 1272 may be “connected to” the pull wire 1254, it will be understood that the language is designed to encompass but not be limited to the illustrated designs of FIGs. 34-41 in which the proximal body proximal junction 1272 is in the form of a tube the interior of which receives a segment of the pull wire 1254. The proximal body 1262, more particularly, the proximal junction 1272 of the proximal body 1262 may be free floating (longitudinally) over a fixed distance 1264 of the pull wire 1254. The proximal body 1262 may include a proximal body framework 1280 comprised of a plurality of proximal body cells 1282 formed by a plurality of proximal body memory metal strips 1284 as shown in FIGs. 34-35 and 37-41. The system 1250 may further include a distal body 1286 designed to trap a blood clot 1330 distally. The distal body 1286 may comprise a distal body interior 1288, a distal body perimeter 1290, a distal body proximal end 1292 comprising a distal body proximal junction 1294 that may be connected to the pull wire 1254, a distal body distal end 1296, a distal body length 1298 extending from the distal body proximal end 1292 to the distal body distal end 1296, and a distal body height 1300 and width (not shown) perpendicular to the distal body length 1298. When it is said that the proximal body proximal junction 1272 may be“connected to” the pull wire 1254, it will be understood that the language is designed to encompass but not be limited to direct attachment or indirect attachment via an intermediary. Optionally, the proximal body 1262 and distal body 1286 are collapsible in the catheter and expand in the blood vessel 1252 as described with the previous embodiment - i.e., the proximal body 1262 has a relaxed state wherein the proximal body 1262 has a first height and a first width (shown in FIGs. 34- 35 and 37-41), and a collapsed state wherein the proximal body 1262 has a second height and a second width, the second height of the proximal body 1262 less than the first height of the proximal body 1262, the second width of the proximal body 1262 less than the first width of the proximal body 1262. Similarly, the distal body 1286 may have a relaxed state wherein the distal body 1286 has a first height and a first width, and a collapsed state wherein the distal body 1286 has a second height and a second width, the second height of the distal body 1286 less than the first height of the distal body 1286, the second width of the distal body 1286 less than the first width of the distal body 1286. Optionally, the distal body 1286 is configured to move between a deployed configuration (shown in FIGs. 34, 37 and 40) in which the distal body proximal end 1292 is located a first distance 1308 distal relative to the proximal body proximal end 1270 and a retracted configuration (shown in FIGs. 35, 38, 39, and 41) in which the distal body proximal end 1292 is located a second distance 1310 distal relative to the proximal body proximal end 1270, the second distance less 1310 than the first distance 1308. (Similarly, in the retracted configuration, the distal body distal end 1296 is preferably closer to the proximal body proximal end 1270 than in the deployed configuration. In other words, preferably, in moving from the deployed configuration to the retracted configuration, preferably, the entire distal body 1286 moves proximally, instead of stretching). Optionally, the pull wire distal end 1258 and the distal body 1286 are configured to move proximally a fixed distance toward the proximal body proximal end 1270 when the distal body 1286 moves from the deployed configuration to the retracted configuration.

Preferably the proximal body 1262 does not move longitudinally (in the lengthwise direction) as the distal body 1286 moves from the deployed configuration to the retracted configuration. In an alternate design (not shown), the distal end 1274 may be in the form of a junction that is connected to the pull wire 1254 (instead of or in addition to the proximal body proximal junction 1272). However, such design is disadvantageous because the proximal body distal end 1274 is preferably open, as shown in FIGs. 34-35 and 37-41.

[00133] Two different designs of such systems 1250 are shown in the illustration.

First, in the embodiment of FIGs. 33-39, the proximal body proximal junction 1272 is in the form of a short tube comprising a tube interior, the pull wire 1254 comprises a proximal bumper 1324 proximal to the proximal body proximal junction 1272, a thin segment 1326 distal to the proximal bumper 1324, and a distal bumper 1328 distal to the thin segment 1326. (The short tube may be similar to the proximal hub 228 described previously with reference to FIGs. 11-20 for example). Optionally, the thin segment 1326 is configured to pass through the tube interior of the proximal body proximal junction 1272 but the proximal bumper 1324 and the distal bumper 1328 are too large to pass through the tube interior of the proximal body proximal junction 1272 (e.g., the proximal body proximal junction inner diameter/width is less than the diameter/width of the proximal and distal bumpers 1324 and 1328). The “bumpers” 1324 and 1328 may be knots or other enlargements of the pull wire 1254 for example. In such an embodiment, the proximal body proximal junction 1272 is free floating a fixed distance 1264, namely, the distance between the proximal bumper 1324 and the distal bumper 1328. Optionally, the distal bumper 1326 forms part of the distal body proximal junction 1294, as shown in FIGs. 34-39. Optionally the proximal bumper 1324 and distal bumper 1326 each comprise x-ray markers, as best illustrated in the x-ray view of FIG. 36. Optionally, the proximal body 1262 is free floating when the thin segment 1326 passes through the tube interior, pushing the proximal bumper 1324 against the proximal body proximal junction 1272 is configured to move the proximal body distally 1262, pulling the distal bumper 1328 against the proximal body proximal junction 1272 is configured to move the proximal body 1262 proximally, pushing the pull wire 1254 distally is configured to move the distal body 1286 distally and pulling the pull wire 1254 proximally is configured to move the distal body 1286 proximally. Such a system 1250 may be used in a method of removing a blood clot 1330 from a blood vessel 1252 of an animal, the method comprising the steps of: a) providing the system 1250; b) pushing the proximal bumper 1324 against the proximal body proximal junction 1272 preferably within a catheter so that the system 1250 is positioned in the blood vessel 1252 with the proximal body proximal junction 1272 proximal to the blood clot 1330 and the distal body distal end 1296 distal to the blood clot 1330; c) deploying the proximal body 1262 and distal body 1286 from the catheter and allowing the height 1278 and 1300 and width of the proximal body 1262 and distal body 1286 to increase (as shown in FIG. 37); d)p ulling the pull wire 1254 proximally so that the thin segment 1326 of the pull wire 1254 moves proximally within the tube interior and the distal body 1286 moves from the deployed configuration to the retracted configuration (as shown in FIG. 38); and e) pulling the pull wire 1254 proximally so that the distal bumper 1328 of the pull wire 1254 moves against the proximal body proximal junction 1272 so that the proximal body 1262, the blood clot 1330 and the distal body 1286 move proximally out of the blood vessel 1252 (as shown in FIG. 39).

[00134] In a second design, illustrated in FIGs. 40-41, the system 1250 further comprises a tube/coaxial sheath 1332 surrounding a segment of the pull wire 1254, the tube 1332 comprising an interior comprising the segment of the pull wire 1254, a tube proximal end 1334, and a tube distal end 1336 attached to the proximal body proximal junction 1272, and optionally the distal body 1286 and the distal end 1258 of the pull wire 1254 are configured to move proximally toward the proximal body proximal end 1270 and the tube 1332 when the distal body 1286 moves from the deployed configuration to the retracted configuration. In an exemplary embodiment, the tube 1336 is braided catheter. Optionally, as shown in FIGs. 40-41, the pull wire 1254 and the tube 1332 are each attached to a handle 1338, the handle 1338 further comprising a moveable slide 1340, and moving the moveable slide 1340 proximally is configured to move the distal body 1286 from the deployed configuration to the retracted configuration. Optionally, as shown in FIGs. 40-41, the handle 1338 further comprises a slot 1342, and moving the moveable slide 1340 proximally by a distance 1344 within the slot 1342 is configured to move the distal body proximal junction 1272 the same distance (denoted by numeral 1346) toward the proximal body proximal junction 1294. In such a design, the proximal body 1262 (and the tube 1332) are said to be free floating with respect to a segment of the pull wire 1254 because they preferably do not move when the pull wire 1254 is moved a certain distance proximally, namely, the distance 1344 that the moveable slide 1340 is moveable proximally within the slot 1342. Such a system 1250 may be used in a method of removing a blood clot 1330 from a blood vessel 1252 of an animal the method comprising the steps of: a) providing the system 1250; b) positioning the system 1250 in the blood vessel 1252 preferably in a catheter so that the proximal body proximal junction 1272 is proximal to the blood clot 1330 and the distal body distal end 1296 is distal to the blood clot 1330; c) deploying the system 1250 from a catheter and allowing the height 1278 and 1300 and width of the proximal body 1262 and distal body 1286 to increase; d) moving the moveable slide 1340 (which may be in the form of a knob or other protrusion) proximally (e.g., with a surgeon’s finger) to move the distal body 1286 from the deployed configuration to the retracted configuration (as shown in FIG. 41); e) moving the proximal body 1262, the blood clot 1330 and the distal body 1286 proximally out of the blood vessel 1252. The tube 316 optionally has a length of at least 50 centimeters (cm), e.g., about 50 cm to about 300 cm, so that the coaxial sheath 316 can be moved by the surgeon outside of the patient’s body.

[00135] The below optional features may be utilized in either design unless otherwise noted. For example, optionally, pulling the pull wire 1254 proximally is configured to move the distal body 1286 from the deployed configuration to the retracted configuration.

Optionally, the proximal body interior 1266 and/or distal body interior 1288 are substantially hollow, as shown in FIGs. 34-35 and 37-41. Optionally, as shown in FIGs. 34-35 and 37-41, the proximal body 1262 and the distal body 1286 are in the form of baskets. Optionally, the proximal body 1262, in the relaxed state, comprises a plurality of free distal crowns 1312 located at the distal end 1274 of the proximal body 1262 on the proximal body perimeter 1268, the plurality of free distal crowns 1312 forming the proximal body open distal end 1274, as shown in FIGs. 34-35 and 37-41. Optionally, at least some, preferably all, of the plurality of free distal crowns 1312 located at the distal end 1274 of the proximal body 1262 comprise an x-ray marker. Optionally, the proximal junction 1272 of the proximal body 1262 and the proximal junction 1294 of the distal body 1286 each are in the form of a tube. Optionally, in the relaxed state, the proximal body 1262 and the distal body 1286 do not have any free proximal crowns pointing generally in the proximal direction in order to prevent damage to the vessel 1252. Optionally, when moving from the deployed configuration to the retracted configuration, the distal body 1286 moves between about 0.5 centimeters to about 2 centimeters toward the proximal body 1262. Preferably, the movement of the distal body 1286 from the deployed configuration to the retracted configuration takes place in a straight blood vessel 1252. Optionally, the distance between the proximal body distal end 1272 and the distal body proximal junction 1292 in the deployed configuration is sufficient to allow a clot 1330 to be located between the proximal body distal end 1272 and the distal body proximal junction 1292 (e.g., about 5 millimeters to about 25 millimeters), as shown in FIG. 140.

[00136] Optionally, the distal body 1286 may include the same features as described with distal bodies elsewhere herein (including FIGs. 11-20) as well as in FIGs. 90-122 of U.S. Patent No. 10,258,358, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. For example, as shown in FIGs. 33-41, some cells 1322 of the framework 1302 of the distal body 1286 are larger than other cells of the framework 1302 of the distal body 1286 and are configured to allow a blood clot 1330 to pass therethrough into the distal body interior 1288. Optionally, as shown in FIGs. 34-35 and 37-41, the distal body distal end 1296 comprises a distal body distal junction 1316, at least some of the memory metal strips 1306 are located at a distal end of the framework 1302 of the distal body 1286, each of the memory metal strips 1306 located at the distal end of the framework 1302 of the distal body 1286 have a distal end, and each of the distal ends of the memory metal strips 1306 located at the distal end of the framework 1302 of the distal body 1286 converge at, and are attached to, the distal body distal junction 1316. Optionally, the distal body 1286, in the relaxed state, comprises atapered region in which the distal body height 1300 and the distal body width decrease as the distal ends of the memory metal strips 1306 located at the distal end of the framework 1302 of the distal body 1286 approach the distal body distal junction 1316. Optionally, the system 1250 further comprises a lead wire 1318 extending distally from the distal body distal junction 1316. Optionally, the distal body 1286 further comprises a plurality of proximal strips 1348, each distal body proximal strip 1348 having a distal end 1352 attached to a proximal crown 1354 of a cell 1304 of the distal body 1286 and a proximal end 1350, the proximal ends 1350 of the proximal strips 1348 of the distal body 1286 converging at the distal body proximal junction 1294. Similarly, optionally, the proximal body 1262 further comprises a plurality of proximal strips also labelled 1348, each proximal body proximal strip 1348 having a distal end 1352 attached to a proximal crown 1354 of a cell of the proximal body 1262 and a proximal end 1350, the proximal ends 1350 of the proximal strips 1348 of the proximal body 1262 converging at the proximal body proximal junction 1272. Optionally, in the relaxed state, the framework 1302 of the distal body 1286 comprises a plurality of free distal crowns 1314 pointing generally in the distal direction, as seen in FIGs. 40-41, and does not have any free proximal crowns pointing generally in the proximal direction. The plurality of free distal crowns 1314 may include x-ray markers. Optionally, the plurality of cells 1304 of the framework 1302 of the distal body 1286 are spaced about the distal body perimeter 1290. (Optionally, the plurality of cells 1282 of the framework 1280 of the proximal body 1262 are also spaced about the proximal body perimeter 1268). Optionally, though not shown, the distal body 1286 includes a plurality of woven linear strands, as described in U.S. Patent No. 10,258,358. As described in U.S. Patent No. 10,258,358, such woven linear strands may, for example, create a distal body inner body located in the distal body interior 1288 and prevent captured clot 1330 from escaping out of the distal body distal end 1296. As mentioned above, optionally, in the relaxed state, the distal body 1286 includes free distal crowns 1314 that generally point in the distal direction and optionally include x-ray markers, as previously described with reference to FIGs. 11-20 above, and in FIGs. 90-122 of U.S. Patent No. 10,258,358. Optionally, in the relaxed state, the framework 1302 of the distal body 1286 comprises a first pair of distal crowns 1314 not attached to another cell 1304 of the framework 1302 and pointing generally in the distal direction, the distal crowns 1314 in the first pair of distal crowns located approximately the same distance from the distal body proximal end 1292 and located between 150 degrees and 180 degrees relative to each other, as seen in FIGs. 40- 41. Optionally, though not shown, the framework 1302 of the distal body 1286 further comprises a second pair of distal crowns not attached to another cell of the framework 1302 and pointing generally in the distal direction, the second pair of distal crowns located distally relative to the first pair of distal crowns 1314, each of the distal crowns in the second pair of distal crowns located between 60 degrees and 90 degrees relative to a distal crown 1314 in the first pair of distal crowns, the distal crowns in the second pair of distal crowns located approximately the same distance from the distal body proximal end 1292, each of the distal crowns forming a portion of a different enlarged cell 1322 having a center. Optionally the centers of the enlarged cells 1322 of the first pair of distal crowns 1314 are between 150 degrees and 180 degrees relative to each other and between 60 degrees and 90 degrees relative to the centers of the enlarged cells of the second pair of distal crowns. Optionally, the enlarged cells 1322 are configured to allow a thrombus 1330 to pass therethrough and into the distal body interior 1288.

[00137] Optionally, (though not shown) the system 1250 further comprises a catheter having an interior, a proximal end leading to the interior and a distal end leading to the interior, the catheter 1250 comprised of a biocompatible material and configured to envelop the distal body 1286 and the proximal body 1262 when the distal body 1286 and the proximal body 1262 are in the collapsed state.

[00138] Optionally, as shown in FIGs. 34-35 and 37-41, in the relaxed state, the proximal body proximal junction 1272 is located approximately in the center of the proximal body height 1278 and width and the distal body proximal junction 1294 and the distal body distal junction 1316 are located approximately in the center of the distal body height 1300 and width. Optionally, as shown in FIGs. 34-35 and 37-41, the proximal body height 1278, the proximal body width and the distal body height 1300 and the distal body width in the relaxed state are substantially the same.

[00139] The Embodiments of FIGs. 42-44

[00140] FIGs. 42-44 illustrate a system 1250’ for removing a blood clot 1330 from a human blood vessel 1252 that is similar to the embodiments shown in FIGs. 33-41.

[00141] The system 1250’ of FIGs. 42-44 includes a distal body 1286 that may include one or more of the features discussed with respect to FIGs. 1-41 above or FIGs. 1-144 of U.S. Patent No. 10,258,358, for example. Alternatively, the distal body 1286 may be a stent- retriever commercially available from another manufacturer such as the TREVO or

SOLITAIRE.

[00142] The system 1250’ of FIGs. 42-44 further includes a pull wire 1256 attached to the distal body 1286. The pull wire 1256 may include one or more of the features discussed with respect to FIGs. 1-41 above or FIGs. 1-144 of U.S. Patent No. 10,258,358, for example . In some embodiments, the pull wire 1256 is an extra long (exchange length) pull wire in which case the pull wire 1256 has a length of at least about 280 centimeters and the pull wire 1256 has a width of no more than about 0.014 inches, as described in U.S. Patent No.

10,258,358, for example. [00143] The system 1250’ of FIGs. 42-44 further includes a proximal body 1262 that may include one or more of the features discussed with respect to FIGs. 33-41. In FIGs. 42 and 43C, the proximal body 1262 is shown with a film 1370, which is optional. The film 1370, if included, may be impermeable or permeable to red blood cells as described in U.S. Patent No. 10,258,358, for example .

[00144] Like FIGs. 40-41, the proximal body 1262 of the system 1250’ of FIGs. 42-44 may be permanently attached to a distal end 1360 of a tube (designated in FIGs. 42-44 as the inner tube 1356). However, unlike, FIGs. 40-41, the inner tube 1356 of FIGs. 42-44 is not attached to a handle with a moveable slide but instead is itself grasped and manipulated by the surgeon. Preferably, the inner tube 1356 is flexible (in order to navigate tortuous blood vessels) and is long enough (e.g., at least 50 centimeters in length, e.g., between about 50 and 300 centimeters) so that the inner tube proximal end 1358 is located outside of the human’s body when the distal body 1286 is located in an intracranial blood vessel 1252.

[00145] The system of FIGs. 42-44 further includes an outer tube 1362, which serves as the delivery tube, for delivering the proximal body 1262 and inner tube 1356 to a blood vessel 1252. The outer tube 1362 has a proximal end 1364 and a distal end 1366 and is flexible (in order to navigate tortuous blood vessels).

[00146] An exemplary method of use is shown in FIGs. 43A-43C. The distal body 1286, which is attached to a pull wire 1254, is deployed from a distal end 1369 of a guide catheter 1368 distal to the blood clot 1330. See FIG. 43A. The surgeon then moves the outer tube 1362, which contains the inner tube 1356 and the collapsed proximal body 1262, through the same guide catheter 1368 distally over the pull wire 1254. See FIG. 43B. (Thus, the surgeon moves the outer tube 1362, the inner tube 1356 and proximal body 1262 as a single unit distally over the pull wire 1254). The surgeon then moves the outer tube 1362 proximally to deploy the inner tube 1356 and proximal body 1262 out of the outer tube distal end 1366. The proximal body 1262 moves to the relaxed state. See FIG. 43C. The surgeon then moves the distal body 1286 proximally toward the proximal body 1262 while keeping the proximal body 1262 (and attached inner tube 1356) stationary to capture the clot 1330. See FIG. 43D.

[00147] It will be appreciated that, as with FIGs. 33-41, the system 1250’ of FIGs. 42- 44 includes a proximal body 1262 that is i) free floating over the pull wire 1254 and ii) moved by a tube (inner tube 1356), and a distal body 1286 that is attached to and moves with the pull wire 1254. An advantage of the system 1250’ of FIGs. 42-44 is that no handle or bumpers are needed, and the proximal body 1262 is deployed after the distal body 1286 is deployed, allowing the surgeon to use the proximal body 1262 as an optional, independently- deployed accessory to the distal body 1286, e.g., in the case of a clot 1330 that is particularly difficult to remove. Also, the proximal body 1262 of FIGs. 42-44 may be deployed well proximal to the distal body 1286, e.g., the proximal body 1262 may be deployed in the carotid artery and the distal body 1286 may be deployed in a small intracranial blood vessel. As a result, in the relaxed state, the width and height 1278 of the proximal body 1262 (as measured at the maximum width and height of the proximal body 1262) may be greater (e.g., at least 0.5 millimeters greater) than the width and height 1300 of the distal body 1286 (as measured at the maximum width and height of the distal body 1286).

[00148] Exemplary relative lengths and positions of the pull wire 1254, inner tube 1356, outer tube 1362 and guide catheter 1368 are shown in FIG. 44. It will be observed that the length of the pull wire 1254 is greater than the length of the inner tube 1356 which is greater than the length of the outer tube 1362 which is greater than the length of the guide catheter 1368 to enable the surgeon to grasp and manipulate the pull wire 1254, inner tube 1356, outer tube 1362, and guide catheter 1368 individually. As shown in FIG. 44, the guide catheter 1368 includes a proximal end 1371.

[00149] It will be appreciated that the outer tube 1362 is attached to neither the distal body 1286 nor the proximal body 1262 and the outer tube 1362 is freely moveable toward and away from the proximal body proximal end 1270 and the distal body proximal junction 1294 and that movement of the outer tube 1362 over the proximal body 1262 is configured to move the proximal body 1262 from the relaxed state to the collapsed state. It will also be appreciated that pulling the pull wire 1254 proximally automatically moves the distal body 1286 but not the proximal body 1262 proximally (at least until distal body 1286 engages the proximal body 1262) since the pull wire 1254 is attached to the distal body 1286 but is not attached to the proximal body 1262. It will also be appreciated that pushing the pull wire 1254 distally automatically moves the distal body 1286 but not the proximal body 1262 distally since the pull wire 1254 is attached to the distal body 1286 but is not attached to the proximal body 1262. It will also be appreciated that pulling the inner tube 1356 proximally automatically moves the proximal body 1262 but not the distal body 1286 proximally since the inner tube 1356 is attached to the proximal body 1262 but is not attached the distal body 1286. It will also be appreciated that pushing the inner tube 1356 distally automatically moves the proximal body 1262 but not the distal body 1286 distally since the inner tube 1356 is attached to the proximal body 1262 but is not attached the distal body 1286.

[00150] The inner tube 1356 may be attached to the proximal body 1262 by any suitable method, e.g., welding or soldering, or the inner tube 1356 may be integral with the proximal body 1262. For example, the inner tube 1356 may be a braided catheter and the braids may form the proximal body 1262.

[00151] Part List for FIGs. 33-44

[00152] Having now described the invention in accordance with the requirements of the patent statutes, those skilled in the art will understand how to make changes and modifications to the disclosed embodiments to meet their specific requirements or conditions. Changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention, as defined and limited solely by the following claims. In particular, although the system has been exemplified for use in retrieving blood clots, the system may be used to retrieve other objects from animal lumens. In addition, the steps of any method described herein may be performed in any suitable order and steps may be performed simultaneously if needed.

[00153] Terms of degree such as "substantially", "about" and "approximately" as used herein mean a reasonable amount of deviation of the modified term such that the end result is not significantly changed. For example, these terms can be construed as including a deviation of at least ± 5% of the modified term if this deviation would not negate the meaning of the word it modifies.