Catheter-delivered endovascular devices

BACKGROUND

RELATED APPLICATIONS

TECHNICAL FIELD

0001The present invention relates to a deployable catheter-delivered endovascular device for removing a blood clot or other object from a lumen of an animal.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

0002Acute 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.

0003The 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 corners exposed to the endothelial layer of the vessel wall.

0004Currently 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.

0005The 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.

0006The 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.

0007Thus, 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.

0008In 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

0009The present invention provides a catheter-delivered endovascular device as claimed in claim 1. Preferred embodiments of this device are claimed in dependent claims 2-18.

0010The present disclosure also provides a number of methods, all of which are not according to the invention and concern 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: <ol id="ol0001" compact="compact"><li>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;</li><li>b) positioning the system in the lumen;</li><li>c) deploying the distal body from the distal end of the catheter;</li><li>d) allowing the height and width of said distal body to increase; and</li><li>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.</li></ol>

0011The present disclosure also provides a method of manufacturing a system for removing objects within an interior lumen of an animal. In some embodiments, the method includes: <ol id="ol0002" compact="compact"><li>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;</li><li>b) cutting the wall of the middle portion with a laser;</li><li>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;</li><li>d) altering the shape of the middle portion;</li><li>e) allowing the middle portion to expand relative to the distal tube and the proximal tube;</li><li>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</li><li>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.</li></ol>

0012Optionally, 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 0.279 mm to about 1.372 mm (0.011 inches to about 0.054 inches) and an inner diameter that is from about 0.20 mm to about 1.29 mm (0.008 inches to about 0.051 inches).

0013The present disclosure provides a system for removing objects from an interior lumen of an animal that includes: <ul id="ul0001" list-style="none" compact="compact"><li>a pull wire having a proximal end and a distal end;</li><li>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</li><li>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,</li><li>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.</li></ul>

0014Optionally, 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 not according to the invention of removing a blood clot from a blood vessel of an animal the method comprising the steps of: <ol id="ol0003" compact="compact"><li>a) providing the system;</li><li>b) positioning the system in the lumen;</li><li>c) deploying the distal body from the distal end of the catheter;</li><li>d) allowing the height and width of the distal body to increase;</li><li>e) irradiating the distal body with x-rays;</li><li>f) moving the clot into the distal basket interior; and</li><li>g) moving the distal body proximally out of the blood vessel.</li></ol>

0015Optionally, 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.

0016A system could include: <ul id="ul0002" list-style="none" compact="compact"><li>a pull wire having a proximal end and a distal end;</li><li>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</li><li>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,</li><li>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 (+/-) 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 (+/-) 0.5 mm from the proximal hub/junction. Optionally, instead of a distal hub/junction, the basket includes an open distal end.</li></ul>

0017Optionally, 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.

0018Optionally, the system is used in a method not according to the invention of removing a blood clot from a blood vessel of an animal the method comprising the steps of: <ol id="ol0004" compact="compact"><li>a) providing the system;</li><li>b) positioning the system in the lumen;</li><li>c) deploying the distal body from the distal end of the catheter;</li><li>d) allowing the height and width of the distal body to increase;</li><li>e) irradiating the distal body with x-rays;</li><li>f) moving the clot into the distal basket interior; and</li><li>g) moving the distal body proximally out of the blood vessel.</li></ol>

0019Optionally, the method further comprises irradiating the distal body with x-rays at at least two different angles.

0020The present disclosure provides a method of manufacturing a medical device comprising: <ol id="ol0005" compact="compact"><li>a) providing a first tube comprised of a memory metal, the first tube having a first tube exterior, a first tube hollow interior, a first tube wall separating the first tube exterior from the first tube hollow interior, a first tube proximal end comprising a first tube proximal aperture leading to the first tube hollow interior, a first tube distal end comprising a first tube distal aperture leading to the first tube hollow interior, a first tube length extending from the first tube proximal end to the first tube distal end, a first tube perimeter generally perpendicular to the first tube length, a first tube outer width generally perpendicular to the first tube length, and a middle portion between the first tube proximal end and the first tube distal end, the middle portion having a middle portion width generally parallel to the first tube outer width;</li><li>b) using a cutting instrument to cut portions of the first tube wall and form i) a matrix in the middle portion comprising a plurality of middle portion memory metal strips forming a plurality of cells; ii) a plurality of proximal memory metal strips, each proximal memory metal strip having a proximal memory metal strip proximal end, a proximal memory metal strip distal end connected to a cell of the middle portion and a proximal memory metal strip length extending from the proximal memory metal strip proximal end to the proximal memory metal strip distal end; iii) a plurality of proximal longitudinal perforations, the plurality of longitudinal perforations non-contiguous and located in a proximal segment of each respective proximal memory metal strip and extending generally along the first tube length, a plurality of proximal longitudinal gaps, each proximal longitudinal gap separating adjacent proximal longitudinal perforations and formed from uncut portions of the first tube wall, the plurality of proximal longitudinal gaps and plurality of proximal longitudinal perforations forming first and second longitudinal sides of each proximal segment, wherein a proximal longitudinal tab is located between and connects adjacent proximal segments of adjacent proximal memory metal strips and is formed from uncut portions of the first tube wall;</li><li>c) shape setting at least the middle portion to expand the width of the middle portion;</li><li>d) after step c), polishing the first tube, wherein said polishing expands the plurality of proximal longitudinal perforations so that the proximal longitudinal gaps become smaller and adjacent proximal longitudinal perforations approach each other;</li><li>e) tearing along the plurality of proximal longitudinal perforations to free the proximal segments from the proximal longitudinal tabs and each other;</li><li>f) joining the free proximal segments of the proximal memory metal strips to form a medical device comprised of the joined proximal segments of the proximal memory metal strips, and the shape set middle portion, the medical device having a medical device length extending at least from the shape set middle portion to at least the joined proximal segments of the proximal memory metal strips and a medical device width generally perpendicular to the medical device length; and</li><li>g) inserting the medical device into a catheter comprising a catheter interior having an interior width, an open catheter proximal end leading to the catheter interior, an open catheter distal end leading to the catheter interior, the catheter comprised of a biocompatible material, wherein the medical device comprises a collapsed state wherein the medical device width is less than the catheter interior width and an expanded state wherein the medical device width is greater than the catheter interior width, wherein the catheter is configured to envelope the medical device when the medical device is in the collapsed state, and further wherein the catheter interior width is less than the first tube outer width.</li></ol>

0021Optionally, the first tube is generally cylindrical in shape and comprises a first tube outer diameter forming said first tube width, wherein said catheter is generally cylindrical in shape and comprises a catheter inner diameter forming said catheter interior width, wherein said step of joining the free proximal segments of the proximal memory metal strips comprises attaching the free proximal segments of the proximal memory metal strips to a second tube, the second tube generally cylindrical in shape and comprising a second tube outer diameter, wherein said second tube outer diameter is less than said first tube outer diameter and less than said catheter inner diameter. Optionally, the second tube comprises a coil system, said coil system comprising a pull wire and at least one coil surrounding the pull wire. Optionally, step f) comprises attaching the proximal segments of the proximal memory metal strips to the coil system between the pull wire and the at least one coil. Optionally, said coil system comprises a proximal coil and a distal coil separated by a longitudinal space and said step f) comprises attaching the proximal segments of the proximal memory metal strips to the proximal and distal coils by a solder at the longitudinal space. Optionally, said pull wire comprises a pull wire proximal end, a pull wire distal end, a pull wire length extending from the pull wire proximal end to the pull wire distal end and a pull wire width generally perpendicular to the pull wire length and further wherein said pull wire width comprises a segment in which the pull wire width tapers along the pull wire length. Optionally, step b) further comprises using the cutting instrument to form iv) a plurality of distal memory metal strips, each distal memory metal strip having a distal memory metal strip distal end, a distal memory metal strip proximal end connected to a cell of the middle portion and a distal memory metal strip length extending from the distal memory metal strip proximal end to the distal memory metal strip distal end; v) a plurality of distal longitudinal perforations, the distal longitudinal perforations non-contiguous and located in a distal segment of each respective distal memory metal strip and extending generally along the first tube length, a plurality of distal longitudinal gaps, each distal longitudinal gap separating adjacent distal longitudinal perforations and formed from uncut portions of the first tube wall, the plurality of distal longitudinal gaps and plurality of distal longitudinal perforations forming first and second longitudinal sides of each distal segment, and a plurality of distal longitudinal tabs connecting adjacent distal segments of adjacent distal memory metal strips and formed from uncut portions of the first tube wall; wherein said polishing expands the plurality of distal longitudinal perforations so that the distal longitudinal gaps become smaller and adjacent distal longitudinal perforations approach each other; wherein step e) further comprises tearing along the plurality of distal longitudinal perforations to free the distal segments from the distal longitudinal tabs and each other; wherein step f) further comprises joining the free distal segments of the distal memory metal strips to form a medical device comprised of the joined proximal segments of the proximal memory metal strips, the joined distal segments of the distal memory metal strips, and the shape set middle portion, the medical device having a medical device length extending at least from the joined distal segments of the distal memory metal strips to at least the joined proximal segments of the proximal memory metal strips and a medical device width generally perpendicular to the medical device length. Optionally, said step of joining the free distal segments of the distal memory metal strips comprises attaching the free distal segments of the distal memory metal strips to a third tube, the third tube generally cylindrical in shape and comprising a third tube outer diameter, wherein said third tube outer diameter is less than said first tube outer diameter and less than said catheter inner diameter. Optionally, step b) further comprises using the cutting instrument to cut portions of the first tube wall and form a plurality of proximal perimeter perforations, the plurality of proximal perimeter perforations located adjacent to the first tube proximal end, spaced about the perimeter of the first tube and a plurality proximal perimeter gaps, each proximal perimeter gap separating adjacent proximal perimeter perforations and formed from uncut portions of the first tube wall, the plurality of proximal perimeter perforations and the proximal perimeter gaps defining a proximal end tab located at the proximal end of the first tube, wherein the proximal end of each proximal memory metal strip is connected to the proximal end tab, wherein the proximal end tab connects the proximal ends of the proximal memory metal strips, wherein said polishing expands the plurality of proximal perimeter perforations so that the proximal perimeter gaps become smaller and adjacent proximal perimeter perforations approach each other and step e) further comprises tearing along the plurality of proximal perimeter perforations to free the proximal ends of the proximal memory metal strips from the proximal end tab and each other. Optionally, the first tube is generally cylindrical in shape and comprises a first tube outer diameter and a first tube circumference and further wherein the proximal perimeter perforations are arranged in a generally straight line about the circumference of the first tube and the distal perimeter perforations are arranged in a generally straight line about the circumference of the first tube. Optionally step b) further comprises using the cutting instrument to cut portions of the first tube wall and form a plurality of distal perimeter perforations, the plurality of distal perimeter perforations located adjacent to the first tube distal end, spaced about the perimeter of the first tube and a plurality of distal perimeter gaps, each distal perimeter gap separating adjacent distal perimeter perforations and formed from uncut portions of the first tube wall, the plurality of distal perimeter perforations and the distal perimeter gaps defining a distal end tab located at the distal end of the first tube, wherein the distal end of each distal memory metal strip is connected to the distal end tab, wherein the distal end tab connects the distal ends of the distal memory metal strips, wherein said polishing expands the plurality of distal perimeter perforations so that the distal perimeter gaps become smaller and adjacent distal perimeter perforations approach each other and step e) further comprises tearing along the plurality of distal perimeter perforations to free the distal ends of the distal memory metal strips from the distal end tab and each other. Optionally, the method further comprises connecting the joined proximal memory metal strips to a pull wire. Optionally, said proximal memory metal strips comprise a width generally perpendicular to the first tube length and further wherein said widths of said proximal memory metal strips taper as the proximal memory metal strips approach the proximal end of the first tube. Optionally, after step d), the plurality of proximal longitudinal perforations become nearly continuous. Optionally, said polishing the first tube comprises electropolishing the first tube. Optionally, said middle portion memory metal strips of said shape set middle portion form a basket comprising a basket interior and a basket length generally parallel to the medical device length. Optionally, in the expanded state, the basket is configured to capture a foreign object in an interior lumen of an animal. Optionally, in the expanded state, the medical device width is less than the medical device length. Optionally, said catheter interior width is at least 0.0254 mm (0.001 inches) less than said first tube outer width. Optionally, after step e), the proximal memory metal strips comprise a smooth periphery. Optionally, in step b), each distal end of each proximal memory metal strip is connected to a proximal crown of a cell of the middle portion.

0022The present disclosure provides a method of manufacturing a medical device comprising: <ol id="ol0006" compact="compact"><li>a) providing a first tube comprised of a memory metal, the first tube generally cylindrical in shape having a first tube exterior, a first tube hollow interior, a first tube wall separating the first tube exterior from the first tube hollow interior, a first tube proximal end comprising a first tube proximal aperture leading to the first tube hollow interior, a first tube distal end comprising a first tube distal aperture leading to the first tube hollow interior, a first tube length extending from the first tube proximal end to the first tube distal end, a first tube circumference generally perpendicular to the first tube length, a first tube outer diameter generally perpendicular to the first tube length, and a middle portion between the first tube proximal end and the first tube distal end, the middle portion having a middle portion width generally parallel to the first tube width;</li><li>b) using a cutting instrument to cut portions of the first tube wall and form a matrix in the middle portion comprising a plurality of middle portion memory metal strips and a plurality of perforations located adjacent to the proximal and distal ends of the first tube, wherein the plurality of perforations are non-contiguous and each adjacent perforation is separated by a gap formed of uncut portions of the first tube wall;</li><li>c) shape setting at least the middle portion to expand the width of the middle portion;</li><li>d) after step c), expanding the plurality of perforations so that adj acent perforations approach each other;</li><li>e) tearing along the plurality of perforations to remove at least a portion of the proximal end and at least a portion of the distal end of the first tube and form a medical device comprised of a plurality of proximal memory metal strips, a plurality of distal memory metal strips, and the shape set middle portion, the medical device having a length extending from at least the plurality of proximal memory metal strips to at least the plurality of distal memory metal strips and a medical device width perpendicular to the medical device length;</li><li>f) joining the proximal memory metal strips by attaching the proximal memory metal strips to a second tube, the second tube generally cylindrical in shape and comprising a second tube outer diameter and joining the distal memory metal strips by attaching the distal memory metal strips to a third tube, the third tube generally cylindrical in shape and comprising a third tube outer diameter; and</li><li>g) inserting the medical device into a catheter generally cylindrical in shape comprising a catheter interior having an inner diameter, an open catheter proximal end leading to the catheter interior, an open catheter distal end leading to the catheter interior, the catheter comprised of a biocompatible material, wherein the medical device comprises a collapsed state wherein the medical device width is less than the catheter inner diameter and an expanded state wherein the medical device width is greater than the catheter inner diameter, wherein the catheter is configured to envelope the medical device when the medical device is in the collapsed state, wherein the catheter inner diameter is less than the first tube outer diameter, and further wherein said second tube outer diameter and said third tube outer diameter are less than said first tube outer diameter and less than said catheter inner diameter.</li></ol>

0023In addition, the method may include one or more steps described with the method of manufacturing described above, including without limitation the method of attaching to a coil and a pull wire, the method of forming the longitudinal and perimeter perforations and tabs described above, and the method of forming the basket.

0024In yet still further embodiments, the present disclosure provides a method of manufacturing a medical device comprising: <ul id="ul0003" list-style="none" compact="compact"><li>a) providing a first tube comprised of a memory metal, the first tube having a first tube exterior, a first tube hollow interior, a first tube wall separating the first tube exterior from the first tube hollow interior, a first tube proximal end comprising a first tube proximal aperture leading to the first tube hollow interior, a first tube distal end comprising a first tube distal aperture leading to the first tube hollow interior, a first tube length extending from the first tube proximal end to the first tube distal end, a first tube perimeter generally perpendicular to the first tube length, a first tube outer width generally perpendicular to the first tube length, and a middle portion between the first tube proximal end and the first tube distal end, the middle portion having a middle portion width generally parallel to the first tube width;</li><li>b) using a cutting instrument to cut portions of the first tube wall and form i) a matrix in the middle portion comprising a plurality of middle portion memory metal strips forming a plurality of cells; ii) a plurality of proximal memory metal strips, each proximal memory metal strip having a proximal memory metal strip proximal end, a proximal memory metal strip distal end connected to a cell of the middle portion and a proximal memory metal strip length extending from the proximal memory metal strip proximal end to the proximal memory metal strip distal end; iii) a plurality of proximal longitudinal perforations, the plurality of longitudinal perforations non-contiguous and located in a proximal segment of each respective proximal memory metal strip and extending generally along the first tube length, a plurality of proximal longitudinal gaps, each proximal longitudinal gap separating adjacent proximal longitudinal perforations and formed from uncut portions of the first tube wall, the plurality of proximal longitudinal gaps and plurality of proximal longitudinal perforations forming first and second longitudinal sides of each proximal segment, wherein a proximal longitudinal tab is located between and connects adjacent proximal segments of proximal memory metal strips and is formed from uncut portions of the first tube wall;</li><li>c) shape setting at least the middle portion to expand the width of the middle portion;</li><li>d) after step c), polishing the first tube, wherein said polishing expands the plurality of proximal longitudinal perforations so that the proximal longitudinal gaps become smaller and adjacent proximal longitudinal perforations approach each other;</li><li>e) tearing along the plurality of proximal longitudinal perforations to free the proximal segments from the proximal longitudinal tabs and each other;</li><li>f) joining the free proximal segments of the proximal memory metal strips by attaching the proximal memory metal strips to a second tube having a second tube outer width to form a medical device comprised of the joined proximal segments of the proximal memory metal strips, and the shape set middle portion, the medical device having a medical device length extending at least from the shape set middle portion to at least the joined proximal segments of the proximal memory metal strips and a medical device width generally perpendicular to the medical device length; and</li><li>g) inserting the medical device into a catheter comprising a catheter interior having an interior width, an open catheter proximal end leading to the catheter interior, an open catheter distal end leading to the catheter interior, the catheter comprised of a biocompatible material, wherein the medical device comprises a collapsed state wherein the medical device width is less than the catheter interior width and an expanded state wherein the medical device width is greater than the catheter interior width, wherein the catheter is configured to envelope the medical device when the medical device is in the collapsed state, and further wherein the second tube outer width is less than the first tube outer width.</li></ul>

0025In addition, the method may include one or more steps described with the method of manufacturing described above, including without limitation the method of attaching to a coil and a pull wire, the method of forming the perimeter perforations and tabs described above, and the shape set middle portion may be a basket.

0026Optionally, the claimed device has two basket connector tether memory metal strips. Optionally, in the relaxed state, the basket connector tether memory metal strips each rotate at least about fifteen degrees in the same direction relative to the proximal basket longitudinal axis and the distal basket longitudinal axis. Optionally, in the collapsed state, the distal end of a first basket connector tether memory metal strip is located between about 90 degrees and about 270 degrees relative to the proximal end of the first basket connector tether memory metal strip, and further wherein in the collapsed state, the distal end of a second basket connector tether memory metal strip is located between about 90 degrees and about 270 degrees relative to the proximal end of the second connector tether memory metal strip. Optionally, in the relaxed state, the height of the proximal basket is greater than the height of the distal basket and further wherein the width of the proximal basket is greater than the width of the distal basket. Optionally, in the relaxed state, the radial force of the distal basket, as measured from the proximal crowns of the cells of the distal basket attached to the plurality of basket connector tether memory metal strips to the distal-most crown of the distal cells of the distal basket, is less than the radial force of the proximal basket, as measured from the proximal crowns of the cells of the proximal basket attached to the plurality of proximal memory metal strips to the distal crowns of the cells of the proximal basket attached to the plurality of basket connector tether memory metal strips. Optionally, in the relaxed state, the radial force of the proximal basket is substantially uniform from the proximal crowns of the cells of the proximal basket attached to the plurality of proximal memory metal strips to the distal crowns of the cells of the proximal basket attached to the plurality of basket connector tether memory metal strips. Optionally, in the relaxed state, the radial force of the distal basket is substantially uniform from the proximal crowns of the cells of the distal basket attached to the plurality of basket connector tether memory metal strips to the distal-most crown of the distal cells of the distal basket. Optionally, the proximal basket interior and the distal basket interior are generally hollow and the proximal basket cells are spaced about the circumference of the proximal basket and further wherein the distal basket cells are spaced about the circumference of the distal basket. Optionally, the basket connector tether memory metal strips do not traverse the system interior. Optionally, each of the distal crowns of the proximal basket connected to the basket connector tether memory metal strips are approximately the same distance from the proximal junction and further wherein each of the proximal crowns of the distal basket connected to the basket connector tether memory metal strips are approximately same distance from the distal junction. Optionally, each of the proximal crowns of the proximal basket and distal basket are connected to a memory metal strip extending proximally from the proximal crowns and each of the distal crowns of the proximal basket and distal basket are connected to a memory metal strip extending distally from the distal crowns. Optionally, the basket connector tether memory metal strips and the proximal tether memory metal strips form flex points of the deployable dual basket system. Optionally, in the collapsed state, the distal end of a first proximal tether memory metal strip is located between about 90 degrees and about 270 degrees relative to the proximal end of the first proximal tether memory metal strip, and further wherein in the collapsed state, the distal end of a second proximal tether memory metal strip is located between about 90 degrees and about 270 degrees relative to the proximal end of the second proximal tether memory metal strip. Optionally, the first and second proximal memory metal strips intersect adjacent and distal to the proximal junction. Optionally, the basket connector tether memory metal strips form the sole attachment of the proximal basket to the distal basket.

0027The present disclosure also provides a method not according to the invention of treating vasospasm using the catheter-delivered endovascular device to open a blood vessel. For example, the method may involve treating a human having a subarrachnoid hemorrhage induced vasospasm in a constricted blood vessel having a proximal region having a constricted height and a constricted width and a distal region having a constricted height and a constricted width, the method comprising the steps of: <ol id="ol0007" compact="compact"><li>a) providing the catheter-delivered endovascular device, wherein the distal basket and the proximal basket are in the collapsed state and located in the catheter interior;</li><li>b) positioning the deployable dual basket system in the blood vessel so that the distal end of the catheter is distal to the distal region of the blood vessel;</li><li>c) deploying the proximal basket and the distal basket from the distal end of the catheter into the distal region of the blood vessel;</li><li>d) allowing the height and width of the distal basket and the proximal basket to increase and cause the height and width of the distal region of the blood vessel to increase;</li><li>e) moving the deployable dual basket system proximally in the relaxed state within the blood vessel and into the proximal region to cause the height and width of the proximal region of the blood vessel to increase; and</li><li>f) withdrawing the deployable dual basket system from the blood vessel and out of the human.</li></ol>

0028Optionally, the blood vessel is lined with endothelium and the method comprises performing steps a) - f) without damaging the endothelium.

0029In still futher embodiments, the present disclosure provides a catheter-delivered endovascular device comprising: <ol id="ol0008" compact="compact"><li>a) a pull wire having a proximal end, a distal end and a pull wire longitudinal axis extending from the proximal end to the distal end;</li><li>b) a deployable dual basket system attached to the pull wire and comprising a system circumference separating a system interior from a system exterior, a system proximal end, a system distal end, a system height having a system height center, a system width perpendicular to the system height and having a system width center, a system longitudinal axis from the system proximal end to the system distal end and extending through the system height center and system width center, the deployable dual basket system comprising: <ol id="ol0009" compact="compact"><li>i) a proximal basket attached to the pull wire, the proximal basket comprising a proximal basket circumference separating a proximal basket interior from a proximal basket exterior, a proximal end forming the system proximal end, a distal end, a proximal basket height generally parallel to the system height, a proximal basket width generally parallel to the system width and perpendicular to the proximal basket height, a proximal basket longitudinal axis extending from the proximal basket proximal end to the distal end and generally parallel to the system longitudinal axis and generally perpendicular to the proximal basket height and proximal basket width, a proximal junction located at the proximal end of the proximal basket, a plurality of proximal cells distal to the proximal junction and defined by a plurality of proximal basket memory metal strips, each proximal cell comprising a proximal crown located at the proximal end of the proximal cell and pointing generally in the proximal direction and a distal crown located at the distal end of the proximal cell and pointing generally in the distal direction, a plurality of proximal tether memory metal strips located between the proximal junction and the proximal cells and connecting the proximal cells to the proximal junction, each proximal tether memory metal strip having a proximal end attached to the proximal junction, a distal end attached to a proximal crown of a proximal cell, the proximal basket having a relaxed state wherein the proximal basket has a first height and a collapsed state wherein the proximal basket has a second height, the second height less than the first height and the second width less than the first width; and</li><li>ii) a distal basket distal to the proximal basket and comprising a distal basket circumference separating a distal basket interior from a distal basket exterior, a proximal end, a distal end forming the system distal end, a distal basket height generally parallel to the system height, a distal basket width generally parallel to the system width and generally perpendicular to the distal basket height, a distal basket longitudinal axis extending from the distal basket proximal end to the distal end and generally parallel to the system longitudinal axis, a distal junction located at the distal end of the distal basket, a plurality of distal cells proximal to the distal junction and defined by a plurality of distal basket memory metal strips, each distal cell comprising a proximal crown located at the proximal end of the distal cell and pointing generally in the proximal direction and a distal crown located at the distal end of the distal cell and pointing generally in the distal direction, the distal basket having a relaxed state wherein the distal basket has a first height and a first width and a collapsed state wherein the distal basket has a second height and a second width, the second height less than the first height; and</li><li>iii) a plurality of basket connector tether memory metal strips located between the proximal basket and the distal basket and connecting the proximal basket to the distal basket and located between the proximal basket and the distal basket, each basket connector tether memory metal strip having a proximal end attached to a distal crown of a cell located at the distal end of the proximal basket and a distal end attached to a proximal crown of a cell located at the proximal end of the distal basket; and</li></ol></li><li>c) 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 deployable dual basket system when the proximal basket and distal basket are in the collapsed state,</li></ol>

0030Optionally, in the relaxed state, each basket connector tether memory metal strip rotates a degree of rotation about the system circumference relative to the proximal basket longitudinal axis, the distal basket longitudinal axis and the system longitudinal axis. Optionally, in the relaxed state, a distal crown of the proximal basket attached to the proximal end of a basket connector tether memory metal strip is offset about the system circumference relative to the proximal crown of the distal basket attached to the distal end of the same basket connector tether memory metal strip.

0031The present disclosure also provide a method not according to the invention of manufacturing a medical device comprising a proximal basket and a distal basket, the method comprising: <ol id="ol0010" compact="compact"><li>a) providing a first tube comprised of a memory metal, the first tube having a first tube exterior, a first tube hollow interior, a first tube wall separating the first tube exterior from the first tube hollow interior, a first tube proximal end comprising a first tube proximal aperture leading to the first tube hollow interior, a first tube distal end comprising a first tube distal aperture leading to the first tube hollow interior, a first tube length extending from the first tube proximal end to the first tube distal end, a first tube longitudinal axis generally parallel to the first tube length, a first tube perimeter generally perpendicular to the first tube length, a first tube outer width generally perpendicular to the first tube length, a proximal middle portion between the first tube proximal end and the first tube distal end, the proximal middle portion having a proximal middle portion width generally parallel to the first tube outer width, and a distal middle portion between the proximal middle portion and the distal middle portion;</li><li>b) using a cutting instrument to cut portions of the first tube wall and form a proximal matrix in the proximal middle portion comprising a plurality of proximal middle portion memory metal strips forming a plurality of proximal matrix cells, each proximal matrix cell having a proximal crown pointing generally in the proximal direction and a distal crown pointing generally in the distal direction and a proximal matrix cell length extending from the proximal crown to the distal crown and generally parallel to the first tube longitudinal axis; ii) a plurality of proximal tether memory metal strips, each proximal tether memory metal strip having a proximal tether memory metal strip proximal end, a proximal tether memory metal strip distal end connected to a proximal crown of a proximal matrix cell and a proximal tether memory metal strip length extending from the proximal tether memory metal strip proximal end to the proximal tether memory metal strip distal end, the proximal tether memory metal strips formed by moving the cutting instrument at an angle of between about 90 degrees and 270 degrees relative to the first tube longitudinal axis; iii) a distal matrix in the proximal middle portion comprising a plurality of distal middle portion memory metal strips forming a plurality of distal matrix cells, each distal matrix cell having a proximal crown pointing generally in the proximal direction and a distal crown pointing generally in the distal direction and a distal matrix cell length extending from the proximal crown to the distal crown and generally parallel to the first tube longitudinal axis; iv) a plurality of basket connector tether memory metal strips, each basket connector tether memory metal strip having a basket connector tether memory metal strip proximal end connected to a distal crown of a proximal matrix cell, a basket connector tether memory metal strip distal end connected to a proximal crown of a distal matrix cell and a basket connector tether memory metal strip length extending from the basket connector tether memory metal strip proximal end to the basket connector tether memory metal strip distal end, the basket connector tether memory metal strips formed by rotating the first tube about the first tube longitudinal axis relative to the cutting instrument so that the proximal end of a basket connector tether memory metal strip is located between about 90 degrees and about 270 degrees relative to the distal end of the same basket connector tether memory metal strip; and v) a plurality of proximal longitudinal perforations, the plurality of longitudinal perforations non-contiguous and located in a proximal segment of each respective proximal memory metal strip and extending generally along the first tube length, a plurality of proximal longitudinal gaps, each proximal longitudinal gap separating adjacent proximal longitudinal perforations and formed from uncut portions of the first tube wall, the plurality of proximal longitudinal gaps and plurality of proximal longitudinal perforations forming first and second longitudinal sides of each proximal segment, wherein a proximal longitudinal tab is located between and connects adjacent proximal segments of adjacent proximal memory metal strips and is formed from uncut portions of the first tube wall;</li><li>c) shape setting at least the proximal middle portion and the distal middle portion to expand the width of the proximal middle portion and the distal middle portion and form a proximal basket comprised of the proximal matrix cells and a distal basket comprised of the distal matrix cells, the proximal basket and the distal basket connected by the basket connector tether memory metal strips;</li><li>d) after step c), polishing the first tube, wherein said polishing expands the plurality of proximal longitudinal perforations so that the proximal longitudinal gaps become smaller and adjacent proximal longitudinal perforations approach each other;</li><li>e) tearing along the plurality of proximal longitudinal perforations to free the proximal segments from the proximal longitudinal tabs and each other;</li><li>f) joining the free proximal segments of the proximal tether memory metal strips to form a medical device comprised of the joined proximal segments of the proximal tether memory metal strips, the proximal basket, the basket connector tether memory metal strips and the distal basket, the medical device having a medical device length extending at least from the distal basket to at least the joined proximal segments of the proximal tether memory metal strips and a medical device width generally perpendicular to the medical device length; and</li><li>g) inserting the medical device into a catheter comprising a catheter interior having an interior width, an open catheter proximal end leading to the catheter interior, an open catheter distal end leading to the catheter interior, the catheter comprised of a biocompatible material, wherein the medical device comprises a collapsed state wherein the medical device width is less than the catheter interior width and a relaxed state wherein the medical device width is greater than the catheter interior width, wherein the catheter is configured to envelope the medical device when the medical device is in the collapsed state, and further wherein the catheter interior width is less than the first tube outer width.</li></ol>

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

0032<ul id="ul0004" list-style="none" compact="compact"><li><figref idref="f0001">FIG. 1A</figref> illustrates a side, elevation view of a memory metal tube prior to being cut by a laser.</li><li><figref idref="f0001">FIG. 1B</figref> illustrates a side, elevation view of the memory metal tube of <figref idref="f0001">FIG. 1A</figref> being cut by a laser.</li><li><figref idref="f0002">FIG. 2A</figref> illustrates a side, elevation view of the memory metal tube of <figref idref="f0001">FIG. 1B</figref> after being cut by a laser; in <figref idref="f0002">FIG. 2A</figref>, the tube is shown as though it were flat for purposes of illustrating the cut pattern only.</li><li><figref idref="f0002">FIG. 2B</figref> illustrates a side, perspective view of the memory metal tube of <figref idref="f0001">FIG. 1B</figref> after being cut by a laser.</li><li><figref idref="f0002">FIG. 2C</figref> illustrates another side, perspective view of the memory metal tube of <figref idref="f0001">FIG. 1B</figref> after being cut by a laser; in <figref idref="f0002">FIG. 2C</figref>, the tube is rotated as compared to <figref idref="f0002">FIG. 2B</figref>.</li><li><figref idref="f0003">FIGs. 3A-3H</figref> illustrate a method of manufacturing a distal body using the laser cut memory metal tube of <figref idref="f0001">FIGs. 1</figref> and <figref idref="f0002">2</figref>; in <figref idref="f0003">FIGs. 3A-3H</figref>, the basket portion of the distal body is not shown for simplicity of illustration.</li><li><figref idref="f0004">FIGs. 4A-4D</figref> illustrate the welding steps of the method of manufacturing shown in <figref idref="f0003">FIG. 3</figref>; in <figref idref="f0004">FIGs. 4A-4D</figref>, the basket portion of the distal body is not shown for simplicity of illustration.</li><li><figref idref="f0005">FIGs. 5 and 6</figref> illustrate different locations that connector strips may be welded to the proximal memory metal strips.</li><li><figref idref="f0005">FIG. 7</figref> illustrates a side, elevation view of a catheter and the distal body of <figref idref="f0005">FIG. 6</figref>.</li><li><figref idref="f0005">FIG. 8</figref> illustrates a side, elevation view of a deployable system of one embodiment of the present invention being used to capture a blood clot; in <figref idref="f0005">FIG. 8</figref>, the basket portion of the distal body is not shown for simplicity of illustration.</li><li><figref idref="f0006">FIG. 9</figref> illustrates a side, elevation view of a claw of one embodiment of the present invention being closed by a claw actuator tube; in <figref idref="f0006">FIG. 9</figref>, the basket portion of the distal body is not shown for simplicity of illustration.</li><li><figref idref="f0007">FIG. 10</figref> illustrates a side, elevation view of a deployable system being used to capture a blood clot; in <figref idref="f0007">FIG. 10</figref>, the basket portion of the distal body is not shown for simplicity of illustration.</li><li><figref idref="f0008">FIG. 11</figref> illustrates a first, perspective view of a distal body; the distal body is in what is referred to herein as "Orientation 1".</li><li><figref idref="f0008">FIG. 12A</figref> illustrates a second, perspective view of the distal body of <figref idref="f0008">FIG. 11</figref>; the distal body is in what is referred to herein as "Orientation 2".</li><li><figref idref="f0008">FIG. 12B</figref> illustrates a proximal, elevation view of the proximal strips of the distal body of <figref idref="f0008">FIG. 11</figref>.</li><li><figref idref="f0009">FIG. 13</figref> illustrates a close-up, perspective view of two unattached distal-pointing crowns of the distal body of <figref idref="f0008">FIG. 11</figref>.</li><li><figref idref="f0010">FIG. 14A</figref> illustrates a native memory metal tube used to manufacture the distal body of <figref idref="f0008">FIG. 11</figref>; the native tube has been rolled out flat and the lines in the tube indicate where the tube has been cut by a laser.</li><li><figref idref="f0010">FIG. 14B</figref> illustrates a first, perspective view of the distal body manufactured from the native tube of <figref idref="f0010">FIG. 14A</figref>; the distal body is in Orientation 1.</li><li><figref idref="f0010">FIG. 14C</figref> illustrates a second, perspective view of the distal body manufactured from the native tube of <figref idref="f0010">FIG. 14A</figref>; the distal body is in Orientation 2.</li><li><figref idref="f0011 f0012">FIGs. 15A-G</figref> illustrate stepwise use of the distal body of <figref idref="f0008">FIG. 11</figref> in retrieving a soft clot; the distal body is in Orientation 1.</li><li><figref idref="f0013 f0014">FIGs. 16A-H</figref> illustrate stepwise use of the distal body of <figref idref="f0008">FIG. 11</figref> in retrieving a hard clot; the distal body is in Orientation 1.</li><li><figref idref="f0015 f0016">FIGs. 17A-G</figref> illustrate stepwise use of the distal body of <figref idref="f0008">FIG. 11</figref> in retrieving a soft clot; the distal body is in Orientation 2.</li><li><figref idref="f0017 f0018">FIGs. 18A-G</figref> illustrate stepwise use of the distal body of <figref idref="f0008">FIG. 11</figref> in retrieving a hard clot; the distal body is in Orientation 2.</li><li><figref idref="f0019 f0022">FIGs. 19A-N</figref> illustrate stepwise use of the distal body of <figref idref="f0008">FIG. 11</figref> in retrieving a deformable, cohesive adherent clot; the distal body is in Orientation 2.</li><li><figref idref="f0023">FIG. 20A</figref> illustrates a view of a native memory metal tube used to manufacture a distal body; 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 <figref idref="f0023">FIGs. 20A-20C</figref> is slightly shorter than the distal body of <figref idref="f0008 f0009 f0010 f0011 f0012 f0013 f0014 f0015 f0016 f0017 f0018 f0019 f0020 f0021 f0022">FIGs. 11-19</figref> and is meant for use in tortuous blood vessels.</li><li><figref idref="f0023">FIG. 20B</figref> illustrates a first, perspective view of the distal body manufactured from the native tube of <figref idref="f0023">FIG. 20A</figref>; the distal body is in Orientation 1.</li><li><figref idref="f0023">FIG. 20C</figref> illustrates a second, perspective view of the distal body manufactured from the native tube of <figref idref="f0023">FIG. 20A</figref>; the distal body is in Orientation 2.</li><li><figref idref="f0024">FIG. 21</figref> shows a perspective view of a clot retrieval system that includes the distal body of <figref idref="f0023">FIGs. 20B-C</figref> being delivered in a blood vessel using a delivery catheter.</li><li><figref idref="f0024">FIG. 22</figref> shows a perspective view of the distal body of <figref idref="f0024">FIG. 21</figref>, after deployment of the distal body and retraction of the delivery catheter, in a blood vessel.</li><li><figref idref="f0025">FIG. 23</figref> shows a perspective view of the distal body of <figref idref="f0024">FIG. 21</figref>; as compared to <figref idref="f0024">FIG. 22</figref>, the distal body has been moved proximally and tension has been exerted on the pull wire.</li><li><figref idref="f0025">FIG. 24</figref> shows a perspective view of a suction catheter that is being delivered over the pull wire of the system of <figref idref="f0024">FIG. 21</figref>.</li><li><figref idref="f0026">FIG. 25</figref> shows a perspective view of the distal end of the suction catheter of <figref idref="f0025">FIG. 24</figref> 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.</li><li><figref idref="f0026">FIG. 26</figref> shows a perspective view of the distal end of the suction catheter of <figref idref="f0025">FIG. 24</figref> being pushed into a clot; in <figref idref="f0026">FIG. 26</figref>, the user has locked the syringe lever at the desired volume.</li><li><figref idref="f0027">FIG. 27</figref> shows a perspective view of the system of <figref idref="f0025">FIG. 24</figref>; in <figref idref="f0027">FIG. 27</figref>, the suction catheter has partially sucked the distal body and clot into the suction catheter.</li><li><figref idref="f0027">FIG. 28</figref> shows a perspective view of the system of <figref idref="f0025">FIG. 24</figref>; in <figref idref="f0027">FIG. 28</figref>, the suction catheter has completely sucked the distal body and clot into the suction catheter.</li><li><figref idref="f0028">FIG. 29</figref> shows a perspective view of the system of <figref idref="f0025">FIG. 24</figref>; the system, and captured clot, is being removed proximally from the vessel.</li><li><figref idref="f0029">FIG. 30</figref> illustrates a right side perspective view of a mandrel used to prepare unattached distal-pointing crowns that curve radially toward the basket interior.</li><li><figref idref="f0029">FIG. 31</figref> illustrates a right side elevation view of the mandrel of <figref idref="f0029">FIG. 30</figref>.</li><li><figref idref="f0030">FIG. 32</figref> illustrates an alternate embodiment of a distal body; in the distal body of <figref idref="f0030">FIG. 32</figref>, 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.</li><li><figref idref="f0031">FIG.33A</figref> illustrates a side, elevation view of a memory metal tube.</li><li><figref idref="f0031">FIG. 33B</figref> illustrates a side, elevation view of the memory metal tube of <figref idref="f0031">FIG. 33A</figref> being cut by a laser.</li><li><figref idref="f0032">FIG. 34</figref> illustrates a side, elevation view of the memory metal tube of <figref idref="f0031">FIG. 33B</figref> after being cut by a laser; in <figref idref="f0032">FIG. 34</figref>, the tube is shown as though it were flat for purposes of illustrating the cut pattern only.</li><li><figref idref="f0033">FIG. 35</figref> illustrates a side, elevation view of the circled area labelled 35 in <figref idref="f0032">FIG. 34</figref> (namely, the distal portion of the cut memory metal tube of <figref idref="f0032">FIG. 34</figref> - the distal portion includes the distal ends of the distal memory metal strips, the distal end tabs and the distal longitudinal tabs); in <figref idref="f0033">FIG. 35</figref>, the tube is shown as though it were flat for purposes of illustrating the cut pattern only.</li><li><figref idref="f0034">FIG. 36</figref> illustrates a side, elevation view of the circled area labelled 36 in <figref idref="f0032">FIG. 34</figref> (namely, the proximal portion of the cut memory metal tube of <figref idref="f0032">FIG. 34</figref> - the proximal portion includes the proximal ends of the proximal memory metal strips, the proximal end tabs and the proximal distal longitudinal tabs); in <figref idref="f0034">FIG. 36</figref>, the tube is shown as though it were flat for purposes of illustrating the cut pattern only.</li><li><figref idref="f0035">FIG. 37</figref> illustrates a side, elevation view of the circled area labelled 37 in <figref idref="f0034">FIG. 36</figref> (namely, a close-up of the proximal portion of the cut memory metal tube of <figref idref="f0034">FIG. 36</figref>); in <figref idref="f0035">FIG. 37</figref>, the tube is shown as though it were flat for purposes of illustrating the cut pattern only.</li><li><figref idref="f0036">FIG. 38</figref> illustrates a side, elevation view of the close-up of the proximal portion of the cut memory metal tube of <figref idref="f0035">FIG. 37</figref> after electropolishing; in <figref idref="f0036">FIG. 38</figref>, the tube is shown as though it were flat for purposes of illustrating the cut pattern only.</li><li><figref idref="f0037">FIG. 39</figref> illustrates a side, elevation view of the close-up of the proximal portion of the cut memory metal tube of <figref idref="f0035">FIG. 37</figref> after electropolishing and tearing along the peforations; in <figref idref="f0037">FIG. 39</figref>, the tube is shown as though it were flat for purposes of illustrating the cut pattern only.</li><li><figref idref="f0038">FIG. 40</figref> illustrates a side, elevation view of the close-up of the proximal portion of the cut memory metal tube of <figref idref="f0034">FIG. 36</figref>.</li><li><figref idref="f0038">FIG. 41</figref> illustrates a side, elevation view of the proximal portion of the cut memory metal tube of <figref idref="f0038">FIG. 40</figref> after electropolishing and after tearing along the perforations to remove the proximal end tab and the proximal longitudinal tabs from the proximal segments of the proximal memory metal strips.</li><li><figref idref="f0038">FIG. 42</figref> illustrates another side elevation view of the proximal portion of the cut memory metal tube of <figref idref="f0038">FIG. 40</figref> after electropolishing and after tearing along the perforations to remove the proximal end tab and the proximal longitudinal tabs from the proximal segments of the proximal memory metal strips; as compared to <figref idref="f0038">FIG. 41</figref>, the proximal end of the cut memory metal tube has been rotated 90 degrees in <figref idref="f0038">FIG. 42</figref>.</li><li><figref idref="f0039">FIG. 43A</figref> illustrates a side elevation view of a pull wire.</li><li><figref idref="f0039">FIG. 43B</figref> illustrates a side elevation view of a coil system that includes a core and a coil wrapped around the core.</li><li><figref idref="f0040">FIG. 43C</figref> illustrates a side elevation of the pull wire of <figref idref="f0039">FIG. 43A</figref> being soldered to the coil system of <figref idref="f0039">FIG. 43B</figref>.</li><li><figref idref="f0040">FIG. 43D</figref> illustrates a close-up, side elevation view of the area denoted by the dashed rectangle in <figref idref="f0040">FIG. 43C</figref> (namely, the distal end of the pull wire and the coil system of <figref idref="f0040">FIG. 43C</figref>).</li><li><figref idref="f0041">FIG. 43E, FIG. 43F and FIG. 43G</figref> illustrate stepwise, side elevation views of the proximal ends of the proximal memory metal strips of <figref idref="f0038">FIG. 42</figref> being soldered to the coil system of <figref idref="f0040">FIG. 43D</figref>; as shown in <figref idref="f0041">FIG. 43F and FIG. 43G</figref>, the proximal memory strips are placed between the core and the coil.</li><li><figref idref="f0042">FIG. 44</figref> illustrates a side, elevation view of the coil system of <figref idref="f0041">FIG. 43G</figref> being placed through a distal end of a catheter.</li><li><figref idref="f0042">FIG. 45</figref> illustrates a side, elevation view of a tube (referred to herein as a third tube) being used to re-join distal ends of distal memory metal strips; the distal ends of the distal memory metal strips were initially joined by a distal end tab and distal longitudinal tabs.</li><li><figref idref="f0043">FIG. 46</figref> illustrates a side elevation view of the proximal portion of the cut memory metal tube and is similar to <figref idref="f0034">FIG. 36</figref>; the line is merely drawn in to show how each proximal memory metal strips tapers adjacent to the proximal end of the respective proximal memory metal strips (and the line is not present in the device).</li><li><figref idref="f0043">FIG. 47</figref> illustrate side views of a middle portion cut from the memory metal tube of <figref idref="f0031">FIG. 33B</figref> and expanded using the mandrel of <figref idref="f0029">FIG. 31</figref>; in <figref idref="f0043">FIG. 47</figref>, the middle portion is in the form of a basket with offset enlarged areas/drop zones adjacent to crowns pointing generally in the distal direction; <figref idref="f0043">FIG. 47</figref> also includes proximal memory metal strips having a free proximal end and a distal end connected to a proximal cell of the basket and distal memory metal strips having a free distal end and a proximal end connected to a distal cell of the basket.</li><li><figref idref="f0044">FIG. 48</figref> illustrates a medical device that includes the catheter of <figref idref="f0042">FIG. 44</figref>, the pull wire of <figref idref="f0042">FIG. 44</figref>, the coil system, which is attached to the proximal memory metal strips as shown in <figref idref="f0042">FIG. 44</figref>, the basket of <figref idref="f0043">FIG. 47</figref> and the re-joined distal ends of the distal memory metal strips of <figref idref="f0042">FIG. 45</figref>.</li><li><figref idref="f0045">FIG. 49</figref> illustrates a side, elevation view of proximal memory metal strips and longitudinal perforations at the proximal end of a cut memory metal tube; in <figref idref="f0045">FIG. 49</figref>, only longitudinal perforations are present, and as with <figref idref="f0043">FIG. 46</figref>, the line is merely drawn in to show how each proximal memory metal strips tapers adjacent to the proximal end of the respective proximal memory metal strips (and the line is not present in the device).</li><li><figref idref="f0046">FIG. 50</figref> illustrates a side elevation view of a deployable dual basket system.</li><li><figref idref="f0046">FIG. 51</figref> illustrates another side elevation view of the deployable dual basket system of <figref idref="f0046">FIG. 50</figref>; as compared to <figref idref="f0046">FIG. 50</figref>, the deployable dual basket system has been rotated 90 degrees.</li><li><figref idref="f0047">FIG. 52</figref> illustrates a side, elevation view of a memory metal tube being cut by a laser to form a deployable dual basket system; in <figref idref="f0047">FIG. 52</figref>, the tube is shown as though it were flat for purposes of illustrating the cut pattern only.</li><li><figref idref="f0048">FIG. 53A</figref> illustrates a side elevation view of the proximal end of the memory metal tube of <figref idref="f0045">FIG. 49</figref>; in <figref idref="f0048">FIG. 53A</figref>, the tube is shown as though it were flat for purposes of illustrating the cut pattern only.</li><li><figref idref="f0048">FIG. 53B</figref> illustrates a side elevation view of the distal end of the memory metal tube of <figref idref="f0047">FIG. 52</figref>; in <figref idref="f0048">FIG. 53B</figref>, the tube is shown as though it were flat for purposes of illustrating the cut pattern only.</li><li><figref idref="f0048">FIG. 53C</figref> illustrates a side elevation view of the proximal tether memory metal strips prepared from the tube of <figref idref="f0048">FIGs. 53A</figref> after removing the proximal longitudinal tabs and the proximal perimeter tabs.</li><li><figref idref="f0048">FIG. 53D</figref> illustrates a side elevation view of the distal basket memory metal strips prepared from the tube of <figref idref="f0048">FIGs. 53A</figref> after removing the distal longitudinal tabs and the distal perimeter tabs.</li><li><figref idref="f0049">FIG. 54</figref> illustrates use of a third tube to re-join the distal basket memory metal strips of <figref idref="f0048">FIG. 53D</figref>.</li><li><figref idref="f0049">FIG. 55</figref> illustrates use of a coil to re-join the proximal tether memory metal strips of <figref idref="f0048">FIG. 53C</figref>.</li><li><figref idref="f0050 f0051 f0052">FIGs. 56A-56E</figref> illustrate deployment and use of a catheter-delivered endovascular device that includes the deployable dual basket system of <figref idref="f0046">FIGs. 50 and 51</figref> to treat a human having a subarrachnoid hemorrhage induced vasospasm in a constricted blood vessel having a proximal region having a constricted height and a constricted width and a distal region having a constricted height and a constricted width.</li></ul>

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

0033With reference to <figref idref="f0001 f0002 f0003 f0004 f0005 f0006 f0007">FIGs. 1-10</figref>, the present disclosure provides a deployable system, generally designated by the numeral <b>10,</b> for removing an obstruction such as a blood clot <b>12</b> or other object from a blood vessel <b>14</b> or other interior lumen of an animal. In addition to a blood clot <b>12,</b> 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.

0034Referring further to <figref idref="f0001 f0002 f0003 f0004 f0005 f0006 f0007">FIGs. 1-10</figref>, the deployable system <b>10</b> includes a pull wire <b>16</b> that has a proximal end (not shown) and a distal end <b>20.</b> Optionally, the diameter of the pull wire is between about 0.20 mm to about 1.29 mm (0.008 inches to about 0.051 inches). Preferably, the pull wire <b>16</b> is comprised of a biocompatible metallic material.

0035The system <b>10</b> further includes a distal body <b>22,</b> which is attached to the pull wire <b>16.</b> The distal body <b>22</b> has a proximal end <b>24,</b> a distal end <b>26,</b> an interior <b>28,</b> and an exterior <b>30.</b> The distal body <b>22</b> has a collapsed state, wherein the distal body <b>22</b> has a first height and width and is configured to fit into a catheter <b>50</b> (see <figref idref="f0007">FIG. 10A</figref>), and a relaxed state wherein the distal body <b>22</b> has a different height <b>32</b> and width and is configured to expand to about the height and width of a human blood vessel <b>14</b> when the distal body <b>22</b> is deployed from the catheter <b>50</b> (see <figref idref="f0007">FIGS. 10B-G</figref>). The distal body <b>22</b> further includes a proximal hub/junction <b>74</b> and a distal hub/junction <b>76</b> that is located distal relative to the proximal hub/junction <b>74.</b> In some embodiments, the distal body <b>22</b> includes a plurality of strips <b>40</b> comprised of a memory metal (e.g., a memory metal alloy such as nitinol) that form the proximal end <b>24</b> of the distal body <b>22.</b> Optionally, the proximal memory metal strips <b>40</b> each have a distal end <b>44</b> and a proximal end <b>42</b> that forms an openable and closeable claw <b>46.</b> Optionally, the proximal memory metal strips <b>40</b> are attached to the proximal hub/junction <b>74</b> through connector memory metal strips <b>48.</b> In such embodiments, the proximal hub/junction <b>74</b> may be slideable along at least a segment of the pull wire <b>16,</b> in contrast to the distal hub/junction <b>76,</b> which is optionally fixed to the pull wire <b>16</b> and not slideable along the pull wire <b>16.</b> Moving the proximal hub/junction <b>74</b> distally and closer to the distal hub/junction <b>76</b> (i.e., shortening the distance <b>88</b> between the proximal hub/junction <b>74</b> and distal hub/junction <b>76</b> by moving the proximal hub/junction <b>74</b> distally while keeping the distal hub/junction <b>76</b> stationary) exerts tension on the connector memory metal strips <b>48</b> and, in turn, the proximal memory metal strips <b>40.</b> This tension, in turn, causes the proximal ends <b>42</b> of the proximal memory metal strips <b>40</b> to move radially toward each other and the pull wire <b>16.</b> As the proximal ends <b>42</b> of the proximal memory metal strips <b>40</b> move radially toward each other and the pull wire <b>16,</b> the claw <b>46</b> (formed by the proximal memory metal strips <b>40)</b> is brought from the open position to at least a partially closed position, which in turn, separates the obstruction <b>12</b> from the wall of the human lumen <b>14</b> and captures the obstruction <b>12.</b> See <figref idref="f0003">FIG. 3H</figref>, <figref idref="f0005">FIG. 8</figref>, <figref idref="f0006">FIG. 9F</figref>, and <figref idref="f0007">FIG. 10F and 10G</figref>. Conversely, preferably, movement of the proximal hub/junction <b>74</b> proximally and away from the distal hub/junction <b>76</b> (i.e., increasing the distance <b>88</b> between the hubs/junctions <b>74</b> and <b>76)</b> releases the tension in the proximal memory metal strips <b>40,</b> which in turn, causes the proximal ends <b>42</b> of the proximal memory metal strips <b>40</b> to move away from each other and the pull wire <b>16,</b> opening the claw <b>46.</b> The claw <b>46</b> and proximal hub/junction <b>74</b> form several functions. First, as described, closing of the claw <b>46</b> captures the obstruction <b>12.</b> Second, closing the claw <b>46</b> retracts the claw <b>46</b> from the wall of the lumen <b>14</b> so that the claw <b>46</b> does not scrape against (and damage) the lumen wall while capturing the obstruction <b>12.</b> Third, closing the claw <b>46</b> reduces the height and width of the distal body <b>22,</b> which allows the distal body <b>22</b> to be re-sheathed in the catheter <b>50,</b> which may be desired, for example, if the operator seeks to re-deploy the distal body <b>22</b> in another location in the body (which may be the case if the operator originally deploys the distal body <b>22</b> in the wrong location in the lumen <b>14).</b> For purposes of the present disclosure, "closing the claw" embraces both partially closing the claw <b>46</b> (where the proximal ends <b>42</b> of the proximal memory metal strips <b>40</b> do not contact the pull wire <b>16)</b> and fully closing the claw 46 (where the proximal ends <b>42</b> contact the pull wire <b>16).</b>

0036The claw <b>46</b> may be comprised of any number of proximal memory metal strips <b>40.</b> Preferably, however, between 2 and 4 proximal memory metal strips <b>40</b> comprise the claw <b>46</b> (it being understood that the connector strips <b>48,</b> if present, merely serve to tether the claw <b>46</b> to the proximal hub/junction <b>74).</b> Preferably, the proximal memory metal strips <b>40</b> have a length of between about 10 and about 60 millimeters. The proximal memory metal strips <b>40</b> can be thought of as arms of the claw <b>46.</b>

0037In some embodiments, the connector strips <b>48</b> are integral with the proximal hub/junction <b>74</b> (i.e., formed from the same piece of memory metal). In other embodiments, the proximal hub/junction <b>74</b> may be welded or soldered to the connector strips <b>48.</b> Optionally, in the relaxed state, the proximal memory metal strips <b>42</b> are distributed substantially evenly about a perimeter of the distal body <b>22.</b>

0038Optionally, the distal body <b>22</b> includes a lead wire <b>52</b> extending distally from the distal body <b>22.</b> Optionally, the lead wire 52 extends distally from the distal hub/junction <b>76.</b> If present, the lead wire <b>52</b> may be used to facilitate movement of the system <b>10</b> in the lumen <b>14.</b>

0039Optionally, the distal body <b>22</b> includes a basket <b>54</b> distal to the proximal memory metal strips <b>40,</b> the basket <b>54</b> comprised of a plurality of memory metal strips <b>56</b> distal relative to the proximal memory metal strips <b>40.</b> The distal memory metal strips <b>56</b> may, for example, form a basket <b>54</b> with a plurality of mesh openings <b>58.</b> Optionally, the size of the mesh openings <b>58</b> in the basket <b>54</b> when the distal body <b>22</b> is in its relaxed state is less (preferably significantly less) than the diameter of an average-sized ischemic blood clot <b>12</b> so that the blood clot <b>12</b> does not escape from the distal basket <b>54</b> after being captured by the distal body <b>22.</b> Optionally, the basket <b>54</b> has an open proximal end <b>60</b> and a substantially closed distal end <b>62,</b> which is formed by distal tube <b>76.</b> Optionally, the distal and proximal hubs/junctions <b>74</b> and <b>76</b> and the distal basket <b>54</b> are comprised of a nitinol having the same material composition. Optionally, the size of the mesh openings <b>58</b> decreases from the proximal end <b>60</b> of the basket <b>54</b> to the distal end <b>62.</b> The distal basket <b>54</b> is best seen in <figref idref="f0002">FIG. 2</figref> and can be comprised of a different number of cell patterns. The distal basket <b>54</b> is not shown in <figref idref="f0003 f0004 f0005 f0006 f0007">FIGs. 3-10</figref> for ease of illustrating the other components in the system <b>10.</b>

0040Optionally, the proximal hub/junction <b>74</b> and the distal hub/junction <b>76</b> are cylindrical tubes comprising substantially circular apertures that span the length of the hubs/junctions <b>74</b> and <b>76</b> and the hubs/junctions <b>74</b> and <b>76</b> have approximately the same inner diameter <b>72</b> and the same outer diameter <b>70.</b> Preferably, the inner diameter <b>72</b> is at least slightly larger than the diameter of the pull wire <b>16</b> so that the pull wire <b>16</b> can slide through the proximal hub/junction <b>74.</b> In some embodiments, the outer diameters <b>70</b> of the proximal and distal hubs/junctions <b>74</b> and <b>76</b> may be from about 0.279 mm to about 1.372 mm (0.011 inches to about 0.054 inches) and the inner diameters <b>72</b> of the proximal and distal hubs/junctions <b>74</b> and <b>76</b> may be from about 0.20 mm to about 1.29 mm (0.008 inches to about 0.051 inches).

0041Optionally, the distal body <b>22</b> further comprises an x-ray marker <b>64</b> that is more visible under x-ray as compared to the proximal memory metal strips <b>40</b> when the distal body <b>22</b> 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 <b>48</b> are welded or soldered to the proximal memory metal strips <b>40,</b> the x-ray markers <b>64</b> 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 <b>64.</b> Preferably, the x-ray marker <b>64</b> 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 <b>40</b> are comprised of nitinol and the x-ray marker <b>64</b> is comprised of a material having a density greater than the nitinol.

0042A catheter <b>50</b> with an open proximal end (not shown) and an open distal end <b>66</b> initially envelopes the system <b>10.</b> As used herein, the term "catheter" generally refers to any suitable tube through which the system <b>10</b> can be deployed. Preferably, the catheter <b>50</b> 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 <b>10</b> to remove a clot <b>12</b> from an intracranial blood vessel <b>14).</b> The catheter <b>50</b> can be any suitable shape, including but not limited to generally cylindrical. Preferably, the catheter <b>50</b> is a microcatheter. For purposes of the present disclosure, when it is said that the catheter <b>50</b> envelopes the system <b>10,</b> it will be understood that the catheter <b>50</b> envelopes at least one component of the system <b>10</b> (preferably, the distal body <b>22,</b> the lead wire <b>52,</b> and the pull wire <b>16).</b> In some embodiments, the catheter <b>50</b> is about 2.5 French in diameter. Optionally, the catheter <b>50</b> is delivered to the region of the lumen <b>14</b> that has the obstruction <b>12</b> as follows: a guide wire is delivered to the obstruction region past the obstruction <b>12;</b> the catheter <b>50</b> is delivered over the guide wire; the guide wire is removed; and the system <b>10</b> is delivered with its pull wire <b>16</b> and lead wire <b>52</b> through the catheter <b>50.</b> Optionally, the pull wire <b>16</b> is used to push the system <b>10</b> through the catheter <b>50</b> as well as to retrieve the distal body <b>22</b> after capturing the obstruction <b>14</b> as described below. The system <b>10</b> may utilize a plurality of catheters <b>50,</b> 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 <b>50</b> is comprised of a biocompatible, polymeric material (i.e., one or more polymeric materials such as silicone, PVC, latex rubber or braided nylon).

0043Optionally, in the relaxed, opened-claw state, the distal body <b>22</b> or optionally just the distal basket <b>54</b> has a tapered shape (e.g., substantially conical or bullet in shape) so that the distal body <b>22</b> or just the distal basket <b>54</b> tapers from the distal body <b>22</b> or the distal basket's <b>54</b> proximal end to the distal end.

0044The proximal end of the system <b>10</b> is shown at the left end of <figref idref="f0001">FIGs. 1</figref> and <figref idref="f0003 f0007">3-10</figref> and the distal end of the system <b>10</b> is shown at the right end of <figref idref="f0001">FIGs. 1</figref> and <figref idref="f0003 f0007">3-10</figref> because a principal use of the system <b>10</b> is to remove a blood clot <b>12</b> from a human intracranial artery <b>14,</b> in which case the system <b>10</b> generally will enter the artery <b>14</b> at its proximal end by the surgeon entering the patient's body near the groin and pushing the catheter <b>50</b> towards the brain. The diameter of human arteries <b>14</b> generally decrease from their proximal end to their distal end. However, when used in other types of lumens, the distal body <b>22</b> may be located proximally relative to the catheter <b>50</b> as the term proximally and distally are used in that lumen.

0045The surgeon may deploy the distal body <b>22</b> by, for example, moving the catheter <b>50</b> proximally so as to unsheathe the distal body <b>22</b> or by pushing the distal body <b>22</b> out of the catheter 50.

0046Use of the system <b>10</b> will now be described to remove a blood clot <b>12</b> from an intracranial artery <b>14</b> of a human ischemic stroke patient, however, it will be appreciated that the system <b>10</b> may be used to remove other objects from other interior lumens.

0047A catheter <b>50,</b> which contains the collapsed distal body <b>22</b> is positioned in the lumen <b>14</b> distal to the clot <b>12.</b> See <figref idref="f0007">FIG. 10A</figref>.

0048The distal body <b>22</b> is deployed from the catheter <b>50</b> and the height and width of the distal body <b>22</b> expand to about the height and width of the blood vessel <b>14.</b> See <figref idref="f0007">FIG. 10B</figref>.

0049The catheter <b>50</b> is pulled proximally and a claw-actuator tube <b>90</b> is deployed into the blood vessel <b>14.</b> See <figref idref="f0007">FIG. 10C</figref>.

0050The distal body <b>22</b> is moved proximally so that the clot <b>12</b> is located in the interior <b>28</b> of the distal body <b>22.</b> See <figref idref="f0007">FIGs. 10D and 10E</figref>.

0051The claw-actuator tube <b>90</b> is moved distally, which pushes the proximal hub/junction <b>74</b> distally so that the distance <b>88</b> between the proximal hub/junction <b>74</b> and the distal hub/junction <b>76</b> (which is fixed to the pull wire <b>16</b> and kept stationary) decreases. Distal movement of the proximal hub/junction <b>74</b> exerts tension on the connector and proximal memory metal strips <b>40</b> and <b>48,</b> which in turn, closes the claw <b>46.</b> See <figref idref="f0007">FIG. 10F</figref>. (The claw actuator tube <b>90</b> should float on the pull wire <b>16</b> - i.e., have an aperture extending the tube's length that has a diameter larger than the diameter of the pull wire <b>16</b> - and the aperture of the claw actuator tube <b>90</b> should be smaller than the diameter of the proximal hub/junction <b>74</b> so that the claw actuator tube <b>90</b> pushes the proximal hub/junction <b>74).</b>

0052The system <b>10</b> is withdrawn proximally and removed from the body. See <figref idref="f0007">FIG. 10G</figref>.

0053To test the efficacy of the system <b>10,</b> a distal body <b>22</b> with a distal basket <b>54,</b> proximal and distal hubs/junctions <b>74</b> and <b>76,</b> and a claw <b>46</b> comprised of three proximal memory metal strips <b>42</b> 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 <b>10</b> was deployed distal to the cotton ball. The claw <b>46</b> was closed by moving the proximal hub/junction <b>74</b> distally to capture the cotton ball. The system <b>10</b> and cotton ball were withdrawn proximally in the tube.

0054A distal body <b>22</b> is prepared by a process that includes one or more of the following steps, as illustrated in <figref idref="f0001 f0002 f0003 f0004">FIGs. 1-4</figref><ol id="ol0011" compact="compact"><li>a) providing a single tube <b>68</b> comprised of a memory metal such as nitinol, the single tube <b>68</b> having an exterior, a substantially hollow interior, a wall separating the exterior from the substantially hollow interior, an open proximal end <b>74,</b> an open distal end <b>76,</b> a middle portion <b>78</b> between the open proximal end <b>74</b> and the open distal end <b>76</b> (see <figref idref="f0001">FIG. 1A</figref>);</li><li>b) cutting the wall of the middle portion <b>78</b> with a laser <b>80</b> (see <figref idref="f0001">FIG. 1B</figref>);</li><li>c) removing the pieces of the middle portion <b>78</b> cut by the laser <b>80</b> to form a proximal tube <b>74,</b> a distal tube <b>76</b> and a middle portion <b>78</b> comprising a plurality of memory metal strips <b>82</b> attached to the proximal tube <b>74;</b></li><li>d) altering the shape of the middle portion <b>78</b> using a mandrel and allowing the middle portion <b>78</b> to expand relative to the distal tube <b>76</b> and proximal tube <b>74</b> to form the distal basket <b>54;</b></li><li>e) quenching the middle portion <b>78</b> at room temperature;</li><li>f) removing the mandrel from the middle portion <b>78</b> (see <figref idref="f0002">FIGs. 2</figref> and <figref idref="f0003">3A</figref>);</li><li>g) mechanically or chemically electropolishing the middle portion <b>78</b> to remove oxides;</li><li>h) cutting the memory metal strips <b>82</b> to form a first segment <b>84</b> comprising the proximal tube <b>74</b> and a proximal segment of the memory metal strips <b>82</b> and a second segment <b>86</b> comprising the distal tube <b>76</b> and a distal segment of the memory metal strips <b>82</b> (see <figref idref="f0003">FIG. 3B</figref>); and</li><li>i) joining the proximal segments to the distal segments such that the distal segments form the proximal end <b>24</b> of the distal body <b>22,</b> such that the proximal tube <b>74</b> is located inside the interior <b>28</b> of the distal body <b>22,</b> and such the proximal tube <b>74</b> is located distal relative to the distal body proximal end <b>24</b> (see <figref idref="f0003">FIGs. 3C-3E</figref>).</li></ol>

0055In some embodiments, the method further includes placing the pull wire <b>16</b> through the proximal tube 74 so that the proximal tube <b>74</b> is slideable along at least a segment of the pull wire <b>16.</b>

0056In some embodiments, the method further includes attaching the pull wire <b>16</b> to the distal tube <b>76</b> so that the distal tube <b>76</b> is not slideable along the pull wire <b>16</b> but instead the distal tube <b>76</b> moves with the pull wire <b>16.</b>

0057In some embodiments, after step i, the proximal end <b>24</b> of the distal body <b>22</b> forms a claw <b>46</b> comprised of between 2 to 4 proximal memory metal strips <b>40,</b> the claw proximal memory metal strips <b>40</b> configured to move towards each other and the pull wire <b>16</b> by moving the proximal tube <b>74</b> distally and toward the distal tube <b>76</b> (i.e., decreasing the distance <b>88</b> between the tubes <b>74</b> and <b>76)</b> and the claw memory metal strips <b>40</b> configured to move away from each other and away from the pull wire (i.e., increasing the distance <b>88</b> between the tubes <b>74</b> and <b>76)</b> by moving the proximal tube <b>76</b> proximally and away from the distal tube <b>76</b> (as described previously).

0058In some embodiments, the middle portion <b>78</b> is expanded by heating the mandrel and the middle portion <b>78</b> by, for example, placing the mandrel and the middle portion <b>78</b> in a fluidized sand bath at about 500°C for about 3 to about 7 minutes. As the middle portion <b>78</b> is heated, the heating causes the crystalline structure of the memory metal tube <b>68</b> to realign. Preferably, the mandrel is tapered (e.g., substantially conical or bullet in shape) so that the distal basket <b>54</b> formed from the middle portion <b>78</b> tapers from the proximal end <b>60</b> to the distal end <b>62.</b> Preferably, the proximal and distal ends of the tube <b>74</b> and <b>76</b> are not shape set by the mandrel and are not cut by the laser <b>80</b> so that the proximal and distal ends <b>74</b> and <b>76</b> do not change in shape and only slightly expand in size under heating and return to the size of the native tube <b>68</b> 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 <b>80</b> is preferably focused between the inner and outer diameter of the desired cutting surface and a coolant is passed through the memory metal tube <b>68</b> so that the laser <b>80</b> cools before reaching the surface directly opposite the desired cutting surface.

0059The portions of the wall not cut by the laser <b>80</b> create the distal basket <b>53,</b> proximal and distal tubes <b>74</b> and <b>76,</b> and memory metal strips <b>40, 48</b> and <b>56,</b> as described.

0060Preferably, the memory metal selected for the native tube <b>68</b> has a heat of transformation below average human body temperature (37°C) so that the distal body <b>22</b> has sufficient spring and flexibility after deployment from the catheter <b>50</b> in the human blood vessel <b>14.</b>

0061In some embodiments, the native tube <b>68</b> (and hence the distal and proximal tubes <b>74</b> and <b>76)</b> 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 <b>16</b> is between about 0.20 mm to about 1.29 mm (0.008 inches to about 0.051 inches), as noted above, and in such embodiments, the diameter of the pull wire <b>16</b> may be approximately equal to the inner diameter <b>72</b> of the native nitinol tube <b>68.</b>

0062Without being bound by any particular theory, it is believed that manufacturing the distal body <b>22</b> from a single memory metal tube <b>68</b> provides ease of manufacturing and safety from mechanical failure and provides tensile strength necessary for the system 10 to remove hard thrombus <b>12</b> and other obstructions.

<u>The embodiments of Figures 11-29</u>

0063<figref idref="f0008 f0009 f0010 f0011 f0012 f0013 f0014 f0015 f0016 f0017 f0018 f0019 f0020 f0021 f0022 f0023 f0024 f0025 f0026 f0027 f0028">Figures 11-29</figref> illustrate an alternate embodiment <b>200</b> that includes one or more of the following additional features, as described below: twisting proximal strips/tethers <b>252,</b> unattached/free distal-pointing crowns <b>258</b> that optionally curve inward and have x-ray markers <b>244,</b> and enlarged openings/drop zones <b>262</b> in the basket <b>246</b> immediately distal to the unattached, distal-pointing crowns <b>258</b> that allow the obstruction or other object <b>270</b> to enter the distal basket interior <b>222.</b>

0064More specifically, as shown in <figref idref="f0008 f0009 f0010 f0011 f0012 f0013 f0014 f0015 f0016 f0017 f0018 f0019 f0020 f0021 f0022 f0023 f0024 f0025 f0026 f0027 f0028">FIGs. 11-29</figref>, the system 200 may include a pull wire <b>202</b> having a proximal end <b>204</b> and a distal end <b>206,</b> as described above, a distal body <b>216</b> attached to the pull wire <b>202,</b> the distal body <b>216</b> comprising an interior <b>222,</b> a proximal end <b>218,</b> a distal end <b>220,</b> a distal body length <b>226</b> extending from the proximal end <b>218</b> to the distal end <b>220,</b> a distal body height <b>224,</b> a proximal hub/junction <b>228</b> (preferably in the form of a tube and which has a proximal end <b>230</b> and a distal end <b>232)</b> forming the proximal end <b>218</b> of the distal body <b>216,</b> a basket <b>246</b> comprised of a plurality of cells/openings <b>248</b> formed by a plurality of basket strips <b>291</b> that preferably are comprised of a memory metal, optionally a distal hub/junction <b>236</b> that forms the distal end <b>220</b> of the basket <b>246</b> (preferably in the form of a tube that has a proximal end <b>238</b> and a distal end <b>240),</b> and a plurality of proximal strips <b>252</b> (preferably the proximal strips <b>252</b> are comprised of a memory metal), each proximal strip <b>252</b> having a proximal end <b>254</b> attached to the proximal hub/junction/tube <b>228,</b> and a distal end <b>256</b> attached to a cell <b>248</b> (more specifically a proximal-pointing crown of a cell <b>248</b> located at the proximal end of the basket <b>246),</b> the basket comprising a basket interior <b>292,</b> the distal body <b>216</b> having a relaxed state wherein the distal body <b>216</b> has a first height and width, a collapsed state wherein the distal body <b>216</b> 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 <b>208</b> for delivering the distal body <b>216,</b> as described above, having an interior <b>210,</b> a proximal end <b>212</b> leading to the interior <b>210</b> and a distal end <b>214</b> leading to the interior <b>210,</b> the delivery catheter <b>208</b> comprised of a biocompatible (preferably polymeric) material and configured to envelope the distal body <b>216</b> when the distal body <b>216</b> is in the collapsed state. Optionally, the basket interior <b>292</b> is substantially hollow - i.e., unlike <patcit id="pcit0001" dnum="US20130345739A"><text>U.S. Patent Publication No. 2013/0345739</text></patcit>, the basket interior <b>292</b> does not contain an inner elongate body. Optionally, instead of a distal hub/junction <b>236,</b> the basket <b>246</b> includes an open distal end. Optionally, at least two cells <b>250</b> of the basket <b>246</b> comprise a proximal crown <b>260</b> pointing generally in the proximal direction and a distal crown <b>258</b> pointing generally in the distal direction, and the distal crowns <b>258</b> of the at least two cells <b>250</b> are not attached to another cell <b>248</b> of the basket <b>246.</b> In other words, the distal crowns <b>258</b> of at least two cells <b>250</b> are free floating and are not attached to any strip except for the strips forming part of the at least two cells <b>250;</b> such distal crowns <b>258</b> are referred to below as unattached, distal-pointing crowns <b>258.</b> Preferably, the distal tips of the unattached, distal-pointing crowns <b>258</b> terminate at an x-ray marker <b>244.</b> (Cells labeled with the numerals <b>250, 250A, 250B, 250C,</b> and <b>250D</b> refer to the at least two cells that include a proximal crown <b>260</b> pointing generally in the proximal direction and an unattached, distal-pointing crown <b>258,</b> cells labeled with the numerals <b>262, 262A, 262B, 262C,</b> and <b>262D</b> refer to the enlarged cells/drop zones adjacent to (preferably immediately distal to) an unattached, distal-pointing crown <b>258,</b> and cells designated with numeral <b>248</b> refer to generally the cells of the basket <b>246).</b> (When it is said that the enlarged cells/drop zones 262 are preferably immediately distal to an unattached, distal-pointing crown <b>258,</b> it will be understood that at least a portion of an enlarged cell/drop zone <b>262</b> is immediately distal to an unattached, distal-pointing crown <b>258,</b> and that a portion of the enlarged cell/drop zone <b>262</b> may be proximal to an unattached, distal-pointing crown <b>258,</b> as shown in <figref idref="f0008">FIGs. 11-12</figref> due to the shape of the enlarged cells/drop zones <b>262).</b> It will be understood that part number <b>250</b> refers generally to one or more of the at least two cells, whereas part numbers <b>250A, 250B, 250C,</b> and <b>250D</b> refer to a specific one of the at least two cells. Similarly, it will be understood that part number <b>262</b> refers generally to one or more of the enlarged cells/drop zones, whereas part numbers <b>262A, 262B, 262C,</b> and <b>262D</b> refer to a specific one of the enlarged cells/drop zones. Similarly, it will be understood that part number <b>258</b> refers generally to one or more of the unattached, distal-pointing crowns, whereas part numbers <b>258A, 258B, 258C,</b> and <b>258D</b> refer to a specific one of the unattached, distal-pointing crowns.

0065Optionally, at least two of the unattached, distal-pointing crowns <b>258</b> 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 <b>228,</b> as best seen in <figref idref="f0008">FIG. 12A</figref>. Optionally, the basket <b>246</b> comprises a first pair of unattached, distal-pointing crowns <b>258A</b> and <b>258B,</b> each of the first pair of unattached, distal-pointing crowns <b>258A</b> and <b>258B</b> is located approximately the same distance from the proximal hub/junction/tube 228 and approximately 180 degrees relative to each other, and the basket <b>246</b> further comprises a second pair of unattached, distal-pointing crowns <b>258C</b> and <b>258D</b> 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 <b>258A</b> and <b>258B.</b> Optionally, the second pair of unattached, distal-pointing crowns <b>258C</b> and <b>258D</b> form cells <b>250C</b> and <b>250D</b> that are adjacent to, but offset from, the cells <b>250A</b> and <b>250B</b> formed by the first pair of unattached, distal-pointing crowns <b>258A</b> and <b>258B.</b> (In other words, optionally, the center of cell <b>250A</b> is about 90 degrees relative to the centers of cells <b>250C</b> and <b>250D</b> and optionally the center of cell 250B is also about 90 degrees relative to the centers of cells <b>250C</b> and <b>250D).</b> Optionally, at least one of (and preferably all) the unattached, distal-pointing crowns <b>258A, 258B, 258C or 258D</b> comprise an x-ray marker <b>244</b> that is more visible under x-ray as compared to the basket strips <b>291</b> when the distal body <b>216</b> is located in a cranial blood vessel <b>266</b> inside the body of a human and the x-ray is taken from outside the human's body. Preferably, the x-ray marker <b>244</b> 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 <b>291</b> are comprised of nitinol and the x-ray marker <b>244</b> is comprised of a material having a density greater than the nitinol. In some embodiments, the x-ray markers <b>244</b> comprise a heavy metal welded or soldered to the unattached, distal-pointing crowns <b>258.</b> Optionally, the unattached, distal-pointing crowns <b>258</b> curve subtly towards the interior <b>222</b> of the distal basket <b>246,</b> which decreases the likelihood that the unattached, distal-pointing crowns <b>258</b> will rub against and damage the vessel wall <b>268.</b> Optionally, the basket <b>246</b> comprises at least two cells proximal to the at least two cells <b>250</b> that include the unattached, distal-pointing crowns <b>258.</b> Optionally, the unattached, distal-pointing distal crowns <b>258</b> are located about at least 5 mm (e.g., about 5 to about 30 mm) from the proximal hub/junction/tube <b>228.</b> Optionally, the unattached, distal-pointing crowns <b>258</b> are located at least about 5 mm from the distal hub/junction/tube <b>236.</b> Optionally, the unattached, distal-pointing crowns <b>258</b> of the at least two cells <b>250</b> also each form part (namely a portion of the proximal boundary) of an enlarged cell <b>262</b> (which is the entry point of hard thrombus <b>270B</b> into the basket interior <b>222)</b> and further wherein the surface area of the enlarged cells <b>262</b> in the relaxed state is greater than the surface area of the other cells of the basket <b>246</b> in the relaxed state. Optionally, the unattached, distal-pointing crowns <b>258</b> serve several functions: 1) they form flex points of the basket <b>246,</b> which makes it easier for the system <b>200</b> to navigate the curves of the blood vessels <b>266</b> of the brains; 2) through the use of x-ray markers <b>244</b> on the unattached, distal-pointing crowns <b>258,</b> they allow the operator to locate the enlarged cells <b>262</b> of the basket <b>246</b> that form the point at which hard thrombuses <b>270B</b> enter the basket <b>246;</b> and 3) they allow the operator to ratchet or force the object <b>270</b> into the basket <b>246</b> by moving the unattached, distal-pointing crowns <b>258</b> proximally and distally relative to the object <b>270.</b> (As explained below, the numeral <b>270</b> refers to clots/thrombuses and other objects generally, and <b>270A</b> refers to a soft clot, 270B refers to a hard clot and <b>270C</b> refers to a deformable, cohesive, adherent clot). Optionally, the proximal end <b>254</b> of a proximal strip <b>252</b> is located about 65-180 degrees (preferably approximately 180 degrees) relative to the distal end <b>256</b> of the same proximal strip <b>252,</b> as best seen in <figref idref="f0008">FIG. 12B</figref>. In other words, preferably the proximal end <b>254</b> of a first proximal strip <b>252</b> is attached to the 12 o'clock position on the proximal tube <b>228</b> and the distal end <b>256</b> of the first proximal strip <b>252</b> (which terminates at a proximal cell <b>248</b> of the basket <b>246)</b> is located at the 6 o'clock position (i.e., 180 degrees from the start position), and the proximal end <b>254</b> of a second proximal strip <b>252</b> is attached to the 6 o'clock position on the proximal tube <b>228</b> and the distal end <b>254</b> (which terminates at a cell <b>248</b> of the basket <b>246)</b> of the second proximal strip <b>252</b> 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 <b>252</b> to surround the object <b>270;</b> and 2) it allows the manufacturer to insert a mandrel into the basket <b>246</b> during the shape-setting procedure. Optionally, the pull wire <b>202</b> is attached to the proximal tube <b>228</b> (e.g., by gluing, welding, soldering or the like). Preferably, the pull wire <b>202</b> does not extend through the distal basket interior <b>222.</b> Optionally, the proximal strips <b>252</b> are integral with the distal end <b>232</b> of the proximal tube <b>228</b> and the entire distal body <b>216</b> is created from a single tube <b>264</b> of a memory metal. Optionally, the proximal crowns <b>260</b> of the at least two cells <b>250</b> that include the unattached, distal pointing-crowns <b>258</b> are each attached to another cell <b>248</b> of the basket <b>246.</b> In other words, preferably the basket <b>246</b> does not have any free-floating proximal-pointing crowns, as free-floating proximal-pointing crowns could damage the vessel <b>266</b> when the distal body <b>216</b> is pulled proximally. Optionally, the system <b>200</b> further comprises a lead wire <b>286</b> extending distally from the distal tube <b>236,</b> the lead wire <b>286</b> having a length of from about 3 mm to about 10 mm Optionally, the distal hub/junction/tube <b>236,</b> the proximal hub/junction/tube <b>228,</b> and the basket <b>246</b> are comprised of a nitinol having the same material composition. In other words, as with the prior embodiment of <figref idref="f0001 f0002 f0003 f0004 f0005 f0006 f0007">FIGs. 1-10</figref>, optionally the entire distal body <b>216</b> is manufactured from a single tube of nitinol <b>264.</b> Optionally, the proximal and distal hubs/junctions/tubes <b>228</b> and <b>236</b> comprise an x-ray marker <b>244</b> that is more visible under x-ray as compared to the basket strips <b>291</b> when the distal body <b>216</b> is located in a cranial blood vessel <b>266</b> inside the body of a human and the x-ray is taken from outside the human's body. Preferably, the x-ray marker <b>244</b> 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 <b>291</b> are comprised of nitinol and the x-ray marker <b>244</b> is comprised of a material having a density greater than the nitinol. In some embodiments, the proximal and distal hubs/junctions/tube interiors <b>234</b> and <b>242</b> may comprise tantalum welded or otherwise attached to the interior <b>234</b> and <b>242</b> of the proximal and distal hubs/junctions/tubes <b>228</b> and <b>236.</b> Optionally, the proximal and the distal tubes <b>228</b> and <b>236</b> 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 <b>228</b> and <b>236</b> and further wherein the outer diameters of the proximal and distal tubes 228 and <b>236</b> are substantially the same size and further wherein the inner diameters of the proximal and distal tubes <b>228</b> and <b>236</b> are substantially the same size. Optionally, the outer diameters of the proximal and distal tubes <b>228</b> and <b>236</b> are from about 0.279 mm to about 1.372 mm (0.011 inches to about 0.054 inches), and further wherein the inner diameters of the proximal and distal tubes <b>228</b> and <b>236</b> are from about 0.20 mm to about 1.29 mm (0.008 inches to about 0.051 inches). Optionally, the pull wire <b>202</b> is generally cylindrical and further wherein the diameter of the pull wire <b>202</b> is between about 0.20 mm to about 1.29 mm (0.008 inches to about 0.051 inches). Optionally, the distal body <b>216</b> has a length of between about 10 and about 60 millimeters. Optionally, the first height <b>224</b> and first width <b>226</b> of the distal body <b>216</b> are between about 2 millimeters and about 6 millimeters.

0066The present disclosure also provides a method, not according to the invention, of removing a clot or other object <b>270</b> from an interior lumen <b>266</b> of an animal, the method comprising the steps of: <ol id="ol0012" compact="compact"><li>a) providing the system <b>200</b> of <figref idref="f0008 f0009 f0010 f0011 f0012 f0013 f0014 f0015 f0016 f0017 f0018 f0019 f0020 f0021 f0022 f0023 f0024 f0025 f0026 f0027 f0028">Figures 11-29</figref>, wherein at least two cells <b>250</b> of the basket <b>246</b> comprise a proximal crown <b>260</b> pointing generally in the proximal direction and a distal crown <b>258</b> pointing generally in the distal direction, and the distal crowns <b>258</b> of the at least two cells <b>250</b> are not attached to another cell <b>248</b> of the basket <b>246</b> (i.e., free-floating), and further wherein at least one of the unattached, distal-pointing crowns <b>258</b> comprises an x-ray marker <b>244;</b></li><li>b) positioning the system <b>200</b> in the lumen <b>266;</b></li><li>c) deploying the distal body <b>216</b> from the distal end <b>214</b> of the delivery catheter <b>208;</b></li><li>d) allowing the height and width <b>224</b> and <b>226</b> of the distal body <b>216</b> to increase;</li><li>e) irradiating the x-ray marker <b>244</b> with x-ray radiation and</li><li>f) moving the object <b>270</b> into the distal basket interior <b>222.</b></li></ol>

0067Optionally, the object <b>270</b> enters the distal basket interior <b>222</b> adjacent to (preferably adjacent and immediately distal to) at least one of the unattached, distal-pointing crowns <b>258</b> - i.e., in the enlarged cells/drop zones <b>262.</b> In some embodiments, the distal body <b>216</b> is deployed so that at least one (e.g., preferably the two proximal <b>258A</b> and <b>258B)</b> of the unattached, distal-pointing crowns <b>258</b> is distal to the object <b>270.</b> As explained below, the x-ray markers <b>244</b> of the unattached, distal-pointing crowns <b>258</b> are used to locate the distal body <b>216</b> relative to the clot or other object <b>270.</b> It will be appreciated that clots <b>270</b> can generally be located in blood vessels <b>266</b> by injecting a contrast dye, for example, into the blood vessel <b>266</b> proximal and distal to the believed area of obstruction and viewing on an x-ray where the fluid stops moving in the blood vessel <b>266.</b> It will also appreciated that if the object <b>270</b> is not a blood clot but is a radio-opaque object, the object <b>270</b> may be viewed on an x-ray.

0068<figref idref="f0008">FIGs. 11</figref> and <figref idref="f0010">14B</figref> illustrate a first, perspective view of one embodiment of a distal body <b>216</b> with twisting proximal strips <b>252,</b> unattached distal-pointing crowns <b>258</b> that subtly curve inward and have x-ray markers <b>244,</b> and enlarged openings/drop zones <b>262</b> in the basket <b>246</b> that allow the obstruction or other object <b>270</b> to enter. In <figref idref="f0008">FIGs. 11</figref> and <figref idref="f0010">14B</figref>, the distal body <b>216</b> is in Orientation 1. (To prepare a basket <b>246</b> with unattached distal-pointing crowns <b>258</b> that curve inward toward the basket interior <b>292,</b> a mandrel <b>900</b> such as that illustrated in <figref idref="f0029">FIGs. 30 and 31</figref> may be used. The mandrel <b>900</b> includes a generally cylindrical body <b>901</b> with tapered proximal and distal ends <b>902</b> and <b>903</b> that slope like the ends of a pencil. The cylindrical body <b>901</b> includes two grooves <b>904</b> that extend around the circumference of the cylindrical body <b>901.</b> The grooves <b>904</b> include tapered portions <b>905</b> that slope towards the distal end <b>903,</b> which are designed to shape the unattached distal-pointing crowns <b>258.</b> The grooves <b>904</b> are generally in the shape of a truncated cone, as shown in <figref idref="f0029">FIGs. 30-31</figref>). The two proximal, unattached distal-pointing crowns <b>258A</b> and <b>258B</b> are located approximately the same distance from the proximal hub/junction/tube <b>228</b> and are oriented approximately 180 degrees relative to each other. The two distal, unattached distal-pointing crowns <b>258C</b> and <b>258D</b> are located approximately the same distance from the proximal hub/junction/tube <b>228</b> as each other (and distal to the two proximal, unattached distal-pointing crowns <b>258A</b> and <b>258B)</b> and are oriented approximately 180 degrees relative to each other and approximately 90 degrees to the proximal, unattached distal-pointing crowns <b>258A</b> and <b>258B.</b> The two proximal enlarged openings/drop zones <b>262A</b> and <b>262B</b> distal to the proximal, unattached distal pointing crowns <b>258A</b> and <b>258B</b> are located approximately the same distance from the proximal hub/junction/tube <b>228</b> and the centers of the two proximal enlarged openings/drop zones <b>262A</b> and <b>262B</b> are oriented approximately 180 degrees relative to each other. (As noted above, preferably, the proximal, unattached distal-pointing crowns <b>258A</b> and <b>258B</b> form part of the proximal boundary of the proximal, enlarged cells/drop zones <b>262A</b> and <b>262B,</b> and the distal, unattached distal-pointing crowns <b>258C</b> and <b>258C</b> form part of the proximal boundary of the distal, enlarged cells/drop zones <b>262C</b> and <b>262D).</b> The two distal, enlarged openings/drop zones <b>262C</b> and <b>262D</b> distal to the distal, unattached distal pointing crowns <b>258C</b> and <b>258D</b> are located approximately the same distance from the proximal hub/junction/tube <b>228</b> and the centers of the distal, enlarged openings/drop zones <b>262C</b> and <b>262D</b> are oriented approximately 180 degrees relative to each other and approximately 90 degrees relative to the proximal enlarged openings/drop zones <b>262A</b> and <b>262B.</b><figref idref="f0008">FIGs. 12A</figref> and <figref idref="f0010">14C</figref> illustrate a second view of the distal body <b>216</b> of <figref idref="f0008">FIG. 11</figref> (Orientation 2). <figref idref="f0009">FIG. 13</figref> is a close-up view of two unattached, distal-pointing crowns <b>262.</b> The lines in <figref idref="f0010">FIG. 14</figref> show how a nitinol tube <b>264</b> is cut with a laser to create the distal body <b>216</b> shown in <figref idref="f0010">FIG. 14B and FIG. 14C</figref>. It will be appreciated that <figref idref="f0010">FIG. 14B</figref> is a simplified view of the distal body <b>216</b> and orientation shown in <figref idref="f0008">FIG. 11</figref> and <figref idref="f0010">FIG. 14C</figref> is a simplified view of the distal body <b>216</b> and orientation shown in <figref idref="f0008">FIG. 12A</figref>.

0069As described below, <figref idref="f0012 f0013 f0014 f0015 f0016 f0017 f0018 f0019 f0020 f0021 f0022">FIGs. 15-19</figref> describe how the distal body <b>216</b> is used to retrieve, soft clots <b>270A,</b> hard clots <b>270B,</b> and deformable, cohesive adhesive clots <b>270C</b> in a human intracranial artery <b>266.</b> (In <figref idref="f0012 f0013 f0014 f0015 f0016 f0017 f0018 f0019 f0020 f0021 f0022">FIGs. 15-19</figref>, the center of the artery <b>266</b> is denominated by the dashed line). As explained below, the distal body <b>216</b> 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 <b>228, 244;</b> 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 <b>258A, 244</b> and <b>258B, 244;</b> 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 <b>258C, 244</b> and <b>258D, 244;</b> and 4) a fourth row of one x-ray marker, which is located inside the distal tube denominated by the numeral <b>236, 244.</b> (It will be appreciated that the first number in the sequence describes the position of the x-ray marker and the second number, <b>244,</b> represents the fact that the item is an x-ray marker). As explained below, upon deploying the distal body <b>216</b> so that the two proximal, unattached distal-pointing crowns <b>258A, 244</b> and <b>258B, 244</b> are immediately distal to the clot <b>270,</b> the surgeon interventionalist (i.e., operator of the distal body <b>216)</b> 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 <b>216</b> proximally relative to the clot <b>270</b> 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 <b>258A, 244; 258B, 244; 258C, 244;</b> and <b>258D, 244</b> (more specifically, the convergence or lack thereof of the proximal and distal, unattached distal-pointing crowns <b>258A, 244; 258B, 244; 258C, 244;</b> and <b>258D, 244</b> as shown on the x-ray) to determine whether the clot <b>270</b> is located inside the distal body interior <b>222</b> or whether the clot <b>270</b> is collapsing the distal body <b>216.</b>

0070More specifically, <figref idref="f0011 f0012">FIGs. 15A-G</figref> illustrate stepwise use of the distal body <b>216</b> in retrieving a soft clot <b>270A</b> in a human intracranial artery <b>266.</b> (The distal body <b>216</b> in <figref idref="f0011 f0012">FIGS. 15A-15G</figref> is in Orientation 1). First, as always, the surgeon determines the location of the clot <b>270A</b> in the vessel <b>266</b> using, for example, a contrast dye injected proximal and distal to the clot <b>270A.</b> Next, the delivery catheter <b>208,</b> which is enveloping the distal body <b>216,</b> is positioned in the blood vessel <b>266</b> so that the two proximal, unattached distal-pointing crowns <b>258A</b> and <b>258B</b> are immediately distal to the clot <b>270A.</b> See <figref idref="f0011">FIG. 15B</figref>. The distal body <b>216</b> is then deployed from the delivery catheter <b>208</b> by moving the catheter <b>208</b> proximally. The soft clot <b>270A,</b> which is unable to collapse the distal body <b>216,</b> then enters the distal body interior <b>222.</b> See <figref idref="f0011">FIG. 15C</figref>. However, at this time, the surgeon is unaware that the clot <b>270A</b> has entered into the distal body interior <b>222.</b> Thus, without moving the distal body <b>216,</b> the surgeon irradiates the four rows of x-ray markers at a first vantage point (i.e., from the front of the distal body <b>216</b> in the orientation shown in <figref idref="f0011 f0012">FIGs. 15A-G</figref>; i.e., into the page). As shown in <figref idref="f0011">FIG. 15D</figref>, 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 <b>228, 244;</b> the proximal tube x-ray marker <b>228, 244</b> 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 <b>258B, 244;</b> the reason that this second row of markers is a single point is that the rear x-ray marker of the second row <b>258A, 244</b> is hidden from view because it is directly behind the front x-ray marker of the second row <b>258B, 244.</b> The third row has two points, which represents the two x-ray markers located at the distal, unattached distal-pointing crowns <b>258C, 244</b> and <b>258D, 244;</b> the reason that this third row of markers has two points is that neither marker in the third row <b>258C, 244</b> and <b>258D, 244</b> is hidden from view on the x-ray at this angle - rather, one marker <b>258C, 244</b> is located above the other marker <b>258D, 244</b> - and as shown in <figref idref="f0011">FIG. 15C</figref>, the distal body <b>216</b> is not collapsed at the distal, unattached distal-pointing crowns <b>258C, 244</b> and <b>258D, 244.</b> The fourth row is a single point, which represents the x-ray marker located in the distal tube <b>236, 244;</b> the distal tube x-ray marker <b>236, 244</b> always appears as a single point. Without moving the distal body <b>216,</b> 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 <b>216</b> in the orientation shown in <figref idref="f0011">FIG. 15A</figref>). As shown, the first row is, as always, a single point, which represents the x-ray marker located in the proximal tube <b>228, 244.</b> The second row has two points, which represents the two x-ray markers located at the proximal, unattached distal-pointing crown <b>258A, 244</b> and <b>258B, 244;</b> the reason that this second row of markers shows up as two points is that neither marker <b>258A, 244</b> and <b>258B, 244</b> in the second row is hidden from view on the x-ray at this offset angle - rather, one marker <b>258B, 244</b> is located above the other marker <b>258A, 244</b> - and the distal body <b>216</b> is not collapsed at the proximal, unattached distal-pointing crowns <b>258A, 244</b> and <b>258B, 244.</b> The third row is a single point, which represents the x-ray marker located at the bottom, distal, unattached distal-pointing crown <b>258D, 244;</b> the reason that this third row of markers is a single point is that the top x-ray marker of the third row <b>258C, 244</b> is directly behind the bottom x-ray marker of the third row <b>258D, 244,</b> 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 <b>236, 244.</b> The surgeon, thus, concludes that neither the x-ray markers at the second row <b>258A, 244</b> and <b>258B, 244</b> nor the x-ray markers at the third row <b>258C, 244</b> and <b>258D, 244</b> (i.e., the x-ray markers at both the proximal and distal unattached distal pointing-crowns) have converged. As shown in <figref idref="f0012">FIG. 15E</figref>, the surgeon then moves the distal body <b>216</b> proximally relative to the soft clot <b>270A</b> so that the distal, unattached distal-pointing crowns <b>258C, 244</b> and <b>258D, 244</b> are immediately distal to the clot <b>270A</b> 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 <figref idref="f0012">FIG. 15F</figref>, the results are the same as <figref idref="f0011">FIG. 15D</figref>. With the results from <figref idref="f0011">FIGs. 15D</figref> and <figref idref="f0012">15F</figref>, the surgeon concludes that neither x-ray markers at the second row <b>258A, 244</b> and <b>258B, 244</b> nor the x-ray markers at the third row <b>258C, 244</b> and <b>258D, 244</b> (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 <b>216</b> (<figref idref="f0011">FIGs. 15C and 15D</figref>) or the position after moving the distal body <b>216</b> proximally (<figref idref="f0012">FIGs. 15E and 15F</figref>), and, thus, the distal body <b>216</b> was expanded in the vessel <b>266</b> in both positions. Thus, the surgeon concludes that the clot is a soft clot <b>270A</b> that has entered into the distal body interior <b>222</b> and the surgeon removes the distal body <b>216</b> and the soft clot <b>270A,</b> captured by the distal body <b>216,</b> by moving the distal body <b>216</b> proximally out of the vessel <b>266,</b> as shown in <figref idref="f0012">FIG. 15G</figref>.

0071<figref idref="f0013 f0014">FIGs. 16A-H</figref> illustrate stepwise use of the distal body <b>216</b> in retrieving a hard clot <b>270B</b> in a human intracranial artery <b>266.</b> (In <figref idref="f0013 f0014">FIGs. 16A-H</figref>, the distal body <b>216</b> is in Orientation 1). First, as always, the surgeon determines the location of the clot <b>270B</b> in the vessel <b>266</b> using, for example, a contrast dye injected proximal and distal to the clot <b>270B.</b> Next, the delivery catheter <b>208,</b> which is enveloping the distal body <b>216,</b> is positioned in the blood vessel <b>266</b> so that the two proximal, unattached distal-pointing crowns <b>258A</b> and <b>258B</b> are immediately distal to the clot <b>270B.</b> See <figref idref="f0013">FIG. 16B</figref>. The distal body <b>216</b> is then deployed from the delivery catheter <b>208</b> by moving the catheter <b>208</b> proximally. The hard clot <b>270B,</b> which is located above the distal body <b>216,</b> collapses the distal body <b>216,</b> as shown in <figref idref="f0013">FIG. 16C</figref>. However, at this time, the surgeon is unaware that the clot <b>270B</b> has collapsed the distal body <b>216.</b> Thus, without moving the distal body <b>216,</b> the surgeon irradiates the x-ray markers at a first vantage point (i.e., from the front of the distal body <b>216;</b> i.e., into the page). As shown in <figref idref="f0013">FIG. 16D</figref>, 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., <b>228, 244.</b> The second row is a single point, which represents the x-ray marker located at the front, proximal, unattached distal-pointing crown <b>258B, 244;</b> the reason that this second row of markers is a single point is that the rear x-ray marker of the second row <b>258A, 244</b> is hidden from view because it is directly behind the front x-ray marker of the second row <b>258B, 244.</b> The third row has two points, which represents the two x-ray markers located at the distal, unattached distal-pointing crowns <b>258C, 244</b> and <b>258D, 244;</b> 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 <b>258C, 244</b> is located above the other marker <b>258D, 244</b> - and as shown in <figref idref="f0013">FIG. 16C</figref>, the distal body <b>216</b> is not collapsed at the distal, unattached distal-pointing crowns <b>258C, 244</b> and <b>258D, 244.</b> The fourth row is, as always, a single point, representing the x-ray marker located in the distal tube <b>236, 244.</b> Without moving the distal body <b>216,</b> 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 <b>216).</b> As shown, the first row is, as always, a single point, which represents the x-ray marker located in the proximal tube <b>228, 244.</b> The second row has two points, which represents the two x-ray markers located at the proximal, unattached distal-pointing crowns <b>258A, 244</b> and <b>258B, 244;</b> 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 <b>258B, 244</b> is located above the other marker <b>258A, 244</b> - and although the distal body <b>216</b> is collapsed at the proximal, unattached distal-pointing crowns as shown in <figref idref="f0013">FIG. 16C</figref>, the second row of x-ray markers have not converged because the clot <b>270B</b> 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 <b>258D, 244;</b> the reason that this third row of markers is a single point is that the top x-ray marker of the third row <b>258C, 244</b> is directly behind the bottom x-ray marker of the third row <b>258D, 244,</b> 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 <b>236, 244.</b> The surgeon, thus, concludes that neither the second row <b>258A, 244</b> and <b>258B, 244</b> nor the third row <b>258C, 244</b> and <b>258D, 244</b> 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 <figref idref="f0014">FIG. 16E</figref>, the surgeon then moves the distal body <b>216</b> proximally so that the distal, unattached distal-pointing crowns <b>258C, 244</b> and <b>258D, 244</b> are immediately distal to the clot <b>270B</b> and the surgeon then irradiates the x-markers again from the first vantage point. As shown in <figref idref="f0014">FIG. 16F</figref>, the first row is, as always, a single point, representing the x-ray marker located in the proximal tube <b>228, 244.</b> The second row is a single point, which represents the x-ray marker located at the front, proximal, unattached distal-pointing crown <b>258B, 244;</b> the reason that this second row of markers is a single point is that the rear x-ray marker of the second row <b>258A, 244</b> is hidden from view because it is directly behind the front x-ray marker of the second row <b>258B, 244.</b> The third row has only one point because the clot <b>270B,</b> which is on top of the third row of x-ray markers <b>258C, 244</b> and <b>258D, 244</b> (i.e., the markers at the distal, unattached distal-pointing crowns), has pushed the third row of x-ray markers <b>258C, 244</b> and <b>258D, 244</b> together. The fourth row is, as always, a single point, representing the x-ray marker located in the distal tube <b>236, 244.</b> Without moving the distal body <b>216,</b> 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 <b>228, 244.</b> The second row has two points, which represents the two x-ray markers located at the proximal, unattached distal-pointing crown <b>258A, 244</b> and <b>258B, 244;</b> 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 <b>258A, 244</b> and <b>258B, 244.</b> The third row is a single point, which represents the x-ray marker located at the bottom, distal, unattached distal-pointing crown <b>258D, 244;</b> the reason that this third row of markers is a single point is that the bottom x-ray marker of the third row <b>258D, 244</b> is directly in front of the top x-ray marker of the third row <b>258C, 244,</b> and thus, the top x-ray marker of the third row <b>258C, 244</b> is hidden from view. The fourth row is, as always, a single point, which represents the x-ray marker located in the distal tube <b>236, 244.</b> Knowing that the distal, unattached distal-pointing crowns <b>258C, 244</b> and <b>258D, 244</b> have converged as shown in <figref idref="f0014">FIG. 16F</figref>, the surgeon moves the distal body <b>216</b> proximally and the hard clot <b>270B</b> falls into the distal body interior <b>222</b> in the enlarged cell/drop zone <b>262C</b> immediately distal to the top, distal, unattached distal-pointing crown <b>258C.</b> See <figref idref="f0014">FIG. 16G</figref>. To confirm that the hard clot <b>270B</b> has entered the distal body interior <b>222,</b> the surgeon takes x-rays from the first and second vantage points. The results are shown in <figref idref="f0014">FIG. 16H</figref>. As compared to 16F, the front x-ray view of <figref idref="f0014">FIG. 16H</figref> shows that the distal, unattached distal-pointing crowns <b>258C, 244</b> and <b>258D, 244</b> are not converged, and, thus, the surgeon concludes that the hard clot <b>270B</b> has entered the distal body interior <b>222.</b> The surgeon then removes the distal body <b>216</b> and the hard clot <b>270B,</b> captured by the distal body <b>216,</b> by moving the distal body <b>216</b> proximally out of the vessel <b>266.</b>

0072<figref idref="f0015 f0016">FIGs. 17A-G</figref> illustrate stepwise use of the distal body <b>216</b> in retrieving a soft clot <b>270A</b> in a human intracranial artery <b>266.</b> (In <figref idref="f0015 f0016">FIGs. 17A-G</figref>, the distal body <b>216</b> is in Orientation 2). First, as always, the surgeon determines the location of the clot <b>270A</b> in the vessel <b>266</b> using, for example, a contrast dye injected proximal and distal to the clot <b>270A.</b> Next, the delivery catheter <b>208,</b> which is enveloping the distal body <b>216,</b> is positioned in the blood vessel <b>266</b> so that the two proximal, unattached distal-pointing crowns <b>258A</b> and <b>258B</b> are immediately distal to the clot <b>270A.</b> See <figref idref="f0015">FIG. 17B</figref>. The distal body <b>216</b> is then deployed from the catheter <b>208</b> by moving the catheter <b>208</b> proximally. The soft clot <b>270A,</b> which is unable to collapse the distal body <b>216,</b> then enters the distal body interior <b>222.</b> See <figref idref="f0015">FIG. 17C</figref>. However, at this time, the surgeon is unaware that the clot <b>270A</b> has entered into the distal body interior <b>222.</b> Thus, without moving the distal body <b>216,</b> 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 <figref idref="f0015">FIG. 17D</figref>, 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 <b>228, 244.</b> The second row has two points, which represents the two x-ray markers located at the proximal, unattached distal-pointing crowns <b>258A, 244</b> and <b>258B, 244;</b> 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 <b>258A, 244</b> is located above the other marker <b>258B, 244</b> - and as shown in <figref idref="f0015">FIG. 17C</figref>, the distal body <b>216</b> is not collapsed at the proximal, unattached distal-pointing crowns <b>258A, 244</b> and <b>258B, 244.</b> 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 <b>258C, 244;</b> the reason that this third row of markers is a single point is that the rear (in Orientation 2) x-ray marker <b>258D, 244</b> of the third row is hidden from view because it is directly behind the front x-ray marker <b>258C, 244</b> of the third row. The fourth row is, as always, a single point, representing the x-ray marker located in the distal tube <b>236, 244.</b> 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 <b>228, 244.</b> 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 <b>258B, 244;</b> 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 <b>258A, 244</b> is directly behind the bottom x-ray marker of the second row <b>258B, 244,</b> 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 <b>258C, 244</b> and <b>258D, 244;</b> 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 <b>216</b> is not collapsed at the distal, unattached distal-pointing crowns <b>258C, 244</b> and <b>258D, 244.</b> The fourth row is, as always, a single point, which represents the x-ray marker located in the distal tube <b>236, 244.</b> The surgeon, thus, concludes that neither the second row <b>258A, 244</b> and <b>258B, 244</b> nor the third row of x-ray markers <b>258C, 244</b> and <b>258D, 244</b> (i.e., the x-ray markers at both the proximal and distal unattached distal pointing-crowns) has converged. As shown in <figref idref="f0016">FIG. 17E</figref>, the surgeon then moves the distal body <b>216</b> proximally relative to the clot <b>270A</b> so that the distal, unattached distal-pointing crowns <b>258C, 244</b> and <b>258D, 244</b> are immediately distal to the clot <b>270A</b> and then the surgeon irradiates the x-markers again from the first vantage point and the second vantage point. As shown in <figref idref="f0016">FIG. 17F</figref>, the results are the same as <figref idref="f0015">FIG. 17D</figref>. With the results from <figref idref="f0015">FIGs. 17D</figref> and <figref idref="f0016">17F</figref>, the surgeon concludes that neither the second row <b>258A, 244</b> and <b>258B, 244</b> nor the third row of x-ray markers <b>258C, 244</b> and <b>258D, 244</b> (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 <b>216</b> (<figref idref="f0015">FIG. 17C and 17D</figref>) or the position after moving the distal body <b>216</b> proximally (<figref idref="f0016">FIG. 17E and 17F</figref>), and, thus, the distal body <b>216</b> was expanded in the vessel <b>266</b> in both positions. Thus, the surgeon concludes that the clot <b>270A</b> is a soft clot <b>270A</b> that has entered into the distal body interior <b>222</b> and the surgeon removes the distal body <b>216</b> and the soft clot <b>270A,</b> captured by the distal body <b>216,</b> by moving the distal body <b>216</b> proximally out of the vessel <b>266,</b> as shown in <figref idref="f0016">FIG. 17G</figref>.

0073<figref idref="f0017 f0018">FIGs. 18A-G</figref> illustrate stepwise use of the distal body <b>216</b> in retrieving a hard clot <b>270B</b> in a human intracranial artery <b>266.</b> (In <figref idref="f0017 f0018">FIGS. 18A-G</figref>, the distal body <b>216</b> is in Orientation 2). (As described below, the primary differences between <figref idref="f0017 f0018">FIGs 18A-G</figref> and <figref idref="f0013 f0014">FIGs. 16A-G</figref> is that the clot <b>270B</b> enters the distal body interior <b>222</b> in an enlarged cell/drop zone <b>262A</b> immediately distal to one of the proximal, unattached distal-pointing crowns <b>258A</b> in <figref idref="f0017 f0018">FIGs. 18A-G</figref>, as compared to <figref idref="f0013 f0014">FIGs. 16A-G</figref> where the clot <b>270B</b> enters the distal body interior <b>222</b> in an enlarged cell/drop zone <b>262C</b> immediately distal to one of the distal, unattached distal-pointing crowns <b>258C</b>). First, as always, the surgeon determines the location of the clot <b>270B</b> in the vessel <b>266</b> using, for example, a contrast dye injected proximal and distal to the clot <b>270B.</b> Next, the delivery catheter <b>208,</b> which is enveloping the distal body <b>216,</b> is positioned in the blood vessel <b>266</b> so that the two proximal, unattached distal-pointing crowns <b>258A</b> and <b>258B</b> are immediately distal to the clot <b>270B.</b> See <figref idref="f0017">FIG. 18B</figref>. The distal body <b>216</b> is then deployed from the catheter <b>208</b> by moving the catheter <b>208</b> proximally. The hard clot <b>270B,</b> which is located above the distal body <b>216,</b> collapses the distal body <b>216,</b> as shown in <figref idref="f0017">FIG. 18C</figref>. However, at this time, the surgeon is unaware that the clot <b>270B</b> has collapsed the distal body <b>216.</b> Thus, without moving the distal body <b>216,</b> 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 <figref idref="f0017">FIG. 18D</figref>, 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 <b>228, 244.</b> The second row has only one point because the clot <b>270B,</b> which is on top of the second row of x-ray markers <b>258A, 244</b> and <b>258B, 244</b> (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 <b>258C, 244;</b> 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 <b>258D, 244</b> is hidden from view because it is directly behind the front x-ray marker of the third row <b>258C, 244.</b> The fourth row is, as always, a single point, representing the x-ray marker located in the distal tube <b>236, 244.</b> 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 <b>216</b>). As shown, the first row is, as always, a single point, which represents the x-ray marker located in the proximal tube <b>228, 244.</b> The second row has a single point because the top (in Orientation 2) x-ray marker of the second row <b>258A, 244</b> is located behind the bottom (in Orientation 2) x-ray marker <b>258B, 244</b> and thus, the top x-ray marker of the second row <b>258A, 244</b> is hidden from view. The third row has two points, which represents the x-ray markers located at the distal, unattached distal-pointing crowns <b>258C, 244</b> and <b>258D, 244</b>; 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 <b>236, 244.</b> The surgeon, thus, concludes that the second row of x-ray markers <b>258A, 244</b> and <b>258B, 244</b> (i.e., the x-ray markers at the proximal, unattached distal pointing-crowns) has converged. As shown in <figref idref="f0018">FIG. 18E</figref>, the surgeon then moves the distal body <b>216</b> proximally so that the distal, unattached distal-pointing crowns <b>258C, 244</b> and <b>258D, 244</b> are immediately distal to the clot <b>270B.</b> Unbeknownst to the surgeon, the clot <b>270B</b> enters the distal body interior <b>222</b> immediately distal to the top (in Orientation 2), proximal unattached distal-pointing crown <b>258A</b> and the distal body <b>216</b> is no longer collapsed. The surgeon then irradiates the x-markers again from the first vantage point. As shown in <figref idref="f0018">FIG. 18F</figref>, the first row is, as always, a single point, representing the x-ray marker located in the proximal tube <b>228, 244.</b> The second row has two x-ray markers because the distal body <b>216</b> is not collapsed and neither the top (in Orientation 2) <b>258A, 244</b> nor the bottom <b>258B, 244</b> (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 <b>258D, 244</b> is hidden behind the front (in Orientation 2), distal, unattached distal pointing-crown <b>258C, 244.</b> The fourth row is, as always, a single point, representing the x-ray marker located in the distal tube <b>236, 244.</b> Without moving the distal body <b>216,</b> 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 <b>216</b>). As shown, the first row is, as always, a single point, which represents the x-ray marker located in the proximal tube <b>228, 244.</b> The second row has a single point because the x-ray marker at the top (in Orientation 2), proximal, unattached distal-pointing crown <b>258A, 244</b> is hidden behind the bottom (in Orientation 2), proximal, unattached-distal pointing crown <b>258B, 244.</b> The third row has two points because neither the front nor the rear x-ray markers at the distal, unattached, distal-pointing crowns <b>258C, 244</b> and <b>258D, 244</b> is hidden from view. The fourth row is, as always, a single point, which represents the x-ray marker located in the distal tube <b>236, 244.</b> Based on the information from <figref idref="f0017">FIGs. 18D</figref> and <figref idref="f0018">18F</figref>, the surgeon concludes that the clot <b>270B</b> has entered into the distal body interior <b>222.</b> The surgeon then removes the distal body <b>216</b> and the hard clot <b>270B,</b> captured by the distal body <b>216,</b> by moving the distal body <b>216</b> proximally out of the vessel <b>266,</b> as shown in <figref idref="f0018">FIG. 18G</figref>. Upon comparing <figref idref="f0013 f0014">FIGs. 16A-G</figref> and <figref idref="f0017 f0018">FIGs. 18A-G</figref> it will be appreciated that the orientation of the enlarged cells/drop zone <b>262A-D</b> relative to the orientation of a hard clot <b>270B</b> determine which enlarged cell/drop zone <b>262A, 262B, 262C,</b> or <b>262D,</b> the hard clot <b>270</b> enters the distal body interior <b>222</b> through. For example, in <figref idref="f0013">FIG. 16C</figref>, the hard clot <b>270B</b> is located above the distal body <b>216,</b> and thus, the hard clot <b>270B</b> 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 <figref idref="f0013 f0014">FIGs. 16A-G</figref>, is the enlarged cell/drop zone <b>262C</b> immediately distal to the top, distal, unattached, distal-pointing crown <b>258C.</b> In <figref idref="f0017">FIG. 18C</figref>, the hard clot <b>270B</b> is again located above the distal body and, thus, the hard clot <b>270B</b> must enter through the enlarged cell/drop zone located at the top of the distal body. However, in <figref idref="f0017">FIG. 18C</figref>, the enlarged cell/drop zone located at the top of the distal body <b>216,</b> in the orientation of the distal body <b>216</b> shown in <figref idref="f0017 f0018">FIGs. 18A-G</figref>, is the enlarged cell/drop zone <b>262A</b> immediately distal to the top, proximal, unattached, distal-pointing crown <b>258A.</b>

0074<figref idref="f0019 f0022">FIGs. 19A-N</figref> illustrate stepwise use of the distal body <b>216</b> in retrieving a deformable cohesive, adherent clot <b>270C-</b> i.e., a clot that is difficult to break up and is tightly adhered to the vessel wall <b>268</b> - in a human intracranial artery <b>266.</b> (In <figref idref="f0019 f0022">FIGS. 19A-N</figref>, the distal body <b>216</b> is in Orientation 2). First, as always, the surgeon determines the location of the clot <b>270C</b> in the vessel <b>266</b> using, for example, a contrast dye injected proximal and distal to the clot <b>270C.</b> Next, the delivery catheter <b>208,</b> which is enveloping the distal body <b>216,</b> is positioned in the blood vessel <b>266</b> so that the two proximal, unattached distal-pointing crowns <b>258A</b> and <b>258B</b> are immediately distal to the clot <b>270C.</b> See <figref idref="f0019">FIG. 19B</figref>. The distal body <b>216</b> is then deployed from the catheter <b>208</b> by moving the catheter <b>208</b> proximally. The deformable, cohesive adherent clot <b>270C,</b> which is located above the distal body <b>216,</b> collapses the distal body <b>216,</b> as shown in <figref idref="f0019">FIG. 19C</figref>. However, at this time, the surgeon is unaware that the clot <b>270C</b> has collapsed the distal body <b>216.</b> Thus, without moving the distal body <b>216,</b> 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 <figref idref="f0019">FIG. 19D</figref>, 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 <b>228, 244.</b> The second row has a single point, corresponding to the top (in Orientation 2) and bottom (in Orientation 2), proximal, unattached distal-pointing crowns <b>258A, 244</b> and <b>258B, 244,</b> which have converged because the clot <b>270C</b> is collapsing the distal body <b>216.</b> 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 <b>258C, 244;</b> the x-ray marker located at the rear, distal, unattached distal-pointing crown <b>258D, 244</b> is hidden from view. The fourth row is, as always, a single point, representing the x-ray marker located in the distal tube <b>236, 244.</b> Without moving the distal body <b>216,</b> 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 <b>228, 244.</b> The second row has a single point, which corresponds to the bottom (in Orientation 2), proximal, unattached distal-pointing crown <b>258B, 244</b>; the top (in Orientation 2), proximal, unattached distal-pointing crown <b>258A, 244</b> is located behind the bottom, proximal, unattached distal-pointing crown <b>258B, 244</b> and hidden from view. The third row has two points, which correspond to the front (in Orientation 2) <b>258C, 244</b> and rear <b>258D, 244</b> (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 <b>236, 244.</b> As shown in <figref idref="f0020">FIG. 19E</figref>, the surgeon then moves the distal body <b>216</b> proximally (i.e., slightly withdraws the distal body <b>216</b>). The surgeon then irradiates the x-markers again from the first and second vantage points. As shown in <figref idref="f0020">FIG. 19F</figref>, the results are exactly the same as in <figref idref="f0019">FIG. 19D</figref>. Based on the observation that the proximal, unattached distal-pointing crowns <b>258A, 244</b> and <b>258B, 244</b> have converged at both the original position (<figref idref="f0019">FIGs. 19C and 19D</figref> in which the proximal, unattached distal-pointing crowns <b>258A, 244</b> and <b>258B, 244</b> are immediately distal to the clot <b>270C</b>) and the second position (<figref idref="f0020">FIGs. 19E and 19F</figref>), the surgeon concludes that the clot <b>270C</b> is a deformable cohesive, adherent clot <b>270C.</b> The surgeon then oscillates the distal body <b>216</b> proximally and distally a small distance (e.g., about 1mm to about 2 mm) in the vessel <b>266,</b> and the clot <b>270C</b> begins to enter the distal body <b>216,</b> as shown in <figref idref="f0020">FIG. 19G</figref>. The surgeon then irradiates the x-markers again from the first and second vantage points. As shown in <figref idref="f0020">FIG. 19H</figref>, the results are exactly the same as in <figref idref="f0019">FIG. 19D</figref> and <figref idref="f0020">FIG. 19F</figref> except that the second row of markers <b>258A, 244</b> and <b>258B, 244</b> (at the proximal, unattached distal-pointing crowns) are beginning to move apart. The surgeon then moves the distal body <b>216</b> proximally again, as shown in <figref idref="f0021">FIG. 19I</figref>. The surgeon then irradiates the x-markers again from the first and second vantage points. As shown in <figref idref="f0021">FIG. 19J</figref>, the results are exactly the same as in <figref idref="f0019">FIGs. 19D</figref> and <figref idref="f0020">19F</figref>, as the clot <b>270C</b> has caused the second row of markers <b>258A, 244</b> and <b>258B, 244</b> to re-converge. The surgeon then oscillates the distal body <b>216</b> proximally and distally a small distance (e.g., about 1mm to about 2 mm) in the vessel <b>266,</b> and the clot <b>270C</b> begins to further enter the distal body interior <b>222,</b> as shown in <figref idref="f0021">FIG. 19K</figref>. The surgeon then irradiates the x-markers again from the first and second vantage points. As shown in <figref idref="f0021">FIG. 19L</figref>, the results are the same as in <figref idref="f0020">FIG. 19H</figref>. The surgeon then moves the distal body <b>216</b> again proximally, and, instead of collapsing the second row of markers <b>258A, 244</b> and <b>258B, 244,</b> the clot <b>270C</b> fully enters the distal body interior <b>222,</b> as shown in <figref idref="f0022">FIG. 19M</figref>. The surgeon then irradiates the x-markers again from the first and second vantage points. As shown in <figref idref="f0022">FIG. 19N</figref>, the results show that the second row of markers <b>258A, 244</b> and <b>258B, 244</b> (at the proximal, unattached distal-pointing crowns) have moved apart. Satisfied that the x-ray markers in the second row <b>258A, 244</b> and <b>258B, 244</b> (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) <b>258C, 244</b> and <b>258D, 244</b> have stayed far apart, the surgeon concludes that the deformable cohesive, adherent clot <b>270C</b> has been sufficiently captured by the distal body <b>216</b> and the surgeon then removes the distal body <b>216</b> and the clot <b>270C,</b> captured by the distal body <b>216,</b> by moving the distal body <b>216</b> proximally out of the vessel <b>266.</b>

0075Several observations can be made from <figref idref="f0012 f0013 f0014 f0015 f0016 f0017 f0018 f0019 f0020 f0021 f0022">FIGs. 15-19</figref>, as indicated above. For example, the x-ray markers at the proximal and distal, unattached distal-pointing crowns <b>258A-D, 244</b> provide the surgeon feedback concerning the interaction between the distal body <b>216</b> and the clot <b>270</b> in the blood vessel <b>266.</b> In addition, the guiding principle of a soft clot <b>270A</b> is that the soft clot <b>270A</b> does not collapse the distal body <b>216,</b> and thus, x-ray markers at the proximal and distal, unattached distal-pointing crowns <b>258A-D, 244</b> 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 <b>270B,</b> the hard clot <b>270B</b> is generally able to enter the distal body interior <b>222</b> without needing to oscillate the distal body <b>216</b> proximally and distally (unlike a deformable cohesive, adherent clot <b>270C</b>). However, to capture the hard clot <b>270B,</b> the hard clot <b>270B</b> must be oriented properly relative to the enlarged cell/drop zones <b>262A, 262B, 262C,</b> or <b>262D.</b> (This is the reason that the distal body <b>216</b> has four enlarged cells/drop zones: one enlarged cells/drop zone at 0 degrees <b>262B,</b> one enlarged cells/drop zone at 90 degrees <b>262C,</b> one enlarged cells/drop zone at 180 degrees <b>262A</b> and one enlarged cells/drop zone at 270 degrees <b>262D).</b> As a guiding principle, an enlarged cell/drop zone <b>262A, 262B, 262C,</b> or <b>262D</b> is properly oriented to the clot <b>270B</b> when the x-ray markers at the proximal, unattached distal-pointing crowns <b>258A, 244</b> and <b>258B, 244</b> or the distal, unattached distal pointing crowns <b>258C, 244</b> and <b>258D, 244</b> 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 <b>270B</b> can enter the enlarged cell/drop zone <b>262A, 262B, 262C,</b> or <b>262D</b> by moving the distal body <b>216</b> proximally. See <figref idref="f0014">FIG. 16F</figref> and <figref idref="f0017">18D</figref>. Finally, the guiding principal of retrieval of deformable cohesive, adherent clots <b>270C</b> is that oscillation of the distal body <b>216</b> causes the deformable cohesive, adherent clots <b>270C</b> to gradually enter the distal basket interior <b>222</b> over time.

0076<figref idref="f0023">FIGs. 20A, 20B and 20C</figref> show a distal body <b>216</b> that is similar to the distal body <b>216</b> of <figref idref="f0010">FIGs. 14A, 14B and 14C</figref> except that the distal body <b>216</b> of <figref idref="f0023">FIGs. 20A, 20B and 20C</figref> is slightly shorter and its unattached, distal-pointing crowns <b>258A, 258B, 258C,</b> and <b>258D</b> are closer to the proximal tube <b>228.</b> The shortened distal body <b>216</b> of <figref idref="f0023">FIGs. 20A, 20B and 20C</figref> is particularly adapted for tortuous blood vessels <b>266.</b><figref idref="f0024 f0025 f0026 f0027 f0028">FIG. 21-29</figref> show stepwise deployment of the distal body <b>216</b> of <figref idref="f0023">FIGs. 20A, 20B and 20C</figref> in use with a manual (i.e., hand-operated), volume-dependent (i.e. volume locked) suction catheter <b>272</b> that is locked at between about 10 to about 60 cubic centimeters (cc). Optionally, the suction catheter <b>272</b> has an outer diameter of between about 1.27 mm to about 2.29 mm (0.05 inches to about 0.09 inches) and its outer diameter is substantially larger than the outer diameter of the delivery catheter <b>208.</b> The clot <b>270</b> is located in the vessel <b>266</b> through the use of, for example, contrast dye injected proximal and distal to the clot <b>270.</b> As shown in <figref idref="f0024">FIG. 21</figref>, a delivery catheter <b>208</b> containing the distal body <b>216</b> of <figref idref="f0023">FIGs. 20A, 20B and 20C</figref> is positioned in the tortuous vessel <b>266</b> distal to the clot <b>270.</b> The delivery catheter <b>208</b> is withdrawn, deploying the distal body <b>216.</b> See <figref idref="f0024">FIG. 22</figref>. The distal body <b>216</b> is moved proximally relative to the clot <b>270</b> and tension is exerted on pull wire <b>202.</b> See <figref idref="f0025">FIG. 23</figref>. While maintaining tension on the pull wire <b>202,</b> a suction catheter <b>272</b> having a proximal end <b>274</b> and a distal end <b>276</b> is delivered over the pull wire <b>202</b> that is attached to the distal body <b>216.</b> See <figref idref="f0025">FIG. 24</figref>. (The reason for exerting tension on the pull wire <b>202</b> is that the pull wire <b>202</b> serves as the guide/track for the movement of the suction catheter <b>272</b> and without tension, the suction catheter <b>272</b> and pull wire <b>202</b> could end up in the ophthalmic artery <b>288</b>). The distal end <b>276</b> of the suction catheter <b>272</b> is positioned against the clot <b>270.</b> A syringe <b>278</b> is attached to the suction catheter <b>272</b> using a rotating hemostatic valve <b>290,</b> which allows the surgeon to aspirate while a pull wire <b>202</b> is in the system. The surgeon aspirates the syringe <b>278</b> by pulling back on the lever <b>280</b> to a mark on the base <b>282</b> corresponding to between about 10 and about 60 cubic centimeters of fluid. The surgeon then locks the lever <b>280</b> (and attached plunger) into place, leaving the suction catheter <b>272</b> under suction. The surgeon captures the clot <b>270</b> in the distal body <b>216</b> using the techniques described in <figref idref="f0012 f0013 f0014 f0015 f0016 f0017 f0018 f0019 f0020 f0021 f0022">FIGs. 15-19</figref>. The distal body <b>216</b> and clot <b>270</b> become captured by the suction catheter <b>272.</b> See <figref idref="f0027">FIGs. 27 and 28</figref>. The surgeon then removes the suction catheter <b>272</b> and the distal body <b>216</b> and the clot <b>270,</b> captured by the suction catheter <b>272,</b> by moving the suction catheter <b>272</b> proximally out of the vessel <b>266.</b> See <figref idref="f0028">FIG. 29</figref>. It is believed that the suction catheter <b>272</b> would be helpful in the event that a small portion of the clot <b>270</b> breaks off when retrieving the clot <b>270</b> using the distal body <b>216.</b>

0077To examine effectiveness of the systems <b>200,</b> the systems <b>200</b> of <figref idref="f0008 f0009 f0010 f0011 f0012 f0013 f0014 f0015 f0016 f0017 f0018 f0019 f0020 f0021 f0022 f0023">FIGs. 11-20</figref>, without the use of a suction catheter <b>272,</b> were used to retrieve soft and hard clots <b>270A</b> and <b>270B</b> induced in a pig weighing between 30 to 50 kg. The weight of the pig was chosen so that the size of its vessels <b>266</b> would be approximate to the size of a human vessel. The pig was anesthetized. Several hard clots <b>270B</b> were prepared by mixing pig blood and barium and incubating the mixture for 2 hours. Several soft clots <b>270A</b> were prepared by mixing pig blood, thrombin and barium and incubating the mixture for 1 hour. The clots <b>270A</b> and <b>270B,</b> 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 <b>266</b> having a diameter of 2 to 4 mm. (Only one clot <b>270A</b> and <b>270B</b> was located in the vessel <b>266</b> at a time). Angiograms were then performed to confirm occlusion. After waiting ten minutes after confirming occlusion, the distal bodies <b>216</b> of <figref idref="f0008 f0009 f0010 f0011 f0012 f0013 f0014 f0015 f0016 f0017 f0018 f0019 f0020 f0021 f0022 f0023">FIGs. 11-20</figref> were then delivered distal to the clots <b>270A</b> and <b>270B</b> as described above and were used to retrieve the clots <b>270A</b> and <b>270B</b> as described in <figref idref="f0008 f0009 f0010 f0011 f0012 f0013 f0014 f0015 f0016 f0017 f0018 f0019 f0020 f0021 f0022">FIGs. 11-19</figref>. In each case, the distal bodies <b>216</b> were successful in retrieving the clots <b>270A</b> and <b>270B.</b> As shown, the distal body height in the relaxed state tapers/decreases as the proximal strips <b>252</b> approach the proximal hub/junction/tube <b>228</b> and also tapers/decreases as the basket strips <b>291</b> located at the distal end <b>220</b> of the basket <b>246</b> converge at the distal hub/junction/tube <b>236.</b>

The alternate embodiment of FIG. 32

0078<figref idref="f0030">FIG. 32</figref> shows a distal body <b>216</b> in which the proximal strips proximal ends <b>254</b> converge and are soldered or welded at the proximal hub/junction <b>228</b> and the basket strips <b>291</b> located at the distal end <b>220</b> of the basket <b>246</b> converge and are soldered or welded at the distal hub/junction <b>236.</b> To create such an embodiment, the distal body <b>216</b> may be prepared from a single tube, as described above, and the proximal and distal tubes may be clipped and the proximal ends <b>254</b> of the proximal strips <b>252</b> soldered or welded together (and optionally to the pull wire <b>202</b>) and the basket strips <b>291</b> located at the distal end <b>220</b> of the basket <b>246</b> may also be welded or soldered or welded together. Optionally, the proximal and distal hubs/junctions <b>228</b> and <b>236</b> may include x-ray markers <b>244</b> as described above.

The Embodiments of FIGs. 33A-49

0079During the development of the medical devices shown in <figref idref="f0008 f0009 f0010 f0011 f0012 f0013 f0014 f0015 f0016 f0017 f0018 f0019 f0020 f0021 f0022 f0023">FIGs. 11-20</figref>, it became apparent that it would be desirable to make devices from a single tube of memory metal (e.g., nitinol) that had a larger outer diameter than the inner diameter of the catheter. More particularly, it was desirable to create the baskets from a single tube having an outer diameter of 0.635 mm (0.025 inches) but deploy the baskets from a catheter having an inner diameter of 0.53 mm (0.021 inches). This was not possible if the uncut proximal and distal ends of the tube were left intact in the device (as shown in <figref idref="f0002">FIG. 2</figref> for example). Thus, a new method was developed to attain this objective, as shown in <figref idref="f0031 f0032 f0033 f0034 f0035 f0036 f0037 f0038 f0039 f0040 f0041 f0042 f0043 f0044 f0045">FIGs. 33-49</figref>. One method to achieve this was to create scoring lines (referred to below as perforations <b>814, 816, 835</b> and <b>838</b>) so that uncut excess material of first tube wall <b>803</b> would tend to tear cleanly and consistently along the scoring lines <b>814, 816, 835</b> and <b>838,</b> as described below.

0080More particularly, as shown in <figref idref="f0031 f0032 f0033 f0034 f0035 f0036 f0037 f0038 f0039 f0040 f0041 f0042 f0043 f0044 f0045">FIGs. 33-49</figref>, the present disclosure provides: a method of manufacturing a medical device <b>827</b> comprising: <ol id="ol0013" compact="compact"><li>a) providing a first tube <b>800</b> comprised of a memory metal, the first tube <b>800</b> having a first tube exterior <b>801,</b> a first tube hollow interior <b>802,</b> a first tube wall <b>803</b> separating the first tube exterior <b>801</b> from the first tube hollow interior <b>802,</b> a first tube proximal end <b>804</b> comprising a first tube proximal aperture <b>805</b> leading to the first tube hollow interior <b>802,</b> a first tube distal end <b>806</b> comprising a first tube distal aperture <b>807</b> leading to the first tube hollow interior <b>802,</b> a first tube length <b>808</b> extending from the first tube proximal end <b>804</b> to the first tube distal end <b>806,</b> a first tube perimeter <b>809</b> (more particularly a circumference if first tube <b>800</b> is generally cylindrical) generally perpendicular to the first tube length <b>808,</b> a first tube width <b>810</b> (more particularly an outer diameter if first tube <b>800</b> is generally cylindrical) generally perpendicular to the first tube length <b>808,</b> and a middle portion <b>811</b> between the first tube proximal end <b>804</b> and the first tube distal end <b>806,</b> the middle portion <b>811</b> having a middle portion width <b>812</b> (more particularly an outer diameter if first tube <b>800</b> is generally cylindrical) generally parallel to the first tube width/diameter <b>810</b> (see <figref idref="f0031">FIG. 33A</figref>) (preferably the first tube width <b>810</b> is uniform along the first tube length <b>808</b> in step a) as shown in <figref idref="f0031">FIG. 33A</figref>);</li><li>b) using a cutting instrument <b>813</b> (e.g. a laser) to cut portions of the wall <b>803</b> of the first tube <b>800</b> (see <figref idref="f0031">FIG. 33B</figref>) and form i) a plurality of non-contiguous proximal perimeter perforations <b>814</b> located adjacent to the first tube proximal end <b>804</b> and spaced about the perimeter/circumference <b>809</b> of the first tube <b>800</b> and each proximal perimeter perforation <b>814</b> is separated by a proximal perimeter gap <b>870</b> (representing uncut portions of the wall <b>803</b>), the plurality of non-contiguous proximal perimeter perforations <b>814</b> and proximal perimeter gap <b>870</b> define a proximal end tab <b>815</b> located at the proximal end <b>804</b> of the first tube <b>800</b> (see <figref idref="f0032">FIGs. 34</figref>, <figref idref="f0034">36</figref>, <figref idref="f0035">37</figref> and <figref idref="f0038">40</figref>); ii) a plurality of non-contiguous distal perimeter perforations <b>816</b> located adjacent to the first tube distal end <b>806</b> and spaced about the perimeter/circumference <b>809</b> of the first tube <b>800</b> and each distal perimeter perforation <b>816</b> is separated by a distal perimeter gap <b>871</b> (representing uncut portions of the wall <b>803</b>), the plurality of non-contiguous distal perimeter perforations <b>816</b> and the distal perimeter gaps <b>871</b> defining a distal end tab <b>817</b> located at the distal end <b>806</b> of the first tube <b>800</b> (see <figref idref="f0032">FIGs. 34</figref> and <figref idref="f0033">35</figref>); iii) a matrix <b>818</b> in the middle portion <b>811</b> comprising a plurality of middle portion memory metal strips <b>820</b> forming a plurality of cells <b>819</b> (see <figref idref="f0032">FIG. 34</figref>); iv) a plurality of proximal memory metal strips <b>821</b> connecting the middle portion <b>811</b> to the proximal end tab <b>815,</b> each proximal memory metal strip <b>821</b> having a proximal memory metal strip proximal end <b>822</b> connected to the proximal end tab <b>815,</b> a proximal memory metal strip distal end <b>823</b> connected to a cell <b>819</b> of the middle portion <b>811</b> and a proximal memory metal strip length <b>859</b> extending from the proximal memory metal strip proximal end <b>822</b> to the proximal memory metal strip distal end <b>823</b> (see <figref idref="f0032">FIG. 34</figref>, <figref idref="f0034">36</figref>, <figref idref="f0035">37</figref> and <figref idref="f0038">40</figref>); and v) a plurality of distal memory metal strips <b>824</b> connecting the middle portion <b>811</b> to the distal end tab <b>817,</b> each distal memory metal strip <b>824</b> having a distal memory metal strip distal end <b>826</b> connected to the distal end tab <b>817,</b> a distal memory metal strip proximal end <b>825</b> connected to a cell <b>819</b> of the middle portion <b>811,</b> and a distal memory metal strip length <b>858</b> extending from the distal memory metal strip proximal end <b>825</b> to the distal memory metal strip distal end <b>826,</b> wherein the proximal end tab <b>815</b> connects the proximal ends <b>822</b> of the proximal memory metal strips <b>821</b> and the distal end tab <b>817</b> connects the distal ends <b>826</b> of the distal memory metal strips <b>824</b> (see <figref idref="f0032">FIGs. 34</figref> and <figref idref="f0033">35</figref>);</li><li>c) shape setting at least the middle portion <b>811</b> (e.g., the middle portion <b>811</b> and at least a portion of the proximal memory metal strips <b>821</b> and distal memory metal strips <b>824</b>) to expand the width/diameter <b>812</b> of the middle portion <b>811</b> (preferably by expanding the middle portion <b>811</b> using a mandrel such as that shown in <figref idref="f0029">FIGs. 30 and 31</figref> to form a basket <b>851</b>);</li><li>d) after step c), polishing (e.g. electropolishing) the first tube <b>800,</b> wherein said polishing expands the plurality of proximal perimeter perforations <b>814</b> about the first tube perimeter/circumference <b>809</b> and expands the plurality of the distal perimeter perforations <b>816</b> about the first tube perimeter/circumference <b>809</b> (see <figref idref="f0036">FIG. 38</figref>, which shows expanding the proximal perimeter perforations <b>814</b> so that adjacent proximal perimeter perforations <b>814</b> approach each other and the proximal perimeter gaps <b>870</b> becoming smaller; the distal perimeter perforations <b>816</b> expand in a similar manner);</li><li>e) tearing along the plurality of proximal perimeter perforations <b>814</b> to free the proximal ends <b>822</b> of the proximal memory metal strips <b>821</b> from the proximal end tab <b>815</b> and each other and tearing along the plurality of distal perimeter perforations <b>816</b> to free the distal ends <b>826</b> of the distal memory metal strips <b>824</b> from the distal end tab <b>817</b> and each other (see <figref idref="f0037">FIGs. 39</figref> and <figref idref="f0038">41</figref>, which shows removing of the proximal end tab <b>815</b>; the distal end tab is <b>817</b> removed in a similar manner);</li><li>f) joining the free distal ends <b>826</b> of the distal memory metal strips <b>824</b> (see <figref idref="f0042">FIG. 45</figref>) and joining the free proximal ends <b>822</b> of the proximal memory metal strips <b>821</b> (see <figref idref="f0038">FIGs. 42</figref>, <figref idref="f0041">43E-43G</figref> and <figref idref="f0042">44</figref>) to form a medical device <b>827</b> comprised of the joined distal ends <b>826</b> of the distal memory metal strips <b>824,</b> the joined proximal ends <b>822</b> of the proximal memory metal strips <b>821,</b> and the shape set middle portion <b>811,</b> the medical device <b>827</b> having a medical device length <b>828</b> extending at least from the joined distal ends <b>826</b> of the distal memory metal strips <b>824</b> to at least the joined proximal ends <b>822</b> of the proximal memory metal strips <b>821</b> and a medical device width <b>829</b> generally perpendicular to the medical device length <b>828</b> (the term "at least" refers to the fact that the medical device <b>827</b> may include a lead wire at the distal end as described previously); and</li><li>g) inserting the medical device <b>827</b> into a catheter <b>830</b> comprising a catheter interior <b>831</b> having an interior width <b>832</b> (more particularly an inner diameter if the catheter <b>830</b> is generally cylindrical), an open catheter proximal end (not shown in <figref idref="f0031 f0032 f0033 f0034 f0035 f0036 f0037 f0038 f0039 f0040 f0041 f0042 f0043 f0044 f0045">FIGs. 33-49</figref> but shown as <b>212</b> in <figref idref="f0024">FIG. 21</figref>) leading to the catheter interior <b>831,</b> an open catheter distal end <b>833</b> leading to the catheter interior <b>831,</b> the catheter <b>830</b> comprised of a biocompatible material, wherein the catheter interior width <b>832</b> (more particularly inner diameter if the catheter <b>830</b> is generally cylindrical) is less than the first tube width/outer diameter <b>810,</b> wherein the medical device <b>827</b> comprises a collapsed state wherein the medical device width <b>829</b> is less than the catheter interior width/diameter <b>832</b> and an expanded state wherein the medical device width <b>829</b> is greater than the catheter interior width/diameter <b>832,</b> and further wherein the catheter <b>830</b> is configured to envelope the medical device <b>827</b> when the medical device <b>827</b> is in the collapsed state (see FIG. 81).</li></ol>

0081Optionally, the first tube <b>800</b> is generally cylindrical in shape and comprises a first tube diameter <b>810</b> and a first tube circumference <b>809</b> and the proximal perimeter perforations <b>816</b> are arranged in a generally straight line about the circumference <b>809</b> of the first tube <b>800</b> (see <figref idref="f0032">FIGs. 34</figref>, <figref idref="f0034">36</figref>, <figref idref="f0035">37</figref>, <figref idref="f0038">40</figref> and <figref idref="f0043">46</figref>) and the distal perimeter perforations <b>816</b> are arranged in a generally straight line about the circumference <b>809</b> of the first tube <b>800</b> (see <figref idref="f0032 f0033">FIGs. 34-35</figref>).

0082Optionally step b) further comprises using the cutting instrument <b>813</b> to cut additional portions of the wall <b>803</b> of the first tube <b>800</b> and form a plurality of non-contiguous proximal longitudinal perforations <b>835</b> located in a proximal segment <b>836</b> of each proximal memory metal strip <b>821</b> adjacent to the proximal end <b>822</b> of the respective proximal memory metal strip <b>821</b> and extending generally along the first tube length <b>808</b> (see <figref idref="f0032">FIGs. 34</figref>, <figref idref="f0034">36</figref>, <figref idref="f0035">37</figref>, <figref idref="f0043">46</figref> and <figref idref="f0045">49</figref>). Each adjacent non-contiguous proximal longitudinal perforation <b>835</b> is separated by a proximal longitudinal gap <b>876</b> (representing uncut portions of the wall <b>803</b>). The proximal longitudinal perforations <b>835</b> and the proximal longitudinal gaps <b>876</b> form a first longitudinal side <b>872</b> and a second longitudinal side <b>873</b> of each proximal segment <b>836.</b> It will be understood that the non-contiguous proximal longitudinal perforations <b>835</b> extend generally along the first tube length <b>808</b> but are not necessarily parallel to the first tube length <b>808</b> as shown in <figref idref="f0043">FIGs. 46</figref> and <figref idref="f0045">49</figref> as indicated by reference line <b>878</b>; the reference line <b>878</b> is not a component of the system but is merely drawn in the illustration to show the angle. A proximal longitudinal tab <b>837</b> is located between and connects adjacent proximal segments <b>836</b> of proximal memory metal strips <b>821</b> and is formed of uncut portions of the wall <b>803.</b>

0083Optionally step b) further comprises using the cutting instrument <b>813</b> to cut additional portions of the wall <b>803</b> of the first tube <b>800</b> and form a plurality of non-contiguous distal longitudinal perforations <b>838</b> located in a distal segment <b>839</b> of each distal memory metal strip <b>824</b> adjacent to the distal end <b>826</b> of the respective distal memory metal strip <b>824</b> and extending generally along the first tube length <b>808</b> (see <figref idref="f0032">FIGs. 34</figref> and <figref idref="f0033">35</figref>). Each adjacent non-contiguous distal longitudinal perforation <b>838</b> is separated by a distal longitudinal gap <b>877</b> (representing uncut portions of the wall <b>803</b>). The distal longitudinal perforations <b>838</b> and the distal longitudinal gaps <b>877</b> form a first longitudinal side <b>874</b> and a second longitudinal side <b>875</b> of each distal segment <b>839.</b> It will be understood that the non-contiguous distal longitudinal perforations <b>838</b> extend generally along the first tube length <b>808</b> but are not necessarily parallel to the first tube length <b>808</b> as best seen in <figref idref="f0033">FIGs. 35</figref>. A distal longitudinal tab <b>840</b> is located between and connects adjacent distal segments <b>839</b> of distal memory metal strips <b>824</b> and is formed of uncut portions of the wall <b>803.</b>

0084Preferably, the polishing expands the plurality of proximal longitudinal perforations <b>835</b> about the first tube length <b>808</b> (see <figref idref="f0036">FIG. 38</figref>) and expands the plurality of the distal longitudinal perforations <b>838</b> about the first tube length <b>808</b> (so that adjacent proximal longitudinal perforations <b>835</b> on the first longitudinal side <b>872</b> of the proximal segment <b>836</b> approach each other, so that adjacent proximal longitudinal perforations <b>835</b> on the second longitudinal side <b>873</b> of the proximal segment <b>836</b> approach each other, so that adjacent distal longitudinal perforations <b>838</b> on the first longitudinal side <b>874</b> of the distal segment <b>839</b> approach each other, and so that adjacent distal longitudinal perforations <b>838</b> on the second longitudinal side <b>875</b> of the distal segment <b>839</b> approach each other), and step e) further comprises tearing along the plurality of proximal longitudinal perforations <b>835</b> to remove the proximal longitudinal tabs <b>837</b> (see <figref idref="f0037">FIGs. 39</figref> and <figref idref="f0038">41</figref>) and disconnect the proximal segments <b>836</b> from each other and tearing along the plurality of distal longitudinal perforations <b>838</b> to remove the distal longitudinal tabs <b>840</b> and disconnect the distal segments <b>839</b> from each other.

0085Optionally, after step d), the plurality of proximal longitudinal perforations <b>835</b> become nearly continuous (see <figref idref="f0037">FIGs. 39</figref> and <figref idref="f0038">41</figref>), the plurality of distal longitudinal perforations <b>838</b> become nearly continuous, the plurality of proximal perimeter perforations <b>814</b> become nearly continuous (see <figref idref="f0037">FIGs. 39</figref> and <figref idref="f0038">41</figref>) and the plurality of distal perimeter perforations <b>816</b> become nearly continuous.

0086Optionally, the first tube <b>800</b> is generally cylindrical in shape and comprises a first tube outer diameter <b>810,</b> wherein said catheter <b>830</b> is generally cylindrical in shape and comprises a catheter inner diameter <b>832</b> (interior diameter), wherein said step of joining the free proximal ends <b>822</b> of the proximal memory metal strips <b>821</b> comprises attaching the free proximal ends <b>822</b> of the proximal memory metal strips <b>821</b> to a second tube <b>841,</b> the second tube <b>841</b> generally cylindrical in shape and comprising a second tube outer diameter <b>842,</b> wherein said step of joining the free distal ends <b>826</b> of the distal memory metal strips <b>824</b> comprises attaching the free distal ends <b>826</b> of the distal memory metal strips <b>824</b> to a third tube <b>843,</b> the third tube <b>843</b> generally cylindrical in shape and comprising a third tube outer diameter <b>844,</b> and further wherein said second tube outer diameter <b>842</b> and said third tube outer diameter <b>844</b> are less than said first tube outer diameter <b>810</b> and less than said catheter inner diameter <b>832</b> (see <figref idref="f0042">FIGs. 44 and 45</figref>).

0087<figref idref="f0039 f0040 f0041">FIGs. 43A-43G</figref> illustrate an embodiment where the second tube <b>841</b> is a coil system <b>845.</b> For example, the method may include providing a pull wire <b>850.</b> (See <figref idref="f0039">FIG. 43A</figref>). The next step may be providing a coil system <b>845</b> that includes a proximal coil <b>847A</b> and a distal coil <b>847B</b> separated by a longitudinal space <b>848</b> between the proximal end <b>866</b> of the distal coil <b>847B</b> and the distal end <b>867</b> of the proximal coil <b>847A.</b> (See <figref idref="f0039">FIG. 43B</figref>). The next step may involve soldering the pull wire <b>850</b> to the proximal coil <b>847A</b> so that the pull wire <b>850</b> is surrounded by the proximal coil <b>847A.</b> (See <figref idref="f0040">FIGs.43C and 43D</figref>; soldering denoted by the numeral <b>865A</b>). The next step may involve joining the proximal ends <b>822</b> of the proximal memory metal strips <b>821</b> by soldering the proximal ends <b>822</b> of the proximal memory metal strips <b>821</b> at the longitudinal space <b>848</b> between the coils <b>847A</b> and <b>847B.</b> (See <figref idref="f0041">FIGs. 43E-43G</figref>; soldering is denoted by the numeral <b>865B</b>). As shown in <figref idref="f0041">FIG. 43F</figref>, the proximal memory metal strips <b>821</b> are located between the pull wire <b>850</b> (which forms a core of the coil system <b>845</b>) and the proximal coil <b>847A.</b> Optionally, the pull wire <b>850</b> comprises a pull wire proximal end <b>860,</b> a pull wire distal end <b>861,</b> a pull wire length <b>862</b> extending from the pull wire proximal end <b>860</b> to the pull wire distal end <b>861</b> and a pull wire width <b>863</b> generally perpendicular to the pull wire length <b>862</b> and further wherein said pull wire width <b>863</b> comprises a segment <b>864</b> in which the pull wire width <b>863</b> tapers proximally along the pull wire length <b>862.</b> (See <figref idref="f0039">FIG. 43A</figref>).

0088Optionally, the proximal memory metal strips <b>821</b> comprise a width <b>849</b> generally perpendicular to the first tube length <b>808</b> and further wherein said widths <b>849</b> of said proximal memory metal strips <b>821</b> taper as the proximal memory metal strips <b>821</b> approach the proximal end tab <b>815</b> (see <figref idref="f0043">FIG. 46</figref> and <figref idref="f0045">FIG. 49</figref>).

0089The middle portion <b>811</b> may be shape-set in any form. Preferably, the middle portion <b>811</b> is shape set in the form of a basket <b>851,</b> as described above, that is configured to capture a foreign object in a lumen of an animal such as an intracranial thrombus. For example, optionally the middle portion memory metal strips <b>820</b> of said shape set middle portion <b>811</b> form a basket <b>851</b> comprising a basket interior <b>852</b> and a basket length <b>853</b> generally parallel to the medical device length <b>828.</b> Optionally, in the expanded state, the basket <b>851</b> comprises a first pair of distal crowns <b>854</b> not attached to another cell <b>819</b> of the basket <b>851</b> and pointing generally in the distal direction, the distal crowns <b>854</b> in the first pair of distal crowns <b>854</b> located approximately the same distance along the basket length <b>853</b> and between 150 degrees and 180 degrees relative to each other, and further wherein the basket <b>851</b> further comprises a second pair of distal crowns <b>855</b> not attached to another cell <b>819</b> of the basket <b>851</b> and pointing generally in the distal direction, the second pair of distal crowns <b>855</b> located distally relative to the first pair of distal crowns <b>854,</b> each of the distal crowns in the second pair of distal crowns <b>855</b> located between 60 degrees and 90 degrees relative to a distal crown in the first pair of distal crowns <b>854,</b> the distal crowns in the second pair of distal crowns <b>855</b> located approximately the same distance along the basket length <b>853</b> and further wherein each of the distal crowns in the first and second pair of distal crowns <b>854</b> and <b>855</b> comprises an x-ray marker <b>856,</b> the x-ray maker <b>856</b> more visible under x-ray as compared to the middle portion strips <b>820</b> when the basket <b>851</b> 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 and further wherein each distal crown in the first and second pair of distal crowns <b>854</b> and <b>855</b> forms part of a cell <b>819.</b> Optionally, each distal crown in the first and second pair of distal crowns <b>854</b> and <b>855</b> forms part of an enlarged cell <b>857</b> and further wherein the surface area of the enlarged cells <b>857</b> in the relaxed state is greater than the surface area of the other cells <b>819</b> of the basket <b>811</b> and further wherein the enlarged cells <b>857</b> are configured to allow a thrombus to pass therethrough and into the basket interior <b>852,</b> and further wherein the basket <b>811</b> comprises a non-uniform outward radial force along the basket length <b>853</b> due to the offset enlarged cells <b>857.</b> (See <figref idref="f0043">FIG. 47</figref>). Optionally, in step b), each distal end <b>823</b> of each proximal memory metal strip <b>821</b> is connected to a proximal crown <b>869</b> of a proximal cell <b>819B</b> of the middle portion <b>811,</b> said proximal crown <b>869</b> of said proximal cell <b>819B</b> located at the proximal end of the basket <b>811</b> and pointing generally in the proximal direction, and each proximal end <b>825</b> of each distal memory metal strip <b>824</b> is connected to a distal crown <b>868</b> of a distal cell <b>819A,</b> each distal crown <b>868</b> pointing generally in the distal direction and located at the distal end of the basket <b>811</b> (see <figref idref="f0032">FIGs. 34</figref> and <figref idref="f0043">47</figref>). In other words, in the preferred embodiment the middle portion <b>811</b> preferably forms a basket <b>851</b> as described with the basket embodiment shown in <figref idref="f0008 f0009 f0010 f0011 f0012 f0013 f0014 f0015 f0016 f0017 f0018 f0019 f0020 f0021 f0022 f0023">FIGs. 11-20</figref>. However, other basket designs are also possible. Preferably, in the medical device <b>827</b>, the middle portion width/diameter <b>812</b> in the expanded state tapers as the proximal memory metal strips <b>821</b> approach the second tube <b>841</b> and as the distal memory metal strips <b>824</b> approach the third tube <b>843.</b> (See <figref idref="f0044">FIG. 48</figref>). (Preferably, the proximal memory metal strips <b>821</b> twist as shown in <figref idref="f0038">FIGs. 40-42</figref>, <figref idref="f0042">44</figref> and <figref idref="f0043 f0044">47-48</figref> and as described above with respect to <figref idref="f0008">FIGs. 11</figref> and <figref idref="f0023">20</figref> for example - i.e., each distal end <b>823</b> of the respective proximal memory metal strip <b>821</b> is 180 degrees offset from the proximal end <b>822</b> of the same respective proximal memory metal strip <b>821</b>).

0090Optionally, in the expanded state, the medical device width <b>829</b> is less than the medical device length <b>828.</b> Optionally, said catheter inner diameter <b>832</b> is at least about 0.001 inches (e.g, between 0.0254 mm and 0.381 mm (0.001 and 0.015 inches), preferably between 0.762 mm and 0.381 mm (0.003 inch and 0.015 inch) less than said first tube outer diameter <b>810.</b> The medical device <b>827</b> may further include a lead wire at the distal end as described previously.

0091After step e), the proximal end tab <b>815,</b> the distal end tab <b>817,</b> the proximal longitudinal tabs <b>837</b> and the distal longitudinal tabs <b>840</b> are discarded.

0092Optionally, after step e), the proximal memory metal strips <b>821</b> comprise a smooth periphery and the distal memory metal strips <b>824</b> comprise a smooth periphery. In other words, preferably, the proximal end tabs <b>815</b> tear cleanly along the proximal perimeter perforations <b>814,</b> the distal end tabs <b>817</b> tear cleanly along the distal perimeter perforations <b>816,</b> the proximal longitudinal tabs <b>837</b> tear cleanly along the proximal longitudinal perforations <b>835</b> and the distal longitudinal tabs <b>840</b> tear cleanly along the distal longitudinal perforations <b>838.</b>

0093The steps of the method described above with reference to <figref idref="f0031 f0032 f0033 f0034 f0035 f0036 f0037 f0038 f0039 f0040 f0041 f0042 f0043 f0044 f0045">FIGs. 33-49</figref> may be performed simultaneously or in any suitable order. In addition, one or more of the steps, such as step d) may be omitted. Further, step c) (expanding the middle portion <b>811</b>) may be performed using methods now known or hitherto developed. Moreover, the first tube <b>800</b> may only include proximal perimeter perforations <b>814,</b> proximal longitudinal perforations <b>835,</b> distal perimeter perforations <b>816</b> and/or distal longitudinal perforations <b>838.</b> In other words, the first tube <b>800</b> may be cut to include only perimeter perforations <b>814</b> and/or <b>816</b> or only longitudinal perforations <b>835</b> and/or <b>838</b> as shown in <figref idref="f0045">FIG. 49</figref> which only includes proximal longitudinal perforations <b>835</b> that extend to the proximal end <b>804</b> of the first tube <b>800</b>). Preferably, the first tube <b>800</b> is cut to include at least proximal longitudinal perforations <b>835</b> and distal longitudinal perforations <b>838.</b>

<u>The Embodiments of FIGs. 50-56</u>

0094<figref idref="f0046 f0047 f0048 f0049 f0050 f0051 f0052 f0053">FIGs. 50-56</figref> illustrate another catheter-delivered endovascular device. The catheter-delivered endovascular device <b>890</b> of <figref idref="f0046 f0047 f0048 f0049 f0050 f0051 f0052 f0053">FIGs. 50-56</figref> may be used to retrieve a clot or other foreign object from a lumen of an animal. In addition, the catheter-delivered endovascular device <b>890</b> of <figref idref="f0046 f0047 f0048 f0049 f0050 f0051 f0052 f0053">FIGs. 50-56</figref> may be used to open a constricted blood vessel <b>950</b> in the case of a subarrachnoid hemorrhage induced vasospasm or other vasospasm.

0095The catheter-delivered endovascular device <b>890</b> of <figref idref="f0046 f0047 f0048 f0049 f0050 f0051 f0052 f0053">FIGS. 50-56</figref> includes a pull wire <b>891</b> having a proximal end, a distal end <b>892</b> and a pull wire longitudinal axis <b>894</b> extending from the proximal end to the distal end <b>892.</b> The pull wire <b>891</b> may have one or more features described above with respect to the systems of <figref idref="f0001 f0002 f0003 f0004 f0005 f0006 f0007 f0008 f0009 f0010 f0011 f0012 f0013 f0014 f0015 f0016 f0017 f0018 f0019 f0020 f0021 f0022 f0023 f0024 f0025 f0026 f0027 f0028 f0029 f0030 f0031 f0032 f0033 f0034 f0035 f0036 f0037 f0038 f0039 f0040 f0041 f0042 f0043 f0044 f0045">FIGs. 1-49</figref>, and may be comprised of a biocompatible metallic material for example.

0096Optionally, the catheter-delivered endovascular device <b>890</b> further includes a deployable dual basket system <b>895</b> attached to the pull wire <b>891</b> and comprising a system perimeter/circumference <b>896</b> separating a system interior <b>897</b> from a system exterior <b>898,</b> a system proximal end <b>899,</b> a system distal end <b>900,</b> a system height <b>901</b> having a system height center <b>902,</b> a system width <b>903</b> perpendicular to the system height <b>901</b> and having a system width center <b>904,</b> a system longitudinal axis <b>905</b> from the system proximal end <b>899</b> to the system distal end <b>900</b> and extending through the system height center <b>902</b> and system width center <b>904.</b> The system height <b>901</b> and width <b>903</b> may vary along the system longitudinal axis <b>905,</b> as seen in <figref idref="f0046">FIGs. 50-51</figref>, e.g., a smaller height and width at the proximal end <b>899,</b> the distal end <b>900,</b> and the middle of the system as seen in <figref idref="f0046">FIGs. 50-51</figref>. The system <b>895</b> is preferably generally in the form of a tapered cylinder with a variable diameter constituting the system height <b>901</b> and system width <b>903,</b> and accordingly, the system perimeter <b>896</b> is preferably a system circumference.

0097Optionally, the deployable dual basket system <b>895</b> includes a proximal basket <b>906</b> attached to the pull wire <b>891,</b> the proximal basket <b>906</b> comprising a proximal basket perimeter/circumference <b>907</b> separating a proximal basket interior <b>908</b> from a proximal basket exterior <b>909,</b> a proximal end <b>910</b> forming the system proximal end <b>899,</b> a distal end <b>911,</b> a proximal basket height <b>912</b> generally parallel to the system height <b>901,</b> a proximal basket width <b>913</b> generally parallel to the system width <b>903</b> and perpendicular to the proximal basket height <b>912,</b> a proximal basket longitudinal axis <b>914</b> extending from the proximal basket proximal end <b>910</b> to the distal end <b>911</b> and generally parallel to the system longitudinal axis <b>905</b> and generally perpendicular to the proximal basket height <b>912</b> and proximal basket width <b>913,</b> a proximal junction <b>915</b> located at the proximal end <b>910</b> of the proximal basket <b>906,</b> a plurality of proximal cells <b>916</b> distal to the proximal junction <b>915</b> and defined by a plurality of proximal basket memory metal strips <b>917,</b> each proximal cell <b>916</b> comprising a proximal crown <b>918</b> located at the proximal end of the proximal cell <b>916</b> and pointing generally in the proximal direction and a distal crown <b>919</b> located at the distal end of the proximal cell <b>916</b> and pointing generally in the distal direction, a plurality of proximal tether memory metal strips <b>920</b> located between the proximal junction <b>915</b> and the proximal cells <b>916</b> and connecting the proximal cells <b>916</b> to the proximal junction <b>915,</b> each proximal tether memory metal strip <b>920</b> having a proximal end <b>921</b> attached to the proximal junction <b>915,</b> a distal end <b>922</b> attached to a proximal crown <b>918</b> of a proximal cell <b>916.</b> Due to the fact that the proximal basket <b>906</b> is preferably formed from a memory metal tube, as with the prior embodiments, the proximal basket <b>906</b> preferably has a relaxed/expanded state (as shown in <figref idref="f0046">FIGs. 50, 51</figref>, <figref idref="f0052">56F</figref>, <figref idref="f0053">56G, and 56H</figref>) wherein the proximal basket <b>906</b> has a first height <b>912</b> and a first width <b>913,</b> and a collapsed state (see <figref idref="f0050">FIG. 56B</figref>, <figref idref="f0051">56C and 56D</figref>, in which the proximal basket <b>906</b> is in the catheter interior <b>944</b>) wherein the proximal basket <b>906</b> has a second height and a second width, the second height less than the first height <b>912</b> and the second width less than the first width <b>913.</b> (<figref idref="f0052">FIGs. 56E</figref> shows the distal end <b>911</b> of the proximal basket <b>906</b> in the relaxed state and the proximal end <b>910</b> (which is not clearly visible) is in the collapsed state.

0098Optionally, the deployable dual basket system <b>895</b> further includes: a distal basket <b>923</b> distal to the proximal basket <b>906</b> and comprising a distal basket circumference <b>924</b> separating a distal basket interior <b>925</b> from a distal basket exterior <b>926,</b> a proximal end <b>927,</b> a distal end <b>928</b> forming the system distal end <b>900,</b> a distal basket height <b>929</b> generally parallel to the system height <b>901,</b> a distal basket width <b>930</b> generally parallel to the system width <b>903</b> and generally perpendicular to the distal basket height <b>929,</b> a distal basket longitudinal axis <b>931</b> extending from the distal basket proximal end <b>927</b> to the distal basket distal end <b>928</b> and generally parallel to the system longitudinal axis <b>905,</b> a distal junction <b>932</b> located at the distal end <b>928</b> of the distal basket <b>923,</b> a plurality of distal cells <b>934</b> proximal to the distal junction <b>932</b> and defined by a plurality of distal basket memory metal strips <b>933,</b> each distal cell <b>934</b> comprising a proximal crown <b>938</b> located at the proximal end of the distal cell <b>934</b> and pointing generally in the proximal direction and a distal crown <b>937</b> located at the distal end of the distal cell <b>934</b> and pointing generally in the distal direction. Due to the fact that the distal basket <b>923</b> is preferably formed from a memory metal tube, as with the prior embodiments, the distal basket <b>923</b> preferably has a relaxed/expanded state (as shown in <figref idref="f0046">FIGs. 50, 51</figref>, and <figref idref="f0052 f0053">56E-56H</figref>) wherein the distal basket <b>923</b> has a first height <b>929</b> and a first width <b>930,</b> and a collapsed state (see <figref idref="f0050">FIG. 56B</figref> in which the distal basket <b>923</b> is in the catheter interior <b>944</b>) wherein the distal basket <b>923</b> has a second height and a second width, the second height less than the first height <b>929</b> and the second width less than the first width <b>930.</b> (<figref idref="f0051">FIGs. 56C</figref> shows the distal end <b>928</b> of the distal basket <b>923</b> in the expanded state and the proximal end <b>927</b> (which is in the catheter interior <b>944</b>) is in the collapsed state).

0099Optionally, the deployable dual basket system <b>895</b> further includes a plurality of basket connector tether memory metal strips <b>939</b> located between the proximal basket <b>906</b> and the distal basket <b>923</b> and connecting the proximal basket <b>906</b> to the distal basket <b>923</b> and located between the proximal basket <b>906</b> and the distal basket <b>923.</b> Optionally, each basket connector tether memory metal strip <b>939</b> has a proximal end <b>940</b> attached to a distal crown <b>919</b> of a cell <b>916</b> located at the distal end of the proximal basket <b>906</b> and a distal end <b>941</b> attached to a proximal crown <b>938</b> of a cell <b>934</b> located at the proximal end of the distal basket <b>923,</b> and a basket connector tether memory metal strip longitudinal axis extending from the proximal end <b>940</b> of the basket connector tether memory metal strip <b>939</b> to the distal end <b>941</b> of the basket connector tether memory metal strip <b>939.</b>

0100As previously mentioned, the catheter-delivered endovascular device <b>890</b> further includes a catheter <b>943</b> having an interior <b>944,</b> a proximal end <b>945</b> leading to the interior <b>944</b> and a distal end <b>946</b> leading to the interior <b>944,</b> the catheter <b>943</b> comprised of a biocompatible material and configured to envelope the deployable dual basket system <b>895</b> when the proximal basket <b>906</b> and distal basket <b>923</b> are in the collapsed state. The catheter <b>943</b> may have one or more features described above with respect to the catheters of the systems shown in <figref idref="f0001 f0002 f0003 f0004 f0005 f0006 f0007 f0008 f0009 f0010 f0011 f0012 f0013 f0014 f0015 f0016 f0017 f0018 f0019 f0020 f0021 f0022 f0023 f0024 f0025 f0026 f0027 f0028 f0029 f0030 f0031 f0032 f0033 f0034 f0035 f0036 f0037 f0038 f0039 f0040 f0041 f0042 f0043 f0044 f0045">FIGs. 1-49</figref> and may be polymeric as described above.

0101Optionally, in the relaxed state and the collapsed state, each basket connector tether memory metal strip <b>939</b> rotates a degree of rotation about the system circumference <b>896</b> relative to the proximal basket longitudinal axis <b>914,</b> the distal basket longitudinal axis <b>931</b> and the system longitudinal axis <b>905.</b> Optionally, each basket connector tether memory metal strip <b>939</b> rotates in the same direction; for example, if the deployable dual basket system <b>895</b> has two basket connector tether memory metal strips <b>939</b> both will rotate clockwise or both will rotate counterclockwise as viewed from the system proximal end <b>899.</b> The reason that the basket connector tether memory metal strips <b>939</b> both preferably rotate in the same direction is that the deployable dual basket system <b>895</b> is preferably initially made from a single memory metal tube using the cut pattern for the basket connector tether memory metal strips <b>939</b> shown in <figref idref="f0047">FIG. 52</figref> (the memory metal tube is shown flat in <figref idref="f0047">FIG. 52</figref> for illustration purposes). As discussed below, after cutting the tube and removing the proximal end of the tube and the distal end of the tube, the proximal tether memory metal strips <b>920</b> may be re-joined as shown in <figref idref="f0049">FIG. 55</figref> using coil and the distal basket memory metal strips distal ends <b>936</b> may be rejoined using third tube <b>968</b> as shown in <figref idref="f0049">FIG. 54</figref>. The rotating basket connector tether memory metal strips <b>939</b> preferably provide a flex point so that the deployable dual basket system <b>895</b> may navigate tortuous blood vessels <b>950,</b> as shown in <figref idref="f0050 f0051 f0052 f0053">FIG. 56</figref>. It will be understood that the rotation is a characteristic of the connector tether memory metal strips <b>939</b> and does not refer to user manipulation of the connector tether memory metal strips <b>939</b> - i.e., the connector tether memory metal strips <b>939</b> rotate without user manipulation.

0102Optionally, each basket connector tether memory metal strip <b>939</b> rotates a greater degree of rotation in the collapsed state as compared to the degree of rotation of the same basket connector tether memory metal strip <b>939</b> in the relaxed state if the basket connector tether memory metal strips <b>939</b> are prepared from a single memory metal tube that is expanded and shape set. The reason for this is that the collapsed state mimics the native portion and has the diameter of the tube from which the deployable dual basket system <b>895</b> is cut, whereas the relaxed state has a greater diameter, and accordingly, the basket connector tether memory metal strips <b>939</b> must travel a greater distance in the relaxed state. Thus, for example, a given basket connector tether memory metal strip <b>939</b> may rotate 180 degrees for example in the collapsed state but only 90 degrees in the relaxed state. Optionally, in the relaxed state, the basket connector tether memory metal strips <b>939</b> each rotate at least about fifteen degrees in the same direction relative to the proximal basket longitudinal axis <b>914</b> and the distal basket longitudinal axis <b>931.</b> In the collapsed state, the distal end <b>941</b> of a first basket connector tether memory metal strip <b>939</b> is located between about 90 degrees and about 270 degrees relative to the proximal end <b>940</b> of the same basket connector tether memory metal strip <b>939,</b> and further wherein in the collapsed state, the distal end <b>941</b> of a second basket connector tether memory metal strip <b>939</b> is located between about 90 degrees and about 270 degrees relative to the proximal end <b>940</b> of the same basket connector tether memory metal strip <b>939.</b>

0103Due to the fact that the basket connector tether memory metal strips <b>939</b> rotate, in the relaxed state and the collapsed state, a distal crown <b>919</b> of the proximal basket <b>906</b> attached to the proximal end <b>940</b> of a basket connector tether memory metal strip <b>939</b> is offset about the system circumference <b>896</b> relative to the proximal crown <b>938</b> of the distal basket <b>923</b> attached to the distal end <b>941</b> of the same basket connector tether memory metal strip <b>939,</b> and accordingly, the distal crown <b>919</b> of the proximal basket <b>906</b> will rotate a greater extent in the collapsed state as compared to the relaxed state.

0104Optionally, at least some of the distal basket memory metal strips <b>933</b> are located at the distal end <b>928</b> of the distal basket <b>923,</b> wherein each of the distal basket memory metal strips <b>933</b> located at the distal end <b>928</b> of the distal basket <b>923</b> have a distal end <b>936,</b> wherein each of the distal ends <b>936</b> of the distal basket memory metal strips <b>933</b> located at the distal end <b>928</b> of the distal basket <b>923</b> converge at the distal junction <b>932</b> and further wherein the distal basket <b>923,</b> in the relaxed state, comprises a tapered region <b>948</b> in which the distal basket height <b>929</b> and width <b>930</b> decrease as the distal basket memory metal strips <b>933</b> located at the distal end <b>928</b> of the distal basket <b>923</b> approach the distal junction <b>932.</b> Likewise, optionally, the proximal basket <b>906,</b> in the relaxed state, comprises a tapered region <b>949</b> in which the proximal basket height <b>912</b> and width <b>913</b> decrease as the proximal tether memory metal strips <b>920</b> approach the proximal junction <b>915.</b> In other words, the proximal tapered region <b>949</b> represents a low point in the proximal basket width <b>913</b> and height <b>912</b> and the distal tapered region <b>948</b> represents a low point in the distal basket width <b>930</b> and height <b>929,</b> which prevents the device <b>890</b> from injuring a blood vessel <b>950</b> when used to treat vasospasm, as shown in <figref idref="f0050 f0051 f0052 f0053">FIGs. 56A-56H</figref> for example.

0105Optionally, in the relaxed state, the radial force of the deployable dual basket system <b>895</b> from the proximal ends <b>940</b> of the basket connector tether memory metal strips <b>939</b> to the distal ends <b>941</b> of the basket connector tether memory metal strips <b>939</b> is less than the radial force of the proximal basket <b>906,</b> as measured from the proximal crowns <b>918</b> of the cells <b>916</b> of the proximal basket <b>906</b> attached to the plurality of proximal memory metal strips <b>920</b> to the distal crowns <b>919</b> of the cells <b>916</b> of the proximal basket <b>906</b> attached to the plurality of basket connector tether memory metal strips <b>939.</b> The decreased radial force of the basket tether memory metal strips <b>939</b> is designed to allow the deployable dual basket system <b>895</b> to navigate the tortuous blood vessels <b>950,</b> as previously mentioned.

0106Optionally, the system <b>895</b> has only two basket connector tether memory metal strips <b>939.</b>

0107Optionally, in the relaxed state, the height <b>912</b> of the proximal basket <b>906</b> is greater than the height <b>929</b> of the distal basket <b>923</b> and further wherein the width <b>913</b> of the proximal basket <b>906</b> is greater than the width <b>930</b> of the distal basket <b>923.</b> Optionally, in the relaxed state, the radial force of the distal basket <b>923,</b> as measured from the proximal crowns <b>938</b> of the cells <b>934</b> of the distal basket <b>923</b> attached to the plurality of basket connector tether memory metal strips <b>939</b> to the distal-most crown <b>937</b> of the distal cells <b>934</b> of the distal basket <b>923,</b> is less than the radial force of the proximal basket <b>906</b> as measured from the proximal crowns <b>918</b> of the cells <b>916</b> of the proximal basket <b>906</b> attached to the plurality of proximal memory metal strips <b>920</b> to the distal crowns <b>919</b> of the cells <b>916</b> of the proximal basket <b>906</b> attached to the plurality of basket connector tether memory metal strips <b>919.</b> The decreased height <b>929,</b> width <b>930</b> and radial force of the distal basket <b>923,</b> as compared to the proximal basket <b>906,</b> is designed to prevent vessel damage given that blood vessels <b>950</b> generally taper from the proximal end to the distal end. Optionally, in the relaxed state, the radial force of the proximal basket <b>906</b> is substantially uniform from the proximal crowns <b>918</b> of the cells <b>916</b> of the proximal basket <b>906</b> attached to the plurality of proximal memory metal strips <b>920</b> to the distal crowns <b>919</b> of the cells <b>916</b> of the proximal basket <b>906</b> attached to the plurality of basket connector tether memory metal strips <b>939</b> (i.e., substantially uniform along the length of the proximal basket <b>906</b>). Similarly, optionally, in the relaxed state, the radial force of the distal basket <b>923</b> is substantially uniform from the proximal crowns <b>938</b> of the cells <b>934</b> of the distal basket <b>923</b> attached to the plurality of basket connector tether memory metal strips <b>939</b> to the distal-most crown <b>937</b> of the distal cells <b>934</b> of the distal basket <b>923.</b>

0108Optionally, the proximal basket interior <b>908</b> and the distal basket interior <b>925</b> are generally hollow and the proximal basket cells <b>916</b> are spaced about the circumference of the proximal basket <b>906</b> and the distal basket cells <b>934</b> are spaced about the circumference <b>924</b> of the distal basket <b>923.</b>

0109Optionally, the basket connector tether memory metal strips <b>939</b> do not traverse the system interior <b>897.</b> In other words, the connector tether memory metal strips <b>939,</b> the proximal basket cells <b>916</b> and the distal basket cells <b>934</b> each define a portion of the perimeter of the deployable dual basket system <b>895.</b>

0110Optionally, each of the distal crowns <b>919</b> of the proximal basket <b>906</b> connected to the basket connector tether memory metal strips <b>939</b> are approximately the same distance from the proximal junction <b>915</b> and further wherein each of the proximal crowns <b>938</b> of the distal basket <b>923</b> connected to the basket connector tether memory metal strips <b>939</b> are approximately same distance from the distal junction <b>932.</b>

0111Optionally, each of the proximal crowns <b>918</b> and <b>938</b> are connected to a memory metal strip extending proximally from the proximal crowns <b>918</b> and <b>938</b> and each of the distal crowns <b>919</b> and <b>937</b> are connected to a memory metal strip extending distally from the distal crowns <b>919</b> and <b>937</b> (i.e., the proximal crowns <b>918</b> and <b>938</b> and distal crowns <b>919 and 937</b> are connected to either the proximal tether memory metal strips <b>920,</b> the proximal basket memory metal strips <b>917,</b> the distal basket memory metal strips <b>933</b> or the basket connector tether memory metal strips <b>939</b>). In other words, there are no free crowns and the proximal basket <b>906</b> and distal basket <b>923</b> have a closed cell design to prevent vessel injury.

0112Optionally, the proximal tether memory metal strips form <b>920</b> flex points of the deployable dual basket system <b>895.</b> The proximal tether memory metal strips <b>920</b> may also rotate. For example, in the collapsed state, the distal end <b>922</b> of a first proximal tether memory metal strip <b>920</b> may be located between about 90 degrees and about 270 degrees relative to the proximal end <b>921</b> of the same proximal tether memory metal strip <b>920,</b> and further wherein in the collapsed state, the distal end <b>922</b> of a second proximal tether memory metal strip <b>920</b> may be located between about 90 degrees and about 270 degrees relative to the proximal end <b>921</b> of the same proximal tether memory metal strip <b>920.</b> Optionally, the first and second proximal memory metal strips <b>920</b> intersect/cross adjacent and distal to the proximal junction <b>915,</b> as seen in <figref idref="f0046">FIGs. 50 and 51</figref>. In other words, the length/longitudinal axis of the proximal tether memory metal strips <b>920</b> (and the length/longitudinal axis of the basket connector tether memory metal strips <b>939</b>) is preferably angled relative to the system longitudinal axis <b>905,</b> the proximal basket longitudinal axis <b>914</b> or the distal basket longitudinal axis <b>931.</b>

0113Optionally, the basket connector tether memory metal strips <b>939</b> form the sole attachment of the proximal basket <b>906</b> to the distal basket <b>923.</b>

0114As mentioned, the device <b>890</b> of <figref idref="f0046 f0047 f0048 f0049 f0050 f0051 f0052 f0053">FIGs. 50-56</figref> may be used to open a constricted blood vessel in the case of a subarrachnoid hemorrhage induced vasospasm, as seen in <figref idref="f0050 f0051 f0052 f0053">FIGs. 56</figref>. It will be understood that the term "blood vessel" includes more than one vessel, as four artery branches are shown in <figref idref="f0050 f0051 f0052 f0053">FIG. 56</figref>, namely, the M2 middle cerebral artery (MCA), the M1 middle cerebral artery (MCA), the internal carotid artery (ICA) and the A1 anterior cerebral artery (ACA).

0115For example, the device <b>890</b> may be used in a method of treating a human having a subarrachnoid hemorrhage induced vasospasm in a constricted blood vessel <b>950</b> having a proximal region <b>951</b> having a constricted height <b>952</b> and a constricted width and a distal region <b>954</b> having a constricted height <b>955</b> and a constricted width, the method comprising the steps of: <ol id="ol0014" compact="compact"><li>a) providing the deployable dual basket system <b>895,</b> wherein the distal basket <b>923</b> and the proximal basket <b>906</b> are in the collapsed state and located in the catheter interior <b>944;</b></li><li>b) positioning the deployable dual basket system <b>895</b> in the blood vessel <b>950</b> so that the distal end <b>946</b> of the catheter <b>943</b> is distal to the distal region <b>954</b> of the blood vessel <b>950;</b></li><li>c) deploying the proximal basket <b>906</b> and the distal basket <b>923</b> from the distal end <b>946</b> of the catheter <b>943</b> into the distal region <b>954</b> of the blood vessel <b>950;</b> and</li><li>d) allowing the height <b>929</b> and width <b>930</b> of the distal basket <b>923</b> and the proximal basket <b>906</b> to increase and cause the height <b>955</b> and width of the distal region <b>954</b> of the blood vessel <b>950</b> to increase. Optionally, the method further includes e) moving the deployable dual basket system <b>895</b> proximally in the relaxed state within the blood vessel <b>950</b> and into the proximal region <b>951</b> to cause the height <b>952</b> and width of the proximal region <b>951</b> of the blood vessel <b>950</b> to increase; and f) withdrawing the deployable dual basket system <b>895</b> from the blood vessel <b>950</b> and out of the human.</li></ol>

0116As mentioned above, the term "blood vessel" may or may not include multiple blood vessels. For example, in <figref idref="f0050 f0051 f0052 f0053">FIG. 56</figref>, the constricted distal region <b>954</b> of the blood vessel <b>950</b> is the M2 of the middle cerebral artery and the constricted proximal region <b>951</b> of the blood vessel <b>950</b> is the M1 segment of the middle cerebral artery. Alternatively, the proximal region <b>951</b> and distal region <b>954</b> may be two discrete (albeit connected) blood vessels.

0117The blood vessel <b>950</b> is lined with endothelium <b>957</b> and preferably the method comprises performing steps a) - f) without damaging the endothelium <b>957.</b>

0118The devices <b>895</b> of <figref idref="f0046 f0047 f0048 f0049 f0050 f0051 f0052 f0053">FIGS. 50-56</figref> may be manufactured by any suitable method. In an exemplary embodiment, the device <b>895</b> is assembled in a method similar to <figref idref="f0031 f0045">FIGs. 33A-49</figref>. The method may include: a) providing a first tube comprised of a memory metal as previously described with respect to <figref idref="f0031 f0032 f0033 f0034 f0035 f0036 f0037 f0038 f0039 f0040 f0041 f0042 f0043 f0044 f0045">FIGs. 33A-49</figref>;b) using a cutting instrument to cut portions of the first tube wall and form a proximal matrix (i.e., the precursor to proximal basket <b>906</b>) in the proximal middle portion comprising a plurality of proximal middle portion memory metal strips forming a plurality of proximal matrix cells, each proximal matrix cell having a proximal crown pointing generally in the proximal direction and a distal crown pointing generally in the distal direction and a proximal matrix cell length extending from the proximal crown to the distal crown and generally parallel to the first tube longitudinal axis; ii) a plurality of proximal tether memory metal strips <b>920,</b> each proximal tether memory metal strip <b>920</b> having a proximal tether memory metal strip proximal end <b>921,</b> a proximal tether memory metal strip distal end <b>922</b> connected to a proximal crown of a proximal matrix cell and a proximal memory metal strip length extending from the proximal tether memory metal strip proximal end <b>921</b> to the proximal tether memory metal strip distal end <b>922,</b> the proximal tether memory metal strips <b>920</b> formed by moving the cutting instrument at an angle (e.g.., between about 90 degrees and 270 degrees relative to the first tube longitudinal axis); iii) a distal matrix (i.e., the precursor to the distal basket <b>923</b>) in the proximal middle portion comprising a plurality of distal middle portion memory metal strips forming a plurality of distal matrix cells, each distal matrix cell having a proximal crown pointing generally in the proximal direction and a distal crown pointing generally in the distal direction and a distal matrix cell length extending from the proximal crown to the distal crown and generally parallel to the first tube longitudinal axis; iv) a plurality of basket connector tether memory metal strips <b>939,</b> each basket connector tether memory metal strip <b>939</b> having a basket connector tether memory metal strip proximal end <b>940</b> connected to a distal crown of a proximal matrix cell, a basket connector tether memory metal strip distal end <b>941</b> connected to a proximal crown of a distal matrix cell and a basket connector tether memory metal strip length extending from the basket connector tether memory metal strip proximal end <b>940</b> to the basket connector tether memory metal strip distal end <b>941,</b> the basket connector tether memory metal strips <b>939</b> formed by rotating the first tube about the first tube longitudinal axis relative to the cutting instrument so that the proximal end <b>940</b> of a basket connector tether memory metal strip <b>939</b> is located between about 90 degrees and about 270 degrees relative to the distal end <b>941</b> of the same basket connector tether memory metal strip <b>939</b>; and v) a plurality of proximal longitudinal perforations <b>958</b> as described previously, wherein a proximal longitudinal tab <b>960</b> is located between and connects adjacent proximal segments <b>959</b> of adjacent proximal tether memory metal strips <b>920</b> and is formed from uncut portions of the first tube wall; c) shape setting at least the proximal middle portion and the distal middle portion to expand the width of the proximal middle portion and the distal middle portion and form a proximal basket <b>906</b> comprised of the proximal matrix cells and a distal basket <b>923</b> comprised of the distal matrix cells, the proximal basket <b>906</b> and the distal basket <b>923</b> connected by the basket connector tether memory metal strips <b>939;</b> d) after step c), polishing the first tube, wherein said polishing expands the plurality of proximal longitudinal perforations <b>958</b> so that the proximal longitudinal gaps become smaller and adjacent proximal longitudinal perforations <b>958</b> approach each other; e) tearing along the plurality of proximal longitudinal perforations <b>958</b> to free the proximal segments <b>959</b> of the proximal tether memory metal strips <b>920</b> from the proximal longitudinal tabs <b>960</b> and each other; f) joining the free proximal segments <b>959</b> of the proximal tether memory metal strips <b>920</b> (e.g., using a coil as shown in <figref idref="f0049">FIG. 55</figref>) to form a medical device comprised of the joined proximal segments <b>959</b> of the proximal tether memory metal strips <b>920,</b> the proximal basket <b>906,</b> the basket connector tether memory metal strips <b>939,</b> and the distal basket <b>923,</b> the medical device having a medical device length extending at least from the distal basket <b>923</b> to at least the joined proximal segments <b>959</b> of the proximal tether memory metal strips <b>920</b> and a medical device width generally perpendicular to the medical device length; and g) inserting the medical device into a catheter <b>943</b> comprising a catheter interior <b>944</b> having an interior width, an open catheter proximal end <b>945</b> leading to the catheter interior <b>944,</b> an open catheter distal end <b>946</b> leading to the catheter interior <b>944,</b> the catheter <b>943</b> comprised of a biocompatible material, wherein the medical device comprises a collapsed state wherein the medical device width is less than the catheter interior width and a relaxed state wherein the medical device width is greater than the catheter interior width, wherein the catheter <b>943</b> is configured to envelope the medical device when the medical device is in the collapsed state, and further wherein the catheter interior width is less than the first tube outer width.

0119Optionally, the process further includes forming distal longitudinal perforations <b>961,</b> distal longitudinal tabs <b>963</b> and rejoining the distal basket memory metal strip distal ends <b>936</b> using a third tube <b>968</b> as described previously and shown in <figref idref="f0049">FIG. 54</figref>. In addition, the process may include forming proximal perimeter perforations <b>964,</b> proximal end tab <b>965,</b> distal perimeter perforations <b>966</b> and distal end tab <b>967.</b> It will be appreciated that the manufacturing process has been described and illustrated in abbreviated form due to the similarities to <figref idref="f0031 f0032 f0033 f0034 f0035 f0036 f0037 f0038 f0039 f0040 f0041 f0042 f0043 f0044 f0045">FIGs. 33A-49</figref>. As with <figref idref="f0031 f0032 f0033 f0034 f0035 f0036 f0037 f0038 f0039 f0040 f0041 f0042 f0043 f0044 f0045">FIGs. 33A-49</figref>, the process of <figref idref="f0047 f0048 f0049">FIGs. 52-55</figref> allows one to form the proximal and distal baskets <b>906</b> and <b>923</b> from a tube having a first tube diameter, and then removing the proximal and distal ends of the first tube (and attaching coil and third tube <b>968,</b> which have a smaller diameter than the first tube diameter) in order to allow the deployable dual basket system <b>895</b> to fit inside a catheter having a diameter less than the first tube diameter.

0120Optionally, the cells <b>916</b> of the proximal basket <b>906</b> are substantially equal in size to each other and to the cells <b>934</b> of the distal basket <b>923</b> in the relaxed state - e.g., the surface area of the cells <b>916</b> and <b>934</b> may vary by no more than 5%.

0121The deployable dual basket system <b>895</b> of <figref idref="f0046 f0047 f0048 f0049 f0050 f0051 f0052 f0053">FIGs. 50-56</figref> may have a length of, for example, between about 10 mm (millimeters) and 60 mm, more preferably between about 30 mm and about 60 mm.

0122The system of <figref idref="f0046 f0047 f0048 f0049 f0050 f0051 f0052 f0053">FIGs. 50-56</figref> may include a lead wire extending from the distal junction <b>932,</b> as described above with respect to the systems of <figref idref="f0001 f0002 f0003 f0004 f0005 f0006 f0007 f0008 f0009 f0010 f0011 f0012 f0013 f0014 f0015 f0016 f0017 f0018 f0019 f0020 f0021 f0022 f0023 f0024 f0025 f0026 f0027 f0028 f0029 f0030 f0031 f0032 f0033 f0034 f0035 f0036 f0037 f0038 f0039 f0040 f0041 f0042 f0043 f0044 f0045">FIGS. 1-49</figref>.

0123Having 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 defined and limited by the following claims.

0124Terms 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.