Abstract: A device, a thrombectomy apparatus and a method for extraction of thrombus from a blood vessel are disclosed. The device comprises a segment changing its shape from a retracted position in a compressed state to an extended and expanded position. The segment is formed by a mesh of at least two sets of helicoidal filaments turning respectively in opposite directions and being intertwined. The mesh comprises two distinct tubular sections. The mesh of the first section has helicoidal filaments with a braiding angle providing radial forces higher than in the second section, thus the first section becomes appositioned against the inner wall of the blood vessel. The second section comprises two sub-sections. The first sub-section has a conical shape and comprises a braiding angle changing at its proximal and distal ends to provide radial strength to maintain the conical shape and to stop a proximal blood flow during the removal of the thrombus.

Abstract: A method of extracting a thrombus from a thrombus site in a cerebral artery of a patient by advancing a first catheter into an internal carotid artery of the patient; advancing a funnel catheter within the first catheter; moving the funnel catheter and the first catheter with respect to each other to place the funnel outside of the first catheter; expanding the funnel into contact with an inner wall of the internal carotid artery at or proximal to a distal end of a carotid siphon, thereby reducing blood flow past the funnel; advancing a clot-mobilizer distally through the first catheter toward the thrombus and beyond the carotid siphon; engaging thrombus material from the thrombus with the clot-mobilizer; moving the clot-mobilizer and thrombus material proximally at least partially into the funnel; applying suction to aspirate thrombus material; and moving the funnel, the clot-mobilizer and the thrombus material proximally within the vasculature.

Abstract: A loading device for loading a medical device into a catheter is provided. The loading device comprises a body having a lumen to receive an expandable portion of a medical device. The lumen has a length as the expandable portion when the latter is in a collapsed configuration and has a diameter that is greater than the collapsed configuration. The body comprises a first portion and a second portion that are reversibly separable to expose the lumen in an open configuration and enclose the lumen in a closed configuration. The first and second portions each comprise an inner face having a groove defining a first portion of the lumen and a second portion of the lumen, respectively. The body also has a distal tip portion to reversibly couple with a hemostatic valve of a delivery catheter. A method of loading a medical device into a catheter is also provided.

Abstract: A thrombectomy device including a delivery catheter; a tapered dilator catheter configured to be movably disposed within the delivery catheter; and an expandable aspiration funnel configured to be movably disposed within the delivery catheter in a retracted position and at least partially outside the delivery catheter in an extended position, the funnel comprising a non-permeable covering, a diameter of a distal end of the funnel being greater in the extended position than in the retracted position, the funnel being configured to adapt its shape and length to a surrounding blood vessel such that the funnel lengthens as it narrows to retain a thrombus within the funnel. The invention also includes methods of using the device.