Abstract: Systems for use in blood clot removal can comprise a receiver-supporting element, a self- expanding receiver that includes a frame and a polymer, a first tube connected to the receiver, and a second tube positioned around at least a portion of the receiver. The receiver-supporting element can have a distal end, a proximal end, and a lumen extending proximally from the distal end. At least a portion of the self-expanding receiver can be positioned around at least a portion of a first segment of the receiver-supporting element and the first tube can be positioned around at least a portion of a second segment of the receiver-supporting element. The second tube can include separable portions.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of uniaxially expanding a fluoropolymer product including the steps of expanding a green fluoropolymer product in a first direction to create a first-expanded fluoropolymer product, and expanding the first-expanded fluoropolymer product in the same first direction. As a result with the subject invention, it has been found that ultra-high expansion and a variety of different porous/fibril structures can be achieved by using subsequent expansion steps in the same direction. Various considerations exist with such methodology, including the selection of rates of expansion of both steps, the amount of expansion of both steps, pre-heating and cutting the product between expansion steps. Although the present invention can be used with various fluoropolymer products, it is particularly well-suited for use with PTFE.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of uniaxially expanding a fluoropolymer product including the steps of expanding a green fluoropolymer product in a first direction to create a first-expanded fluoropolymer product, and expanding the first-expanded fluoropolymer product in the same first direction. As a result with the subject invention, it has been found that ultra-high expansion and a variety of different porous/fibril structures can be achieved by using subsequent expansion steps in the same direction. Various considerations exist with such methodology, including the selection of rates of expansion of both steps, the amount of expansion of both steps, pre-heating and cutting the product between expansion steps. Although the present invention can be used with various fluoropolymer products, it is particularly well-suited for use with PTFE.