WO2024186676A2

WO2024186676A2 - Strain reducing structural supports

Info

Publication number: WO2024186676A2
Application number: PCT/US2024/018213
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jeff Inlow; Hamed TOUDESHKI; Ronak DHOLAKIA
Original assignee: MicroVention Inc
Current assignee: MicroVention Inc
Priority date: 2023-03-03
Filing date: 2024-03-01
Publication date: 2024-09-12
Anticipated expiration: 2025-09-03
Also published as: WO2024186676A3; CN120936322A

Abstract

A medical device which incorporates structural support members such as struts which are designed in a manner which eliminates or reduces high strain areas of the medical device. The structural support members may be laser cut from a sheet of a material such as Nitinol. One or more of the structural support members may be tapered along at least a portion of their length, such as by narrowing towards a segment of the medical device that may be exposed to increased strain. A width or diameter of an opening between a pair of such structural supports may be increased at or near such segments that may be exposed to increased strain.

Description

SPECIFICATION

STRAIN REDUCING STRUCTURAL SUPPORTS

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 63/488,355 filed March 3, 2023 entitled Strain Reducing Structural Supports', which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Various medical devices may incorporate struts or other structural support members which are composed of various materials, such as but not limited to Nitinol. Some such medical devices may be delivered in a collapsed, compressed, or reduced configuration and subsequently, upon delivery, be expanded into an expanded configuration. By way of example, such medical devices may include laser cut devices including occlusion devices, clot retrieval devices, stents, shunts, and the like.

[0003] It has been determined that such medical devices may include higher strain areas that may contribute to defects such as deformation, microcracking, and/or fracturing of struts. It would be desirable to produce such medical devices in a manner that reduces or eliminates such higher strain areas and thereby reduces or eliminates such defects during use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] Disclosed herein are various embodiments of medical devices which incorporate struts or other structural support members which are designed in a manner which eliminates or reduces high strain areas.

[0005] In an example embodiment, one or more structural support members of a laser cut medical device may be tapered along their length.

[0006] In an example embodiment, a radius of an opening separating a pair of structural support members of a laser cut medical device may be increased at or near points of higher strain. [0007] In an example embodiment, one or more structural support members may be thinner near points of high strain and thicker as the one or more structural support members extend away from the points of high strain.

[0008] In an example embodiment, the radius of openings separating struts of the medical device at or near points of high strain may be increased. By way of example, the radius may be increased from approximately .001 inches to approximately .002 inches.

[0009] In an example embodiment, junctions between adjacent, substantially parallel struts of a medical device may separate a larger radius opening from a smaller radius opening.

[0010] In an example embodiment, highly strained regions of a medical device at its fully expanded configuration may be reduced substantially using the methods and systems shown and/or described herein. By way of example, the strain may be reduced from about 10% to about 7%.

[0011] In an example embodiment, highly strained regions of a medical device at its collapsed, compressed, or reduced configuration may be reduced substantially using the methods and systems shown and/or described herein. By way of example, the strain may be reduced from about 9% to about 5%.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The following figures are included to illustrate certain aspects of the present disclosure and should not be viewed as exclusive embodiments. The subject matter disclosed is capable of considerable modifications, alterations, combinations, and equivalents in form and function, as will occur to one having ordinary skill in the art and having the benefit of this disclosure. Reference is being made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0013] Fig. 1 is a side view of a medical device having strain reducing structural supports deployed by a pusher through a delivery device, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure. [0014] Fig. 2 is a side view of a medical device having strain reducing structural supports in an expanded configuration, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0015] Fig. 3 is a side view of a plurality of interconnected medical devices each having strain reducing structural supports in an expanded configuration, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0016] Fig. 4 is a side view of a medical device having strain reducing structural supports in an expanded configuration and illustrating areas of reduced strain, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0017] Fig. 5 is a side view of a flattened medical device having strain reducing structural supports, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0018] Fig. 6 is a partial side view of a flattened medical device having strain reducing structural supports, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0019] Fig. 7 is a partial side view of a flattened medical device having strain reducing structural supports, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0020] Fig. 8 is a side view of a medical device having strain reducing structural supports in a collapsed configuration, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0021] Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a medical device having strain reducing structural supports in a collapsed configuration, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] Specific embodiments of the disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. This disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. The terminology used in the detailed description of the embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. In the drawings, like numbers refer to like elements.

[0023] For the purposes of this specification, use of the terms “about”, “around”, or “approximately” when referring to a value may be understood to mean within 5% of the stated value (either greater or lesser), inclusive.

[0024] In the figures, it should be appreciated that “proximal”, representing the direction towards a practitioner, is shown on the left-hand side and that “distal”, representing the direction away from a practitioner and towards a patient, is shown on the right-hand side.

[0025] Disclosed herein are various embodiments of a medical device having strain reducing structural supports. The strain reducing structural supports may be configured to reduce potential defects in the medical device, including deformation, microcracking, and fracturing.

[0026] The medical device may be laser cut in some embodiments. For example, the medical device, or portions thereof, may be laser cut from a tube or panel to achieve a desired profile shape. At least a portion of the medical device may be composed of Nitinol or similar shape memory materials. The structural supports may comprise various structural components which support the medical device in an expanded or collapsed configuration. By way of example, the structural supports may comprise struts.

[0027] Various types of medical devices may benefit from the systems and methods shown and/or described herein. By way of example, such medical devices may include occlusive devices, stents, shunts, tubular devices, engaging members, vascular devices, neurovascular devices, flow disruptors, flow resistors, clot retrieval devices, and the like. Such medical devices may be adjustable between multiple configuration, such as between a reduced configuration for delivery/retrieval and an expanded configuration for deployment. It should be appreciated that the term “medical device” as used herein may also refer to components of a medical device, such as engaging members of a clot retrieval device.

[0028] Each of the medical devices (e.g., engaging members) may have a collapsed configuration when sheathed and/or constrained, such as within a delivery device, and an expanded configuration when unsheathed and/or unconstrained. The structural supports may form the outer profile of the engaging member(s) when expanded.

[0029] The structural supports may be substantially parallel to each other when in at least one of the configurations of the medical device, such as when in the collapsed configuration. Each pair of structural supports may be separated by an opening, such as an elongated opening. Pairs of structural supports may be linked or interconnected together by linking members which form junctions between the structural supports.

[0030] The medical device may comprise a first set of structural supports along its proximal portion or half and a second set of structural supports along its distal portion or half. The first set of structural supports may comprise a different configuration (e.g., shape, size, orientation, etc.) than the second set of structural supports. Each of the first set of structural supports may extend from a proximal end of the medical device to approximately its midpoint, and each of the second set of structural supports may extend from the approximate midpoint to the distal end of the medical device.

[0031] The first and second sets of structural supports may comprise pairs of structural supports. Each of the structural supports forming a pair of structural supports may be separated by an elongated opening. Additionally, each pair of structural supports may be separated from another pair of structural supports by an elongated opening.

[0032] One or more of the structural supports may be tapered along at least a portion of their lengths. The one or more structural supports may be tapered towards a central or medial region of the proximal portion of the medical device such that the one or more structural supports reduce in diameter or width towards the central or medial region of the proximal portion of the medical device and increase in diameter or width away from the central or medial region of the medical device.

[0033] Some portions of such tapered structural support(s) may not be tapered and thus have a uniform width or diameter. Thus, it should be appreciated that certain structural supports may have both tapered segments and uniform diameter or width segments. Further, in medical devices having a plurality of structural supports, some of the structural supports may have one or more tapered portions, and some of the structural supports may have a uniform width or diameter along their entire length.

[0034] The medical device may include a plurality of structural supports, with the structural supports being substantially parallel when the medical device is in the compressed, collapsed, or reduced configuration. The structural supports in such medical devices may be joined or linked together at certain points by one or more junctions.

[0035] The positioning and orientation of the structural supports may define openings between pairs of structural supports. The openings may comprise elongated openings when the medical device is in the compressed, collapsed, or reduced configuration. When the medical device expands into its expanded configuration, the openings may similarly expand into cells or pores which are formed in the expanded medical device. These cells or pores may perform a wide range of functions, such as allowing fluid (e.g., blood) flow through the expanded medical device.

[0036] The openings between adjacent structural supports may have a uniform diameter or width across their entire length or one or more of the openings may have a variable diameter or width across at least a portion of their lengths. The width or diameter of one or more of the openings between adjacent structural supports may be tapered in one or both directions. A first opening between a pair of structural supports on a first side of a junction may be a smaller width or diameter than a second opening between the same pair of structural supports on a second side of the junction.

[0037] The medical device may include one or more radiopaque markers, which may be disposed around at least a portion of one or more of the structural supports. The one or more structural supports may include one or more structural features or shapes to aid in retaining the radiopaque marker in place, such as a “dog bone” strut shape including a central portion, a first projecting portion extending distally from the central portion, and a second projecting portion extending proximally from the central portion. The corners of the central portion may include projections such as bumps, nubs, or the like which act as stoppers to prevent the radiopaque marker from sliding off of the structural support. Pairs of adjacent structural supports may converge into such structural features or shapes.

[0038] Specific example embodiments are described further below. However, it should be understood that any of the features from any of the embodiments can be mixed and matched with each other in any combination. Hence, the present disclosure should not be restricted to only these embodiments, but any broader combination thereof.

[0039] Fig. 1 is a side view of a medical device 100 having strain reducing structural supports 110 deployed by a pusher 200 through a delivery device 300, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure. It should be appreciated that the manner of delivery of the medical device 100 may vary in different examples, and thus should not be construed as limited in scope by the examples shown in the figures.

[0040] As shown in Fig. 1 , the medical device 100 may be attached to a distal end of a pusher 200. The pusher 200 may be advanced through a delivery device 300, such as a catheter or sheath. The medical device 100 may collapse into a collapsed configuration, such as a substantially tubular or cylindrical configuration when positioned within the delivery device 300.

[0041] Upon being deployed out of the delivery device 300, such as by a pusher 200, the medical device 100 may expand into an expanded configuration. The manner of deployment may vary. For example, the pusher 200 may be utilized to advance the medical device 100 out of the delivery device 300 and/or the delivery device 300 may be retracted so as to expose the medical device 100.

[0042] The manner by which the medical device 100 may be attached to the pusher 200 may vary in different examples. In one example, the medical device 100 may be removably attached to the pusher 200. Various detachment mechanisms, such as thermal, electrical, mechanical, magnetic, and the like, may be utilized to removably attach the medical device 100 to the pusher 200 and to detach the medical device 100 therefrom after delivery to a target location within an anatomy of a patient.

[0043] Fig. 2 is a side view of a medical device having strain reducing structural supports in an expanded configuration, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure. In particular, the figure illustrates an example of a medical device 100, such as an engaging member of a clot retrieval device, in an expanded configuration. When in such a configuration, the structural supports 110, 110A may expand to bulge outwardly and thereby form a substantially conical or teardrop shape. The shape of the medical device 100 when in such an expanded configuration, which may be useful for use in retrieving clots or the like, may vary in different embodiments and thus should not be construed as limited in scope by the example shown in the figures.

[0044] Although the degree of taper may not be easily discernible in Fig. 2, it should be appreciated that the structural supports 110, 110A of Fig. 2 may be tapered as discussed below, and as shown in more detail in, e.g., Figs. 5-7. The medical device 100 may be composed of a shape memory material and may be heat set to expand into the configuration shown in Fig. 2 when unconstrained.

[0045] Fig. 3 is a side view of a plurality of interconnected medical devices 100 each having strain reducing structural supports 110 in an expanded configuration, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0046] Although Fig. 3 illustrates an example in which four medical devices 100 are interconnected, it should be appreciated that more or less medical devices 100 may be interconnected to each other in different examples. For example, less than four medical devices 100 (e.g., three, two, or one) may be utilized in different examples. As another example, more than four medical devices 100 (e.g., five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, or more) may be utilized in different examples.

[0047] The spacing of each medical device 100 may vary in different examples and thus should not be construed as limited by the example shown in Fig. 3. For example, the medical devices 100 may be more or less spaced apart from each other than shown. Additionally, the spacing between multiple medical devices 100 may vary and thus may not be uniform as shown. Thus, the spacing between such multiple medical devices 100 may be variable (e.g., a first pair of medical devices 100 may be closer to each other than a second pair of medical devices 100). It should also be appreciated that at least some of the medical devices 100 may be grouped together, with additional medical devices 100 being offset with respect to such groupings.

[0048] The manner by which the medical devices 100 are interconnected may vary in different examples. The medical devices 100 may be attached, removably or fixedly, directly to each other. The medical devices 100 may be linked to each other, such as by an elongated member. The interior of the medical devices 100 may be empty or may include an inner core, such as a core wire, which extends partially or fully through a length of the medical devices 100. The medical devices 100 may be movable (e.g., rotationally and/or axially) with respect to each other and/or with respect to a core wire or other structure.

[0049] Fig. 4 is a side view of a medical device having strain reducing structural supports in an expanded configuration and illustrating areas 116 of reduced strain, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure. More specifically, Fig. 4 illustrates an example of test results comparing strain applied to a medical device not having tapered struts and the example medical device 100 shown in Fig. 2.

[0050] Areas 116 in which reduced strain were detected during testing are shaded in Fig. 4 and labelled as 116. However, it should be appreciated that the strain reduced areas 116 illustrated in Fig. 4 are not meant to be limiting in scope as the geometry of the medical device 100, testing methods, and other considerations may impact areas 116 identified as having reduced strain due to the use of the devices, systems, and/or methods shown and/or described herein.

[0051] Fig. 5 is a side view of a flattened medical device having strain reducing structural supports, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure. More specifically, Fig. 5 illustrates an example of a medical device 100, such as an engaging member of a clot retrieval device, in a flattened, reduced configuration. The medical device 100 may form such a configuration during or immediately after fabrication, such as after laser cutting a sheet or plate. The example of a medical device 100 shown in Fig. 5 is in its reduced configuration and has been laid out flat. The medical device 100 may be formed or fabricated by various methods, such as but not limited to laser cutting from a panel or sheet.

[0052] The medical device 100 may comprise one or more structural supports 110 which extend at least partially between a proximal end 101 and a distal end 102 of the medical device 100. The one or more structural supports 110 may comprise elongated members such as struts.

[0053] The one or more structural supports 110 may be composed of various materials, such as shape memory materials including Nitinol. The one or more structural supports 110 may be heat set to expand into a desired shape or configuration when sheathed or unconstrained, such as upon removal from a delivery device 300 such as a catheter.

[0054] As shown in Fig. 5, the medical device 100 may comprise a proximal portion 101A and a distal portion 101 B. The proximal portion 101A may comprise approximately 30-40% of a length of the medical device 100 or may comprise less than 30% or greater than 40% of a length of the medical device 100.

[0055] The one or more structural supports 110 may comprise first pairs of structural supports 110A, 110B along the proximal portion 101 A of the medical device 100 and one or more pairs of structural supports 110C, 110D along the distal portion 101 B of the medical device 100. In the example shown in the figures, the distal pairs of structural supports 110C, 110D are illustrated as comprising a greater length than the proximal pairs of structural supports 110A, 110B, though other configurations may be utilized in different examples (e.g., the reverse configuration may be utilized in which the proximal pairs of structural supports 110A, 110B are longer than the distal pairs of structural supports 110C, 110D, or in which the proximal and distal pairs of structural supports 110A, 110B, 110C, 110D each comprise approximately the same length).

[0056] The respective pairs of structural supports 110A, 110B, 110C, 110D may be axially linked by linking structures 130 which may comprise a “dog bone” configuration and/or elongated members or linkages, with examples of both being shown in Fig. 5. The “dog bone” linking structures 130 may be utilized to retain radiopaque markers in some examples.

[0057] A plurality of structural supports 110 may be arranged in a substantially parallel orientation when the medical device 100 is in its reduced, collapsed, or compressed configuration. One or more of the structural supports 110 may have a uniform width or diameter. At least a portion 115 of one or more of the structural supports 110 may be tapered such that the width or diameter of such structural supports 110 is reduced towards a central or medial region 103 of a proximal portion 101 A of the medical device 100.

[0058] The positioning, length, and degree of taper of the tapered portion(s) 115 of the one or more structural supports 110 may vary in different embodiments, and thus should not be construed as limited in scope by the examples shown in the figures. In some examples, an entire length of one or more structural supports 110 may be tapered from a first diameter to a second diameter. In other examples, only a portion 115 of the length of one or more structural supports 110 may be tapered. In yet other examples, portions 115 of the length of one or more structural supports 110 may be tapered and portions of the length of one or more structural supports 110 may not be tapered. Further, the medical device 100 may be formed by a combination of structural supports 110 having tapered portion(s) 115 and non-tapered structural supports 110 such as shown in the figures.

[0059] The manner by which one or more structural supports 110 may be reduced in width or diameter along one or more portions of their respective lengths may vary in different examples. In an example, electropolishing may be utilized to reduce a diameter or width of one or more structural supports 110 along at least a portion of their respective lengths.

[0060] Various portions 115 along the length of one or more structural supports 110 may be narrower than the widest or thickest portion of a length of the one or more supports 110. In an example, one or more structural supports 110 may narrow towards a central or medial region 103 of a proximal portion 101 A of the medical device 100. Conversely, the one or more structural supports 110 may thicken or widen towards a distal and/or proximal portion 101 A, 101 B, in a direction away from the central or medial region 103 of a proximal portion 101 A of the medical device 100. Thus, the narrowest segment of the one or more structural supports 110 may be at or near a central or medial region 103 of the proximal portion 110A along a length of the one or more structural supports 110 and/or a medical device 100.

[0061] Fig. 6 is a partial side view of a flattened medical device having strain reducing structural supports, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 7 is a partial side view of a flattened medical device having strain reducing structural supports, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure. More specifically, each of Figs. 6-7 illustrate a proximal portion 101 A of a medical device 100.

[0062] The positioning and orientation of the structural supports 110 may define a plurality of openings 120A, 120B, 120C, 120D. Thus, each pair of adjacent structural supports 110A, 110B may be separated by an opening 120A, 120B, 120C, 120D. The openings 120A, 120B, 120C, 120D may comprise elongated openings which extend for at least a portion of the length of the medical device 100.

[0063] The structural supports 110 may define a plurality of openings 120A, 120B, 120C, 120D which may be radially positioned about a circumference of the medical device 100. When the medical device 100 is in its expanded, unconstrained configuration, such as shown in Figs. 1-4, the effective size of the openings 120A, 120B, 120C, 120D may increase as the structural supports 110 are drawn away from each other so as to define a plurality of cells 140 of the medical device 100.

[0064] In the collapsed configuration (e.g., Figs. 8-9), the medical device 100 may include different openings 120A, 120B, 120C, 120D having different shapes, sizes, positions, and orientations. For example, adjacent structural supports 110A, 110B may define a first opening 120A. The first opening 120A may comprise an elongated opening which extends along at least a portion of a length of the medical device 100. The first opening 120A may have a uniform diameter or may taper in width or diameter slightly. [0065] Adjacent pairs of structural supports 110A, 11 OB may define a second opening 120B and a third opening 120C, with the second and third openings 120B, 120C each being linearly aligned along the same longitudinal axis and substantially parallel to the first opening 120A. These openings 120B, 120C may be tapered along at least a portion of their lengths so as to reduce strain in or around certain portions or segments of the medical device 100 when in its expanded configuration.

[0066] Adjacent pairs of structural supports 110A, 110B may be interconnected by a junction 125. In an example embodiment, a first pair of structural supports 110A, 110B may be interconnected with a second pair of adjacent structural supports 110A, 110B by the one or more junctions 125. It can be seen that each junction 125 may separate a second opening 120B and a third opening 120C, both the second and third openings 120B, 120C being defined between adjacent pairs of structural supports 110A, 110B.

[0067] The shape, dimensions, and/or orientation of the second and third openings 120B, 120C may be different from each other. However, in some embodiments, the shape, dimensions, and/or orientation of the second and third openings 120B, 120C may be substantially similar. Each of the second and third openings 120B, 120C may be comprised of an elongated opening. Either or both of the second and third openings 120B, 120C may comprise a uniform width or diameter along its length, or may be tapered along one or more portions of its length.

[0068] As shown in Figs. 5-7, the second opening 120B may be wider at its first end than at its second end. A portion of its length may taper inwardly so as to narrow. For example, the second opening 120B may be tapered inwardly for approximately 25%-50% of its length, with the remainder of its length comprising a uniform diameter towards its second end. Thus, a radius of curvature r1 of the first terminal end 125A of the second opening 120B may be greater than a radius of curvature r2 of the second terminal end 125B of the second opening 120B.

[0069] A third opening 120C may taper continuously along its length so as to narrow from a first width or diameter to a second width or diameter, the second width or diameter being less than the first. The widest portion of the third opening 120C may be positioned adjacent to the junction 125 so as to reduce strain. Thus, the terminal end point of the second opening 120B adjacent to a first side of the junction 125 may have a smaller diameter than the terminal point of the third opening 120C adjacent to a second side of the junction 125. Such a configuration may be desirable so as to reduce strain on the structural supports 110, 110A at or around those points.

[0070] A distal portion of the medical device 100 may include additional pairs of structural supports 110C, 110D which may comprise a different structure than the pairs of structural supports 110A, 110B at the proximal portion of the medical device 100. Each such pair of structural supports 110C, 110D may extend substantially parallel to each other and terminate near the distal end 102 of the medical device 100. An opening 120D may be defined between each such pair of structural supports 110C, 110D as shown in Fig. 5. The structural supports 110C, 110D may taper (e.g., reduce in diameter or width) along at least a portion of their respective lengths, and thus the opening 120D may bow out (e.g., become wider) at portions along its length.

[0071] The medical device 100 may include one or more structural features 130 or shapes to aid in retaining one or more radiopaque markers in place, such as a “dog bone” shape. Such structural features 130 may be positioned at various locations along the length and circumference of the medical device 100. The spacing, positioning, number, and orientation of such structural features 130 may vary to suit different types of medical devices 100, and thus should not be construed as limited in scope by the example embodiments shown in the figures. Pairs of structural supports 110, 110A may converge into such structural features 130 in some embodiments such as shown in Figs. 1 -3.

[0072] Fig. 8 is a side view of a medical device having strain reducing structural supports in a collapsed configuration, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a medical device having strain reducing structural supports in a collapsed configuration, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure. In particular, Figs. 8-9 illustrates an example embodiment of a medical device 100, such as an engaging member of a clot retrieval device, in a reduced, collapsed, or compressed configuration. When in such a configuration, the medical device 100 may form a substantially cylindrical or tubular shape. The configuration shown in Figs. 8-9 may be desirable for delivery of the medical device 100 to a target anatomy, such as when constrained within a delivery device such a catheter or other tubular device.

[0073] Claim Bank:

[0074] Clause 1 . A medical device, comprising: a first structural support; and a second structural support, wherein the first structural support is substantially parallel to the second structural support; and, wherein a first width of the first structural support is tapered along a portion of a length of the first structural support so as to reduce strain in a segment of the medical device.

[0075] Clause 2. he medical device of clause 1 , wherein a second width of the second structural support is tapered so as to reduce strain in the segment of the medical device.

[0076] Clause 3. The medical device of clause 1 , wherein the segment is positioned near a medial portion along a length of the medical device.

[0077] Clause 4. The medical device of clause 1 , further comprising an elongated opening defined between the first structural support and the second structural support.

[0078] Clause 5. The medical device of clause 4, wherein a width of the elongated opening is wider towards the segment of the medical device and narrower away from the segment of the medical device.

[0079] Clause 6. The medical device of clause 1 , further comprising a junction interconnecting the first structural support and the second structural support.

[0080] Clause 7. The medical device of clause 6, further comprising a first opening defined between the first and second structural supports on a first side of the junction and a second opening defined between the first and second structural supports on a second side of the junction. [0081] Clause 8. The medical device of clause 7, wherein a diameter or width of the first opening adjacent to the first side of the junction is less than a diameter or width of the second opening adjacent to the second side of the junction.

[0082] Clause 9. The medical device of clause 1 , wherein the first structural support and the second structural support are each comprised of a strut.

[0083] Clause 10. A clot retrieval device, comprising: one or more engaging members for retrieving a clot, the one or more engaging members each being comprised of: a first structural support; and a second structural support, wherein the first structural support is substantially parallel to the second structural support; and, wherein a first width of the first structural support is tapered so as to reduce strain in a segment of the one or more engaging members.

[0084] Clause 11. A medical device, comprising: a first structural support; and a second structural support extending substantially parallel to the first structural support so as to define an elongated opening; and, wherein a width or diameter of a first end of the elongated opening is less than a width or diameter of a second end of the elongated opening.

[0085] Clause 12. The medical device of clause 11 , wherein at least a portion of the first structural support is tapered so as to reduce in width or diameter towards a medial segment of the medical device.

[0086] Clause 13. The medical device of clause 12, wherein at least a portion of the second structural support is tapered so as to reduce in width or diameter towards the medial segment of the medical device.

[0087] Clause 14. The medical device of clause 11 , further comprising a third structural support extending substantially parallel to the second structural support.

[0088] Clause 15. The medical device of clause 14, further comprising a junction interconnecting the second structural support and the third structural support so as to define a second elongated opening on a first side of the junction and a third elongated opening on a second side of the junction.

[0089] Clause 16. The medical device of clause 15, further comprising a first opening defined between the second and third structural supports on the first side of the junction and a second opening defined between the second and third structural supports on the second side of the junction.

[0090] Clause 17. The medical device of clause 16, wherein a diameter or width of the first opening adjacent to the first side of the junction is less than a diameter or width of the second opening adjacent to the second side of the junction.

[0091] Clause 18. The medical device of clause 11 , wherein the first and second structural supports are each laser cut from a sheet of a material.

[0092] Clause 19. The medical device of clause 18, wherein the material is composed of Nitinol.

[0093] Clause 20. The medical device of clause 11 , wherein the first structural support and the second structural support are each comprised of a strut.

[0094] Clause 21. A method of reducing strain in a medical device, comprising tapering one or more structural supports of the medical device.

[0095] Clause 22. The method of clause 21 , wherein the step of tapering one or more structural supports of the medical device comprises electropolishing one or more structural supports of the medical device.

[0096] Although the disclosure has been described in terms of particular embodiments and applications, one of ordinary skill in the art, in light of this teaching, can generate additional embodiments and modifications without departing from the spirit of or exceeding the scope of the claimed disclosure. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the drawings and descriptions herein are proffered by way of example to facilitate comprehension of the disclosure and should not be construed to limit the scope thereof.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1 . A medical device, comprising: a first structural support; and a second structural support, wherein the first structural support is substantially parallel to the second structural support; and, wherein a first width of the first structural support is tapered along a portion of a length of the first structural support so as to reduce strain in a segment of the medical device.

2. The medical device of claim 1 , wherein a second width of the second structural support is tapered so as to reduce strain in the segment of the medical device.

3. The medical device of claim 1 , wherein the segment is positioned near a medial portion along a length of the medical device.

4. The medical device of claim 1 , further comprising an elongated opening defined between the first structural support and the second structural support.

5. The medical device of claim 4, wherein a width of the elongated opening is wider towards the segment of the medical device and narrower away from the segment of the medical device.

6. The medical device of claim 1 , further comprising a junction interconnecting the first structural support and the second structural support.

7. The medical device of claim 6, further comprising a first opening defined between the first and second structural supports on a first side of the junction and a second opening defined between the first and second structural supports on a second side of the junction.

8. The medical device of claim 7, wherein a diameter or width of the first opening adjacent to the first side of the junction is less than a diameter or width of the second opening adjacent to the second side of the junction.

9. The medical device of claim 1 , wherein the first structural support and the second structural support are each comprised of a strut.

10. A clot retrieval device, comprising: one or more engaging members for retrieving a clot, the one or more engaging members each being comprised of: a first structural support; and a second structural support, wherein the first structural support is substantially parallel to the second structural support; and, wherein a first width of the first structural support is tapered so as to reduce strain in a segment of the one or more engaging members.

11. A medical device, comprising: a first structural support; and a second structural support extending substantially parallel to the first structural support so as to define an elongated opening; and, wherein a width or diameter of a first end of the elongated opening is less than a width or diameter of a second end of the elongated opening.

12. The medical device of claim 11 , wherein at least a portion of the first structural support is tapered so as to reduce in width or diameter towards a medial segment of the medical device.

13. The medical device of claim 12, wherein at least a portion of the second structural support is tapered so as to reduce in width or diameter towards the medial segment of the medical device.

14. The medical device of claim 11 , further comprising a third structural support extending substantially parallel to the second structural support.

15. The medical device of claim 14, further comprising a junction interconnecting the second structural support and the third structural support so as to define a second elongated opening on a first side of the junction and a third elongated opening on a second side of the junction.

16. The medical device of claim 15, further comprising a first opening defined between the second and third structural supports on the first side of the junction and a second opening defined between the second and third structural supports on the second side of the junction.

17. The medical device of claim 16, wherein a diameter or width of the first opening adjacent to the first side of the junction is less than a diameter or width of the second opening adjacent to the second side of the junction.

18. The medical device of claim 11 , wherein the first and second structural supports are each laser cut from a sheet of a material.

19. The medical device of claim 18, wherein the material is composed of Nitinol.

20. The medical device of claim 11 , wherein the first structural support and the second structural support are each comprised of a strut.