摘要 |
A method and apparatus for treating a patient having an obstruction in a first blood vessel through which blood normally flows in a given direction, at a location downstream of a branch point where the first blood vessel and, a second blood vessel branch off from a main blood vessel, by: blocking blood flow in the main blood vessel at a point upstream of the branch point; inserting into the second blood vessel a first filter adapted to pass blood while trapping debris resulting from removal of the obstruction; inserting an obstruction removal assembly into the first blood vessel and operating the assembly to at least partially break up the obstruction and produce debris; withdrawing the obstruction removal assembly from the patient's body; and then inserting into the first blood vessel a filter adapted to pass blood while trapping debris; then restoring blood flow in the main blood vessel.
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