Method and Apparatus for Venous Blood Clot Disruption

A device and method for clot disruption in deep venous thrombosis is disclosed herein. The present technology is directed toward a device for clot maceration that includes a longitudinal member, in the form of a catheter, containing radially arrayed elements which, when positioned within a clot, are moved longitudinally, bidirectionally, and rotated in order to disrupt and macerate the surrounding clot. This allows the fragmented clot to be easily removed through a separate device; alternatively this renders the clot significantly more amenable to treatment with fibrinolytic agents given the markedly enhanced surface area of the fragmented clot. The radially arrayed elements may have a variety of forms, with a preferred embodiment containing bristles shaped specifically to engage vein valves in such a way as to cause no damage to them, while simultaneously prompting the clearance of clot from the valve sinuses.