The present invention relates to a system for removing obstructions and other objects within a blood vessel or other interior lumen of an animal. The system may be deployed in the lumen from a catheter and includes a pull wire having a proximal end and a distal end, and a distal body. Optionally, the distal body includes a plurality of memory metal strips that form a closeable claw that is used to capture the obstruction. Optionally, the memory metal strips are connected to a proximal hub that is slideable along at least a segment of the pull wire and the memory metal strips are moved towards each other and towards the pull wire by moving the proximal hub distally towards a stationary distal hub, which in turn, causes the claw to close and capture the obstruction. The present invention also relates to methods of making and using such systems.
