A clot removal device and method for removing a clot from a blood vessel may include an expandable clot engagement element, an expandable clot capture element, and a sheath surrounding and compressing the capture element and the engagement element. The sheath may be removable to thereby enable the capture element to expand in a blood vessel in which the sheath is deployed, and to enable the engagement element to expand within the capture element. Additionally, a clot removal device and method for removing a clot from a blood vessel may employ a tubular clot capture element for deployment in a blood vessel for surrounding a clot, such that when the clot capture element surrounds a clot and is retracted in a longitudinal direction of the blood vessel, the clot capture element is configured to exert a radially inward compression force on the clot. Further, a clot removal device and method may include a tubular clot capture element having a first internal diameter and a clot engaging element having a second external diameter. The first diameter and the second diameter may be selected to permit the clot engaging element to be rotated within the tubular clot capture element. Further still, a clot removal device and method may employ a shaft and a clot engagement element on an end of the shaft, both configured for deployment in a blood vessel. The clot removal device may also include a stabilizer configured to at least partially surround the shaft and to maintain a portion of the shaft in a non-contacting relationship with the blood vessel wall.
