A device is designed to remove blockages in a lumen such as a thrombus, blood clot, or embolus. The device comprises a manipulating wire and a structure that can conduct electrical current to a lumenblockage. The electrical current is preferably in radio frequency (RF). The RF electric current in the blockage can excite the contents such as proteins of the blockage, so that cross-linking densityand interfacial adsorption of the entire blockage is enhanced. The enhanced cross-linking density can result in increased fracture resistance of the blockage such that fracture of the blockage duringthe removal process is unlikely. The enhanced interfacial adsorption results in increased interfacial fracture resistance between the device and blockage so that the blockage can be securely capturedduring the removal process without using radially applied force.