Support frame for an embolic protection device

• US 20030144688A1
• Filed: 12/23/2002
• Published: 07/31/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/07/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Salviac Ltd. (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Salviac Ltd. (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Inventors: Brady, Eamon, Neilan, John, Vale, David, Horan, Steven, McCaffrey, Gerry, Kelly, Ronald, Rabitte, Gerard
• Granted Patent: US 6,918,921 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/200
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2212 having a closed distal end, e.g. a loop
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2215 having an open distal end
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/0108 Both ends closed, i.e. legs gathered at both ends
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/013 Distal protection devices, i.e. devices placed distally in combination with another endovascular procedure, e.g. angioplasty or stenting
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/016 made from wire-like elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/018 made from tubes or sheets of material, e.g. by etching or laser-cutting
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0006 circular
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0067 conical
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0093 Umbrella-shaped, e.g. mushroom-shaped

Abstract

An embolic protection device comprises a collapsible filter element for delivery through a vascular system of a patient The filter element comprises a collapsible filter body 2 and a filter support 3 for the filter body. The filter body has an inlet end 4 and an outlet end 5, the inlet end 4 of the filter body has one or more inlet openings 6 sized to allow blood and embolic material enter the filter body 2 and the outlet end 5 of the filter body has a plurality of outlet openings 107 sized to allow through passage of blood but to retain undesired embolic material within the filter body 2. The filter support 3 is movable between a collapsed position for movement through the vascular system, and an extended outwardly projecting position to support the filter body in an expanded position The filter support 3 comprises a generally tubular support frame defined by at least one wire 16.

Claims

1. An embolic protection device comprising:

a collapsible filter element for delivery through a vascular system of a patient;

the filter element comprising a collapsible filter body and a filter support for the filter body;

the filter body having an inlet end and an outlet end, the inlet end of the filter body having one or more inlet openings sized to allow blood and embolic material enter the filter body, the outlet end of the filter body having a plurality of outlet openings sized to allow through passage of blood but to retain undesired embolic material within the filter body;

the filter support being movable between a collapsed position for movement through the vascular system, and an extended outwardly projecting position to support the filter body in an expanded position;

the filter support comprising a generally tubular support frame defined by at least one wire.

2. An embolic protection device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the frame comprises a number of cells, at least one of the cells defining a segment of a tube.

3. An embolic protection device as claimed in claim 2 wherein each cell defines a segment of a tube.

4. An embolic protection device as claimed in claim 2 wherein at least portion of an element of one cell is connected to an element of another cell.

5. An embolic protection device as claimed in claim 4 wherein the connection means is provided by an extension wire between the cells.

6. An embolic protection device as claimed in claim 4 wherein at least portion of an element of one cell is directly fixed to an element of another cell.

7. An embolic protection device as claimed in claim 2 wherein each cell is defined by two wire elements.

8. An embolic protection device as claimed in claim 7 wherein the two wire elements are of substantially the same length.

9. An embolic protection device as claimed in claim 8 wherein each wire element has a proximal termination and a distal termination, and the proximal terminations of adjacent wire elements are fixed relative to one another, and/or the distal terminations of adjacent wire elements are fixed relative to one another.

10. An embolic protection device as claimed in claim 9 wherein the terminations of adjacent wire elements extend generally axially and parallel.

11. An embolic protection device as claimed in claim 9 wherein the proximal terminations are circumferentially aligned with the distal terminations.

12. An embolic protection device as claimed in claim 9 wherein the proximal terminations are circumferentially offset from the distal terminations.

13. An embolic protection device as claimed in claim 1 wherein each wire element has an axially extending portion and a circumferentially extending portion.

14. An embolic protection device as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least one wire element has an S-shaped portion for distributed filter body support.

15. An embolic protection device as claimed in claim 1 wherein wire elements are provided by a single wire bent back on itself.

16. An embolic protection device as claimed in claim 15 wherein the single wire has a strain relief means at the bend in the wire.

17. An embolic protection device as claimed in claim 15 wherein the wire is treated to minimise stress at the bend in the wire.

18. An embolic protection device as claimed claim 1 wherein the filter support comprises at least one support leg extending radially inwardly from the tubular support frame, the leg being defined by at least one wire.

19. An embolic protection device as claimed in claim 18 wherein at least part of the support leg is integral with at least part of the support frame.

20. An embolic protection device as claimed in claim 18 wherein the support leg extends distally inwardly from the support frame.

21. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the filter support comprises a number of segments at least some of which are interconnected by a strain distributing linking element.

22. A device as claimed in claim 21 wherein at least some of the segments are of wire.

23. A device as claimed in claim 21 wherein the linking element is of wire.

24. A device as claimed in claim 22 wherein the linking element is of the same wire as that of the support segments.

25. A device as claimed in any of claims 21 wherein the linking element extends normally of adjacent segments.

26. A device as claimed in claim 21 wherein the linking element extends longitudinally of the axis of the filter.

27. A device as claimed in claim 21 wherein the linking element extends radially inwardly of the adjacent segments.

28. A device as claimed in claim 21 wherein the linking element comprises a loop.

29. A device as claimed in claim 28 wherein the loop is of generally omega shape.

30. A device as claimed in claim 21 wherein at least portion of the linking element is radiopaque.

31. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least portion of the wire is radiopaque.

32. A device as claimed in claim 21 wherein the linking element is of multifilament construction.

33. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least portion of the support frame is of multifilament construction.

34. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the support frame is defined by at least two wire segments terminating distally, the distal terminations of adjacent segments being fixed relative to one another and extending generally parallel.

35. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the support frame is defined by at least two wire segments terminating proximally, the proximal terminations of adjacent segments being fixed relative to one another and extending generally parallel.

36. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the support frame comprises a support arm for one end of the filter body which extends towards an opposite end of the filter body in the deployed configuration.

37. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the device comprises a carrier extending longitudinally of the frame.

38. A device as claimed in claim 37 comprising a flexible tether extending between the carrier and the support frame.

39. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the support frame comprises a support hoop.

40. An embolic protection device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the filter support comprises a support frame having at least two longitudinally spaced-apart segments which are interconnected by at least one flexible linking element.

41. A device as claimed in claim 40 wherein the support frame segments are of wire.

42. An embolic protection device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the filter support comprises a support frame defined by at least two wire segments having terminations.

43. A device as claimed in claim 42 wherein the terminations of adjacent segments are fixed relative to one another.

44. A device as claimed in claim 42 wherein the adjacent termination extend generally parallel.

45. A device as claimed in claim 42 wherein the terminations extend axially in relation to the filter.

46. A device as claimed in claim 42 wherein the terminations are free to move axially.

47. A device as claimed in claim 42 wherein the terminations of adjacent wire segments are configured to meet in a loop formation.

48. A device as claimed in claim 42 wherein the wire segments are of substantially the same length.

49. A device as claimed in claim 42 wherein the wire segments are fixed relative to one another by soldering, or welding, or bonding the wire segments to one another.

50. A device as claimed in claim 42 wherein the device comprises a clamp around the wire segments to fix the wire segments relative to one another.

51. A device as claimed in claim 50 wherein the clamp comprises a tubular sleeve.

52. A device as claimed in claim 50 wherein the clamp comprises a clamp wire wound around the wire segments.

53. A device as claimed in claim 50 wherein the clamp is at least partially of radiopaque material.

54. A device as claimed in claim 42 wherein the wire segments are provided by a single wire bent back on itself.

55. A device as claimed in claim 42 wherein the terminations are located on an outer circumference of the filter frame.

56. A device as claimed in claim 42 wherein the terminations are located on an axis of the filter.

57. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein device comprises a carrier for the support frame.

58. A device as claimed in claim 57 wherein the carrier comprises a tubular member.

59. A device as claimed in claim 57 wherein the carrier comprises a guidewire.

60. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the wire element has a round cross-section.

61. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the wire element has an elongate cross-section with a long dimension and a short dimension.

62. A device as claimed in claim 61 wherein the short dimension of the wire element cross-section is aligned substantially along the radial direction of the filter support.

63. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the wire is rectangular in cross-section.