Embolic management filter design

• US 20040044360A1
• Filed: 09/04/2002
• Published: 03/04/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/04/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Scimed Life Systems Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Lowe, Brian J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,174,636 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/200
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/0105 Open ended, i.e. legs gathered only at one side
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/015 Stop means therefor
• 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 2230/0008 elliptical or oval
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/008 paraboloidal
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49604 Filter
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/4998 Combined manufacture including applying or shaping of fluent material

Abstract

Embolic protection filter assembly and method of using the same. In some embodiments, the present invention comprises an embolic protection filter slidably disposed over an elongate shaft.

Claims

1. A method of making device for filtering embolic debris from a body lumen, comprising the steps of:

molding a filter assembly, the filter assembly including a distal tip and a filter portion;

forming a plurality of apertures; and

coupling a support member to the filter assembly adapted to shift the filter portion between a first generally collapsed configuration and a second generally expanded configuration.

2. The method in accordance with claim 1, further comprising the step of disposing a distal stop located proximate the distal end of the shaft.

3. The method in accordance with claim 1, further comprising the step of disposing a proximal stop.

4. The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the filter is molded from a filter material comprised of silicon.

5. The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the support member is comprised of nickel-titanium alloy.

6. The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the support member further comprises a radiopaque coil disposed about at least a portion of the support member.

7. The method in accordance with claim 1, further comprising the steps of providing an elongate shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, and coupling the filter assembly to the shaft.

8. The method in accordance with claim 7, wherein the shaft is generally tubular and includes plurality of aspiration holes.

9. The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the support member is coupled to the filter assembly by molding the filter assembly to the support member.

10. The method in accordance with claim 1, further comprising the step of slidably disposing an aspiration tube over the shaft.

11. The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the plurality of apertures are formed by laser drilling.

12. The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the filter includes one or more struts.

13. The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the support member is biased to shift the filter into the second position.

14. The method in accordance with claim 1, further comprising the step of coupling a ring to the filter assembly.

15. The method in accordance with claim 14, further comprising the step of providing a pull cord having a distal hook adapted for engaging the ring.

16. A device for filtering embolic debris from a body lumen, comprising:

an elongate shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, the shaft adapted to be slidably disposed within the lumen of the outer tubular member;

a filter assembly slidably disposed over the shaft, the filter assembly including a distal tip and a filter;

wherein the filter includes a first filter portion and a second filter portion disposed about the first filter portion; and

a support loop coupled to the second portion, the loop being adapted to shift the filter between a first generally collapsed configuration and a second generally expanded configuration.

17. The device in accordance with claim 16, further comprising a distal stop located proximate the distal end of the shaft.

18. The device in accordance with claim 16, further comprising a proximal stop.

19. The device in accordance with claim 16, wherein the filter includes a filter material comprised of silicon.

20. The device in accordance with claim 16, wherein the loop is comprised of nickel-titanium alloy.

21. The device in accordance with claim 16, wherein the loop further comprises a radiopaque coil disposed about at least a portion of the loop.

22. The device in accordance with claim 16, further comprising outer tubular slidably disposed over at least a portion of the elongate shaft.

23. The device in accordance with claim 16, further comprising an aspiration tube slidably disposed over the shaft.

24. The device in accordance with claim 16, wherein the first portion of filter includes a proximal end that extends proximally of second portion.

25. The device in accordance with claim 16, wherein the shaft is generally tubular and includes a plurality of aspiration holes proximate the filter.

26. The device in accordance with claim 16, wherein the filter includes one or more struts.

27. The device in accordance with claim 16, further comprising a ring coupled to the second portion of the filter.

28. The device in accordance with claim 27, further comprising a pull cord having a distal hook adapted for engaging the ring.

29. The device in accordance with claim 16, further comprising a pull cord coupled to the second portion of the filter and extending proximally through a lumen of a tubular catheter.

30. A method of filtering debris from a body lumen, comprising the steps of:

providing an elongate shaft having a proximal end and a distal end;

advancing the shaft to a desired location within a body lumen;

providing a filter delivery assembly adapted to be slidably disposed about the shaft, the filter delivery assembly including a delivery tube and a filter, the filter including a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first and second portions each include an expandable loop, the loops adapted to shift the filter between a first collapsed configuration when disposed within the delivery tube and a second expanded configuration when the delivery tube is retracted proximally relative to the filter;

advancing the filter delivery assembly over the shaft; and

retracting the delivery tube proximally relative to the filter to allow the loop to shift to the second configuration.

31. The method in accordance with claim 30, wherein the elongate shaft includes a distal stop, and wherein the step of advancing the filter delivery assembly over the shaft includes advancing the filter delivery assembly to the distal stop.

32. The method in accordance with claim 31, wherein the elongate shaft includes a proximal stop, and wherein the step of advancing the filter delivery assembly over the shaft includes advancing the filter distally of the proximal stop.

33. The method in accordance with claim 30, further comprising the step of aspirating embolic debris from the filter.

34. The method in accordance with claim 33, wherein the step of aspirating embolic debris includes advancing an aspiration tube over the elongate shaft to a location proximate the first portion of the filter.

35. The method in accordance with claim 33, wherein the shaft is generally tubular and includes one or more aspiration holes located proximate the filter, and wherein the step of aspirating embolic debris from the filter includes aspirating embolic debris through the aspiration holes.

36. The method in accordance with claim 30, further comprising the step of retrieving the filter.

37. The method in accordance with claim 36, wherein the step of retrieving the filter includes advancing a retrieval tube over the shaft and over the filter such that the filter is prolapsed and disposed within the retrieval tube.

38. The method in accordance with claim 36, wherein the filter includes one or more struts, and wherein the step of retrieving the filter includes advancing a retrieval tube over the shaft such that the struts guide the filter into the retrieval tube.

39. The method in accordance with claim 36, wherein the filter includes a pull cord coupled to the second portion thereof and extending proximally into a lumen of a retrieval catheter, and wherein the step of retrieving the filter includes actuating the pull cord.