Intravascular filtering devices and methods

• US 20040059373A1
• Filed: 09/22/2003
• Published: 03/25/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/23/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lifescreen Sciences LLC (Acacia Research Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Scimed Life Systems Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Ostrovsky, Isaac, Shapiro, Gary, Blossom, David
• Granted Patent: US 7,329,269 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 2/90 characterised by a net-like or mesh-like structure
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/016 made from wire-like elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/8483 Barbs
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/005 Rosette-shaped, e.g. star-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0067 conical

Abstract

A thrombus filter configured for placement within a blood vessel lumen defined by a blood vessel wall. Methods and devices for selectively reshaping the thrombus filter so that the lumen of the blood vessel is substantially unobstructed. The thrombus filter includes a generally cylindrical anchoring portion, and a generally conical filtering portion terminating at an apex.

Claims

1. A thrombus filter for placement within a blood vessel lumen defined by a blood vessel wall comprising:

a wall engaging portion comprised of a plurality of wall engaging strands;

a filtering portion comprised of a plurality of filtering strands;

each filtering strand having ajoined end and a free end;

the joined end of each filtering strand being fixed to the thrombus filter;

the free ends of the filtering strands converging at an apex of the thrombus filter; and

a means for retaining disposed about the free ends of the filtering strands.

2. The thrombus filter of claim 1, wherein the filtering strands include a plurality of bends.

3. The thrombus filter of claim 1, wherein the filtering strands are arranged to define a plurality of filtering cells.

4. The thrombus filter of claim 1, wherein the wall engaging portion is generally cylindrical in shape.

5. The thrombus filter of claim 1, wherein the wall engaging portion is biased to radially expand.

6. The thrombus filter of claim 1, wherein the filtering portion is biased to radially expand.

7. The thrombus filter of claim 1, wherein the filtering portion is retained in generally conical shape by the means for retaining.

8. The thrombus filter of claim 1, wherein the means for retaining is a collar.

9. The thrombus filter of claim 1, wherein the means for retaining includes a coupling member.

10. The thrombus filter of claim 9, wherein the coupling member is a hook.

11. The thrombus filter of claim 9, wherein the coupling member is a loop.

12. The thrombus filter of claim 9, wherein the coupling member is a shoulder.

13. A method of selectably re-shaping a thrombus filter disposed within a blood vessel lumen, defined by a blood vessel wall, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a thrombus filter having a wall engaging portion comprising a plurality of wall engaging strands and a filtering portion comprising a plurality of filtering strands;

each filtering strand having a joined end and a free end;

the joined end of each filtering strand being fixed to the thrombus filter;

the free ends of the filtering strands converging at an apex of the thrombus filter; and

a means for retaining disposed about the free ends of the filtering strands;

positioning an elongated force transferring member so that a distal end thereof is proximate the means for retaining of the thrombus filter;

coupling the elongated force transferring member to the means for retaining; and

removing the means for retaining from the thrombus filter.

14. A thrombus filter for placement within a blood vessel lumen defined by a blood vessel wall comprising:

a wall engaging portion comprising a plurality of wall engaging strands;

a filtering portion comprising a plurality of filtering strands;

each filtering strand having ajoined end and a free end;

the joined end of each filtering strand being fixed to the thrombus filter; and

the free ends of the filtering strands converging at an apex of the thrombus filter.

15. The thrombus filter of claim 14, wherein the filtering strands include a plurality of bends.

16. The thrombus filter of claim 14, wherein the filtering strands are arranged to define a plurality of filtering cells.

17. The thrombus filter of claim 14, wherein the wall engaging portion is generally cylindrical in shape.

18. The thrombus filter of claim 14, wherein the wall engaging portion is biased to radially expand.

19. The thrombus filter of claim 14, wherein the filtering portion is generally conical in shape.

20. A method of selectably re-shaping a thrombus filter disposed within a blood vessel lumen, defined by a blood vessel wall, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a thrombus filter having a wall engaging portion comprising a plurality of wall engaging strands and a filtering portion comprising a plurality of filtering strands;

each filtering strand having a joined end and a free end;

the joined end of each filtering strand being fixed to the thrombus filter;

the free ends of the filtering strands converging at an apex of the thrombus filter;

providing an elongate catheter having a means for expansion disposed proximate a distal end thereof;

positioning the elongate catheter within the blood vessel lumen so that the distal end thereof is proximate the filtering portion of the thrombus filter;

expanding the means for expansion of the elongate catheter;

wherein the free ends of the filtering strands are urged toward the blood vessel walls.