Emboli and thrombi filter device and method of using the same

• US 20040122466A1
• Filed: 12/23/2002
• Published: 06/24/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Syntheon LLC
• Inventors: Bales, Thomas O.
• Granted Patent: US 7,128,752 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/200
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/011 Instruments for their placement or removal
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/016 made from wire-like elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0091 helically-coiled or spirally-coiled, i.e. having a 2-D spiral cross-section
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0097 Harpoon-shaped

Abstract

A filter basket device includes two shaft wires, a filter basket adapted to capture emboli and thrombi, and an actuation handle. The shaft wires are loosely twisted together so that they remain adjacent to each other, and yet are able to slide relative to each other with little friction and without plastic deformation. One shaft wire is connected to the distal end of the filter basket, and the other shaft wire is connected to the proximal end of the filter basket. The actuation handle moves the shaft wires relative to each other to control opening and closing of the basket. In one embodiment, a guidewire-accepting fitting is attached to a distal portion of the device and permits advancement of the device over a guidewire until a desired location along the guidewire is reached. In another embodiment, the basket is provided with a tip resembling a guidewire.

Claims

1. A surgical filter basket device, comprising:

a) a filter basket having a proximal portion and a distal portion;

b) a first shaft element having a distal portion coupled to said proximal portion of said filter basket; and

c) a second shaft element having a distal portion coupled to said distal portion of said filter basket, said first and second shaft elements being intertwined relative to each other, yet permitted to move longitudinally relative to each other without plastic deformation.

2. A surgical filter basket device according to claim 1, further comprising:

d) a handle means for moving said first and second shaft elements relative to each other.

3. A surgical filter basket device according to claim 1, further comprising:

d) a collar coupled to said proximal portion of said filter basket,

wherein said first shaft element is coupled to said collar, and said second shaft element extends through said collar to said distal portion of said filter basket.

4. A surgical filter basket device according to claim 1 and for use with a guidewire, further comprising:

d) a guidewire mounting means for advancing a portion of said device over the guidewire.

5. A surgical filter basket device according to claim 4, wherein:

said guidewire mounting means is one of a tube, a hoop, and a loop.

6. A surgical filter basket device according to claim 4, wherein:

said guidewire mounting means is a coil.

7. A surgical filter basket device according to claim 1, further comprising:

d) a flexible tip coupled to said distal portion of said basket filter.

8. A surgical filter basket device according to claim 1, wherein:

said filter basket is comprised of first and second sets of helical wires, said first and second sets being wound in opposite directions relative to each other.

9. A surgical filter basket device according to claim 1, wherein:

said filter basket is comprised of filaments.

10. A surgical filter basket device according to claim 9, wherein:

said filaments are woven.

11. A surgical filter basket device according to claim 1, wherein:

said filter basket defines first openings at said proximal end, and second opening at said distal end, and said first openings are larger than said second openings.

12. A surgical filter basket device, comprising:

a) a filter basket having a proximal portion and a distal portion;

b) a first shaft element having a distal portion coupled to said proximal portion of said filter basket; and

c) a second shaft element having a distal portion coupled to said distal portion of said filter basket, said first and second shaft elements being nonconcentric and longitudinally movable relative to each other, wherein such relative longitudinal movement moves said filter basket from between open and closed configurations.

13. A surgical filter basket device according to claim 12, wherein:

neither of said first and second shaft elements extends within the other.

14. A surgical filter basket device according to claim 12, further comprising:

d) a handle means for moving said first and second shaft elements relative to each other.

15. A surgical filter basket device according to claim 12, further comprising:

d) a guidewire mounting means for advancing a portion of said device over a guidewire.

16. A surgical filter basket device according to claim 15, wherein:

said guidewire mounting means is one of a tube, a hoop, and a loop.

17. A surgical filter basket device according to claim 15, wherein:

said guidewire mounting means is a coil.

18. A surgical filter basket device according to claim 12, further comprising:

d) a flexible tip coupled to said distal portion of said basket filter.

19. A surgical filter basket device according to claim 12, wherein:

said filter basket is comprised of first and second sets of helical wires, said first and second sets being wound in opposite directions relative to each other.

20. A surgical filter basket device according to claim 12, wherein:

said filter basket is comprised of filaments.

21. A surgical filter basket device according to claim 20, wherein:

said filaments are woven.

22. A surgical filter basket device according to claim 12, wherein:

said filter basket defines first openings at said proximal portion and second openings at said distal portion, wherein said first openings are larger than said second openings.

23. A surgical filter basket device for use with a guidewire, comprising:

a) a filter basket;

b) a shaft having a proximal portion, and a distal portion coupled to said filter basket; and

c) a fitting coupled to one of said filter basket and said shaft element, said fitting adapted to be slidably mounted over the guidewire.

24. A surgical filter basket device according to claim 23, wherein:

said fitting includes one of a tube, a hoop, and a loop.

25. A surgical filter basket device according to claim 23, wherein:

said fitting includes a coil.

26. A surgical filter basket device according to claim 23, wherein:

said shaft comprises a first element having a distal portion coupled to a proximal portion of said filter basket, and a second element having a distal portion coupled to a distal portion of said filter basket.

27. A surgical filter basket device according to claim 26, wherein:

said first and second elements are nonconcentric and longitudinally movable relative to each other, wherein such relative longitudinal movement moves said filter basket from between open and closed configurations.

28. A surgical filter basket device according to claim 27, wherein:

neither of said first and second shaft elements extends within the other.

29. A surgical filter basket device according to claim 27, wherein:

said first and second elements are intertwined relative to each other, yet permitted to move longitudinally relative to each other without plastic deformation.

30. A surgical filter basket device according to claim 27, further comprising:

d) a handle means for moving said first and second elements relative to each other.

31. A method of advancing a surgical device having a filter into a mammalian body, comprising:

a) inserting a guidewire into the mammalian body;

b) mounting the basket device to the guidewire such that a portion of the basket device extends alongside the guidewire; and

c) slidably advancing the device relative to the guidewire until the filter is at a desired location within the body.

32. A method according to claim 31, wherein:

the mammalian body is a human cadaver.