Intravascular filter with bioabsorbable centering element

• US 20050107822A1
• Filed: 11/18/2003
• Published: 05/19/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/18/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lifescreen Sciences LLC (Acacia Research Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Scimed Life Systems Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: WasDyke, Joel M.
• Granted Patent: US 6,972,025 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/200
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/0103 With centering means
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/016 made from wire-like elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/8486 provided on at least one of the ends
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/0004 bioabsorbable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/005 Rosette-shaped, e.g. star-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0067 conical
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/008 paraboloidal

Abstract

Bioabsorbable centering elements for use in centering an implantable intravascular device within a body vessel are disclosed. The bioabsorbable centering element may include a number of support members configured to self-expand and engage the wall of the vessel when deployed. The support members may be formed from a biodegradable material adapted to degrade in vivo within a pre-determined period of time.

Claims

1. An intravascular filter, comprising:

a non-biodegradable apical head;

a plurality of non-biodegradable filter legs each having a proximal section and a distal section, the proximal section of each filter leg being secured to the apical head, each distal section having a distal end, the plurality of distal ends defining a base; and

a bioabsorbable centering element for centering the intravascular filter within a body vessel, the centering element including one or more biodegradable support members, the centering element having a first state prior to bioabsorption configured to exert an outwardly directed force on the wall of the body vessel when deployed therein, and a second state subsequent to bioabsorption configured to not exert the outwardly directed force.

2. The intravascular filter of claim 1, wherein the bioabsorbable centering element is configured to automatically expand from a collapsed position to an expanded position when deployed in the vessel.

3. The intravascular filter of claim 1, wherein the bioabsorbable centering element is configured to degrade in vivo in about 20 to 30 days.

4. The intravascular filter of claim 1, wherein the bioabsorbable centering element is configured to degrade in vivo in about 3 to 5 days.

5. The intravascular filter of claim 1, further comprising a biodegradable cap coupled to the apical head.

6. The intravascular filter of claim 5, wherein the biodegradable support members extend outwardly from the biodegradable cap.

7. The intravascular filter of claim 1, wherein the biodegradable support members are coupled to the distal sections of said plurality of filter legs.

8. The intravascular filter of claim 1, wherein the biodegradable support members are generally oriented in a direction towards the base of the filter.

9. The intravascular filter of claim 1, wherein the biodegradable support members are generally oriented in a direction away from the base of the filter.

10. The intravascular filter of claim 1, wherein each biodegradable support member has an elongated shape with a substantially circular cross-section.

11. The intravascular filter of claim 10, wherein each biodegradable support member has a bowed or arcuate shape along its length.

12. The intravascular filter of claim 1, wherein the biodegradable support members include a biodegradable material selected from the group consisting of polylactic acid, polyglycolic acid, copolymer poly(lactide-co-glycolide), polydioxanone, polyanhydrides, trimethylene carbondate, poly(hydroxybutyrate), poly(g-ethyl glutamate), poly(ortho esters), polycyanoacrylate, polyphosphazenes, poly(a-hydroxy acids), poly(e-caprolactone), polysaccharides, modified proteins, albumin, collagen, gelatin, alginate, and starch.

13. An intravascular filter, comprising:

a non-biodegradable apical head;

a plurality of non-biodegradable filter legs each having a proximal section and a distal section, the proximal section of each filter leg being secured to the apical head, each distal section having a distal end, the plurality of distal ends defining a base; and

a bioabsorbable centering element for centering the intravascular filter within a body vessel, the bioabsorbable centering element including one or more biodegradable support members each having a first end secured to the filter leg, and a second end, the centering element having a first state prior to bioabsorption configured to self-expand and exert an outwardly directed force on the wall of the body vessel when deployed therein, and a second state subsequent to bioabsorption configured to not exert the outwardly directed force.

14. The intravascular filter of claim 13, wherein the bioabsorbable centering element is configured to automatically expand from a collapsed position to an expanded position when deployed in the body.

15. The intravascular filter of claim 13, wherein the bioabsorbable centering element is configured to degrade in vivo in about 20 to 30 days.

16. The intravascular filter of claim 13, wherein the bioabsorbable centering element is configured to degrade in vivo in about 3 to 5 days.

17. The intravascular filter of claim 13, further comprising a biodegradable cap coupled to the apical head.

18. The intravascular filter of claim 13, wherein the biodegradable support members extend outwardly from the biodegradable cap.

19. The intravascular filter of claim 13, wherein the biodegradable support members are coupled to the distal sections of said plurality of filter legs.

20. The intravascular filter of claim 13, wherein the biodegradable support members are generally oriented in a direction towards the base of the filter.

21. The intravascular filter of claim 13, wherein the biodegradable support members are generally oriented in a direction away from the base of the filter.

22. The intravascular filter of claim 13, wherein each biodegradable support member has an elongated shape with a substantially circular cross-section.

23. The intravascular filter of claim 22, wherein each biodegradable support member has a bowed or arcuate shape along its length.

24. The intravascular filter of claim 13, wherein the bioabsorbable support members include a biodegradable material selected from the group consisting of polylactic acid, polyglycolic acid, copolymer poly(lactide-co-glycolide), polydioxanone, polyanhydrides, trimethylene carbondate, poly(hydroxybutyrate), poly(g-ethyl glutamate), poly(ortho esters), polycyanoacrylate, polyphosphazenes, poly(a-hydroxy acids), poly(e-caprolactone), polysaccharides, modified proteins, albumin, collagen, gelatin, alginate, and starch.

25. An intravascular filter, comprising.

a non-biodegradable apical head;

a plurality of non-biodegradable filter legs each having a proximal section and a distal section, the proximal section of each filter leg being secured to the apical head; and

a bioabsorbable centering element for centering the intravascular filter within a body vessel, the bioabsorbable centering element including one or more biodegradable support members each having a first end secured to a biodegradable cap disposed about the apical head, and a second end configured to self-expand and exert an outwardly directed force on the wall of the body vessel when deployed therein.

26-32. -32. (canceled)