Intravascular filter membrane and method of forming
First Claim
1. A method of forming a filter membrane employing a mold assembly, the mold assembly comprising a mold having a mold surface, a die having a die surface and a plurality of protrusions extending from at least one of the mold surface and the die surface, the method comprising steps of:
- placing a molten material within a portion of the mold;
inserting the die into the mold such that the protrusions span a distance between the mold surface and the die surface; and
allowing the molten material to solidify, thereby forming the filter membrane, the filter membrane including a plurality of integrally formed apertures.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Intravascular filters formed by a molding process can have a plurality of integrally formed apertures. A molding process can utilize a mold assembly that includes a mold having a mold surface and a die having a die surface. The mold assembly includes plurality of protrusions that extend from at least one of the mold surface and the die surface. A molten material is placed within a portion of the mold, and the die is then inserted into the mold such that the plurality of protrusions span a distance between the die surface and the mold surface. The molten material is allowed to solidify, thereby forming a filter membrane that includes a plurality of integrally formed apertures.
68 Citations
42 Claims
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1. A method of forming a filter membrane employing a mold assembly, the mold assembly comprising a mold having a mold surface, a die having a die surface and a plurality of protrusions extending from at least one of the mold surface and the die surface, the method comprising steps of:
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placing a molten material within a portion of the mold;
inserting the die into the mold such that the protrusions span a distance between the mold surface and the die surface; and
allowing the molten material to solidify, thereby forming the filter membrane, the filter membrane including a plurality of integrally formed apertures. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An assembly for forming a filter membrane, comprising:
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a mold comprising a mold surface defining an at least partially conical cavity;
a plurality of protrusions extending outwardly from the mold surface, each of the protrusions having a protrusion length and a free end, in combination defining a cavity surface; and
a die comprising a die surface complementary to the cavity surface;
wherein when the die is inserted into the mold, the protrusions extending outwardly from the mold surface contact the die surface. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. A filter membrane formed by a process comprising steps of:
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providing a mold, the mold comprising a mold surface and a plurality of protrusions extending outwardly from the mold surface to define a cavity surface;
providing a complementary die, the die comprising a die surface;
providing a molten material within a portion of the mold; and
extending the die into the mold such that the protrusions contact the die surface; and
permitting the molten material to solidify, thereby forming the filter membrane, the filter membrane comprising a plurality of apertures. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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38. A filter assembly comprising:
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a support loop;
a filter membrane having a proximal region and a distal region, the support loop integrally molded into the proximal region of the filter membrane, the filter membrane having a substantially constant thickness;
a distal waist positioned proximate the distal region of the filter membrane; and
a plurality of integrally formed apertures within the filter membrane. - View Dependent Claims (39, 40, 41, 42)
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Specification