Filter retrieval catheter system, and methods

• US 20060149295A1
• Filed: 01/30/2004
• Published: 07/06/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Cordis Corporation (Cardinal Health, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Cordis Corporation (Cardinal Health, Inc.)
• Inventors: Fleming, James A. III
• Application Number:
  US10/540,778
• Publication Number:
  US 20060149295A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/113
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/221 Gripping devices in the form of loops or baskets for gripping calculi or similar types of obstructions surgical snare instruments A61B17/32056
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/32056 Surgical snare instruments for removing or smashing calculi A61B2017/2212; tonsillotomes A61B17/26
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22035 for retrieving or repositioning foreign objects
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/011 Instruments for their placement or removal
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/005 Rosette-shaped, e.g. star-shaped

Abstract

A filter retrieval system for retrieving a previously implanted medical filter, and methods of using the retrieval system, are disclosed. The filter retrieval system has a flexible shaft, a retrieval element, and a handle with an actuator. The flexible shaft may be catheter-based, and has a proximal and a distal end, and has an opening near its distal end. The handle is affixed to the shaft near the proximal end of the shaft, and the actuator is adapted to manipulate the retrieval element. When an operator manipulates the actuator, the retrieval element is adapted to protrude slightly from the shaft opening. As the actuator is operated, the retrieval element can grasp or hook or otherwise engage a portion of the filter, and then pull the filter in through the opening into a passage or lumen of the catheter shaft. The retrieval system may be capable of retrieving a filter in either a proximal or a distal direction as desired.

Claims

1. A filter retrieval system for retrieving a previously implanted medical filter, comprising:

a flexible shaft defining a longitudinal axis having a proximal and a distal end;

the shaft having an opening positioned a distance from the shaft distal end;

the shaft defining a first and second internal space positioned proximally and distally of the opening;

a handle affixed to the shaft near the shaft proximal end;

an actuator coupled with the handle;

a retrieval element coupled with the actuator;

the retrieval element being longitudinally movable among a range of positions, including the position of the shaft opening and the positions of the proximal and distal internal spaces;

such that moving the actuator to a desired position causes the retrieval element to move to a corresponding position;

such that when the retrieval element is in an initial position, the retrieval element is located within one of the first and second internal spaces;

such that when the actuator is moved to a ready position, the retrieval element protrudes from the shaft opening;

such that the retrieval element can be maneuvered to engage a portion of a filter, and then the actuator can be moved to a first or second capture position which pulls the filter through the opening into a selected one of the first and second internal spaces.

2. The filter retrieval system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the longitudinal axis and the shaft follow a curved path.

3. The filter retrieval system in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a guidewire lumen defined by the shaft and a distal guidewire port near the shaft distal end, for slidably receiving a guidewire.

4. The filter retrieval system in accordance with claim 1, wherein a distal portion of the shaft has a pre-selected shape.

5. The filter retrieval system in accordance with claim 1, further comprising one or more marker bands visible on a fluoroscope.

6. A filter retrieval system for retrieving a previously implanted medical filter, comprising:

a flexible shaft defining a longitudinal axis having a proximal and a distal end;

the shaft having an opening positioned a distance from the shaft distal end;

the shaft defining a first and second internal space positioned proximally and distally of the opening;

a handle affixed to the shaft near the shaft proximal end;

an actuator coupled with the handle;

a main wire loop coupled with the actuator, and having a snare;

the snare being longitudinally movable among a range of positions, including the position of the shaft opening and the positions of the proximal and distal internal spaces;

such that moving the actuator to a desired position causes the main wire loop to move the snare to a corresponding position;

such that when the snare is in an initial position, the snare is located within one of the first and second internal spaces;

such that when the actuator is moved to a ready position, the snare protrudes from the shaft opening;

such that the snare can be maneuvered to engage a portion of a filter, and then the actuator can be moved to a first or second capture position which pulls the filter through the opening into a selected one of the first and second internal spaces.