SUPPORT FRAME FOR AN EMBOLIC PROTECTION DEVICE

• US 20070233180A1
• Filed: 06/13/2007
• Published: 10/04/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Abbott Laboratories Incorporated, Salviac Ltd. (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Abbott Laboratories Incorporated, Salviac Ltd. (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Inventors: Brady, Eamon, Neilan, John, Vale, David, Horan, Steven, McCaffrey, Gerry, Rabitte, Gerald, Kellly, Ronald
• Granted Patent: US 8,114,115 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/200
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2212 having a closed distal end, e.g. a loop
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2215 having an open distal end
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/0108 Both ends closed, i.e. legs gathered at both ends
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/016 made from wire-like elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/018 made from tubes or sheets of material, e.g. by etching or laser-cutting
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0067 conical
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0093 Umbrella-shaped, e.g. mushroom-shaped

Abstract

A support 103 for an embolic protection device comprises round wires 116 which may form one or more support hoops for a filter body. The circumferential hoop formed by the wires 116 ensures that in the expanded position, the filter body 102 will be supported by the support frame 103 in circumferential apposition with the interior wall of the vasculature. The wires 116 may have a strain distributing linkage element in the form of a loop 120. The loop 120 acts as a diameter or circumference adjuster allowing an embolic protection device to adapt to different Bessel contours and sizes whilst maintaining apposition with the vessel wall. The strain relieving geometry of the loops enhances the compliance of the bend points without creating a weakened hinge point, thus ensuring that there is no discontinuity in the circumferential seal against the vessel wall.

Claims

1. An embolic protection filter comprising:

a filter body having an inlet end and an outlet end, the inlet end of the filter body having one or more inlet openings sized to allow blood and embolic material enter the filter body, the outlet end of the filter body having a plurality of outlet openings sized to allow through passage of blood but to retain undesired embolic material within the filter body; and

a filter support movable between a collapsed position for movement through the vascular system and an extended outwardly projecting position to support the filter body in the expanded position;

the filter support comprising one or more support arms;

in the extended outwardly projecting position, the one or more support arms extending circumferentially in a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the filter; and

in the collapsed position, the one or more support arms extending longitudinally substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the filter.

2. A filter as claimed in claim 1, wherein the filter support comprises a strain distributing linking element connecting a first support arm to an adjacent second support arm.

3. A filter as claimed in claim 2, wherein the support arm is pivotably movable relative to the strain distributing linking element upon movement of the filter support between the collapsed position and the extended outwardly projecting position.

4. A filter as claimed in claim 2, wherein the support arm is formed integrally with the strain distributing linking element.

5. A filter as claimed in claim 1, wherein the filter support comprises a coupling part for coupling the filter to a guidewire.

6. A filter as claimed in claim 5, wherein the coupling part defines a lumen therethrough through which a guidewire is insertable.

7. A filter as claimed in claim 5, wherein the coupling part comprises a tube.

8. A filter as claimed in claim 5, wherein the filter support comprises at least one support leg to connect the one or more support arms to the coupling part.

9. A filter as claimed in claim 8, wherein the support leg is formed integrally with the support arm.

10. A filter as claimed in claim 8, wherein the support leg extends radially inwardly from the support arm in the extended outwardly projecting position.

11. A filter as claimed in claim 8, wherein the support leg extends proximally from the support arm in the extended outwardly projecting position.

12. A filter as claimed in claim 8, wherein the support leg extends longitudinally substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the filter in the collapsed position.

13. A filter as claimed in claim 8, wherein the support leg is pivotably movable relative to the coupling part upon movement of the filter support between the collapsed position and the extended outwardly projecting position.

14. A filter as claimed in claim 8, wherein the support arm is pivotably movable relative to the support leg upon movement of the filter support between the collapsed position and the extended outwardly projecting position.