VEIN FILTER
First Claim
1. A vein filter comprising:
- a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart elongated legs having opposed proximal and distal leg portions, wherein adjacent distal leg portions are connected to one another by bridging structure and wherein the legs are adapted and configured for movement between a first position wherein the proximal leg portions are substantially parallel to one another and a second position wherein the proximal leg portions are circumferentially divergent from one another to anchor the filter within a blood vessel.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A vein filter includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart elongated legs having opposed proximal and distal leg portions. Adjacent distal leg portions are connected to one another by bridging structure and the legs are adapted and configured for movement between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the proximal leg portions are substantially parallel to one another. In the second position, the proximal leg portions are circumferentially divergent from one another to anchor the filter within a blood vessel. Methods of placing or relocating a vein filter in a vein utilize a catheter balloon to move the vein filter legs between first and second positions. Kits include a vein filter, a catheter balloon for moving the legs of the vein filter, and a delivery sheath for housing the vein filter for delivery within a blood vessel.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A vein filter comprising:
- a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart elongated legs having opposed proximal and distal leg portions, wherein adjacent distal leg portions are connected to one another by bridging structure and wherein the legs are adapted and configured for movement between a first position wherein the proximal leg portions are substantially parallel to one another and a second position wherein the proximal leg portions are circumferentially divergent from one another to anchor the filter within a blood vessel.
- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A kit for placing a vein filter within a vein comprising:
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a) a vein filter including a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart elongated legs having opposed proximal and distal leg portions, wherein adjacent distal leg portions are connected to one another by bridging structure and wherein the legs are adapted and configured for movement between a first position wherein the proximal leg portions are substantially parallel to one another and a second position wherein the proximal leg portions are circumferentially divergent from one another to anchor the filter within a blood vessel, and wherein the distal leg portions define a receptacle configured and adapted to receive a catheter balloon; b) a catheter balloon configured and adapted to expand against the distal leg portions to place the legs of the filter in the first position, and to contract to allow the distal leg portions to converge to place the legs in the second position to anchor the filter within a blood vessel; and c) a delivery sheath configured and adapted to house the vein filter during placement of the vein filter within a blood vessel. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of placing a vein filter within a vein comprising steps of:
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a) providing a vein filter including a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart elongated legs having opposed proximal and distal leg portions, wherein adjacent distal leg portions are connected to one another by bridging structure and wherein the legs are adapted and configured for movement between a first position wherein the proximal leg portions are substantially parallel to one another and a second position wherein the proximal leg portions are circumferentially divergent from one another to anchor the filter within a blood vessel, wherein the distal leg portions define a receptacle for receiving a catheter balloon for inflating against the distal leg portions of the vein filter to move the legs into the first position, and wherein the vein filter is housed within a delivery sheath with the legs in substantially the first position for placement within a blood vessel; b) positioning a guidewire within a vein for guiding the vein filter and delivery sheath to a predetermined location within a vein; c) guiding the vein filter and delivery sheath into the predetermined location along the guidewire; and d) withdrawing the delivery sheath from the vein filter to anchor the vein filter within the vein with the legs in the second position. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification