Filter-catheter and method of manufacturing same

• US 5,421,832 A
• Filed: 05/12/1994
• Issued: 06/06/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 12/13/1989
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Jean-Marie Lefebvre
• Original Assignee: Jean-Marie Lefebvre
• Inventors: Lefebvre, Jean-Marie
• Primary Examiner(s): Rosenbaum, C. Fred
• Assistant Examiner(s): STRIGHT, RONALD K
• Application Number:
  US08/242,038
• Time in Patent Office: 390 Days
• Field of Search: 604/53, 604/95, 604/190, 604/280, 604/104-109, 606/190, 606/191, 128/772, 128/898, 264/DIG. 66, 264/DIG. 48, 264/340, 264/345
• US Class Current: 264/173.11
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22038 with a guide wire
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/39 Markers, e.g. radio-opaque or breast lesions markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/01 Filters implantable into blood vessels
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/011 Instruments for their placement or removal
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/016 made from wire-like elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3008 radio-opaque, e.g. radio-opaque markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30092 using shape memory or superelastic materials, e.g. nitinol
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30289 helically-coiled
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30354 Cylindrically-shaped protrusion and recess, e.g. cylinder of circular basis
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3037 Translation along the common longitudinal axis, e.g. piston
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30451 soldered or brazed or welded
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30589 Sealing means
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30617 Visible markings for adjusting, locating or measuring
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30677 Means for introducing or releasing pharmaceutical products, e.g. antibiotics, into the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/0014 using shape memory or superelastic materials, e.g. nitinol
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0033 made by longitudinally pushing a protrusion into a complementary-shaped recess, e.g. held by friction fit
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0058 soldered or brazed or welded
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/005 Rosette-shaped, e.g. star-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0065 toroidal, e.g. ring-shaped, doughnut-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0091 helically-coiled or spirally-coiled, i.e. having a 2-D spiral cross-section
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0067 : Means for introducing or releasing pharmaceutical products into the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0069 : Sealing means
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0097 : Visible markings, e.g. indicia
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0098 : radio-opaque, e.g. radio-opaque markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00017 : Iron- or Fe-based alloys, e.g. stainless steel
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00023 : Titanium or titanium-based alloys, e.g. Ti-Ni alloys
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00155 : Gold or Au-based alloys
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0068 : Static characteristics of the catheter tip, e.g. shape, atraumatic tip, curved tip or tip structure
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0074 : Dynamic characteristics of the catheter tip, e.g. openable, closable, expandable or deformable
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/008 : Strength or flexibility characteristics of the catheter tip
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0082 : Catheter tip comprising a tool
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2035/0855 : using microwave
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 53/14 : Twisting for textile fibres D01H
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 61/0608 : characterised by the configuration or structure of the preforms
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/02 : by heating, with or without pressure
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/112 : Single lapped joints
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/1122 : Single lap to lap joints, i.e. overlap joints B29C66/45, B29C66/472, B29C66/52272 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/114 : Single butt joints
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/118 : Single monotone curved joints
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/1222 : comprising at least a lapped joint-segment
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/1224 : comprising at least a butt joint-segment
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/53241 : said articles being tubular and said substantially annular single elements being of finite length relative to the infinite length of said tubular articles making T-shaped pieces by joining tubular articles B29C66/52241
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/5344 : said single elements being substantially annular, i.e. of finite length, e.g. joining flanges to tube ends B29C66/5346 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/612 : Making circumferential joints
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/71 : characterised by the composition of the plastics material of the parts to be joined welding bar compositions B29C65/125
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 71/02 : Thermal after-treatment B29C71/0063 and B29C71/0072 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2027/18 : PTFE, i.e. polytetrafluorethene , e.g. ePTFE, i.e. expanded polytetrafluorethene
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/7542 : Catheters
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/7732 : Helical springs B29L2031/774
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 264/48 : Processes of making filters
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 264/66 : Processes of reshaping and reforming

Abstract

This invention relates to a filter for the partial and at least temporary interruption of a vein, comprising a tube made of polytetrafluoroethylene presenting towards its distal end longitudinal notches distributed symmetrically over its periphery and defining flexible bands, and a conduit made of polytetrafluoroethylene inside the tube; the conduit and the tube are joined for example by thermo-welding by their distal ends. A ring made of a radio-opaque material is preferably included between the distal ends during thermo-welding. The flexible bands open out transversely by the conduit sliding in the tube. They have undergone a treatment of thermo-setting, memorizing in the polymeric structure of the tetrafluoroethylene the opened out form and/or a helical form.

Claims

1. A method of manufacturing a filter/catheter device comprising the steps of:

providing a tubular outer tube made of polytetrafluoroethylene and arranging in the outer tube a series of longitudinal slits formed symmetrically around the periphery thereof adjacent the distal end of the tube so as to define a series of parallel narrow flexible bands therebetween, inserting an inner conduit slidable within said outer tube made also of polytetrafluoroethylene, the inner conduit being extended to the distal end of the outer tube and fastened therebetween at that point only, rotating slightly the proximal end relative to the distal end of the tube so that the flexible bands are twisted into a helical or spiral pattern, then retracting said inner conduit relative to said outer tube proximal end such that the distal end will be brought closer to said proximal end thereby expanding the pattern of helical flexible bands radially outwardly of the outer tube, briefly heat treating the expanded helical bands for a short time at a low temperature, thereafter cooling the device to maintain the bands in said helical shape, and then extending said conduit outwardly in said outer tube in order to stretch the helical bands from their expanded outward position to a normal storage position so that the bands return to their original position along said outer tube.