Vena cava delivery system
First Claim
1. In a delivery system for percutaneous insertion of a self-expanding vena cava filter, said system including a self-expanding vena cava filter, an elongated, radially flexible and axially stiff tubular member extending proximally from a distal end and having a distal end section for constraining the filter in a compact condition during transport to a deployment site and control apparatus for deploying the filter wherein the improvement comprises a segment carried in said distal end section between the tubular member and the filter for constraining the filter in a compact condition, said segment being relatively short compared to the axial extension of the device and having an inner surface that resists penetration by the filter thereby to protect said tubular member from damage during transport of the filter, and further comprising a plurality of segments disposed distally of said first segment in said tube member.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A delivery system for delivery and deployment of devices having abrading portions within a patient'"'"'s lumen. A lumen in a flexible catheter that extends proximally from a distal end of the catheter receives the device in a compact form. At least one impervious segment positioned in the lumen overlies the abrading portions of the device to shield and buffer the surface of the lumen from the abrading portions. The segment is of a relatively short length so that the catheter remains relatively flexible therealong to enable relative ease in the transit of the catheter through the patient'"'"'s lumen to a delivery site. Additional segments may be disposed in the catheter distally of the segment or the segment may move with the device to the distal end to buffer the walls of the catheter during the deployment of the device. Additional segments mate with the segment so that engaged ones of the segments are relatively radial deflectable.
234 Citations
26 Claims
- 1. In a delivery system for percutaneous insertion of a self-expanding vena cava filter, said system including a self-expanding vena cava filter, an elongated, radially flexible and axially stiff tubular member extending proximally from a distal end and having a distal end section for constraining the filter in a compact condition during transport to a deployment site and control apparatus for deploying the filter wherein the improvement comprises a segment carried in said distal end section between the tubular member and the filter for constraining the filter in a compact condition, said segment being relatively short compared to the axial extension of the device and having an inner surface that resists penetration by the filter thereby to protect said tubular member from damage during transport of the filter, and further comprising a plurality of segments disposed distally of said first segment in said tube member.
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10. A delivery system for delivering to a delivery site in a compact form a self-expandable vena cava filter with exposed penetrating surfaces and for selectively deploying the filter at the delivery site, said system comprising:
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a) a self-expanding vena cava filter; b) catheter means extending proximally along an axis from a distal end for insertion into and transit to a delivery site, said catheter means being radially flexible and having an internal lumen for receiving and housing the filter proximate said distal end for transport to and deployment at the delivery site; c) retaining means in said lumen for overlying the penetrating surfaces of the filter, said means shielding said catheter means from the exposed penetrating surfaces and for enabling a radial flexion of said catheter means therealong during transport of the device by said delivery system; and d) control means extending from a proximal end of the system distally for selectively deploying the device. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for delivery of self-expanding vena cava filter having a radially extending penetrating portion, said method comprising the steps of:
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a) providing a self-expanding vena cava filter; b) positioning an impervious, relatively short segment in a distal section of a radially flexible, axially stiff elongated tube, c) positioning the vena cava filter in the distal section of the tube with the segment interposed between the penetrating portions of the filter and the tube; d) urging the distal section of the tube to a delivery site with a distal end of the tube positioned proximate the delivery site such that during said step of urging the distal section the distal section of the tube remains relatively radially flexible therealong with the segment overlying the penetrating portions; and e) urging the filter distally with respect to said tube to move the filter through an aperture in the distal end of the tube and thereby to deploy the filter at the delivery site. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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- 19. In a delivery system for percutaneous insertion of a self-expanding vena cava filter, said system including a self-expanding vena cava filter, an elongated, radially flexible and axially stiff tubular member extending proximally from a distal end and having a distal end section for constraining the filter in a compact condition during transport to a deployment site and control apparatus for deploying the filter wherein the improvement comprises a segment carried in said distal end section between the tubular member and the filter for constraining the filter in a compact condition, said segment being relatively short compared to the axial extension of the device and having an inner surface that resists penetration by the filter thereby to protect said tubular member from damage during transport of the filter, wherein said segment comprises a tube segment coaxially supported within said tubular member, wherein said tube segment is movably supported in said tubular member, and further including a stop positioned in said distal end wherein said control means connects with said tube segment to urge movement thereof and said stop limits the distal displacement of said tube segment.
- 24. In a delivery system for percutaneous insertion of a self-expanding vena cava filter, said system including a self-expanding vena cava filter, an elongated, radially flexible and axially stiff tubular member extending proximally from a distal end and having a distal end section for constraining the filter in a compact condition during transport to a deployment site and control apparatus for deploying the filter wherein the improvement comprises a segment carried in said distal end section between the tubular member and the filter for constraining the filter in a compact condition, said segment being relatively short compared to the axial extension of the device and having an inner surface that resists penetration by the filter thereby to protect said tubular member from damage during transport of the filter, wherein said segment comprises a tube segment coaxially supported within said tubular member and further comprising a second tube segment coaxially supported in said tubular member distally positioned relative to said first tube segment wherein said first and second tube segments having a distal end section and proximal end section, respectively, formed to engage one another to enable radial deflection of said first tube segment relative to said second tube segment.
Specification