Removable thrombus filter

• US 6,146,404 A
• Filed: 09/03/1999
• Issued: 11/14/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 09/03/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Lifescreen Sciences LLC (Acacia Research Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Scimed Life Systems Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Kim, Hannah, Ostrovsky, Isaac
• Primary Examiner(s): Buiz, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): LEWIS, WILLIAM W
• Application Number:
  US09/389,905
• Time in Patent Office: 438 Days
• Field of Search: 606/1, 606/108, 606/198, 606/200, 623/1.1
• US Class Current: 606/200
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/0105 Open ended, i.e. legs gathered only at one side
• 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 2230/0006 circular
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/005 Rosette-shaped, e.g. star-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0067 conical
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/008 paraboloidal

Abstract

A thrombus filter configured for placement within a blood vessel lumen defined by a blood vessel wall. The thrombus filter includes a body member, and a plurality of wires. Each wire has a joined end and a free end. The joined end of each wire is fixedly attached to the distal portion of the body member. Each wire radiates away from the body member along a generally helical path of expanding diameter. The shape of each wire may be generally described as a spiral, or a helix of expanding diameter. The wires radiate away from the body member to form a generally conical filtering portion which includes a plurality of open cells. The thrombus filter may be removed using minimally invasive methods when such removal becomes desirable. A method of removing the thrombus filter is disclosed.

Claims

1. A method of removing a thrombus filter from a blood vessel lumen defined by a blood vessel wall, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a thrombus filter comprising;

a body member having a proximal portion and a distal portion;

a plurality of wires, each wire having a joined end, a free end and an outer surface;

the joined end of each wire being fixedly attached to the distal portion of the body member;

each wire radiating away from the body member along a generally helical path of expanding diameter; and

the maximum diameter of the helix being selected so that the outer surface of each wire engages the blood vessel wall with sufficient force to anchor the filter in the vessel;

connecting a retrieval catheter to the thrombus filter; and

withdrawing the thrombus filter from the blood vessel.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the thrombus filter includes no anchor members.