Intravascular catheter filter with interlocking petal design and methods of use

• US 6,171,328 B1
• Filed: 11/09/1999
• Issued: 01/09/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/09/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Edwards Lifesciences Corporation
• Original Assignee: Embolx, Inc.
• Inventors: Addis, Bruce
• Primary Examiner(s): Buiz, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): TRUONG, KEVIN THAO
• Application Number:
  US09/437,097
• Time in Patent Office: 427 Days
• Field of Search: 606/200, 606/159, 606/191, 606/195, 606/127, 606/128
• 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 2002/018 made from tubes or sheets of material, e.g. by etching or laser-cutting
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0006 circular
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0067 conical
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0093 Umbrella-shaped, e.g. mushroom-shaped

Abstract

A filter device for temporary placement of a filter in an artery or vein is disclosed. The device includes an expandable filter mounted on a distal end of a catheter. The filter comprises a plurality of circumferentially adjacent porous segments which are arranged generally about the surface of a cone having an open base, and the segments are engaged to one another by means, such as a hook. The filter conforms to the interior of a vessel wall when expanded and contracts to a consistent diameter without bunching when stowed. Methods of using the filter device to entrap and remove embolic material from a vessel during endovascular procedures are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A blood filter device, comprising:

a catheter having proximal and distal ends; and

an expandable filter mounted at the distal end of the catheter, the filter comprising a plurality of circumferentially adjacent porous segments, each segment shaped generally as an equilateral triangle bounded by first and second sides and a base, each of the first and second sides having a hook that engages the circumferentially adjacent segments,

wherein the segments are arranged about the surface of a cone having an expandable open base, wherein the filter opens by expanding the open base until the hooks engage adjacent segments, preventing further expansion.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the filter comprises three porous segments.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein each porous segment comprises a material having laser cut pores.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein said each porous segment comprises a plastic material.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the plastic material is selected from the groups consisting of polyester and polyvinylidene fluoride.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein each side and the base of each segment is linear.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the hook comprises a fold along the edge of each of the first and second sides.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the base of the cone opens proximal a vertex of the cone.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the catheter extends distally beyond the vertex of the cone.

10. The device of claim 9, further comprising a distal capture sheath comprising a tubular member having a lumen shaped to receive the filter when the filter is contracted.

11. The device of claim 9, further comprising a proximal capture sheath comprising a tubular member having a lumen shaped to receive the conical filter when the filter is contracted.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein each segment further comprises an extension bonded to the vertex of the triangle and extending away from the base.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein each extension is bonded to the catheter.

14. The device of claim 1, wherein the catheter further comprises an atraumatic tip at the distal end.

15. The device of claim 1, wherein the base of the cone opens distal a vertex of the cone.

16. The device of claim 1, wherein the catheter further comprises an angioplasty balloon.

17. The device of claim 1, wherein the catheter further comprises a stent.

18. The device of claim 1, wherein the base of each segment is curved, and wherein each segment has the shape of a sector bounded by first and second radii and the included arc of a circle.

19. The device of claim 18, wherein the sector includes an arc of 10-120°

.

20. A blood filter device, comprising:

a catheter having a proximal and distal ends; and

an expandable filter mounted at the distal end of the catheter, the filter comprising a plurality of circumferentially adjacent porous segments, each segment shaped generally as an equilateral triangle bounded by first and second sides and a base, each of the first and second sides having means for engaging the circumferentially adjacent segments,

wherein the segments are arranged about the surface of a cone having an expandable open base, wherein the filter opens by expanding the open base until the means for engaging adjacent segments engage adjacent segments, preventing further expansion.