Vena cava filter and method for treating pulmonary embolism

• US 6,267,776 B1
• Filed: 05/03/1999
• Issued: 07/31/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 05/03/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: B Braun Medical SA (B. Braun Holding GmbH & Co. KG)
• Original Assignee: B Braun Medical SA (B. Braun Holding GmbH & Co. KG)
• Inventors: OʼConnell, Paul T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Jackson, Gary
• Assistant Examiner(s): Trinh, (Vikki) Hoa B.
• Application Number:
  US09/304,311
• Time in Patent Office: 820 Days
• Field of Search: 606/200, 606/198, 606/194, 606/1, 606/108, 606/195, 606/191, 606/152-155, 606/158, 623/1--, 604/104, 604/106
• US Class Current: 606/200
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/0103 With centering means
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/0105 Open ended, i.e. legs gathered only at one side
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/012 Multiple filtering units
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/848 having means for fixation to the vessel wall, e.g. barbs
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/86 Stents in a form characterised by the wire-like elements; Stents in the form characterised by a net-like or mesh-like structure
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/016 made from wire-like elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/018 made from tubes or sheets of material, e.g. by etching or laser-cutting
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/0004 bioabsorbable
• 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 2230/0069 cylindrical
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0078 hyperboloidal
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/008 paraboloidal
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0071 breakable or frangible

Abstract

A filter is provided that is convertible from a filter configuration to an open, stent-like configuration. The filter includes a plurality of intraluminal filter elements (filter legs) that may be formed into a single cone or dual cone filter structure. A retainer secures the filter legs in the filter configuration upon initial deployment within a vessel. The retainer is then either self-releasing or removable to permit the filter legs to expand from the filter configuration into what may generally be described as an open or stent-like configuration.

Claims

1. A filter adapted for use in treating embolism, the filter comprising:

a plurality of intraluminal filter elements, the intraluminal filter elements arranged to be disposed in a filter configuration within the lumen of a blood vessel,

a releasable retainer for joining the intraluminal filter elements in the filter configuration, and

a member joined to the plurality of intraluminal filter elements which upon release of the releasable retainer joins the intraluminal filter elements in an open configuration.

2. The filter of claim 1, wherein the member comprises a spring formed integrally with the plurality of intraluminal filter elements.

3. The filter of claim 1, further comprising means for passively releasing the releasable retainer after a predetermined time period.

4. The filter of claim 1, wherein the releasable retainer comprises a biodegradable material.

5. The filter of claim 1, means for actively releasing the releasable retainer.

6. The filter of claim 1, wherein the releasable retainer comprises a coupling formed with a plurality of catches, each of the catches respectively engaged with one of the plurality of intraluminal filter elements.

7. The filter of claim 1 wherein the releasable retainer comprises a breakable band engaging each of the plurality of intraluminal filter elements.

8. The filter of claim 1, further comprising means for releasing the releasable retainer responsive to an energy stimulus.

9. The filter of claim 8, wherein the energy stimulus comprises ultrasonic energy.

10. The filter of claim 8, wherein the energy stimulus comprises an electrical current.

11. The filter of claim 1, further comprising means for releasing the releasable retainer responsive to a chemical stimulus.

32. A method for treating pulmonary embolism comprising the steps of:

operatively disposing a filter in accordance with claim 1 within the inferior vena cava of a patient in the filter configuration,

determining a passage of a risk of pulmonary embolism, and

converting the filter, in situ, from the filter configuration to an open configuration.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein the step of converting comprises, actively releasing a retainer member securing the filter in the filter configuration.

34. The method of claim 32, wherein the step of converting comprises, providing a passively releasable retainer securing the filter in the filter configuration.

12. A vena cava filter comprising:

a plurality of intraluminal filter elements each having a superior end and an inferior end,

a plurality of orienting members secured to and extending from respective ones of the intraluminal filter elements,

a releasable retainer for joining the superior ends in a filter configuration, and

a member joined to the intraluminal filter elements to restore the superior ends to an open configuration upon release of the retainer.

13. The vena cava filter of claim 12, wherein each orienting member is formed integrally with a respective intraluminal filter element.

14. The vena cava filter of claim 12, wherein each orienting member is formed integrally with the inferior end of its respective intraluminal filter element.

15. The vena cava filter of claim 12, wherein each orienting member comprises a portion of the respective intraluminal filter element extending substantially parallel to an axis of filtration.

16. The vena cava filter of claim 12, wherein each orienting member comprises an elongate portion of the respective intraluminal filter element extending from the respective superior end and radially outwardly from the retainer.

17. The vena cava filter of claim 12, wherein each orienting member comprises a loop extending between the inferior ends of adjacent intraluminal filter elements.

18. The vena cava filter of claim 12, wherein the member comprises a spring formed integrally with the intraluminal filter elements.

19. A vena cava filter comprising:

a plurality of intraluminal filter elements each having a superior end and an inferior end,

a first spring member secured to the intraluminal filter elements adjacent the superior ends for urging the superior ends radially outward,

a second spring member secured to the intraluminal filter elements adjacent the inferior ends for urging the inferior ends radially outward,

a releasable retainer for securing the intraluminal filter elements in a filter configuration, the releasable retainer being disposed at a location along the intraluminal filter elements between the superior and inferior ends.

20. The vena cava filter of claim 19, further comprising means for passively releasing the releasable retainer after a predetermined time period.

21. The vena cava filter of claim 19, wherein the releasable retainer comprises a biodegradable material.

22. The vena cava filter of claim 19, means for actively releasing the releasable retainer.

23. The vena cava filter of claim 19, wherein the releasable retainer comprises a coupling formed with a plurality of catches that respectively engage one of the plurality of intraluminal filter elements.

24. The vena cava filter of claim 19, wherein the releasable retainer comprises a breakable band engaging each of the plurality of intraluminal filter elements.

25. The vena cava filter of claim 24, further comprising means for releasing the releasable retainer responsive to an energy stimulus.

26. The vena cava filter of claim 25, wherein the energy stimulus comprises ultrasonic energy.

27. The vena cava filter of claim 25, wherein the energy stimulus comprises an electrical current.

28. The vena cava filter of claim 19, further comprising means for releasing the releasable retainer responsive to a chemical stimulus.

29. The vena cava filter of claim 19, wherein each superior end and each inferior end comprises a barb for engaging an interior vessel wall.

30. The vena cava filter of claim 19, wherein the first and second springs are formed at least in part with the plurality of intraluminal filter elements.

31. The vena cava filter of claim 29, wherein each intraluminal filter element is compressible upon release of the releasable retainer, whereby linear displacement of the superior and inferior ends is avoided.

35. A filter having a filter configuration and an open configuration, the filter comprising:

a plurality of intraluminal filter elements each having a superior end and an inferior end, the plurality of intraluminal filter elements being secured together by a member in the open configuration,

a plurality of orienting members extending from and secured to respective ones of the intraluminal filter elements, and

a releasable retainer for joining the superior ends whereby the intraluminal filter elements are restrained in a filter configuration.

36. The filter of claim 35, further comprising means for passively releasing the releasable retainer after a predetermined time period.

37. The filter of claim 35, wherein the releasable retainer comprises a biodegradable material.

38. The filter of claim 35, wherein the releasable retainer releases upon active intervention.

39. The filter of claim 35, wherein the releasable retainer comprises a coupling formed with a plurality of catches each of which respectively engage one of the plurality of intraluminal filter elements.

40. The filter of claim 35, wherein the releasable retainer comprises a breakable band engaging each of the plurality of intraluminal filter elements.

41. The filter of claim 35, further comprising means for releasing the releasable retainer responsive to an energy stimulus.

42. The filter of claim 41, wherein the energy stimulus comprises ultrasonic energy.

43. The filter of claim 41, wherein the energy stimulus comprises an electrical current.

44. The filter of claim 35, further comprising means for releasing the releasable retainer responsive to a chemical stimulus.

45. The filter of claim 35, wherein each orienting member is formed integrally with a respective intraluminal filter element.

46. The filter of claim 35, wherein each orienting member is formed integrally the inferior end of its respective intraluminal filter element.

47. The filter of claim 35, wherein each orienting member comprises a portion of the respective intraluminal filter element extending substantially parallel to an axis of filtration.

48. The filter of claim 35, wherein each orienting member comprises an elongate portion of the respective intraluminal filter element extending from the respective superior end and radially outwardly from the retainer.

49. The filter of claim 35, wherein each orienting member comprises a loop extending between the inferior ends of adjacent intraluminal filter elements.

50. A filter comprising:

a plurality of intraluminal filter elements adapted to be disposed within the lumen of a blood vessel, the plurality of intraluminal filter elements comprising a first biodegradable material; and

a releasable retainer that retains the plurality of intraluminal filter elements in a filter configuration within the lumen, the releasable retainer comprising a second biodegradable material;

wherein upon release of the releasable retainer the plurality of intraluminal filter elements are configured to revert to an open configuration.

51. The filter of claim 50, further comprising a plurality of orienting members extending from and secured to respective ones of the intraluminal filter elements, the orienting members comprising the first biodegradable material.

52. The filter of claim 51, wherein the plurality of intraluminal filter elements and the plurality of orienting members have a predetermined degradation period.

53. The filter of claim 50, wherein the first biodegradable material comprises a material selected from the group of materials comprising polylactic acid and a copolymer of L-lactide and .ε

.-caprolactone.

54. The filter of claim 50, further comprising means for passively releasing the releasable retainer after a predetermined time period.

55. The filter of claim 50, wherein the second biodegradable material comprises polyglycolic acid.

56. The filter of claim 50, further comprising means for releasing the releasable retainer responsive to an energy stimulus.

57. The filter of claim 50, further comprising means for releasing the releasable retainer responsive to a chemical stimulus.

58. The filter of claim 51, wherein each orienting member is formed integrally with a respective intraluminal filter element.

59. The filter of claim 51, wherein each orienting member is formed integrally with the inferior end of its respective intraluminal filter element.

60. The filter of claim 51, wherein each orienting member comprises a portion of the respective intraluminal filter element extending substantially parallel to an axis of filtration.

61. The filter of claim 51, wherein each orienting member comprises an elongate portion of the respective intraluminal filter element extending from the respective superior end and radially outwardly from the retainer.

62. The filter of claim 51, wherein each orienting member comprises a loop extending between the inferior ends of adjacent intraluminal filter elements.