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Methods and devices for filtering fluid flow through a body structure

  • US 6,425,909 B1
  • Filed: 11/04/1999
  • Issued: 07/30/2002
  • Est. Priority Date: 11/04/1999
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A method of filtering flow through a vessel, comprising the steps of:

  • providing a filter device having a wire and a filter element, the filter element being movable between a collapsed position and an expanded position, the filter element being naturally biased toward the collapsed position, the wire also having a collapsed shape and an expanded shape, the wire being tensioned to hold the wire in the collapsed shape;

    introducing the filter device into a patient;

    positioning the filter element at a desired location; and

    advancing the wire into the filter element so that the wire expands the filter element toward the expanded position, the wire sliding against an interior surface of the filter element and being free to move relative to the filter element at all locations proximal to a distal end.

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