Removable blood filter
First Claim
1. A blood filter comprising:
- a plurality of central struts, the distal ends thereof intersecting at a vertex;
a hollow tubular member having distal and proximal ends in fluid communication, and having at least one vertical strut extending therefrom; and
means for retaining said plurality of central struts within said hollow tubular member.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides a blood filter comprising a plurality of central struts, the distal ends thereof intersecting at a vertex, a hollow tubular member having distal and proximal ends in fluid communication, and having at least one vertical strut extending therefrom, and means for retaining the plurality of central struts within the hollow tubular member. At least the outer layer of the hollow tubular member is made of a flexible material which resists the ingrowth of tissue around the central struts of the filter. The blood filter of the present invention can reduce the occurrence of circulatory occlusions, including pulmonary embolism, in patients and because of the hollow tubular member being made from a material which resists the ingrowth of tissue, it can easily be removed from the venous system of the patient when there is no longer an indication for its use.
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Citations
48 Claims
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1. A blood filter comprising:
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a plurality of central struts, the distal ends thereof intersecting at a vertex;
a hollow tubular member having distal and proximal ends in fluid communication, and having at least one vertical strut extending therefrom; and
means for retaining said plurality of central struts within said hollow tubular member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A blood filter comprising:
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a plurality of central struts, the distal ends thereof intersecting at a vertex; and
a hollow tubular member having distal and proximal ends in fluid communication, with at least one vertical strut extending therefrom, wherein said plurality of central struts are retained within said hollow tubular member. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A method of using a blood filter to reduce circulatory occlusion in a patient, said blood filter comprising a plurality of central struts, the distal ends thereof intersecting at a vertex and a hollow tubular member having distal and proximal ends in fluid communication, with at least one vertical strut extending therefrom, wherein said plurality of central struts are retained within said hollow tubular member, said method comprising:
surgically implanting said blood filter into a blood vessel of the patient such that said hollow tubular member lies adjacent to the inner wall of said blood vessel and such that blood flows through said filter. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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35. A method of using a blood filter to reduce circulatory occlusion in a patient, said blood filter comprising a plurality of central struts, the distal ends thereof intersecting at a vertex, a hollow tubular member having distal and proximal ends in fluid communication, and having at least one vertical strut extending therefrom, and means for retaining said plurality of central struts within said hollow tubular member, said method comprising:
surgically implanting said blood filter into a blood vessel of the patient such that said hollow tubular member lies adjacent to the inner wall of said blood vessel and such that blood flows through said filter. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
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42. A method of using at least one blood filter to reduce circulatory occlusion in a patient, said at least one blood filter comprising a plurality of central struts, the distal ends thereof intersecting at a vertex, a hollow tubular member having distal and proximal ends in fluid communication with at least one vertical strut extending therefrom, and a means for retaining said plurality of central struts within said hollow tubular member, said method comprising:
surgically implanting at least one blood filter into at least one blood vessel of the patient such that blood flows through said at least one blood filter and such that said hollow tubular member lies adjacent to the wall of said at least one blood vessel. - View Dependent Claims (43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48)
Specification