Removable thrombus filter
First Claim
1. A thrombus filter configured for placement within a blood vessel lumen defined by a blood vessel wall, 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 body member;
each wire radiating away from the body member to form a helix of expanding diameter;
each wire being configured so that the wire travels along the wall of the blood vessel at an acute angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the lumen of the blood vessel, wherein each wire is generally tapered so that a free end of each wire is generally smaller than other portions thereof.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
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.
-
Citations
17 Claims
-
1. A thrombus filter configured for placement within a blood vessel lumen defined by a blood vessel wall, 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 body member;
each wire radiating away from the body member to form a helix of expanding diameter;
each wire being configured so that the wire travels along the wall of the blood vessel at an acute angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the lumen of the blood vessel, wherein each wire is generally tapered so that a free end of each wire is generally smaller than other portions thereof. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
-
-
8. A thrombus filter configured for placement within a blood vessel lumen defined by a blood vessel wall, 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 body member;
each wire radiating away from the body member at a first angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the lumen of the blood vessel to define a filtering portion of the thrombus filter;
each wire having a portion extending beyond the filtering portion of the thrombus filter to define a wall engaging portion of the thrombus filter; and
the portion of each wire defining the wall engaging portion of the thrombus filter radiating at a second angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the lumen of the blood vessel, wherein each wire is generally tapered so that a free end of each wire is generally smaller than other portions thereof. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
-
-
16. 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;
connecting a retrieval catheter to the thrombus filter; and
applying a twisting force to the thrombus filter. - View Dependent Claims (17)
-
Specification