Intravascular filter with debris entrapment mechanism

• US 6,692,513 B2
• Filed: 06/29/2001
• Issued: 02/17/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Viacor, Inc.
• Inventors: Moore, Robert Kevin, Lambrecht, Gregory H., Liddicoat, John R., Davenport, Todd F., Streeter, Richard B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bui, Vy Q.
• Application Number:
  US09/896,258
• Publication Number:
  US 20020049468A1
• Time in Patent Office: 963 Days
• Field of Search: 606/200, 606/159, 606/108, 606/151, 606/194, 606/110, 604/96, 623/2.12, 623/2.14, 623/2.15, 623/2.16, 623/2.17, 623/2.18, 623/2.19
• US Class Current: 606/200
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/01 Filters implantable into blood vessels
• 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 2230/008 paraboloidal

Abstract

Apparatus for filtering and entrapping debris in the vascular system of a patient, the apparatus including a filter to allow blood to flow therethrough and to restrict passage of debris, wherein the filter captures debris carried in a first direction of blood flow. The apparatus further includes an entrapment mechanism which allows passage of debris and blood therethrough, in the first direction of blood flow and prevents debris passage in a second direction. The entrapment mechanism and filter allow blood and debris therethrough in the first direction of blood flow. The entrapment mechanism prevents debris flow in the second direction of blood flow A method for filtering and entrapping debris in the vascular system includes inserting the apparatus into the vascular system, allowing blood and debris carried therein to flow through the entrapment mechanism, and removing the apparatus and accumulated debris from the vascular system.

Claims

1. Apparatus for filtering and entrapping debris in the vascular system of a patient, said apparatus comprising:

a filter device adapted to allow blood flow therethrough and to restrict passage of debris therethrough, said filter device having, a proximal side and a distal side, said filter device being adapted to capture debris carried in a first direction of blood flow from the proximal side to the distal side thereof on the proximal side of said filter device;

an entrapment device having a proximal side and a distal side, said entrapment device comprising flap means on the distal side thereof adapted to open to allow passage of debris and blood therethrough in the first direction of blood flow from the proximal side to the distal side of said entrapment device, said flap means being operable to close to prevent debris passage from the distal side to the proximal side of said entrapment device in a second direction opposite to the first direction, said filter device and said entrapment device forming a chamber therebetween; and

said apparatus being deployable within the vascular system;

wherein said entrapment device allows blood and debris carried therein to flow therethrough in the first direction of blood flow and said filter device allows blood to flow therethrough in the first direction of blood flow, and said entrapment device flap means prevent debris from flowing back therethrough in the second direction of blood flow opposite to the first direction of blood flow such that the debris is trapped within the chamber for removal from the vascular system of the patient.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising an introduction mechanism including a cannula to insert said apparatus into the vascular system of the patient.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a frame selectively configurable to adjustably size said filter device and said entrapment device.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3 further comprising a compliant outer cuff configured to surround said frame, and to make contact with an inner wall of the vascular system of the patient.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said compliant outer cuff passively surrounds said frame.

6. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said compliant outer cuff is radially expandable.

7. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said filter device comprises a filter bag.

8. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said entrapment device flap means comprise at least one entrapment leaflet attached to a first portion of said entrapment device on the distal side of said entrapment device and contacting a second portion of said entrapment device on the distal side of said entrapment device such that said at least one entrapment leaflet is moveable to a position removed from the second distal side of said entrapment device to allow blood and debris in the first direction of blood flow therethrough and said at least one entrapment leaflet is moveable toward the second distal side of said entrapment device to prevent debris flow in the second direction of blood flow therethrough.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said at least one entrapment leaflet comprises a filter material so as to allow flow of blood, and to prevent flow of debris, in the second direction of blood flow back through said entrapment device.

10. Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said at least one entrapment leaflet comprises a non-porous material so as to prevent blood and debris flow in the second direction of blood flow back through said entrapment device.

11. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the first direction of blood flow is the direction of systolic blood flow and the second direction of blood flow is the direction of diastolic blood flow.

12. A method for filtering and entrapping debris from the vascular system of a patient, the method comprising:

providing apparatus for filtering and entrapping debris in the vascular system of a patient, the apparatus comprising;

a filter device adapted to allow blood flow therethrough and to restrict passage of debris therethrough, the filter device having a proximal side and a distal side, the filter device being adapted to capture debris carried in a first direction of blood flow from the proximal side to the distal side thereof on the proximal side of the filter device;

an entrapment device having a proximal side and a distal side, the entrapment device comprising flaps means on the distal side thereof adapted to open to allow passage of blood and debris therethrough in the first direction of blood flow from the proximal side to the distal side of the entrapment device, the flap means being operable to close to prevent debris passage from the distal side to the proximal side of the entrapment device in a second direction opposite to the first direction, the filter device and the entrapment device forming a chamber therebetween; and

the apparatus being deployable within the vascular system;

wherein the entrapment device allows blood and debris carried therein to flow therethrough in the first direction of blood flow and the filter device allows blood to flow therethrough in the first direction of blood flow, and the entrapment device prevents debris from flowing back therethrough in the second direction of blood flow opposite to the first direction of blood flow such that the flap means entrap the filtered debris within the chamber for removal from the vascular system of the patient;

inserting the apparatus into the vascular system of the patient; and

allowing blood and debris carried therein to flow through the entrapment device, and into the chamber.

13. A method according to claim 12 further comprising the step of making an opening in a wall of a portion of the vascular system prior to the step of inserting the apparatus into the vascular system of the patient wherein the apparatus is inserted through the opening.

14. A method according to claim 13 wherein the portion is the aorta of the patient.

15. A method according to claim 12 further comprising the step of removing the apparatus from the vascular system of the patient.

16. A method according to claim 12 wherein the apparatus maintains entrapment of debris during the step of removing the apparatus from the vascular system of the patient.

17. An apparatus for filtering and entrapping debris in a vascular system of a patient, the apparatus comprising:

an entrapment device comprising an annular member;

flap means fixed to said annular member and extending toward a center of said annular member, said flap means being moveable by flood flow in a first direction through said annular member to provide a central orifice for blood and debris therein to flow therethrough; and

a filter bag fixed at an open end thereof to said annular member and adapted to permit blood flow therethrough in the first direction and collect the debris flowed thereinto;

wherein upon reversal of the direction of blood flow, said filter bag permits blood flow therethrough, and said flap means is moveable by the blood flow to close the orifice to prevent flow of debris in a direction opposite to the first direction.