Methods, systems, and devices for deploying a filter from a filter device

• US 6,951,570 B2
• Filed: 06/28/2002
• Issued: 10/04/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Rubicon Medical, Inc. (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Rubicon Medical, Inc. (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Edmiston, Daryl R., Linder, Richard J., Johnson, Steven W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Anhtua T.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Baxter, Jessica R
• Application Number:
  US10/186,255
• Publication Number:
  US 20030009188A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,194 Days
• Field of Search: 606/191, 606/192, 606/194, 606/195, 606/198, 606/200, 606/159
• US Class Current: 606/200
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/01 Filters implantable into blood vessels
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/011 Instruments for their placement or removal
• 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 2230/008 paraboloidal

Abstract

A filter device is adapted to function as a guidewire, an exchange guidewire, and provide embolic protection during a procedure. The filter device includes a filter assembly that is either integral with or coupled to a guide member. The filter assembly includes a plurality of struts that expand outwardly to deploy a filter that collects or captures material flowing along the blood vessel within which the filter device is deployed. The plurality of struts are constrained by a restraining member or mechanism that prevents the plurality of struts from expanding or extending outwardly to deploy the filter. Cooperating with the restraining member or mechanism is an actuating assembly that is adapted to release the restraining member or mechanism and enable the filter to be deployed from the guide member. A capture catheter that cooperates with the filter device and substantially surrounds the filter during removal of the filter device.

Claims

1. A filter device for percutaneous insertion into a blood vessel during a procedure, the filter device comprising:

(a) a guide member comprising a distal end, a proximal end, and a lumen extending from the distal end to the proximal end, said distal end being an atraumatic tip having a level of resiliency sufficient to maintain a curvature defined by a physician or clinician;

(b) means for filtering material from a blood stream, said means being disposed within said lumen of said guide member and having a proximal end and a distal end; and

(c) means for deploying said means for filtering from said lumen of said guide member into the blood stream in the blood vessel through said atraumatic tip and retracting said means for filtering upon completing the procedure.

2. A filter device as recited in claim 1, wherein said means for deploying comprises an actuating assembly.

3. A filter device as recited in claim 2, wherein said actuating assembly comprises an actuating member and an actuating element.

4. A filter device as recited in claim 3, wherein said actuating element is moveable by a human.

5. A filter device as recited in claim 3, wherein said actuating element is a moveable by a removable clamp set.

6. A filter device as recited in claim 3, wherein said actuating element is coupled to said guide member.

7. A filter device as recited in claim 3, wherein said actuating element comprises an open indicator, a closed indicator, and a refracted indicator.

8. A filter device as recited in claim 1, wherein said means for filtering comprises a filter.

9. A filter device as recited in claim 1, wherein said means for deploying comprises an actuating member coupled to an actuator head, said actuator head communicating with said means for filtering.

10. A filter device as recited in claim 1, wherein said means for filtering comprises means for opening an end of said means for filtering.

11. A filter device as recited in claim 10, wherein said means for opening comprises a biased member.

12. A filter device comprising:

(a) a guide member comprising a distal end, a proximal end, and a lumen extending from said distal end to said proximal end, said distal end being an atraumatic tip having a level of resiliency sufficient to maintain a curvature defined by a physician or clinician;

(b) an actuating assembly coupled to said guide member, said actuating assembly comprising;

(i) an actuating member disposed within said lumen of said guide member, said actuating member having a proximal end and a distal end; and

(ii) an actuating mechanism coupled to said distal end of said guide member and to said actuating member; and

(c) a filter assembly disposed within said lumen and deployable by said actuating member through said atraumatic tip and from said lumen, said filter assembly comprising;

(i) a filter comprising a proximal end with an opening formed therein; and

(ii) a plurality of struts coupled to said proximal end of said filter and said actuating member, at least one of said plurality of struts being biased to open said opening.

13. The filter device a recited in claim 12, wherein said actuating member is partially disposed in said lumen of said guide member.

14. A method for operating a vascular filter device during a procedure, comprising:

(a) inserting a filter device into the vasculature of a patient distal of a portion of a blood vessel to be accessed during a procedure, said filter device comprising;

(i) a guide member having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending from said distal end, said distal end being an atraumatic tip having a level of resiliency sufficient to maintain a curvature defined by a physician or clinician; and

(ii) a filter disposed within said lumen at said distal end of said guide member, said filter having a distal end;

(iii) an actuating member disposed within said lumen of said guide member;

(b) deploying said filter through said atraumatic tip and from within said lumen into the blood stream to capture material that is dislodged during the procedure;

(c) retracting said filter until an open-ended proximal end thereof is positioned in relationship with said guide member to prevent said captured material from escaping from said filter; and

(d) upon positioning a capture catheter to enclose said filter, removing said filter device and said capture catheter from the vasculature of the patient.

15. A method as recited in claim 14, further comprising locking said capture catheter to said guide member.

16. A method as recited in claim 15, further comprising actuating said actuating member to deploy said filter.

17. A method as recited in claim 14, wherein retracting said filter comprises retracting said open-ended proximal end of said filter until said proximal end is in contact with said guide member.

18. A method as recited in claim 14, wherein retracting said filter comprises retracting said open-ended proximal end of said filter into said lumen of said guide member.

19. A method as recited in claim 14, wherein deploying said filter comprises pushing said filter from said lumen.

20. A method as recited in claim 19, further comprising expanding said proximal end of said filter to form an opening.

21. A method as recited in claim 20, wherein expanding said proximal end further comprises automatically expanding said proximal end through rotational motion of an actuating member disposed in said lumen.

22. A method for removing a vascular filter device, comprising:

(a) following deploying a filter of a filter assembly from a guide member, through an atraumatic tip of said guide member distal having a level of resiliency sufficient to maintain a curvature defined by a physician or clinician, by moving an actuating member, disposed within a lumen of said guide member in a distal direction, retracting said filter until an opened proximal end of said filter is positioned in relationship with said guide member to prevent the captured material from escaping from said filter; and

(b) upon positioning a capture catheter to enclose said filter, removing said filter device and said capture catheter from the vasculature of the patient.

23. A method as recited in claim 22, wherein retracting said filter comprises moving said actuating member in a proximal direction by moving an actuator element in a proximal direction.

24. A method as recited in claim 23, wherein moving said actuating member further comprises moving a first clamp set coupled to said actuator element to move said actuating member.

25. A method as recited in claim 23, wherein moving said actuating member further comprises moving said actuator element by-hand to move said actuating member.

26. A method as recited in claim 23, further comprising locking said capture catheter to said guide member.