Vascular filter system for carotid endarterectomy

• US 7,229,462 B2
• Filed: 02/26/2002
• Issued: 06/12/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/30/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Cardinal Health Switzerland 515 GmbH (Cardinal Health, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AngioGuard, Inc. (Cardinal Health, Inc.)
• Inventors: Welch, Jeffrey, Sutton, Gregg S.
• Primary Examiner(s): THALER, MICHAEL H
• Application Number:
  US10/083,866
• Publication Number:
  US 20020091408A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,932 Days
• Field of Search: 606/200, 604/8, 604/9
• US Class Current: 606/200
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/013 Distal protection devices, i.e. devices placed distally in combination with another endovascular procedure, e.g. angioplasty or stenting
• 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 2230/0069 cylindrical
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/008 paraboloidal
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0183 Rapid exchange or monorail catheters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/09183 having tools at the distal tip
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/1052 for temporarily occluding a vessel for isolating a sector
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/1011 Multiple balloon catheters

Abstract

A removable vascular filter system for capture and retrieval of emboli while allowing continuous perfusion of blood during a carotid endarterectomy procedure, comprising a porous filter membrane with variable diameter holes, and a filter membrane support structure. The system may minimize the incidence of stroke, or other clinical complications that may be associated with carotid endarterectomy procedures.

Claims

1. A filter system for carotid endarterectomy comprising:

proximal and distal members each having at least first and second lumens, and an inflatable balloon and each first lumen being in fluid communication with the respective inflatable balloon;

a middle section positioned between the proximal and distal members, the middle section having a third lumen in fluid communication with each of the second lumens, a fourth lumen in fluid communication with each of the first lumens and a first inflation port, and a fifth lumen in fluid communication with a second port; and

a vascular filter system comprising a guidewire insertable into the second port and advanced through the second lumen of the distal member, wherein each of the the inflatable balloons is capable of being inflated simultaneously, the vascular filter system comprising (a) a filter membrane support structure, and (b) a filter membrane attached to the filter membrane support structure, the filter membrane having holes, wherein the holes comprise varying diameters ranging from about 20 to about 300 microns, and (c) one or more fibers affixed to the circumference of the holes and configured to capture embolic material.

2. The filter system of claim 1 wherein said holes are non-uniformly spaced.