Multiple membrane embolic protection filter

• US 7,481,823 B2
• Filed: 10/25/2002
• Issued: 01/27/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/25/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Beulke, Mel, Voeller, Virgil, Vrba, Anthony C., Broome, Thomas E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Manahan; Todd E
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, TUAN VAN
• Application Number:
  US10/280,191
• Publication Number:
  US 20040082967A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,286 Days
• Field of Search: 606/200
• US Class Current: 606/200
• 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 2230/005 Rosette-shaped, e.g. star-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0067 conical
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/09183 having tools at the distal tip

Abstract

An embolic protection filter having a plurality of filter membranes for collecting embolic debris within a body lumen is disclosed. An embolic protection filter in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a first filter membrane coupled to an elongated member, a second filter membrane coupled to the elongated member distal the first filter membrane, and an actuator mechanism for actuating the embolic protection filter within a vessel.

Claims

1. An embolic protection filter having a proximal end and a distal end for using during a therapeutic procedure in a patient, the filter comprising:

a first filter membrane having a generally conical shape opening towards the proximal end coupled to an elongated member;

a second filter membrane having a generally conical shape opening towards the proximal end coupled to the elongated member distal the first filter membrane; and

a filter frame adapted to support the first and second filter membranes within a body lumen;

wherein when the filter is disposed percutaneously, the first filter membrane is actuatable from an expanded position to a collapsed position independent of the second filter membrane in response to a force applied to the filter from the proximal end.

2. The embolic protection filter of claim 1, wherein said elongated member is a guidewire.

3. The embolic protection filter of claim 1, wherein said elongated member is a hypo-tube.

4. The embolic protection filter of claim 1, wherein said elongated member is a catheter.

5. The embolic protection filter of claim 1, wherein each of said first and second filter membranes comprise a microporous membrane.

6. The embolic protection filter of claim 1, wherein each of said first and second filter membranes comprise a woven or braided mesh screen.

7. The embolic protection filter of claim 1, wherein the first filter membrane includes a first set of openings, and wherein the second filter membrane includes a second set of openings.

8. The embolic protection filter of claim 7, wherein the size of the first set of openings is the same as the size of the second set of openings.

9. The embolic protection filter of claim 7, wherein the size of the first set of openings is larger than the size of the second set of openings.

10. The embolic protection filter of claim 1, wherein said filter frame comprises a plurality of support struts.

11. The embolic protection filter of claim 10, wherein said plurality of support struts are biased in an outward direction.

12. The embolic protection filter of claim 10, wherein said plurality of support struts comprise a first set of support struts and a second set of support struts.

13. The embolic protection filter of claim 10, wherein said plurality of support struts are formed of a metal.

14. The embolic protection filter of claim 13, wherein said metal is stainless steel.

15. The embolic protection filter of claim 10, wherein said plurality of support struts are formed of a shape-memory material.

16. The embolic protection filter of claim 15, wherein said shape-memory material is a nickel-titanium alloy.

17. The embolic protection filter of claim 1, further comprising an actuator mechanism.

18. An embolic protection filter having a proximal end and a distal end comprising:

a first filter membrane having a generally conical shape opening towards the proximal end coupled to an elongated member;

a second filter membrane having a generally conical shape opening towards the proximal end coupled to the elongated member distal the first filter membrane;

a filter frame adapted to support the first and second filter membranes within a body lumen;

wherein the first filter membrane is actuatable between an expanded position and a collapsed position independent of the second filter membrane in response to a force applied to the filter from the proximal end;

further comprising an actuator mechanism; and

wherein said actuator mechanism comprises a first retrieval member coupled to the first filter membrane, and a second retrieval member coupled to the second filter membrane.

19. The embolic protection filter of claim 18, wherein each of said first and second retrieval members comprise one or more wires.

20. The embolic protection filter of claim 18, wherein said elongated member includes a first opening configured to receive the first retrieval member, and a second opening configured to receive the second retrieval member.

21. An embolic protection filter having a proximal end and a distal end comprising:

a first filter membrane having a generally conical shape opening towards the proximal end coupled to an elongated member;

a second filter membrane having a generally conical shape opening towards the proximal end coupled to the elongated member distal the first filter membrane;

a filter frame adapted to support the first and second filter membranes within a vessel;

a first actuator mechanism coupled to the first filter membrane; and

a second actuator mechanism coupled to the second filter membrane;

wherein the first actuator mechanism may actuate the first filter membrane into a collapsed position independent of the second filter membrane in response to a force applied from the proximal end.

22. The embolic protection filter of claim 21, wherein said elongated member is a guidewire.

23. The embolic protection filter of claim 21, wherein said elongated member is a hypo-tube.

24. The embolic protection filter of claim 21, wherein said elongated member is a catheter.

25. The embolic protection filter of claim 21, wherein each of said first and second filter membranes comprise a microporous membrane.

26. The embolic protection filter of claim 21, wherein each of said first and second filter membranes comprise a woven or braided mesh screen.

27. The embolic protection filter of claim 21, wherein the first filter membrane includes a first set of openings, and wherein the second filter membrane includes a second set of openings.

28. The embolic protection filter of claim 27, wherein the size of the first set of openings is the same as the size of the second set of openings.

29. The embolic protection filter of claim 27, wherein the size of the first set of openings is larger than the size of the second set of openings.

30. The embolic protection filter of claim 21, wherein said filter frame comprises a plurality of support struts.

31. The embolic protection filter of claim 30, wherein said plurality of support struts are biased in an outward direction.

32. The embolic protection filter of claim 30, wherein said plurality of support struts are formed of a metal.

33. The embolic protection filter of claim 32, wherein said metal is stainless steel.

34. The embolic protection filter of claim 30, wherein said plurality of support struts are formed of a shape-memory material.

35. The embolic protection filter of claim 34, wherein said shape-memory material is a nickel-titanium alloy.

36. The embolic protection filter of claim 21, wherein said first actuator mechanism comprises a first set of retrieval members configured to engage the first filter membrane, and said second actuator mechanism comprises a second set of retrieval members configured to engage the second filter membrane.

37. The embolic protection filter of claim 36, wherein each of said first and second sets of retrieval members comprise two or more wires.

38. The embolic protection filter of claim 36, wherein said elongated member includes a first opening configured to receive the first set of retrieval members, and a second opening configured to receive the second set of retrieval members.

39. An embolic protection device having a proximal end and a distal end, comprising:

a guidewire;

a filter coupled to the guidewire, the filter including a first filter membrane having a generally conical shape opening towards the proximal end, a second filter membrane having a generally conical shape opening towards the proximal end, and a filter frame adapted to support the first and second filter membranes within a body lumen, the filter frame including a plurality of support struts;

a actuator mechanism for selectively actuating the first or second filter membranes;

wherein the first filter membrane is actuatable from an expanded position to a collapsed position independent of the second filter membrane in response to a force applied from the proximal end.

40. The embolic protection filter of claim 39, wherein the plurality of support struts are biased in an outward direction.

41. The embolic protection filter of claim 39, wherein the filter is slidably and rotatably coupled to the guidewire.